Latin Name: Bromus ramosus

Group: Seven helpers

Emotional Group: Uncertainty

Chronic condition: Lack of direction

Method: Sun

Indication

Those who have ambitions to do something of prominence in life, who wish to have much experience, and to enjoy all that which is possible for them, to take life to the full. Their difficulty is to determine what occupation to follow; as although their ambitions are strong, they have no calling which appeals to them above all others. This may cause delay and dissatisfaction. [Bach: Twelve Healers and Other Remedies 1936]

Affirmation

Let us find one thing in life that attracts us most and do it. Let that one thing be so part of us that it is as natural as breathing; as natural as it is for the bee to collect honey, and the tree to shed its old leaves in autumn and bring forth new ones in the spring. If we study nature we find that every creature, bird, tree and flower has its definite part to play, its own definite and peculiar work through which it aids and enriches the entire Universe. [Bach: Collected Writings]

Chronic Conditions

It is a remedy that may be needed by anyone, and in cases which do not respond to other herbs, or even when it seems difficult to decide which to give, try this for at least a week.

If the patient does well, continue with it so long as they improve before changing to another remedy.
[Barnard: Guide to the Bach Flower Remedies]

Habitat

General
Wild Oat likes a moist soil and prefers a little shade. Look for it where mowers and grazing animals cannot reach on steep banks and among the trees.

Britain
Wild Oat grows throughout the country on hedge-banks and along the edge of woodland.

Wild Oat - Form and Function

Wild Oat is pivotal among the 38 as the only remedy that can help to orientate us towards our true direction. At one point Dr Bach grouped the remedies in formation and put Wild Oat in pole position. Another time he set all the remedies in a circle but placed Wild Oat at the centre. If the different remedies so far discovered help us to understand our soul lessons or to overcome chronic problems, then Wild Oat is there to help us, like a compass, to rediscover our true path in life….

Nora Weeks’ account of Wild Oat and what Bach had in mind focussed on the need that we have for ‘a definite purpose in life’. People are often bored, she says, or lack any real interest in their lives, they do uncongenial work devoid of creativity and this saps strength leading, inevitably, to ill health. In truth, Bach put it more strongly (as we can read in Collected Writings, see particularly Free Thyself Chapter 6) and emphasised the need for every individual to recognise and respond to their life purpose. This is the calling of the soul to fulfil our potential and so to develop those innate qualities that we each possess so that we become true human beings. Our challenge, says Bach, is that we may realise our Divinity…for through that Divine Power all things are possible to us’. If the terminology (Divine Power) is the obstruction then substitute ‘the power to dream’ for what we dream, that we become.

£4.25/10ml