Stay focused with Clematis

Taking Clematis allows one to clear the mind and be present in the moment.

by Linda Crider — 

Sixteenth-century herbalist John Gerard aptly gave the clematis plant its common name, “traveller’s joy.” This botanical is an attractive, far-reaching vine that frequently appears along roadsides in the United Kingdom. Interestingly enough, the flower remedy from this plant is used to stabilize those who, as one practitioner writes, “travel between the worlds.” Clematis helps dreamy, creative types become more firmly rooted in reality.

In Dr. Edward Bach’s system of 38 flower remedies, Clematis is one of the original 12 Healers, eventually placed by Bach in the category of “Insufficient Interest in Present Circumstances.” Those individuals in need of this remedy are often perceived as being “not all there.”

The unbalanced Clematis state usually characterizes such a personality type. We know these folks as airy-fairy dreamers — those who seem to live in a perpetual fantasy world. Artists, visionaries, inventors and the like make up some of this group, and our world would be a dreary place without their creative efforts.

However, because of their ruminative natures, such individuals can easily find themselves dreaming more than doing. The invention or artistic creation only exists in a thought form where it may become lost on its way to fruition. In short, Clematis can help such people maintain a balance between keeping their feet on the ground, while their heads are in the clouds.

However, considering the demands of everyday life, it is understandable that even the most reality-oriented individuals may succumb to daydreaming or fantasy, if only for a short while. Such an effort to temporarily escape is not harmful, unless it interferes with the ability to carry on in the real world. This is where Clematis comes to the rescue.

The inability to focus is a common complaint these days. Since most of us are inundated with a seemingly endless to-do list and a life crammed with deadlines and obligations, it is no wonder that we appear to run out of brain cells. We often find ourselves feeling spaced out, wandering into rooms only to forget what we were looking for or having so many appointments that we end up in the right place at the wrong time. Taking Clematis allows one to clear the mind and be present in the moment.

Children, as well as adults, who are diagnosed with attention deficit disorders should consider this remedy as part of a holistic protocol that includes proper nutrition and other natural therapies. Students of all ages and disciplines would also benefit from taking Clematis, especially during exams or any other instance where mental concentration is called for.

When Bach assembled his now famous stress formula Rescue Remedy®, he was aware of the importance of including a remedy that would encourage the clear thinking that is often lacking in stressful situations. For this, he chose Clematis. Although the benefit of this flower essence is achieved by taking Rescue Remedy, it also may be taken by itself during those times when we feel absent-minded or distracted. Clematis is a safe, gently effective remedy that can help us stay focused, as well as grounded.

Linda Crider, BFRP, has been a promoter and educator of botanical healing practices for 15 years. She specializes in flower essence therapy and is a Bach Foundation Registered Practitioner and founder of Blooming Vibrations, LLC. 602-774-2382 or www.bloomingvibrations.com.

Reprinted from AzNetNews, Volume 31, Number 3, June/July 2012.