Psychoanalysis of Bellis Perennis

Abstract- The article brings out the essence of Bellis perennis. Development of a Bellis perennis personality has been outlined. Mental symptoms of the remedy are related with physical symptoms. Bellis perennis compared with other allied remedies.

Introduction- Bellis Perennis is our common everyday daisy. It belongs to the natural order of Compositae. It has been used as household remedy from a very long time for bruises and injuries. Its common name "Bruise-wort" clearly testifies to its usefulness in such conditions. We are greatly indebted to Dr. Burnett for our knowledge of Bellis perennis.

Bellis perennis is an important remedy for deep traumas, whether they are of the physical body or of the psyche. It is a remedy that should be considered whenever a mistreatment or hurt has been suffered in deep parts: when the physical body has been cut up in an operation or hurt in an accident, or when the emotional body has been treated badly in an emotional conflict.

The Bellis perennis personality is characterized by a deep tumor in the feelings. In Bellis perennis psychology we find bruised and sore emotions which have been mistreated and hurt by others to such an extent that a painful and hard spot has developed in the deep recesses of the patient's feelings. The patient will never reveal this to those around him, presenting instead a happy face. In this context it is interesting to consider Clark's appropriate comment on this remedy: "The daisy is a flower which is repeatedly trodden upon and always comes up smiling afterwards." So Bellis perennis is a person whom everybody considers to be strong, resilient (flexible) with no great sensitivities; but he himself knows that the truth is different. He knows that there is an area in his emotions that is tremendously bruised and painful. All the hurts and shocks that the person has received in his life seem to be absorbed by this area and contained there. These patients display a kind of inelasticity or inflexibility of the emotions which does not allow them to adapt fast enough to inner shocks and which is evident in their tendency to stubbornness and rigidity of ideas and emotions. When the Bellis perennis patient suffers a hurt he may not show it to others, but inwardly a deep wound or scar develops. It is well enclosed like an encysted tumor and will never open up again or discharge, but the excruciating pain it causes will definitely be felt. The patient does not confess his trauma to anyone, he does not seek help, but tries to contain all the pain and suffering within himself without showing it. He is suffering from a "psychic tumor".

A similar reaction to hurt or mistreatment is exhibited by the physical body. If a woman receives a physical blow on her breast and a tumor develops, this tumor will remain enclosed for years, painful but without tendency to open or discharge. The tendency of the remedy is to entrench the painful spot. Accordingly, Bellis perennis will be indicated in an entrenched inflammation of an organ with no outlet - an inflammation that does not have the power or the force to open up an outlet and release the pressure within. Examples include inflammation of the gall-bladder where the biliary duct is obstructed and there is excruciating pain from the built-up inside pressure; enormous swelling of the testis after an injury with severe pain; cystitis where the urine can hardly pass. A keynote for this remedy is a debilitating bruised feeling which spreads all over the body from such inflamed areas. In such a situation we can trace back to an injury and we will have extra confirmation of the remedy.

A point which facilitates the differentiation of Bellis perennis with other remedies is this tendency to hide the feelings. In Natrum-muriaticum, Ignatia and Phosphoric acid, the whole person is affected after suffering a shock, and the difference after the stress is evident to all, even though these remedies are reluctant to show their feelings. Bellis perennis however, as mentioned above, contains the pain in an area within and is able to exhibit a happy face. This determination to show a happy face is a result of the Bellis perennis patient's fear that, this pain be left to spread all over his existence, and he would not be able to survive. A Bellis perennis state can also be created when a person feels unloved, ignored by others, especially by parents or a lover. In such a case no complaints will be voiced openly, but inwardly the need to give and to take affection is there. They need security, they need to feel truly loved, and only then can they open up and bloom. There is a superficial resemblance to Natrum muriaticum here but the real situation is quite different.

Such a patient will have a fear of falling in love and will resist it, for this would involve opening up and showing their emotions, which they feel may overwhelm and destroy them. In the same way, the uterus may be rigid and during pregnancy a Bellis perennis patient may find the need for the uterus to expand which causes great pains.

