Holiday herbs
Holidays don’t come without health risks. Here’s what to put in your suitcase to help you stay well on your summer break.
Arnica
Holidays can be physically demanding times when unused muscles are suddenly asked to do too much. Arnica comes top of the list for treating bruises, sprains and swellings. As a cream, lotion or ointment, it will ease pain by reducing inflammation, and accelerate healing by stimulating the local blood flow. This will enable faster arrival of materials needed for repair of damaged tissue as well as faster removal of the unwanted tissue debris. It should only be used on unbroken skin, as it can be toxic if it enters the bloodstream in large quantities.
Foreign foods and overdoing it mean indigestion, bloating and heartburn are common holiday complaints. So stocking up on artichoke extracts can help you through those uncomfortable moments. They help the digestive process by stimulating the production of bile and the breaking down and eliminating of fatty foods and alcohol from the body. Artichoke extract can be taken daily as a protective measure throughout your holiday or you can increase the dose for fast relief from immediate symptoms if you overdo it.
Ginger
If you or any of the family are prone to travel sickness, peppermint and ginger are the traditional herbal remedies. You could try peppermint or ginger capsules or chew crystallised ginger or take an infusion of ginger in a flask to sip on the journey. Opening windows and sitting in the front seat can help if travelling by car. On boats get some fresh air out on the deck and keep your eyes firmly on the horizon.
The journey to and from your holiday destination as well as being with friends and family round the clock for a week or more can result in high stress moments. If you start to feel tense the calming herb valerian can help to relax you.
Lavender oil
This soothing oil is regarded as one of the most versatile essential oils and is one of the few that can be tolerated neat on the skin. Lavender oil can be dabbed neat on to burns, cuts, and insect bites. It also has relaxing properties and can be massaged on to your temples to help with hot weather headaches.
Aloe vera
If you accidentally overdo time spent in the sun, aloe vera can help to cool things down. You also need to get plenty of rest and remember to drink plenty of water to rehydrate the whole of your body as well as your skin.
One in ten of us are thought to spend more time in the bathroom than on the beach while on holiday. Infected tap water or bacteria-ridden foods are the usual triggers for a holiday tummy so pay attention to what you eat.
If food can’t be peeled or cooked be wary say the experts. And this includes shellfish, ice cubes made from tap water and fruit and veg, which can carry bacteria or may have been washed in suspect tap water. If you do start to suffer from a dodgy tummy a dose of turmeric, which is rich in anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties,can help to put things right.
Remember to also pack:
Plasters, bandages, scissors, tweezers, antiseptic wipes and safety pins.
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