Naturopathic Travel Tips for Summer


By Kathryn Firisin, ND


sickness, injury or bad sunburn. Having spent years traveling back and forth across the country and hearing patient concerns about travel, I have gathered some helpful hints and travel essentials that are simple and can help ensure some uninterrupted R and R.


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Travel Anxiety How many people have you heard say, “I need a vacation from


my vacation!” Travel is stressful and anxiety provoking. A few easy steps can minimize these feelings of overwhelm.


1. Eat light: Don’t eat heavy rich foods before a long car ride or getting on a plane. Packing healthy snacks will deter you from grabbing unhealthy food in an airport or highway rest stop.


2. Stay hydrated: Making a homemade electrolyte drink of fresh ginger, lemon, honey and sea salt in water can help keep you from being dehydrated on a long fl ight or car trip. It is a great recovery drink for an unexpected bout of diarrhea.


3. CBD oil: Topical creams and oral preparations of CBD can be calming. It can be helpful to calm your nerves before a big fl ight. CBD should be used with caution and if you are taking other prescription sedatives consult your physician.


4. Homeopathy: Homeopathic remedies are inexpensive, safe, and easy to pack. They take up little room in your suitcase and can help with a multitude of symptoms. See my quick reference list at the end of the article.


5. Give yourself something to look forward to: That book you’ve been wanting to read, your favorite guilty pleasure magazine, a movie you’ve wanted to see. Prepare something you are excited about to occupy your mind while you are waiting for take off or in the car for a few hours.


Sleep Once you have addressed the travel anxiety that may keep


you awake, sleeping in a different bed can add a whole new set of problems. You can never completely avoid that hotel room next to a freeway or a noisy neighbor. And for city dwellers, the drone of the crickets can be just as distracting as it is peaceful.


1. White noise apps: There are several white noise apps that can be downloaded on your phone. Plain white noise, nature sounds, and calming music can help drown out disturbing noise. If you do use your cell phone at night, make sure you


34 Natural Nutmeg - July/August 2019


ummer is here and we are looking forward to our long await- ed vacations. From international travel to a road trip to see Grandma, none of us wants to have a trip ruined by stress,


place it a few feet away from your head while you sleep to avoid EMF exposure.


2. Essential oils: Lavender essential oil can be very calming. A few drops in a bathtub or a few drops on a pillow can be enough to help you get some valuable sleep.


3. Tea: Tea bags don’t take up a lot of room in your suitcase and can have incredible medicinal benefi ts. There are several Sleep and Calm formulas available at your local health food store. Look for ingredients like Lavender, Passion Flower, Lemon Balm and Chamomile. Try a few before your trip so you know what one works the best for you.


Gut Health Many patients report constipation or changes in bowel habits


when traveling. These hints may help you avoid sickness and help you recover from an unhappy bowel.


1. Probiotics: If you don’t already take one, START NOW! A good quality probiotic will have a bacteria count of at least 10 billion and several different strains of bacteria.


2. Homeopathics: Homeopathy really shines with gastrointestinal issues. I have included some remedies in my list at the end of this article.


3. Activated charcoal: Charcoal has long been used in water fi ltra- tion systems. Small portable travel fi lters are now available for water bottles. Additionally, activated charcoal can be ingested in capsule form to help your body absorb and eliminate toxins. If you are traveling somewhere with a questionable water sup- ply, activated charcoal is a must.


Sun and Bug Protection


1. Sunblock: Unfortunately recent research is showing that the chemicals contained in SPF products may in fact be worse than that sun itself. Using a mineral based sunblock is essential to avoid exposure to these chemicals. Be mindful that mineral based sunblocks require more frequent application so don’t forget to reapply often. Look for sunblock containing zinc oxide and healthy moisturizers like coconut oil or jojoba oil. Chemi- cals to avoid include oxybenzone (a known endocrine disrup- tor), homosalate, parabens, retinyl palmitate and oxtocytene. If you see these on the label, take it out of your Amazon cart!


2. Bug repellent: There are better ways to keep bugs from mak- ing our campfi re miserable. Mosquitos and ticks are a primary concern in many parts of the country, especially with the rise in


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