Summer holiday time is something most of us look forward to every year. Whether we are going abroad or staying in the country, good preparation makes for at least 50% of fun when there. Part of that process is knowing what to pack in terms of lotions and potions (and foods) that may come in useful should there be a need for attending to our or our loved ones’ health in case of emergency. Whether it is sudden tummy troubles, sunburn, insect bites or jet lag, there are many simple, food based solutions that can be found in local markets, chemists or in nature.

Here are some of the best nature given tools to handle such emergencies to ensure your holiday time passes smoothly and without too much ado. These foods, herbs and some supplements you may wish to take with you do not have any side-effects and are easily accessible even if you forget to bring them with you. Many of these remedies have been a cornerstone of healthcare in many cultures around the world so they are tried and tested.

Tummy bugs & food poisoning:

–          Garlic – anti-microbial

–          Coconut – anti-microbial

–          Charcoal or properly burnt toast

–          Ginger – anti-nausea & anti-inflammatory

–          Cinnamon – anti-microbial

–          Mint (as tea or paste) – anti-nausea, anti-microbial, good for flatulence & bloating

–          Chamomile (as tea) – anti-inflammatory, calming, goof for flatulence

–          Kefir / sauerkraut / kimchi / or a pre & probiotic (ideally – not requiring refrigeration)

–          Grapefruit seed extract (as drops) – anti-microbial

–          Black walnut tincture / pumpkin seeds

–          Digestive aids / enzymes: papaya, pineapple or as a supplement

–          + Fasting – on water or herbal tea alone – without any sugar added

Constipation:

–          Water – take a water bottle wherever you go! If water quality is unknown, add a couple of drops of iodine to it (provided you do not suffer from thyroid issues)

–          Foods: lemon juice, kiwi, prunes, apples, bananas, papaya, pineapple, chia seeds, psyllium husk or oat bran

–          Herbs: ginger, chamomile, mint, fennel, yarrow

Bumps & bruises:

–          Ginger – as tea

–          Rosehip – as tea or a supplement

–          Pomegranate peel – grated and applied as a poultice (anti-microbial too)

–          Cayenne – as poultice (dried herb mixed with little coconut oil or water)

–          Nettle leaf

–          Arnica – as pills or cream – topically / Traumeel cream or pills by Heel

Wounds, scratches and cuts:

–          Salty water / sea water

–          Garlic – grated or pressed and mixed with little oil

–          Grapefruit seed extract – diluted in water, topically

–          Calendula – topically as cream or crushed leaves

–          Colloidal silver – as spray

–          Iodine – topically around the wound (if not suffering from a thyroid issues)

–          Z-gel – from a pharmacy or herbal shop nearby

–          Propolis tincture – diluted, topically

Stings and insect bites:

–          Aloe vera – fresh pulp from the inside of a leaf or juice – topically

–          Nettle – as tea or onto the skin (can sting first!)

–          Manuka honey

–          Plantain – topically or chewed as a leaf

–          Burdock – as poultice

–          Lavender – as essential oil or flower infused veg or seed oil

Travel sickness:

–          Ginseng – as tea

–          Warm water with lemon juice – first thing

–          Focusing on something within the vehicle one is in, not the moving objects + NOT reading in transit

Hang over:

–          Warm water with lemon juice – first thing

–          Bicarbonate of soda – mixed into water and drunk after the event

–          Bitter herbs and foods – like rocket, watercress, dandelion, artichoke

–          Raw carrots or carrot juice

–          Milk thistle seed – as a supplement

–          A mix of Lactobacilli strains – as a probiotic

Jet lag:

–          Arnica &/or Arsenicum alb – as homeopathic pills

–          Melatonin – in places where it is available over the counter

–          Acupuncture (see – No More Jet Lag by Dr Krebs)

Sunburn:

–          Aloe vera gel

–          Nettle leaf – as strong tea or tincture

–          Lavender – as essential oil or flower infused veg or seed oil

Colds and other respiratory bugs:

–          Garlic, onion

–          Herbs: ginger, oregano, thyme, rosemary, black cumin seed, turmeric – as herb infused oil or dry herbs aplenty sprinkled onto food

–          Grapefruit seed oil – to gargle or take internally

–          Elderberry juice or extract

–          Echinacea – as a supplement

–          Raw honey

–          Fresh lemon

–          Vitamin C – from kiwi, lemon, orange, grapefruit, black currant or as a supplement

Seasonal support / hay fever:

–          Vitamin C – see -above

–          Rosehip – as tea

–          Nettle – as tea

–          Bitter herbs and foods – rocket, watercress, dandelion, artichoke

–          Local honey, raw

Surgery support:

–          Vitamin C-rich foods (kiwi, black currant, orange, lemon, etc.)

–          Bitter herbs and foods – rocket, watercress, dandelion, artichoke

–          Green tea

–          Herbal teas: rosehip, hawthorn

–          Bone broth – from animal, poultry or fish bones

–          Emergency essence cream (Bush flowers) or 5 Flower Cream (Bach Flowers)

Nightmares:

–          Herbal teas: camomile, lemon balm, lavender, passionflower

–          Rescue remedy (Bach flowers) – as drops, pills or spray

–          Salty bath at bedtime or a good soak in the sea

Shock:

–          Rescue remedy

–          Cortices technique – see BodyTalk tab on my website

–          Emergency essence cream (Bush flowers) or 5 Flower Cream (Bach Flowers)

Happy and safe travels: only full of the excitement you plan for!