Bach Flower Database

Botany: Juglans regia
Preparation: Boiling Method
Represents: Steadfastness

Walnut personalities are often called the "pioneers" of Bach therapy because they have a strong inner drive to forge ahead in life, despite the nay-saying of their peers. They have little need for approval from others and are open-minded individuals.

Negative walnut states, however, are marked by fear and a feeling of intrepidation. When faced with life-changing decisions, souls in a negative walnut state vacillate between changing and not changing. Sometimes their inner resolve crumbles completely and they find themselves staying in a loveless marriage, at a dead-end job or practicing religious beliefs they no longer espouse.

Edward Bach is said to be a positive walnut personality. Remember, this was a man who abandoned his medical practice, was ostracized by his peers and took a financial leap of faith to fulfill what he believed was his ultimate calling.

Imagine a woman who is growing older. Her children are grown and have their own children and most of this woman's friends have passed on or are now living in nursing homes or assisted living facilities.

In her heart, this woman suspects that moving into a retirement community might just be the best thing for her, too. She would like a smaller home--one that would be easier to maintain--or maybe even a condominium in a quiet little neighborhood full of men and women her own age. She doesn't need a nursing home but she thinks it would be nice to have a network of peers that could look in her now and then. She'd like to be closer to her doctor's office and if she didn't have to drive so far to the supermarket, that would be nice too.

But instead of calling the phone number of the local retirement village, she hesitates. Does she really want to leave the home she raised her children in? Will her remaining friends feel abandoned? What about her grandchildren? Will they think she's getting "old"? Will her children be embarrassed?

This woman is in a negative walnut state. In her heart she knows she longs to be in a supportive, loving environment populated by people her own age. But the negative voices in her head cause her to hesitate.

The Positive Walnut State:

People in a positive walnut state have the inner freedom to express new, exciting ideas and act upon those ideas in a complete and meaningful way. They are confident, inspired people who simply won't allow others to chart their path through life for them.