Six Essential Oils for Healthy Travel

Essential oils are our secret weapons in staying healthy at home but especially abroad. They’re easy to pack and have a multitude of uses – from preventive care to perfume. It’s truly like having a natural pharmacy in your purse. The first five essential oils for travel were recommended by essential oil and aromatherapy expert Elizabeth Van Buren, the other two are our favorite natural remedies.

Next time you’re headed out on a trip, consider these six essential oils* for healthy travel, plus one kick ass natural remedy for preventing food poisoning:

Symptom: Stress/Nerves

Lavender Oil

Lavender works wonders in soothing stress. Rub 3 drops each on both the sides and back of the neck. In dealing with jet lag, it calms the central nervous system for a good night’s rest.

Symptom: Infection

Tea Tree Oil

When dealing with an infection of any kind, whether externally, like a cut or internally, like a bladder infection, Tea Tree is one of nature’s best defenses. It can be used alone, directly on the skin, or in a compress over the bladder area to treat a bladder infection. We like to rub it on those nasty bits of infected acne that can rear up due to flight travel too.

Symptom: Digestion/Congestion

Peppermint Oil

Worried about exotic foods that may present a challenge to the digestive system on an upcoming international trip? To prevent or treat intestinal upset, rub a few drops of oil clockwise on your stomach in the morning and evening before bed. Lanee likes to rub it under her nose during a flight for better breathing and to mask any foul odors.

Symptom: Sore Muscles/Upset Stomach/Depression

Roman Chamomile Oil

Sore muscles or painful joints are soothed by the calming, anti-inflammatory properties of chamomile oil. Suffering from an upset stomach, diarrhea or nausea? Apply the oil on the area where you’re experiencing intestinal pain as it is an antispasmodic. As a side note, Roman chamomile also assists in combating irritability and depression.

Symptom: Cough/Sinus Congestion/Energy

Eucalyptus Oil

Ever taken a flight inflicted with a chronic cough or sinus congestion? If so, you know how uncomfortable, for both you and other nearby passengers, it can be. Luckily, eucalyptus oil is a natural, respiratory tonic. Before boarding, rub 2-3 drops of oil on your chest and repeat every few hours during the flight. Plus, it’s a real mood lifter or energizer.

Symptom: Cold Prevention

Oregano Oil

This is magical stuff in fighting off colds. Take a few drops under the tongue or add a few drops in glass of water before boarding a flight or any other group setting. Since it’s very potent, make sure to not take it on an empty stomach (not recommended for children and pregnant women). Or mix a few drops of oregano oil with a carrier oil and apply topically as an insect repellent. FYI – this is not for everyone. If you have a sensitive system, sometimes it’s just too potent. Oreganol is our favorite liquid form brand.

Symptom: Food Poisoning Prevention

Grapefruit Seed Extract

Heading to a country with questionable food or water? Don’t leave home without this. It’s not an essential oil but certainly is essential in other departments. It turns a sensitive stomach into an iron clad one, preventing food poisoning or the dreaded “Montezuma’s revenge.” It comes in liquid, but it’s easier to handle in pill form. Before heading out to an exotic destination, we start taking a few capsules a day a week prior to the trip. During the trip, we take it daily, sometimes twice a day if we know we might be eating street food or vegetables washed with unsafe water.

Essential Oil Travel Kit

Don’t have the time to create your own essential oils for healthy travel kit? Featuring six, TSA-friendly vials, Elizabeth Van Buren offers two different travel kits. Or this aromatherapy essential oil set of 6 by KIS Oils is nifty too.

*We’re no MDs by any means. These are just our recommends based on our experience from testing them out. As with any new health regimen, consult your doctor or holistic practitioner to find out if these essential oils are right for you.

Hot tip: When shopping for essentials oils, make sure it says 100% pure oil. There are some companies that dilute it with water or a carrier oil. And yes, the pure stuff is more expensive, but it’s more effective and lasts longer.