Mimulus
Fear of something you can name, plus the shyness that often comes with it
What it feels like
You know exactly what you are afraid of. The dentist on Thursday, the flight in three weeks, spiders, the phone ringing with an unknown number, having to speak in the meeting. The fear is specific and you could describe it in one sentence. Often it comes with a physical tell, a dry mouth, a fast pulse, a stomach that drops. People who need Mimulus are frequently shy as well, quiet in groups, slow to put a hand up, quick to go red. They tend not to make a fuss about any of it, so the people around them often have no idea how much energy the day is costing.
Signs you might need it
- You can name the thing you are afraid of in one sentence
- You go quiet in groups and hate being the center of attention
- You dread a specific appointment or event for days beforehand
- You would rather send a message than make the phone call
- You blush easily, or your voice goes thin when you have to speak up
- You play the fear down when people ask, then worry about it alone
What it helps with
The fear stops running the show. You still know that flying is not your favorite thing, but you book the seat and you get on the plane. Quiet courage rather than sudden boldness, which is why people who take it often say it feels less dramatic than they expected.
Not to be confused with
Aspen, which is the same feeling with nothing attached to it. If you cannot say what you are afraid of, that is Aspen. If the fear has turned into full panic or terror, reach for Rock Rose instead.
Fear of worldly things, illness, pain, accidents, poverty, of dark, of being alone, of misfortune. The fears of everyday life. These people quietly and secretly bear their difficulty, not freely speaking of it to others.
The plant
Monkey flower, a bright yellow member of the figwort family with red speckles in its throat. It grows with its feet in the water, along stream edges and wet ditches, which Bach read as a plant sheltering close to something it depends on.
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 Mimulus
Often taken alongside
Blends that include Mimulus
Combinations mixed for a situation rather than for a person. Each one is shown with the reason Mimulus is in it.
- The anxiety blendFor fear with a name on it. The appointment on Thursday, the flight, the phone call you keep not making.
- The confidence blendFor the shyness and the nameable nerves, the meeting, the phone call, the room full of strangers.
- The children's blendFor fears they can name. The dark, dogs, the dentist, the first morning at a new school.
Common questions
These are about Mimulus. The questions about the remedies in general, alcohol, children, timing, live in the FAQ.
Is Mimulus the right remedy for anxiety?
It depends on the shape of the anxiety. Mimulus suits fear you can point at, like a specific appointment or a particular situation. If the anxious feeling has no obvious cause, Aspen is the closer match, and if your mind is stuck in a loop of worried thoughts, White Chestnut fits better. Many people end up using two of them together.
Can I take Mimulus for shyness?
Yes, this is the usual choice for shyness, particularly the quiet kind where you would rather not be noticed. If the shyness is more about believing you are not good enough to try, look at Larch as well.
How long before I notice anything?
There is no fixed answer. Some people notice a difference in a few days, others take a few weeks, and some notice nothing at all. Take four drops four times a day and give it two weeks before you judge it.
Is Mimulus in Rescue Remedy?
No. The five in that famous crisis formula are Rock Rose, Impatiens, Clematis, Star of Bethlehem and Cherry Plum. Mimulus is usually taken on its own or in a personal mix.
Not sure Mimulus 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 fear group holds the nearest neighbors.
Where to buy Mimulus
Bach remedies are widely stocked. If you are buying online, check the bottle says Mimulus and comes in the standard 20ml stock size.
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