The Many Faces of Anger – And the Bach Flower Remedies That Can Help

Anger isn’t just one emotion—it wears different costumes.

Sometimes it is loud, like shouting at someone.
Sometimes it is quiet, like a cold silence you can’t explain.
Sometimes, it isn’t even about the situation—it is about something deeper: a need that hasn’t been met, a line that wasn’t drawn, a fear we haven’t voiced.

In Bach Flower Therapy, we don’t suppress anger—we explore it. Because behind every kind of anger, there’s a deeper emotion longing to be understood.

Let us explore the various reasons why people get angry. You might recognize yourself in one—or more—of them. And along the way, discover which Bach Flower Remedy might support you.

1. HOLLY – The anger that arises from jealousy or envy

Story:
When Meenal heard that her colleague had been promoted, she congratulated her warmly. But something inside her tensed. She wasn’t just disappointed—she was unsettled. Later that evening, she found herself snapping at her partner for something trivial.

Why the anger?
The real pain wasn’t about the promotion—it was about feeling left out. When we feel unloved or excluded, it can trigger strong emotions like jealousy or hostility—even toward people we deeply care about.

The Remedy:
Holly is for anger that stems from emotional insecurity—when the heart feels closed off and vulnerable. It helps ease feelings of envy, suspicion, or inner rage and allows love, trust, and connection to flow again.

2. VERVAIN – The anger that comes from injustice

Story:
Rakesh couldn’t let it go. A junior colleague was being treated unfairly, and no one else seemed to care. He felt a surge of frustration, speaking louder, typing faster, his body buzzing with intensity. At home, he was restless and irritable.

Why the anger?
This is the anger of someone who deeply believes in justice and right action. When their ideals are not respected, they feel compelled to take charge. But when others are indifferent, it leads to inner agitation and burnout.

The Remedy:
Vervain is for those whose anger arises from a passionate sense of right and wrong. It helps bring perspective, calming the inner fire so one can channel energy into action—without becoming emotionally drained or overbearing.

3. CHERRY PLUM – The anger that feels out of control

Story:
Tanya slammed the door and yelled at her son over a small mess. The explosion surprised even her. A few moments later, she sat down, shaken and scared. “Why did I react like that?”

Why the anger?
This is the kind of anger that comes when you’re emotionally overloaded. You may feel like you’re on the edge, afraid you’ll say or do something you regret. Often, the pressure has been building up silently for days.

The Remedy:
Cherry Plum supports those who fear losing control—whether of their temper, mind, or actions. It helps restore emotional stability and self-trust in moments when you feel like you’re holding on by a thread.

4. CENTAURY – The anger that comes from not standing up for yourself

Story:
Neeta always said yes. Yes to extra shifts. Yes to helping friends. Yes, even when she was exhausted. But inside, she felt heavy and drained. When her partner asked her to take care of one more thing, she snapped.

Why the anger?
It wasn’t about the task—it was about never being able to say no. The anger was directed at herself, for abandoning her own needs again and again.

The Remedy:
Centaury is for those who consistently over-serve others and neglect themselves. The remedy helps you develop inner strength, assert boundaries, and honour your own space—without guilt or apology.

5. SCLERANTHUS – The anger that comes from inner confusion

Story:
Manav spent a week deciding whether to accept a job offer. He changed his mind every few hours, becoming increasingly agitated. When a friend offered advice, he lashed out: “Just stop confusing me more!”

Why the anger?
The source of his anger was the conflict inside his own mind. The frustration of not being able to decide was wearing him down, leaving him emotionally frayed.

The Remedy:
Scleranthus is for those whose inner indecision leads to restlessness and mood swings. The remedy brings clarity, helping one feel centred, decisive, and at peace with their choices.

6. ROCK WATER – The anger of not living up to your own standards

Story:
Vikram missed his early morning run and instantly felt like a failure. His tone became cold and sharp through the day, not because of others—but because he believed he had let himself down.

Why the anger?
This is the kind of anger that’s rigid and turned inward. You’ve set high standards for yourself, and any deviation feels like a personal flaw.

The Remedy:
Rock Water is for those who demand perfection of themselves and become emotionally self-punishing. It encourages self-compassion, flexibility, and the ability to embrace life joyfully, beyond rigid discipline.

7. IMPATIENS – The anger triggered by slowness

Story:
Devika hated waiting—for people, responses, even traffic lights. Her body felt tight, her mind raced, and any delay made her snappy and irritable.

Why the anger?
Her anger wasn’t because others were wrong. It was about her own inner rhythm—fast, sharp, and often out of sync with the world around her.

