Red Chestnut
Botanical: Aesculus Carnea
Family: Hippocastanaceae
Homeopathic remedy: Not used, although members of the Aesculus genus - Aesculus Hippocastanum and Aesculus Glabra are used.
Description: The Red Chestnut has a hybrid origin. It is the cross between the Horse chestnut (Aesculus Hippocastanm) and Red Buckeye (Aesculus Pavia). Pyramidal in shape when very young, Red Horsechestnut develops slowly into a round, very dense shade tree by five to seven years of age, and is outstanding in the landscape for its beautiful springtime display of blossoms. It produces poisonous nuts enclosed in large husks. The multitude of pink to bright scarlet blooms appear on erect, panicles at each branch tip and are quite attractive to bees and hummingbirds.
Medicinal uses: Not known.
Keywords: Worry, Anxiety about others, Anticipation of something unfortunate event happening to others, Caring for others
Compare: Chicory
Dr Bach's description: For those who find it difficult not to be anxious for other people. Often they have ceased to worry about themselves, but for those of whom they are fond they may suffer much, frequently anticipating that some unfortunate thing may happen to them.
Essence: The Red Chestnut is useful in situations, where the patient is anxious for other people. He may even stop worrying about himself, but he still worries about what will happen to the ones he is fond of. This can take the form of either a fear, anxiety or uneasiness with anticipation, that something terrible is about to happen to someone.
The Red Chestnut has certain similarity with the Chicory. The Chicory in one of its phases can be overly caring about the people he loves. The difference is that the Chicory looks after the closest persons in every aspect (making decisions, helping), while the Red Chestnut reaction is that he expects something bad to them. Yet the major difference lies in the fact, that the Chicory expects something in return for the caring and the Red Chestnut worries so much about others, that he forgets his own problems.