The Bellis perennis woman has a deep fear of anyone showing an erotic interest in her. She feels that this would penetrate her defences and may touch the painful area she knows to be there, hidden under a show of great resilience. If this painful spot is opened up by chance (or due to a sensitive contact by another person) an excruciating psychic soreness spreads all over her existence. The 'bruise' which had been kept inside for many years is now felt all over in such an intense way that the person feels she cannot stand it anymore and indeed that she will not survive very long.

Bellis perennis pathology may also develop in another way. A man may have a very warm heart and intense feelings. While expressing these feelings he receives a cold reception by others, causing some area inside him to freeze. This feature of Bellis perennis is particularly interesting when compared to the Bellis perennis physical pathology: bad effects from being exposed to cold and wet when overheated. Effects of cold or iced drinks while heated. A cold drink can suppress menses, causes a stomach ache, diarrhea, backache or all of these. Yet the peculiarity of this remedy is the amelioration with local application of cold if there is an inflammation. An inflamed eruption of the skin is made worse by the heat of summer, while there is amelioration if the patient moves to a cooler climate.

In this remedy there seems to be a predisposition for the tissues of the muscular system and the tendons to be in a precariously weak or tired state. The imposition of an injury on such an organism will almost inevitably result in a deep trauma, condition that we find in Bellis perennis pathology.

Another condition that can generate symptoms in a Bellis perennis patient arises when the body has been overworked and stretched beyond its capacity. Strained muscles or tendons from weight lifting or in long distance athletes such as marathon runners come into this category, as do the stiff and sore bodies of old people working as labourers or gardeners after comparatively little work. Workmen who by their profession are forced to stand and walk a lot find this remedy of use, as do those who subject their muscular system to constant physical exertion. Bellis perennis is a better prescription in all these cases than Arnica montana or Rhus toxicodendron.

There is a constant tiredness and weakness, and an anxiety that will show by the patient waking at around 3 a.m. Or later and staying awake for several hours. There is no anxiety about health in the Bellis perennis patient. On the contrary there is an indifference towards health matters and he is scornful of death.

Mentally Bellis perennis presents us with a dullness and slowness of perception. Sometimes there is a peculiar failure to recognize known localities, and the patient loses his sense of orientation when travelling from place to place.

The desire for sexual contact is seldom inhibited, even though a Bellis perennis patient's feelings may be easily hurt. Sexual excitement is easily aroused and difficult to satisfy in a normal way, driving the patient to repeated masturbation. Such an act brings about a great tiredness and an inner discontent and restlessness. The tiredness of the brain is similar to Picric acid. Generalities Ailments from exposure to cold and wet when overheated is a keynote but the peculiarity is that once the inflammation has set in, a local application of cold is beneficial to the patient. Ill effects of cold or iced drinks, when overheated, can cause dyspepsia, amenorrhea, rheumatic pains etc.

It is the first remedy in injuries to the deeper tissues, after major surgical work. It affects blood vessels causing venous stasis and varicose veins. It causes a tired feeling with desire to lie down. Weariness during climacteric period. Sore, bruised pain of muscles, aggravated on motion. Excessive physical irritability. Aversion to washing and bathing. Left sided remedy. This remedy is specific for the spleen. Severe injury to the spleen.

Another characteristic of Bellis perennis is to produce eruptions. We find boils all over the body, acne on face especially during menses, eruptions whenever the skin is scratched against something hard.

Modality Worse around 3 p.m. or 3 a.m. and for a few hours after that time is another characteristic. Worse from cold baths, food or drinks; becoming chilled when hot; hot bath; warmth of bed; before storms; interrupted coition; physical exertion; ailments from ice, from cold wet weather. Better from continued motion. Cold application locally ameliorates in inflamed parts. Better after eating; lying on abdomen; rubbing. Hard pressure ameliorates the abdominal pains.

It is well not to give it near bed time, as it is apt to cause sleeplessness, waking at 3 a.m. and conversely "waking up too early in the morning and cannot get to sleep again" is a leading indication for its use.