The Remedy:
Impatiens is for people who are naturally quick but struggle with others’ slower pace. The remedy brings a sense of calm and flow, helping them adapt without frustration or sharpness.

8. BEECH – The anger triggered by others’ ‘stupidity

Story:
Satish often rolled his eyes at meetings. He couldn’t understand why people couldn’t “just get things right.” He rarely voiced it aloud—but his silent judgments created distance and tension.

Why the anger?
This is the anger that arises when the world feels foolish, inefficient, or flawed. It isn’t explosive—it is dismissive, cold, and isolating.

The Remedy:
Beech is for those who struggle with tolerance—seeing only what’s wrong in others. It helps shift the lens, allowing space for understanding, empathy, and more balanced relationships.

9. WILLOW – The anger fueled by resentment and blame

Story:
When Arun did not get into the college he wanted, he blamed his father. “If only you’d supported my choices,” he thought bitterly. Even months later, every conversation with his father was strained, resentment bubbling silently beneath the surface.

Why the anger?
This is the silent, simmering anger that comes from feeling life has been unfair. It’s the feeling of ‘Why me?’ slowly hardening into resentment. It blames others—silently or openly—for your own sense of unhappiness or neglect.

The Remedy:
Willow is for those who feel like victims of circumstance and carry a heavy sense of injustice. The remedy helps release bitterness, allowing space for forgiveness, gratitude, and a renewed sense of personal power.

10. CHICORY – Anger when expectations are not met

Story:
Every time her adult son missed a weekly phone call, Sujata felt wounded. She’d spent years caring for him—why couldn’t he make time now? When he finally called, she snapped, “You only call when you need something.”

Why the anger?
This anger arises from unmet emotional needs—when love carries unspoken expectations. When those expectations aren’t met, it turns into hurt, control, or passive-aggressive guilt.

The Remedy:
Chicory is for those whose love becomes possessive, conditional, or clinging. It helps transform the need to hold on into the ability to love freely—without strings, demands, or silent punishment.

11. VINE – Anger from the need to control

Story:
In every team project, Arvind took over. His words were sharp, his tone commanding. When others resisted, he grew furious. “If people just did what I said, things would work,” he muttered, frustrated.

Why the anger?
This is the anger of domination—the need to lead, direct, and win. When others don’t comply, it feels like a challenge to personal power, and that provokes irritation or even rage.

The Remedy:
Vine is for those who push too hard, needing to dominate or have the last word. The remedy softens the grip, turning strength into wise leadership, and control into collaborative influence.

12. ELM – The anger that comes from sudden overwhelm

Story:
Ritu usually managed everything—work deadlines, parent-teacher meetings, and even weekly meal prep. But this week, it all piled up. One forgotten document, and she lost it—snapping at her team and crying in the washroom minutes later.

Why the anger?
This anger belongs to someone who is always capable—until suddenly, they are not. The pressure to hold everything together cracks, and instead of asking for help, they break down in frustration.

The Remedy:
Elm is for people who are normally competent but suddenly feel overwhelmed by responsibility. It helps restore inner confidence and calm, so you can carry on without crumbling under pressure.

13. PINE – The anger that comes from self-blame

Story:
After a family argument, Dhruv kept replaying the conversation in his head. “I should’ve handled it better… maybe it is my fault,” he thought. His guilt turned into irritation, causing him to snap at his sister later, seemingly without reason.

Why the anger?
Sometimes anger turns inward before it lashes out. Pine’s version of anger starts with guilt—believing you are always the one to blame, even when it is not your fault. That inner criticism festers and spills out as irritability or self-punishment.

The Remedy:
Pine is for those who carry the burden of guilt—often unjustly. The remedy supports emotional release from constant self-reproach, bringing forgiveness, self-worth, and peace of mind.

Notice Your Anger

Next time anger rises inside you, pause. Don’t push it away; listen closely. Ask yourself gently: “What’s beneath this anger?” Is it hurt? Resentment? A boundary that was crossed, or a need ignored? Your anger isn’t there to harm you—it’s a messenger pointing to something deeper that needs healing. Recognizing this is your first step toward finding peace and clarity.

How to Take Bach Flower Remedies

Bach Flower Remedies are easy to take and completely natural. Here’s how:

  • Choose up to 7 remedies that match your current emotional state.
  • Add 2 drops of each remedy into a glass of water and sip it throughout the day.
  • Or, make a mix bottle:
    Add 2 drops of each remedy into a 30 ml bottle filled with water.
    Take 4 drops, 4 times a day, either directly on the tongue or in a drink.
  • Continue daily for 2–3 weeks, gently observing emotional shifts.

The remedies are non-habit forming, safe for all ages, and can be used alongside other therapies.