Naked Emotions: Bach Flowers for What We’re Afraid to Feel – Cherry Plum
- Elena Maro
- Aug 12
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 14
Dr. Bach and Cherry PlumDr. Edward Bach placed Cherry Plum in the “Fear” group of his flower remedies. In his book The Twelve Healers and Other Remedies, he described it as the remedy for the “fear of the mind being over-strained, of reason giving way, of doing fearful and dreaded things, not wished and known to be wrong, yet there comes the thought and impulse to do them.”
If we read this carefully, we can sense just how intense this emotional state is. It speaks of a deep inner turmoil—feelings so powerful that we’re afraid of what they might drive us to do. These are emotions we don’t like to feel, let alone show. It’s the fear of losing control, of “going crazy,” of crossing a line we never thought we would.
When Do We Need Cherry Plum?We may need Cherry Plum when we are suppressing strong emotions—fear, rage, despair—and the pressure starts to build inside. We might be doing our best to hold everything together, but underneath, there’s a sense that we’re on the edge, about to explode.
Sometimes, we’ve already crossed that edge. Perhaps we had an emotional outburst—yelling, crying uncontrollably, or reacting impulsively—and now we feel shaken, ashamed, even frightened by our own behavior. It’s not just the consequences we fear, but the deeper question: Am I losing control of myself?
Cherry Plum is the remedy for this state of inner crisis—whether we’re still managing to keep it all in or already went through the storm and are now afraid of what might come next. It’s also a helpful remedy for children who experience tantrums or emotional overwhelm, offering calm and comfort when their little systems are overloaded.
What Cherry Plum Helps WithCherry Plum works gently but powerfully to restore inner calm. It helps when we feel at the mercy of our emotions or fear our own impulses. The remedy supports:
Regaining mental clarity during emotional chaos
Restoring a sense of emotional safety and control
Reconnecting with rational, grounded thought
Finding peace after inner or outer emotional upheaval
It brings back composure and balance, allowing us to respond to situations from a place of strength rather than fear. We are reminded that our emotions don’t have to rule us—we can feel deeply without losing ourselves.
Part of the Emergency FormulaCherry Plum is one of the five remedies included in Dr. Bach’s Emergency Formula (most known is Rescue Remedy®), which offers immediate support in moments of acute stress or emotional shock. Its presence in this blend reflects just how crucial its stabilizing energy can be during times of crisis.
Final ThoughtsCherry Plum meets us in the most vulnerable places—when we’re afraid of what we might do, or of who we might become under pressure. It helps us face our emotions without judgment, and offers the strength to process them with clarity and calm.
Elena Maro, BFRP*
*The purpose of this blog is to provide information about Bach Flower Remedies and is not intended as medical, psychological, or counseling advice.
