Travel Herbs for Natural Health

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How Can Travel Herbs Keep Me Healthy on the Road?

I call them my 'travel herbs' - the various natural remedies I take with me when I travel. I find them especially effective for ailments like motion sickness, muscle pains or indigestion, and I'd rather avoid chemicals if I can.

Consider the kinds of travel stresses you might face: dryness and quick breathing in flight, multiplication of microbes because you're in close quarters with other travelers, jet lag, tiredness - and you'll see how taking plants or extracts along can help smooth your travels. Some women pack an entire travel herbal kit when they travel (I often do, though I admit I'm not as diligent as I should be in replacing things when they run out). Here's what you might find among my travel herbs:

**Useful herbs in Korean market**
Photo: Constantin B. via Flickr

- Ginseng is a good all-round tonic, especially if your resistance or energy are low. It comes in ampoules but these are difficult to take on a flight if you have more than a few. If you're headed to Asia it'll be relatively easy to find.

- Ginger on the other hand is easily portable - just pack a piece of the root. You can also get it in handy pills, powder, dried or crystallized candy. It's great if you want to treat motion sickness: I've tried it on rocky ferry crossings and it has worked well for me, especially when used in conjunction with wrist pressure bands.

- Peppermint is useful for anything to do with the stomach, from motion sickness to cramps to indigestion. When I've overindulged, I consider this one the queen of my travel herbs. You can suck on peppermint candies, drink it as an infusion - but I prefer to add a drop or two of peppermint extract to a sugar cube. You can also inhale its essential oil (and it's a great breath freshener too).

**Lavender helps call you down**
Photo: Ian Britton via FreeFoto.com

- Speaking of essential oils, several others can also help. Lavender will calm you down if inhaled, and is good for blisters and small burns (not to mention a few drops in your bathtub, if you ever come across such a thing in your travels).

- Rosemary can be rubbed on sore muscles or on your temples if you have a headache. This one hasn't really worked for me, but different travel herbs work for different people.

- Aloe vera gel is one item I'd never leave home without. For small cuts, scrapes, bites or sunburn, a bit of aloe vera provides me with near-instant relief.

- The other 'must-have' for me is tea tree oil: it can kill fungus between your toes and almost instantly heals skin breaks (great for ingrown toenails if you've been walking long distances). I've never seen anything like it on small cuts! It's also great if you have a cold sore, pimple or zit on your face, and a true Godsend if something is itchy - and good for pretty much anything that requires an antiseptic.

- Some women pack arnica for skin problems. I've used it in hand creams - it's brilliant - but I haven't tried it on insect bites yet. I'm told it's also good for sprains and bruises (and I hope you don't get too many of these on the road). For sore muscles I always use Tiger Balm - I also rub it on my temples if I have a headache.

**Don't leave home without it!**
Photo: Tim Snell via Flickr

- Something I learned in Zanzibar: stick a clove in your mouth if you feel a toothache coming on and try to keep it near the sore tooth. Given their shape it's not easy but it will help keep you going until you reach a dentist.

- Bach flower rescue is a perfect pick-me-up if you're feeling blue or bland or battered. Just a few drops and you'll be perky again. It's also helpful for situations of high stress or even shock.

- Conversely, if you need to drop off to sleep, the best of my travel herbs is valerian. It's a great relaxant - I've used a few drops before an African bus ride and it took the edge off my nerves.

- Need some general immunity to colds and viruses? Some people use echinacea, either in tincture or pills.

- When I feel a little rocky, I often head for a herbal tea. There are so many different kinds - you'll inevitably find some that work for you. Why not a light-colored camomille to help you relax or a mint tea to help you digest? I drink gallons of green tea, which is supposed to be good for just about everything.

- Other travel herbs? Licorice, for unstable tummies and gas (or other similar herbs like anise or fennel); guava leaves for diarrhea; and witch hazel for small burns and bites.

My travel herbs are a great help, but it's not enough. I also try to watch what I eat, at least when I first get to a country. I also try (really, I do try) to exercise as much as I can, by walking a lot and carting my backpack around. And if I suspect something is really wrong, I get immediate medical treatment. If you're keen on putting together your own travel herbs for your next trip, head for a herbologist or herbal doctor - they're the experts.

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