Healthy Travels:: Holistic Herbal Edition
- stormmelanie
- Mar 11
- 7 min read
I recall one spring break a few years ago when myself and my children were visiting my parents in Florida. We had met up with a couple of my siblings and their families, were having the best of times, and then norovirus hit.
It started with my brother in law, at first we thought it was too much sun and fun the day before, or the fish tacos, but then gradually over the course of a couple days, one by one, everyone else started vomiting.
Everyone except for me. (thankfully, since I had sick little ones)
Luckily I had my digestive bitters on hand which I started taking immediately and religiously took them along with frequent fresh air and sunshine breaks. Whether I was just asymptomatic or never actually contracted the virus, it was a reaffirming sign that I was doing the right holistic and herbal things to bolster my gut and immune health.
I've heard many similar stories from others about travel sickness, so perhaps this resonates with you and maybe is something that has happened during your business or personal travels, where you or those in your party end up sick either on the trip, or shortly after getting home.
And so since this is such a common occurance, and I often get asked about what herbals to take to support health while travelling, I figured I would type something up for you to utilize as a reference point so that you can start making proactive changes, rather than being cornered into reacting with excess and unneccessary force.
Because often times it's easy to blame the plane, the airport, the interactions with strangers, or even those in your own travel party.
BUT... when we take a step back and look at this holistically, we see that the stress levels were higher, the water was different, different foods were being enjoyed, or similar foods just being prepared differently. There was disrupted sleep schedule, perhaps overindulging in richer foods and sugary drinks, the air quality was different and the actual physical climate was different from where you began.
Perhaps you traveled from cold to hot, or hot to cold, or damp to dry, or dry to damp.
Our body, our immunity, becomes challenged when we expose it to more rapid extremes, and while it is doing its best to adapt to the situation, it all comes down to the individual and their underlying state of health. This is why multiple people can be exposed to the same pathogen within close quarters, or by sharing the same food, and not all of them experience symptoms, and there is variability in the severity of symptoms.
Modern conventional medicine will have you immunizing, sanitizing, and masking, which is fine if you choose to do so as the data shows that it can reduce risk or prevent many things. BUT people often forget that there is room for error in this, these measures are not foolproof and they do not mean immunity from it all.
So this advice can apply to everyone and anyone, it can be an alternative or it can be a complimentary adjunct. (Educational advice, Not Medical Advice)
What can be done? I'm glad that you asked, and made yourself present here today so I can share some of my favorite holistic tips and herbals that I use to support myself and my family in our travels. Things that I have made a habit of packing with because I had hated having someone get sick on vacation and then having to resort to whatever the best of the worst was at the local stores.***
I also have realized that by carrying some herbals with me, it could help to prevent any unnecessary runs to the urgent clinic. There isn't anything as empowering as when you can start to learn the body and understand symptoms rather than fear them, and that you have so much more power than you realize when equipped with the right tools.
***Yes, there are some rad co-ops that will carry local herbalists with more quality options, but most of the most natural stores, just like big box pharmacies carry a lot of supplements and herbal products with added sugars, flavors, questionable sourced herbs and quality. And when something hits, you don't want to be wasting your time or money chasing results with a shoddy product.**
HERBAL ALLIES FOR TRAVELING
Firstly, I need to preface with the fact that immunity isn't built overnight. So if you have poor immune function, have been sick multiple times over a short amount of time, or have autoimmune conditions, you ABSOLUTELY need to be taking some immune supporting herbals before traveling. Ideally daily for a month prior for those in okay health, where those in better health can take daily for two weeks prior to departure. You want to be looking for plants like Elderberries, Echinacea, White Pine, Astragalus, Rose Hips, Cinnamon, Ginger, Turmeric, Medicinal Mushrooms like Chaga or Reishi, Yarrow, Tulsi and other mints like Sage.
Roots Revival Immune Elixir is an antioxidant rich immune supporting mix of powerful herbals balanced with some local raw honey, and has been a favorite of many to keep their families healthy throughout cold and flu season, it's safe to use for children, you just adjust the dose, and dilute accordingly. You can find out more about it and all of the other herbals I will name drop in this article by clicking on their links below.
