Gorse
Hopelessness, the belief that nothing will help so there is no point trying
What it feels like
You have tried the things. The fourth specialist, the third approach, the plan everyone said would work. None of it changed anything, so you have quietly concluded that nothing will. When someone suggests a new idea you might agree to it to keep them happy, but you already know it will not work, and part of you resents being asked to hope again. It is a flat, resigned feeling rather than a dramatic one. People living with long illnesses know it, and so does anyone who has been job hunting for a very long time. There is often a sigh in the voice.
Signs you might need it
- You believe nothing will help, and you have reasons
- You agree to try things without expecting them to work
- You feel resigned rather than sad
- You have had a long run of the same disappointment
- Other people's optimism feels naive or irritating
- You say things like there is no point
What it helps with
A bit of light gets back in. Not sudden optimism, more a willingness to let something be worth a try, which is usually where things start to move again.
Not to be confused with
Gentian, which is the milder version. Gentian is discouraged by one setback and can be talked round. Gorse has stopped expecting anything and does not want the pep talk. Sweet Chestnut is more anguished, Wild Rose more indifferent.
Very great hopelessness, they have given up belief that more can be done for them. Under persuasion or to please others they may try different treatments, at the same time assuring those around that there is so little hope of relief.
The plant
A tough spiny shrub of heaths and cliffs, growing where the soil is poor and the wind is constant. The old country saying is that gorse is in flower whenever kissing is in season, meaning all year round, so it is a plant that keeps producing color in the least promising conditions.
How to take it
The usual way is two drops from the stock bottle into a small glass of water, sipped through the day. If you are mixing several remedies, put two drops of each into a 30ml bottle of spring water and take four drops from that, four times a day.
There is no need to time it around meals, and you can take it as often as you like. Most people give it two weeks before deciding whether it is doing anything. The full guide to taking them covers mixing bottles, timing and the alcohol question.
Often mixed up with Gorse
Often taken alongside
Blends that include Gorse
Combinations mixed for a situation rather than for a person. Each one is shown with the reason Gorse is in it.
Common questions
These are about Gorse. The questions about the remedies in general, alcohol, children, timing, live in the FAQ.
What is the difference between Gorse and Gentian?
How far it has gone. Gentian is discouraged after a specific knock and responds well to encouragement. Gorse has concluded that nothing will help and finds encouragement tiring. If you have moved from one to the other over months, that is a common path.
Is Gorse the right remedy if I feel hopeless?
Yes, this is the hope remedy, and that flat given-up feeling is exactly what it was made for. Gorse flowers all year round on the poorest ground, which is rather the point. Give it a few weeks, and let the people who care about you know how you are getting on.
How is Gorse different from Wild Rose?
Gorse has tried and stopped believing. Wild Rose never really engaged, and has drifted into accepting things as they are without much feeling either way.
Not sure Gorse is the one?
Choosing works by recognizing yourself in a description, so if this one only half fits, it is worth seeing what else comes up. The quiz narrows all 38 in about a minute, and the uncertainty group holds the nearest neighbors.
Where to buy Gorse
Bach remedies are widely stocked. If you are buying online, check the bottle says Gorse and comes in the standard 20ml stock size.
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