Going on vacation is something we usually look forward to, but travel can present its own challenges, and unfamiliar
activities can leave you sore, achy, tired, or even sick. Luckily, there are some simple ways to treat most common travelrelated
complaints. A natural medicine chest filled with just a few herbs can help you enjoy the trip. —Vera Tweed
motion sickness
GINGER has been
used for centuries
to treat stomach
problems in general,
and in the past 25
years, science has
documented its
benefits for motion
sickness specifically.
One study tested
the herb on 80 naval
cadets who were
unaccustomed
to sailing the high
seas. Compared
to a dummy pill,
1 gram of ginger was
effective in reducing
nausea, cold sweats,
vomiting, and dizziness.
Ginger is
available in pills,
tinctures, teas, and
chewable forms.
Peppermint extract
or tea is another
traditional motionsickness
remedy.
jet lag
Jet lag can be
mitigated with
energizing herbs
if you need a little
boost to stay awake,
or calming herbs if
you need to relax
and get some sleep.
FEVERFEW, commonly
used for
migraines, contains
the sleep-regulating
hormone melatonin—
in smaller
quantities than those
found in melatonin
supplements—
and is included in
some herbal jet-lag
formulas. GINSENG
supports the adrenal
glands, which in turn
help to stimulate the
natural production
of melatonin at night
and restore sleep
patterns. CHAMOMILE
is a gentle, relaxing
sedative that’s safe
even for children.
It enhances restful
sleep and helps with
digestion, which is
often disrupted by
odd schedules and
strange foods when
traveling.
aches and pains
Hiking, biking,
climbing, or even
long rides in the car
can leave you sore.
For joints, CURCUMIN
is a strong antiinflammatory
herb
that works quickly
to reduce pain,
especially in a form
that is designed to
be quickly absorbed,
such as Theracurmin,
available in a
variety of brands.
For sore muscles,
ARNICA GEL, rubbed
on before intense
activity such as a
long bike ride, can
prevent soreness.
Afterward, arnica gel
can relieve soreness
and help muscles
heal. Arnica gel is
not designed to be
used on broken skin.
injuries
Mishaps can occur
during vacation
activities—falling
off a bike, tripping
on a trail, or losing
control of unfamiliar
equipment such
as a jet ski or dune
buggy. If in doubt as
to the severity of the
injury, always get
medical attention.
To treat minor
injuries yourself,
ARNICA can be taken
internally as a
homeopathic
remedy. It reduces
swelling and bruising
and decreases the
effects of trauma,
which helps the
body heal. To speed
recovery further,
apply arnica gel on
sore or bruised areas
(but not on open
wounds). To heal
skin abrasions, use
a CALENDULA CREAM
or ointment on the
injured area.
sunburn and other
skin irritation
ALOE VERA GEL is
a tried and tested
remedy for sunburn
and other types
of skin irritation,
including itching
from insect bites and
rashes from poison
ivy. Gently washing
irritated skin with
CHAMOMILE TEA,
brewed and then
cooled, is another
soothing treatment.
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