Don’t forget to pack some essential oil goodies in your travel bag! These potent little oils aren’t just good for fragrances they’re also useful for many travel-related ailments from jet lag, a sluggish immune system, sunburn, to insect bites, motion sickness, and even tummy troubles. Essential oils (EOs) are Mother Nature’s most concentrated form of plant medicine and have been used for medicinal purposes for hundreds of years. Their therapeutic application is referred to as aromatherapy. Here’s how to best include them in your travel kit…
The best essential oils to include in your travel starter kit:
The following EOs and oil blends offer you a natural, low-risk, and safe alternative to many chemical-laden, over-the-counter meds and supplies.
Immune-booster: Frankincense oil
Frankincense essential oil is an immune-supporting superstar. It’s well known to combat multiple infections due to its potent anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and antiseptic properties. It’s also an anti-inflammatory. You can create your own inhaler to keep in your purse and use it anytime by adding 20 drops to the cotton filler and voila, you’re good to go.
Sanitizer: Tea tree oil
Tea tree essential oil has been used for centuries by Australian Aboriginal people because of its healing properties. It’s a powerful antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antimicrobial, and antiseptic. This makes it an extremely effective sanitizer. Mix 7 drops of tea tree with 5 tablespoons of aloe vera gel and 3 tablespoons of 90% rubbing alcohol for your own DIY sanitizer and cleanser. Note: Tea tree oil may cause skin irritations in some sensitive types so perform a patch test before use.
Jet Lag Relief & Insomnia Fighter: Chamomile & Lavender oil
Chamomile and lavender essential oils are known for both calming the nervous system and promoting restful sleep. They make excellent companions when traveling on long-haul flights that cross multiple time zones. Your sleep-rest cycles are attuned to your usual environment and often become disturbed by big travel. Both oils are also effective at soothing anxious jitters before a flight. Mix 7 drops of each with the carrier oil of your choice into a small roll-on for easy access before, during, and after flights. Gently massage your temples, chest, and wrists. Don’t forget to breathe deeply and slowly.
Hotel Room Air Purifier: Lemon oil
Lemon essential oil is known to effectively cleanse the air of airborne impurities and pathogens. It’s a potent antibacterial, antifungal, antimicrobial, and antiseptic. If you have space in your check-in bag take an essential oil diffuser with you to use in your hotel room. Diffusers disperse millions of aromatic microparticles into the air and this is particularly effective as an environmental purifying agent. Citrus essential oils like grapefruit or wild orange also work, too.
Nausea, Motion Sickness, & Tummy Troubles: Ginger & Peppermint oil
Both ginger and peppermint essential oil ease motion sickness, indigestion, nausea, and even diarrhea. If you can find a supplement grade version of both oils, you can mix 1 drop of ginger oil and 1-2 drops of peppermint oil with 1 tbsp of organic raw manuka honey and take orally. Note: Please do your own research and only look for 100% pure, undiluted, certified organic oils that state supplemental or nutritional information on the label or are indicated as GRAS (generally regarded as safe by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, aka FDA).
Insect Repellant Blend: Citronella, Tea tree, Lemongrass, & Geranium oils
You can create your own DIY bug spray and insect bite soother on your travels. Snag a small (under 3 fluid ounces as per TSA) dark, glass bottle and add the following:
5 drops of citronella 5 drops of tea tree 5 drops of lemongrass 5 drops of geranium 1 tbsp 90% rubbing alcohol 5 tbsp witch hazel Fill the rest of the bottle with water
Most commercial bug sprays are known to have harmful chemicals that may be toxic to your health. This spray is a cost-effective, natural way to get the same or better results.
Sunburn Relief Blend: Lavender, Tea tree, & Chamomile
Had a little too much fun in the sun? Blend 5 drops of lavender oil, 3 drops of tea tree, and 5 drops of chamomile oil with 4 tbsp of aloe vera gel and ½ cup of coconut oil to make your own sunburn salve. Mix this EO blend with carrier oils like coconut oil, jojoba oil, or almond oil using a 1:3 ratio. This means using three drops of carrier oil for every drop of essential oil. Because tea tree may be irritating to some sensitive skin types, it’s best to perform a patch test on non-sunburned skin first.
Supplies for your travel kit
Diffuser (if you’ve got spare space and weight in your check-in luggage) Roll-on bottles (Just make sure they’re under 3 ounces and dark glass) Spray bottles (Same – make sure they’re under 3 ounces) Inhalers (Affordable options can help you blend different blends for different uses) Carrier oils like coconut oil (You can find smaller jars or sizes and pack them in your check-in luggage to blend in your hotel room or you can create your own blends for in-flight as long as you follow TSA guidelines) Essential oil travel case (So you don’t have to worry about spills or ruining your check-in luggage)
Additional travel tips
Make sure all carry-on liquids pass the TSA’s 3-1-1- rule: each bottle should be under 3.4 ounces, everything should fit in one quart-sized plastic bag, and you’re only allowed 1 bag per traveler). Complement your EO goodies with other supplements like Vitamins C & D, melatonin, magnesium, activated charcoal, and electrolytes. These will keep you energized, rested, hydrated, and balanced. Reduce alcohol and sugar consumption before, during, and after flights. Too much of both can make jetlag worse, increase puffiness and bloating, impede sleep, and negatively impact your gut microbial balance.
