Hornbeam
Botanical: Carpinus Betulus
Family: Betulaceae
Homeopathic remedy: Not used.
Description: The trunk of the Hornbeam is usually flattened, and twisted as though composed of several stems united. The hornbeam thrives well on stiff, clayey, moist soils, into which its roots penetrate deeply. Although it is not a very interesting tree it is very durable and lives very long. Its wood is white, of close-grained structure. It is of considerable tenacity and little flexibility, and is extremely tough.
Medicinal uses: Difficult urination, Diarrhea.
Keywords: Tiredness, Exhaustion, Prostration, Cannot cope with the demands, Weariness.
Compare: Olive
Dr Bach's description: For those who feel that they have not sufficient strength, mentally or physically, to carry the burden of life placed upon them; the affairs of every day seem too much for them to accomplish, though they generally succeed in fulfilling their task. For those who believe that some part, of mind or body, needs to be strengthened before they can easily fulfil their work.
Essence: The main problem of the Hornbeam person is that he feels exhausted and that he feels that he is unable to cope with the problems he must struggle with. The important thing is that the Hornbeam person feels exhausted before he has made an effort. He does not even try to cope with the problems, because he feels that the demands are too great and that he is unable to cope with it.
Olive as well as Hornbeam is a remedy suitable for exhaustion. Yet the exhaustion of the Olive is a physical kind of exhaustion. This does not mean that the Olive would not be suitable for the mental weariness from too much mental work. The Olive is suitable for the exhaustion caused by too much work, which means, that the physical body of the patient is exhausted and needs resting.
The exhaustion of the Hornbeam is solely the exhaustion of the soul. The causes are not the exhaustion of the body, but the soul is exhausted by the incorrect lifestyle and by the way the Hornbeam person lives his everyday life (watching TV too often, passive lifestyle, no physical or mental motion etc.). The exhaustion of the Hornbeam person is amel. once he has started to work and the feeling of weariness will vanish. The physical exhaustion of the Olive person is agg. after starting to work.
The Hornbeam is a very durable and long-living tree that has a very durable and extremely tough wood. The person needing Hornbeam lacks these qualities and the Hornbeam teaches him the necessary endurance and perseverance to achieve his goals.