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 ©2002 by Donna Cunningham, MSWForm follows function. This cardinal rule of modern architecture was discovered and incorporated into the designs of Frank Lloyd Wright in the 1920s. By that, he meant that the intended use of a building or room should determine its form. Brilliant as he was, he was only rediscovering a principle that herbalists and homeopaths figured out centuries before. In researching the healing properties of various plants, they found that valuable clues could be gotten from the form of a plant--its shape, color, texture, smell, growing patterns, and relationship to its habitat. This old guideline, called the Doctrine of Signatures, has also been adopted by essence makers as they study new remedies and try to discover their uses. A striking example of this principle is in the flower bleeding heart, shown on the side
border. Many of us grow the plant, which originated long ago in Asia, in our gardens, but
it hasn't been hybridized, so it remains in an ancient and energetically potent state.
Not too surprisingly, form follows function, since Bleeding Heart essence is a remedy for the aching or broken heart. The fact that the flower is like a pendant hanging from the stem also suggests that it may help with codePENDANT relationships, when the pattern of dependency is creating a strain on those involved.  I have always used the preparation by the Flower Essence Society, but it is also available from Deva Essences, Andreas Korte, Pegasus and other makers. FES' description from the Flower Essence Repertory notes that it helps release painful emotional attachments and heartache over a broken relationship, bringing peace, harmony, and balance to the heart. They also recommend it for those who are too clinging and possessive of those they love. (p.292) In short, Bleeding Heart is a key essence for anyone who has suffered a major heart wound, like martial separation or the death of a loved one. In times of war, it may also help those who are sorrowful because of the loss of a way of life and a belief in our safety as well as the loss of many countrymen. Some people, faced with these shocking events, instinctively shut down the heart to ward off the pain of further future losses and then wonder why they feel numbed and can't connect with others. As many of you know, the first response to some vibrational remedies, like the
first response to any number of healing tools, can be a catharsis in which a
backlog of blocked emotions is suddenly released. I have found Bleeding Heart
to be a strongly cathartic remedy, in that sadness or grief about the loss of
You might suggest that they start slowly by taking a dropperful from the dosage bottle once a day, only moving up to several doses a day when they are comfortable. Massage in general can be soothing, but it is especially healing to massage the heart center thoroughly and repeatedly with lotion to which you have added a dropperful of the Bleeding Heart mixture. As you do so, you might visualize a deep rose-colored light penetrating into the heart area, a color similar to that of the bleeding heart flower itself. 
Reiki and other forms of energy work speed the release of the blocked emotions without adding to the discomfort. The September, 2000 issue of Vibration explored ways that healing methods like Reiki and massage can work in tandem with the essences. In working with recovering alcoholics, the addition of Reiki and other tools can be most helpful in getting them through the catharsis. In another article in this issue, I discuss the effect of alcohol abuse on the heart center, including special considerations for using Bleeding Heart in those circumstances. If you are a practitioner giving this remedy to a client, it is important to remain available. (If you are taking it on your own, make sure to stay in touch with friends and family who love you and to treat yourself in loving ways.) Still, don't hesitate to incorporate this remedy into your collection, for it is one of the most potent and important heart healers available us today. Loss or grief that is not addressed can have long-term effects on the person's ability to give and receive love, because the wounded heart needs direct intervention. 
What about those of us who are caretakers or helping professionals and who give open-heartedly on a daily basis to people in heartbreaking situations? It's no accident that many of us are classified by conservatives as "bleeding heart liberals," but maybe this label is giving us a hint about how to help ourselves. Might we not also benefit from a course of Bleeding Heart in order to release sorrow about our charges and to restore the health of our sorely-taxed heart centers so we don't become hard-hearted? Give it a try as a single remedy, maybe over a free weekend or a few days off, coupled with plenty of rest and loving contact with healthy friends or loved ones. If nothing else, you'll know--up close and personal--how it might affect the people you'd be tempted to give it to!!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Donna Cunningham, MSW, is one of the editors of Vibration and has many years of experience in both flower remedies and astrology. For links to more of her articles, visit her Frequent Contributor's Page. ART CREDITS: The border is based on a photo of bleeding heart by Shad Sluiter at Nature Photo Gallery. The heart animation is from the Animation Factory. Clip art from disks by Micrografx and Print Perfect. The falling heart java script is from Dynamic Drive.
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Notice that the simple blossom is heart shaped, with something resembling a teardrop
dangling from a split in its center, an evocation both of love and loss. Usually,
the flower is a deep pink color, the color of roses most often given to lovers.
a loved one often comes to the surface. Sometimes people who take it go through
days of crying, yet that emotional release is in itself very needed and ultimately
healing, since they do feel better about the situation afterwards. Still, it
can be uncomfortable, especially if they are unaware that it might happen,
so you who are practitioners would do well to discuss this possibility with anyone you give it to. 