Who needs Valium when you have lavender. - Anxiety and Depre...

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Who needs Valium when you have lavender.

Jeff1943 profile image
30 Replies

We visited a lavender farm in Surrey on the outskirts of London. The weather was brilliant and the fields had just come into bloom. The lavender was spectacular, we had lunch there and took a tractor trailer tour of the farm.

The air was heavy with the fragrance of the lavender and I began to feel remarkably calm. Suddenly I didn't have a care in the world. I had entered shangri-la. Then I remembered reading something about lavender having a tranquilising effect and being used as a herbal cure for stress for thousands of years.

So I checked lavender out on the internet and it confirmed lavender's traditional use as a tranquiliser. There was even newspaper reports of medical trials which scientifically confirmed the calming power of lavender. O.K., the trial was on mice but it's a start and the mice became really chilled out. The Times newspaper called them a possible replacement for Valium.

In the tented shop they were selling lavender lemonade, lavender flavoured biscuits, lavender oils for aromatherapy and pots of lavender plants from only £3 each. We left fully refreshed promising to return.

So maybe a few sprigs of lavender or a bowl of lavender heads about the place would be no bad thing. And a small cushion of lavender is reportedly a great aid to sleep.

Lavender - another weapon against anxiety in the armoury of mind calming aids?

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Jeff1943 profile image
Jeff1943
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30 Replies
Lin1944 profile image
Lin1944

Thanks Jeff, sounds a lovely day out at the Lavender Farm. Will definately be getting a Lavender pillow ASAP x

Michdau1 profile image
Michdau1

Yes, you can also get lavender sprays for your room and pillow as well as bath salts/bubble baths. The smell is encompassing yet gentle; like a hug. It's beautiful. Plus I love the colour purple too. The photo in your post is beautiful x

NeuronerdDoaty profile image
NeuronerdDoaty

When you’re allergic to lavender and it gives you migraine. Isn’t that a shame for me. 🤨

in reply to NeuronerdDoaty

Yes 😕 it is a shame.

Strong fragrances in confined spaces make me nauseous, but I would enjoy the lavender fields with big doses of fresh air. Thanks Jeff1943. Different to an allergy, I know.

What smells do you enjoy Neuronerd?

When the coal lorry was parked in the road on my way to school, I used to pretend I’d dropped something on the pavement, so that I could breathe it in a little longer.

Weird or?

Jeff1943 profile image
Jeff1943 in reply to

The smell was from thr creosoted sacks I think.

in reply to Jeff1943

Oh I see! That makes sense and no wonder the local coal yard doesn’t give me the same buzz 🙄.

Creosote is a banned substance now, I think.

Thanks Jeff1943.

NeuronerdDoaty profile image
NeuronerdDoaty in reply to

Creosote is banned there? Heck they give it to people with plaque psoriasis in the USA. I like the smell of it too.

Jeff1943 profile image
Jeff1943 in reply to NeuronerdDoaty

Yes, here it Britland we aren't allowed to paint our fences with creosote any more, we have some watery alternative but it's rubbish.

NeuronerdDoaty profile image
NeuronerdDoaty in reply to Jeff1943

I guess it’s bad then but wood sure does need it. Thanks!

NeuronerdDoaty profile image
NeuronerdDoaty in reply to

I like citrus smells but I do love the picture. Purple is my favorite color. It soothes me. Thanks for posting it.

in reply to NeuronerdDoaty

Try peppermint oil, there are a host of essential oils and each one has specific uses. I believe peppermint oil is used to reduce stress.

NeuronerdDoaty profile image
NeuronerdDoaty in reply to

That helps settle my stomach as well. I keep forgetting to buy it but I will. Thanks for the reminder. ☺️

UFC80 profile image
UFC80

The photo is Beautiful! I use lavender oil in an anxiety attack.😥😌

marheart profile image
marheart in reply to UFC80

How do you use the lavender before bedtime? Pill? Spray the room? What?

Agora1 profile image
Agora1

Hi Jeff1943, the picture is just spectacular. Not only the field of flowers

but the sky as well. I wouldn't mind going through a field of lavender flowers,

you can never have enough calm. :)

Thanks for sharing what sounded like a perfect day.

JAYnLA profile image
JAYnLA

I splash some lavender oil on my pillow before I go to bed every night. I love it.

Agora1 profile image
Agora1 in reply to JAYnLA

Hi Jay, how are you doing? :) x

JAYnLA profile image
JAYnLA in reply to Agora1

I'm okay, thank you for asking. Up and down but that's the chapter I'm in. How are you doing?

Want2BHappy3 profile image
Want2BHappy3

The view alone looked calming. But for me? I don't care for the smell of lavender. I love Vanilla.

Useful information. Thanks!

Kkimm profile image
Kkimm

Beautiful photo

Pat9 profile image
Pat9

thats why I have two large lavender bushes Jeff wouldn't be without them :) XX

Lulububs profile image
Lulububs

Hey

What a lovely pic and day.

It is very true about lavender , my nan used to always hang it in my bedroom as a child.

Now i use the oil in bath before bed and im gone.

Theres also a spray that u can put on ur pillow just before u sleep and thats good to.

Lavender chocolate creams are nice to ha ha if u dont fancy bath or spraying ur pillow

lorianxiety profile image
lorianxiety

Jeff,it sounds and almost feels iidyllic,wish id been there ...yes,i believe lavender does have remarkable de-stress elements and the oil essence is magical too/almost as good as diazepam.!

marheart profile image
marheart

Right on target for me. The Lavender visit sounds wonderful. Last month I plugged in a Glade Lavender oil. Don't know if it's working. Don't know what to expect.

Even tho Senior Adults are not supposed to take Valium, it's the only med in 4 yrs that has not been rejected by my sensitive body.

I would much rather use health products from OTC than pushing the pills.

Jeff1943 profile image
Jeff1943 in reply to marheart

I'm 76 and I've been taking the occasional Valium since 1974 and will continue to my dying day. It's a great pity it has been so demonised because a few people took too much for too long. Take 2mg of Valium and it's a preview of how you will feel when you are fully recovered from anxiety disorder and the associated depression.

It gives instant respite , 10 minutes max, you don't have to wait 6 weeks for results. But you can't take it daily for more than 6 weeks and it does not bring recovery. But if you've got an interview in 10 minutes and you can feel the collywobbles coming on valium saves the day. Side effects? There aren't any. It's based on an Indian herbal remedy from the Rawawulfa root used for thousands of years in India. It's grated into a porridge, Mahatma Ghandi started his day with a bowl of Rawawulfa root and he was well known for his peaceful disposition.

But you have to convince your doctor that you're a responsible user and know the so called dangers as the medical profession is running scared about valium.

NeuronerdDoaty profile image
NeuronerdDoaty in reply to Jeff1943

I like my Valium as well or Valerian root will do. I might take 1-2 a month but I’d still love that picture on my wall!

Jeff1943 profile image
Jeff1943

This field was near Banstead, Surrey. I visited another a couple of years ago in west Norfolk. Years ago another in Kent.

What a beautiful picture, thank you so much...Ha, I'd love to go roll around it! I love love love lavender..it's so easy to grow...now you can make homemade tea! May you enjoy yours as much as I do mine....

Have a beautiful day.....nice and calm!

Dump trucks of love, peace, light, joy n hugs for you!!!!

Hi, following your post, I went and bought some lavender oil, reed diffuser and placed it in the bedroom. Starting to sleep a little better. Thanks!

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