Do you clench your seat during takeoff, nervously eyeing the airline crew to see if they’re acting as if everything’s okay? Do you do the same thing every time the plane hits a little turbulence? Do you dread getting on a plane, in the first place?

The good news is that you’re not alone. It seems that one-third of adults share your fear. Some of us are merely anxious about flying. We breathe a huge sigh of relief when the plane lands safely. Others (about 12 percent of the population) are really afraid to travel by air.

I fall somewhere between the first and second categories of jittery travelers. I don’t like to fly. But I realize it’s the only practical way to get from one place to another. I don’t need prescription drugs. But natural remedies may be useful. I’ll tell you what remedies I plan to use on my next trip.

Natural Remedies for Fear of Flying

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I’ve found that an extremely useful “natural remedy” for fear of flying is just thinking about statistics. The odds are overwhelmingly in your favor that you’ll reach your destination, without incident. Statistically speaking, flying is much safer than driving. Even though we think we’re in control while on the road, this is just an illusion. We have no control over what another driver will do. If someone else makes a mistake, we’re able to react. But not always fast enough to avoid an accident.

It might help to consider the sheer number of flights that take off and land each day, in the United States alone. This totals 30,000 flights a day, according to the authority site Fly Fright, which notes that you’d have to fly every day for 22,000 years before you’d have an accident, statistically speaking.

Right before one trip, what put this into perspective for me was one of my son’s friends. He was a teenager at the time, and watching our dog while we went on vacation. He knew I was nervous about flying. He reminded me that it’s much safer than driving. Such wisdom, from someone so young.

Natural Remedies for Anxiety of Flying

I also have a secret natural anxiety weapon. It’s called Rescue Remedy, and it was created by a British medical doctor who practiced in the early 1900’s. I’ve owned one bottle of Rescue Remedy for more than a decade. I only use it when it’s needed, when my anxiety is way above its normal threshold. This is a remedy I may consider taking just before a flight.

Rescue Remedy can also be used for animals. There’s a special version made just for pets. One suggested use is prior to a stressful situation, such as a trip to the vet, or to the groomer. This is not a remedy meant for daily use, from what I can gather. I don’t use it every day. Instead, I save it for when I need it. Giving my dislike of flying, getting on a plane would qualify.

I do need to point out that I’m not a doctor. I can’t give medical advice, or promise that any natural remedy will cure your fear of flying. All I can do is share my own experience of how I find ways to stay calm naturally.

Home Remedies for Fear of Flying

Another way to potentially take the edge off is with essential oils. These highly concentrated plant extracts have been used for centuries to heal the body, as well as the mind. It’s even been shown that inhaling certain essential oils decreased anxiety in patients about to undergo an unpleasant medical procedure.

Out of all the aromatherapy oils, lavender essential oil is probably best known for its soothing and relaxing nature. Here’s an easy way to use lavender oil when you’re flying. You can put a drop or two on a special aromatherapy necklace that you can wear on your flight. You’ll be able to smell the calming scent during your flight. There are also specific stress blends designed for natural anxiety relief. One of my favorite is Meditation Synergy Blend, which I find very calming. I use it despite the fact I don’t do Eastern meditation.

Herbal Medication for Fear of Flying

There’s no doubt about it. We’re living in very stressful times, with a lot of uncertainly. To cope, I either just deal with it. Or, sometimes I take a particular herbal remedy called Oregon’s Wild Harvest Stress Guard. This contains several herbs, including tulsi, a traditional Indian herb that’s considered to be an adaptogen. This means it possibly helps us better handle stress. Stress Guard also contains natural B-complex vitamins. These nutrients are depleted by stress.

Herbal Remedy for Fear of Flying

Right now, Stress Guard is one of my favorite herbal stress relief formulas. I don’t take it every day. That’s because I need to rotate my remedies, so they keep working. Instead, I take it periodically. I may take it for three or four nights in a row, and then switch to something else. Then I add it into the rotation, to take another time.

I use a lot of natural remedies. That’s because I have chronic nerve inflammation. Luckily, I keep it under control with a clean diet, herbs, homeopathy and essential oils. I like to combine different natural healing methods. I’ve noticed they seem to work on different levels, and don’t cancel out one another.

Disclaimer

These statements have not been approved by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use essential oils or herbal or homeopathic remedies unless directed to do so by a healthcare professional.