(DISCLAIMER: I AM NOT A DOCTOR AND YOU SHOULD ALWAYS CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN BEFORE TREATING ANY CONDITION. NONE OF THE INFORMATION BELOW SHOULD BE TAKEN AS MEDICAL ADVICE)

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As spring attempts to come to the US, like most, you’re planning family trips and vacations. While you double checked your luggage, you’re probably not thinking of “what if someone gets a stomachache, pulls a muscle or catches a cold”. Very few vacationers factor in the “what ifs”, which is why we see urgent care centers strategically placed around vacation destinations, because you just never know.

Pack these herbs with you in your travels and rest assured should life’s minor inconveniences arise, you will be ready. It’s better to have what you need than need what you don’t.  

Below are 5 herbs for your consideration and since I have experience with them, I feel safe recommending them to my readers.

Herbals used for medicinal properties come in flower, capsule, tincture and essential oil form.

DO NOT INGEST ESSENTIAL OILS

Chamomile:  

Chamomile has been used to lull us to sleep since we were children. I’m pretty sure we all know this is the key ingredient in the “nap time” tea sold in stores. With its analgesic, calmative and anti-inflammatory properties, chamomile alleviates a wide array of common ailments.

Use for: Stomach pain, skin irritation and nervousness 

Comes in flower, tincture and essential oil form.

*For STOMACH PAIN: Drink a cup of CHAMOMILE TEA for stomach aches. Chamomile tinctures work faster and can be purchased in natural food stores.

*For SKIN IRRITATION: Can be alleviated two ways

First, place a CHAMOMILE TEA BAG in warm water and let sit for a minute to activate the oils, remove from water, let cool until tea bag is cool to the touch. Place CHAMOMILE tea bag on affected area.

Second, place 3-6 drops of CHAMOMILE ESSENTIAL OIL and your preferred carrier oil into a 30ml roller bottle and apply to affected areas.

Eucalyptus  

Eucalyptus has antimicrobial, antiseptic and expectorant (removal of mucus) properties; comes in leaf and essential oil form and is used in OTC chest rubs sold in brick-and-mortar stores. Comes in flower and essential oil form.   DO NOT INGEST.

Use for: nasal decongestant, muscle aches, arthritic pain and minor respiratory ailments.

*AS A NASAL DECONGESTANT: Place 3-6 drops of EUCALYPTUS ESSENTIAL OIL in an oil diffuser or vaporizer. Mix with 3-6 drops of peppermintfor added decongestant benefits.

*FOR MUSCLE ACHES: Place 3-6 drops in a 10ml roller bottle       with carrier oil of your choice and massage into affected areas.

Ginger

Ginger has thermogenic (heat inducing), analgesic properties and promotes good circulation; comes in leaf, tincture and essential oil form.

Use for: stomach aches and muscle pains.

When you had a stomachache as a child, your parents likely handed you some ginger ale because they knew that would settle your stomach the fastest and produce the belch no one wants to hear. 

*For STOMACH ACHES:  Place about .75ml of GINGER TINCTURE in 8oz of water and drink. You can also place the tincture directly under your tongue.

*For MUSCLE ACHES:  Mix 3-6 drops of GINGER ESSENTIAL OIL with a carrier oil of your choice in a 10ml bottle, massage into affected areas. For a cooling sensation, add eucalyptus.

Lavender  

Lavender is one of the most universal herbs to alleviate a wide range of common ailments, with its analgesic, antibacterial, antiseptic, and sedative properties (to name a few) this herb can be used to help one relax, soothe digestion, ease a migraine and so much more. Comes in leaf, tincture, and essential oil form.

Use for tension, relaxation, digestion, tension headaches, and migraines

*For STOMACH ACHES:  Place about .75ml of LAVENDER TINCTURE in 8oz of water and drink. You can also place the tincture directly under your tongue.

*For TENSION HEADACHES: Mix 3-6 drops of LAVENDER ESSENTIAL OIL with a carrier oil of your choice in a 10ml bottle, rub on the temples, behind ears and back of neck at the first sign of a headache. For a cooling sensation and extra pain relief, add peppermint.

Peppermint

Peppermint has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and calmative properties (to name a few) and is a component of a wide array of products. From hygiene to cleaning products, peppermint is a well-known herbal remedy. Comes in leaf, tincture, and essential oil form.

Use for digestion, decongestant, and migraine relief

*For STOMACH ACHES:  Place about .75ml of PEPPERMINT TINCTURE in 8oz of water and drink. You can also place the tincture directly under your tongue.

*For a DECONGESTANT: Place 3-6 drops of PEPPERMINT ESSENTIAL OIL in an oil diffuser or vaporizer. Mix with 3-6 drops of EUCALYPTUS ESSENTIAL OIL for added decongestant benefits.

*For MIGRAINES:  Mix 3-6 drops of PEPPERMINT ESSENTIAL OIL with a carrier oil of your choice in a 10ml bottle, rub on the temples, behind ears and back of neck at the first sign of a headache. For a cooling sensation and extra pain relief, add lavender and eucalyptus.

Well after reading all of this, you’re probably wondering what and where to buy the things you need. No worries, I did the homework to get you started.  This is a great herbalist beginner set, it includes at least four of the essential oils discussed above and other essentials to get you on your way.

Safe Travels 

**If you’re interested in learning more about herbal medicine and health driven herbs, this book is an excellent (and affordable) read and I recommend it to all my readers.

Have questions about the content you just read? Email me at diwrites@outlook.com.