Bach Flower - Sweet Chestnut (Castanea Sativa)

When describing the Bach Flower Essences, Dr. Bach said that Sweet Chestnut "Is the (remedy) for that terrible, that appalling mental despair when it seems the very soul itself is suffering destruction. It is the hopeless despair of those who feel they have reached the limit of their endurance."

A person in the negative Sweet Chestnut state feels completely alone, helpless, hopeless, and unprotected. The emptiness and the despair are acute, yet he harbours no thoughts of suicide.

This person fears breaking down under the stress and works hard to keep his anguish from other people. He may be recognized by phrases like "I don't know what to do," or "I'm at my wit's end," but he will not admit to the despair he's feeling. You may recognize him by the fact that no words of hope will enter his conversation, because he has none.

Sweet Chestnut is one of the mostly strongly negative soul states, but does not always show up in its most extreme form.

Interestingly, the extreme negative Sweet Chestnut state is often the beginning of a transformation into a new and much better life. This is an emergency state - a "dark night" for the soul - a time when old beliefs and patterns break apart and make room for new levels of consciousness, and even to a new connection to God.

The negative state will resist the change, but this personality will somehow realize that he must hit rock bottom in order to rise again.

After treatment with Bach Flower Remedies, the Sweet Chestnut personality will recognize that a new inner journey has started and he will welcome the ability to believe again. He may also experience a new personal relationship with the Divine Spirit.

This person knows that he has been lost, but has been found again.