Banksia serrata - was one of the first plants discovered by Joseph Banks, an English naturalist and botanist, to whom we owe the name of the genus. Like the other members of the Proteaceae family, Old Man Banksia is adaptable, and can be found in arid lands or in inhospitable areas, but normally grows on woodlands and open forests.
The Doctrine of Signatures of these flowers has much to offer in relation to the energies of the essences, as does the gnarled, thick trunk of the tree which also reflects its relationship to the types of people who would most benefit from this essence.
Old Man Banksia people tend to feel tired, lethargic and sluggish due to major set-backs in life or illness. They hold pent-up energies tightly within and may feel that they’ve been carrying heavy burdens for quite some time. They may feel as if their feet drag heavily with much effort and their bodies often will have become heavy through slow movement and lack of enthusiasm. People often unconsciously create a protective barrier in the form of extra body weight in an effort to protect themselves from further pain, abuse or trauma. Thyroid activity is often affected by such energies and may have become sluggish.
The Old Man Banksia flower essence assists with creating a sense of softening and lightening of your load of burdens – invoking a sense of great sighs of relief! Renewed enthusiasm for life will begin to allow new possibilities for change to emerge, and you will feel that you are able to breathe more easily.
For people who are frustrated and disheartened by setbacks. This essence helps to bring a spark into those peoples lives. They tend to be reliable, dependable people who steadily plod on, often hiding their weariness while battling on with unceasing effort. The Old man Banksia essence helps to manage any situation that life presents, giving energy, enthusiasm, pleasure and interest in life, acting even after the suspension of the remedy.
It allows you to recognize your limitations, helping to say no in case of overload of commitments or excessive availability to the requests of others.
Adjuvant in the rebalancing of thyroid function which can cause weight gain, fatigue, weakness, physical heaviness and obesity. The temporary sensation of closure or lump in the throat that may occur indicates that the energetic rebalancing of the thyroid gland is in progress.