The flowers of this plant which you see at this time of year, lead to its name, “bleeding heart” shaped as they are like hearts with teardrops falling. It reminds me of the remedy “Ignatia” commonly used by Homeopaths in a high potency for the early stage of grief, when a person can often be overcome with emotion, either expressed or unexpressed*. I have found it helpful after bereavement when I needed to be able to get on with my day. Time out for ourselves is vital at this stage, but we still often need to do the school run, the supermarket shop and work in spite of going through this most difficult period. Bereavement is not only the death of a loved one – it can be a friend moving away, the ending of a career or the breakdown of a relationship. Being kind to yourself at times like this is very important.
- (source Materia Medica Boericke).