Missouri Primrose is a yellow cup-like flower that blooms in June and spreads prolifically. It grows well in either sun or shade where the brightness of the flowers display a stunning presence. The leaves, which have a red tint are sometimes used to protect the skin from rashes or insects bites. An infusion of the blossoms has been used as an eyewash for conjunctivitis.

Indications: low self-esteem, unable to receive complements, low mineral levels, feels guilty, feels undeserving, finds fault, has eating disorder, has difficulty maintaining a primary relationship or close friendships, feels dread when things are going well, abuse, neglect or perpetration in history, attracted to difficult personalities and situations, difficulty saying no or protecting oneself, resolves conflict by being "nice", has guilt indoctrination, learned to go without, procrastinates, sabotages self, works too much, can’t see one’s own talents or goodness.

Missouri Primrose works on the self-esteem by helping a person learn to accept and receive love, friendship, goodness, pleasure and other forms of self-nurturing. Self-nurturing is not exactly a natural reflex, but a conditioned response. An individual develops a sense of self-worth based on general conditions of love, respect and nurturing obtained from childhood. Receiving physical, mental, emotional and spiritual nurturing from parents, siblings, caregivers and educators conditions an individual’s sense of self-worth, or the ability to expect a certain level of nurturing from others and from the world.

This expectation is the cornerstone of an individual’s self esteem. It is through self-nurturing that a person takes in vital energies, which are later converted into confidence and drive to complete goal-directed activities.

This fundamental energetic legacy is damaged by many forms of poor child development which might include neglect, abandonment, severe punishment, abuse, guilt indoctrination, withholding love, unfairness, secrecy, strict religious upbringing or other practices which essentially rob an individual of a healthy level of self-worth and an ability to self-nurture. Many adults today are products of family, ethnic or religious training which essentially provided the basis for an under-developed sense of self-esteem.

One can test the level of this aspect of self-esteem in a number of ways: 1. The ability to make choices in one’s life towards enjoyable ways of doing things, like work, recreation, solitude. 2. The ability to reject activities or events that are not enjoyable. 3. The ability to choose friends and companions who are loving and nurturing. 4. The ability to accept complements when they are sincere. 5. The ability to provide a nurturing environment for one’s self. Generally speaking, when one masters this aspects of living, then self-esteem and energy begin to blossom.

Adults who work too hard or too much sometimes lose touch with this fundamental truth: that self-love=self-nurturing=health=energy=wellbeing. Pushing one’s self, postponing enjoyment, or even neglecting to participate in enjoyable forms of exercise or recreation can be the beginning of the erosion of the self-esteem.

Energetically, this essence helps the second chakra to take in energy. This chakra is designed to open when a person feels safe, and to draw in energy. When the second chakra is drawing in energy, it becomes cup-like and, in form, resembles this flower. This energy is then made available to be used by chakra three for confidence and use in drive, motivation, thinking, planning and activities. The more energy a person learns to take in, the more is then made available. This is how the self-esteem functions. Low self-nurturing produces little energy, which then makes it difficult to take confident, purposeful, success-driven action. Well developed self-nurturing produces a greater amount of energy, which makes success inevitable.

Relearning to perfect this energetic mechanism is the purpose of Missouri Primrose. A person taking this essence might benefit from developing an initial program of self-nurturing, making certain that there are daily pleasures being built into one’s schedule, that moments of reflection, relaxation and genuine enjoyment are not bypassed because of exigency and busyness.

This essence is good for domesticated feral cats or animals who were starved by their owners. It is good for any animals that tend to eat too much. It is a good essence for oldest children, especially in family situations where the oldest child takes on adult responsibilities early. It is also good for any child who tends to take studying and preparing for the future too seriously.

Preparation and Dosage: Add one drop of the stock essence per 100 drops of neutral solution. Take this essence in a small amount of water. Use three drops per 100 drops of neutral solution per 100 drops of neutral solution when treating eating problems.

See also: motherwort, marshmallow