Does rescue remedy really work?

Mary Poppins

Mary Poppins

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Oct 10, 2004
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Yesterday I had a fab cross country lesson. We had 6 gallops, lots of canters, jumped through water, logs, banks etc. It was great, but I was so nervous beforehand. When we set off for the first canter round a the field (huge field by the way), I was shaking and even had a few tears which appeared from no-where. I really could have been sick and if my riding instructor didn't scare me abit (in a good way) I wouldn't have done it. Yet, once I got into it I had a fab time and really enjoyed the speed and thrill of going so fast. The horse I ride is such a gem - I ride him lots and he always looks after me.

Someone suggested that I take some rescue remedy beforehand to calm me down? What is this and does it work? Do I really need it as I did everything my instructor asked (I have learnt to just get on with it because he always tells me there is no such word as 'cant' or 'no'). I feel abit stupid as eveyone was really excited and there I was almost in tears. I know that there is a fine line between excitment and nerves and sometimes I am unsure where this is.

Does anyone else feel sick before x country but love it once they get going?
 
RR works for me, and I don't usually believe in that sort of thing. It just sort of takes the edge off your nerves and gives you a 'whatever!' kind of attitude. It comes in a little bottle with a dropper, and you take about 5/6 drops before you ride. You can also give it to your horse. Its about £4 for the small one and £7 for the larger bottle. I know lots of people here swear by it.
 
ANN H said:
RR works for me, and I don't usually believe in that sort of thing. It just sort of takes the edge off your nerves and gives you a 'whatever!' kind of attitude. It comes in a little bottle with a dropper, and you take about 5/6 drops before you ride. You can also give it to your horse. Its about £4 for the small one and £7 for the larger bottle. I know lots of people here swear by it.
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Thanks for that. Can you drive with it? I don't want to be so spaced out that I can't drive home! Where can you get it from? - will Boots sell it?
 
Yes, you can drive with it, although I believe its brandy-based:p
You can get it from healthfood shops, chemists and some supermarkets. It doesn't have a mind-blowing effect, but just takes the edge off nervousness, etc.
 
I always keep a bottle in my bag and have a few drops it when I feel a panic attack or serious social anxiety coming on. I don't think I would go out in public without it :o

I was really surprised at how well it worked the first time I took it. We were at our first show, so I was nervous, and it was a bit windy which made the tape flap, which was used for marking out the rings. So Salsa was on his toes and messing around. I got myself into a state with my nerves after his bolting incident, and was actually in tears at the side of the ring. From the looks and comments from some people, it was plain to see that they thought I was upset because he was playing up and therefore we wouldn't win the class. Really I was just so scared that he would buck or bolt or something. My mum handed me a bottle of Rescue Remedy and within about two or three minutes, I had completely calmed down and we entered the class anyway. We came last, because he wouldn't let the judge look at him and kept hiding behind the horses beside us :rolleyes: but I was so pleased that we did it.
 
So it seems to have a good effect but how does it work? Do you know what is in it? I just can't believe that there is a safe drug which can calm you down. I have a dressage comp tomorrow and my stomach is churning at just the thought of riding in the warm up arena with everyone else. I won't let my mind think about the actual test or I wouldn't be able to function. Someone tell me WHY do I put myself through this???
 
Someone tell me WHY do I put myself through this???
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Because you'll feel such a sense of achievement when you finish it ;)
Right, the ingredients on the bottle in my bag are:
"5x dilution of flower extracts of Rock Rose, Impantiens, Clematis, Star of Bethlehem, Cherry Plum in a grape alcohol solution."

Info on Rock Rose, Impatiens, Clematis, Star of Bethlehem and Cherry Plum. No idea what the grape alcohol soultion is, though!
 
i use my rescue remedy a lot even on a visit to the dentist and it always works for me i even used it wen i was going on a plane and i couldnt believe how well it worked the one i use is in a spray bottle and u just spray it on your tounge it tastes a bit like brandy but does the trick
heres the link for their website its where i got mine from
www.bachshop.co.uk
 
I use it to stop / control my panic attacks - I've also used it on horses, when travelling, etc. Its great for any shock / stress, I always have a bottle or 2 floting around

It dosnt dope you, so you are safe to drive etc, its the blend of flower remedies, combined. If you dont like the alchocol, you can have a bach flower practitioner mix some up without, its just used to extend the life of the flower extracts, so better for shop shelves

Jill
 
Rescue remedy is great stuff I swear by it and always keep it in my bag! Another good remedy to try if lost confidence or have a fear is Rock Rose that helped me out of my fear of cantering after I had a fall!!! If you go on the Bach Remedys website it asks you loads of questions and can work out the best remedy for you to take dependant on wat it feels you need!

Good luck :D
 
I used it a lot after my falls to help me get over my fear of mounting. I still use it on show days because I know if I get worked up then Serrano does too :p

It just takes the edge of me and I calm down a lot quicker.

Best of luck :)
 
I hate to say it but Rescue Remedy didn't do a thing for me the time I took it :o

My secret for cross-country is to do it with someone else (preferably someone more nervous) and then you'll be so busy trying to pacify them you'll forget about your own nerves ;)
 
No. Here's why:

"5x dilution of flower extracts of Rock Rose, Impantiens, Clematis, Star of Bethlehem, Cherry Plum in a grape alcohol solution."
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Suppose for the sake of argument that Rock Rose and Impatiens and what not actually have calming properties.:) See the "5x dilution" part? That stands for one part flower extract in one hundred thousand parts grape alcohol solution (which, er, we call "wine" at my house:D).

Would you think a few drops of wine would calm your nerves? If I were going to do cross country (like when little piggies take wing) I'd want at least a glassful!:D
 
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homeopathy [spelling] & bach flowers shouldnt work when looked at rationally but we tend to use the term placebo in a very negative way althoi there is lots of research that supports the efectiveness of placebo medecines so maybe rescue remedy is a very effective placebo
 
rubysmum said:
homeopathy [spelling] & bach flowers shouldnt work when looked at rationally but we tend to use the term placebo in a very negative way althoi there is lots of research that supports the efectiveness of placebo medecines so maybe rescue remedy is a very effective placebo
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Oh, I agree, "there are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio," and all that. I would never ever disparage a sincere faith in anything.

I would, however, disparage those who charge folks money for a product that's not what is claimed.;) Homeopathy (you spelled it just right, BTW) is one of my bete noire.
 
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I'm of the "if it works don't knock it" school of thought. Speaking personally I find that homeopathy can and does work for certain conditions even although there is little scientific evidence to back it up.

Anyway, Rescue Remedy also comes in alcohol free sugar free pastille form, which some people may find easier to take than the liquid form.

Ive got all types (drops, spray ceam and pastilles) depending on what I need to use it for.

You can get it from Boots, Holland & Barrett and most chemists.
 
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