chicory flower essence

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Chicory flower essence

"Those who are very mindful of the needs of others they tend to be over-full of care for children, relatives, friends, always finding something that should be put right. They are continually correcting what they consider wrong, and enjoy doing so. They desire that those for whom they care should be near them." ~ Edward Bach, The Twelve Healers and Other Remedies

A Chicory blockage:

• manipulation

• controlling

• self-pity

• demanding

• possessive

• critical

• nagging

• fussy

• calculating

Positive expression of:

• loving without expectation

• selfless service

• selfless love

• warm

• kind

• nurturing

• the Great Mother

Cichorium intybus

I personally love the flower essences and reach for them whenever I feel the need (often daily—I'm drinking some as I type this), but I'm finding that I have an unexpectedly strong aversion to talking about Chicory. I've actually been actively dragging my feet on discussing it, even though I think it's as awesome an essence as any other.

I know precisely why I feel this aversion, and if you have someone in your life who's also unconsciously overwhelmed by Chicory blockages, then I think you'll completely understand my reluctance by the time we've finished talking this out; much like the Chicory plant, they have a tendency to leave a bitter taste in one's mouth. The person that's making this essence such a tricky one for me once exhibited the loving and positive expression, so it's especially hard to watch them now—even from a distance. A distance far, far away, where their behavior eventually pushed everyone that they love and that loves them back.

I did feel a little bit comforted, however, after reading through Bach's work. His definition of the flower essences became more refined the longer he worked with them, but one of his earlier writings about those in need of Chicory makes me feel like we've both experienced exactly the same personality type. Chicory personalities are, in his early words, "possessive, self-centred, hard-natured, spiteful, vindictive and cruel." Unfortunately, I couldn't agree with him more. And even though he did soften and expand on his words as time went on, I believe the earlier version is still devastatingly accurate. Especially to the loved ones that their actions impact.

But I always remember that there's a positive and beautiful side to Chicory as well, and many of the essences expressed poorly are a pretty unpleasant lot. So let's talk blockages first, but then move on to the bright and very loving side of the Chicory personality ♥

you're suffocating me

If you know anything about astrology, then what I'm about to say will sound very much like a Cancer gone wrong. If the perfectly healthy example of Chicory is The Universal Mother, then the antithesis would be The Smothering Mother. Of course, both men and women can experience Chicory blockages, but that archetype is fitting no matter what—if either—gender applies. Young or old. He, she, or they. Chicory blockages can be found anywhere.

I feel like the negative Chicory type is frequently depicted in books and movies, and the general character is quite familiar to most us, even if we haven't known one personally. Those with Chicory blockages (or overall personalities) are the ruthlessly controlling people, but always doing so in the name of "I only want what's best for you, dear." (You can hear the tone there, right?) And if firmly dictating doesn't generate the response they want from you, then they're not hesitant about wielding the powerful tool of manipulation and will often shed tears to get their way.

eager to meddle

The Chicory soul is very certain that they know precisely what is best for you and will not hesitate to "help" (a.k.a. interfere). Somehow, they always seem to think they know how and where your life should be heading and are convinced that you should follow the rules that they've taken the time to wisely lay out for you. Take the direction that they deem is most appropriate. Follow the path that they believe to be the best for all involved, regardless of your thoughts on the subject. Generally speaking, they take their feelings into careful consideration, but aren't nearly as concerned about yours, even if they claim to be so.

Always eager to meddle in your life, your choices, and/or your plans—especially if those plans aren't aligned with theirs—they correct and criticize with abandon. Ever at the ready to remedy the "obvious" wrong choices or shortcomings of their loved ones, they tend to incessantly nag. Emotionally needy and demanding, they insist that they should be your top priority—even falling ill (or perhaps faking it) in an attempt to make it so. Their lives revolve around trying to fill the empty hole they feel inside; unfortunately, their actions only exacerbate their pain rather than heal it.

There is very little thought to the feelings of others, even when they claim to be acting in the name of love, because the Chicory type is woefully self-absorbed. And if you're bold enough to defy them? They are easily offended and anger is often the go-to response. This anger is generally due to the fact that their help was not received with the proper gratitude and/or appreciation that they feel it deserves. They feel wronged and shortchanged, and they can (and will) hold onto a grudge into eternity. And beyond.

all they want is love, love

Perhaps they know it, perhaps they don't, but what the Chicory soul truly craves is love. Their version of love, however, is toxic. How much of themselves that they offer to their loved ones is always carefully calculated, and tallies are kept. Are you loving them enough in return? Are you grateful enough for all that they've done and sacrificed for you? Have you expressed that love and gratitude—frequently and profusely?

Extremely possessive of family, they will do anything to keep them close at hand. Since being alone is avoided as much as possible, the Chicory soul will do their best to arrange is so that their family is always around—no matter the inconvenience to those loved ones. Mechthild Scheffer describes them as "a black hole or a bottomless pit that constantly needs to be filled with affection, recognition, and assurance."

the flip side

But that's only the dark side. And with the help of Chicory flower essence, we can dissolve those blockages and move on to the bright side and the beautiful potential that lies there. Mechthild Scheffer calls Chicory The Motherliness Flower because of the positive potential that expresses itself as The Universal Mother.

Instead of demanding love, the Chicory soul now focuses on offering it freely, with no expectations or conditions attached. Warm and kind, they also willingly offer themselves in selfless service—a concept that is foreign to those dealing with blockages. Tallies are no longer kept and grievances are no longer catalogued. The healthy Chicory personality no longer feels the urge to correct all wrongs, but instead allows their loved ones to find their own way and carve their own path. Gone are the constant criticisms and nagging as allowing and acceptance take their place.

The deep, inner craving for love that made the blocked Chicory individual act and manipulate as it did, can now be seen, acknowledged, and dealt with. Able to process their own emotions—formerly impossible—means that they are able to take care of their own needs without having to force others to try and fill that empty void inside of them. Instead of pushing loved ones away by clinging to them desperately, they become the warm and safe shelter that, at times, their loved ones will likely find themselves willingly turning to.

Thus, the suffocating and manipulating mother transforms in to the warm and loving one. A positive transformation that benefits all ♥

"The action of these remedies is to raise our vibrations and open up our channels for the reception of our Spiritual Self, to flood our natures with the particular virtue we need, and wash out from us the fault which is causing harm. They are able, like beautiful music, or any gloriously uplifting thing which gives us inspiration, to raise our very natures, and bring us nearer to our Souls: and by that very act, to bring us peace, and relieve our sufferings.” Edward Bach - Ye Suffer From Yourselves

only one

It's important to remember that if only one of the aforementioned blockage symptoms resonates with you, then giving Chicory a try is still a good call. There will be certain personality types that exhibit nearly all of the symptoms nearly all of the time, but that's not always the case.

For a detailed explanation of how to take the Bach flower essences and where to buy them, please visit my post here: Flower Essences: How to Use. And before I leave you for today, I will reassure you that I'm still slowly but surely working through each and every one of the flower essences! You can find them all conveniently located here: flower essences. Individually, this is what I've managed to accomplish so far:

• impatiens

• clematis

• mimulus

• agrimony

• vervain

• centaury

• all about Bach flower essences

I hope I've answered all of your questions on how to take the remedies, but if not, feel free to reach out to Melinda via our contact page! 

And that'll wrap it up for Chicory! Next on tap: Vervain. Below you can find my cheat sheet that should tide you over until I get through all thirty-eight of the flower essences :)

flower essence cheat sheet.pdf

Download PDF • 555KB

Wishing you a day (and a life!) free from Chicory blockages :)

Much love & thanks for reading,

Melinda

Bach Flower Practitioner