I want to side bar here and make note that any tincture with elderberry will be better than elderberry syrups if you are looking highest nutrient and medicinal content. The way syrups are prepared are by boiling the berries, and this destroys the vitamin C and any other heat sensitive properties, and this preparation does not pull as many other valuable constiuents that you hear about. Not to deter you from using syrups but just know its more of a lovely food than a true medicine, in the sense that maple syrup is more food than medicine, but birch sap on its own holds more medicinal value. :)
Secondly, you always want to travel with a Digestive Aid, something that contains herbal bitters. These plants support your normal day to day digestion woes, and stronger bitters like Wormwood can help with any food borne pathogen, or reduce symptoms, severity and duration of a viral infection like norovirus. So I travel with both my Roots Revival Digestive Bitters and Cleanse Elixir. If I had to choose for saving space,I would go with Cleanse Elixir. These both also can be dosed down for children.
These are just recommendations, please know that I welcome ALL questions about my products, the herbs used, and individual dosing concerns. I want you to feel comfortable and empowered while using herbs, and it won't happen if you are second guessing or dosing incorrectly!
Next, if you are traveling anywhere that you plan to be outside in the sun more, especially going South, some after sun support is essential. I recall many spring breaks as a child looking like a lobster, even after applying and reapplying the sunblock, and having to avoid going outside during the day. I was not only bummed about missing out on some excursions but was severely uncomfortable, and the aloe only helped so much. This isn't me saying that pure aloe from the aloe plant itself isn't beneficial for skin care, but the stuff at the store isn't pure aloe, and honestly I don't believe the dyed gunk with trace amounts of aloe really helps the skin much more than a topical cooling effect.
So, I recommend utlizing some astringent, toning herbal products, something like Roots Revival Calendula Witch Hazel. I make my own witch hazel extraction and then infuse calendula flowers in it, so it isn't as astrigent or as drying as plain witch hazel. It is quite soothing, and the calendula and witch hazel are very supportive for skin health and healing burns.
Another herbal ally that I do not leave home without is an herbal first aid product, something like Roots Revival Deep Relief Salve.
Imagine you were exploring and you fall and cut yourself, or your child gets an insect bite, or grandma over did it on the hike or swim or walk around the town, and has a strained calf and some muscle aches, and you wish you had something on hand and didn't have to run to the store. Then you remember you packed some amazing green salve that can be a remedy to all of the above complaints. Oh and maybe you also remember that you packed the Calendula Witch Hazel mentioned above which is excellent for wound care and bug bites! Immediate relief rather than a dragged out situation with high emotions. ;)
One of the herbal remedies that I would recommend to have in your herbal medicine travel kit would be herbal electrolytes. You want to consider nutrient dense plants with higher mineral content like Nettles, Horsetail, various Roots, Oatstraw.
Many people rely on the popular brand electrolytes not realizing that the concentration is so strong it has been shown to harm kidneys and easily can cause electrolyte imba; imbalances and overhydration (mimics the same symptoms of dehydration). Not to mention they often contain added flavors and sugars that can be very disruptive to your gut. And like I mentioned before, your gut will already be trying to stay balanced and so we want to minimize taking in things that can really promote digestive woes on vacation and once you get home.
While something like Roots Revival Mineral Magic won't have high amounts of electrolytes, it will have trace amounts of many more minerals than just sodium, potassium and magnesium, and often are just the perfect amount needed to support staying hydrated while traveling, which can be harder to do if you are drinking distilled or filtered water.
Lastly, winding down this herbal allies for travel list with the recommendation to take something that will support your sleep and nervous system. If you are someone who has difficulty falling asleep in new spaces and places, you absolutely want to consider herbs like California Poppy, Skullcap, Passionflower, Tulsi, Hops, Mugwort.
I take Roots Revival Settle Down Elixir, which I crafted at a time when I had severe insomnia after suffering a tragic loss, not to mention I have always had trouble just falling asleep anywhere. So I formulated this blend that helps to improve sleep latency, which means falling asleep quicker, and also supports more deep and restorative sleep, meaning wake up more refreshed and less foggy brained.
Travelling can be exhilarating, rejuvinating, exciting and yet so very taxing and stressful at the same time. There is no perfect way but there are better ways to support your health and wellness holistically in your journeys, and herbal remedies are a powerful ally to utilize pre trip as well as have on hand in your bag to support smooth travels whatever comes your way.
Reminder, all of the herbs I mentioned are linked below for you to read more about if you are interested.
Questions? Please message me!
Want to see more Blog content from me? I enjoy the instagram engagement, but more blogging, presenting herbs and holistic health in a lower stimulated enviroment is calling to me.
Comment below and let me know what you'd like to hear about!
In Light,
Melanie
Intuitive Herbalist, Holistic Wellness Consultant
B.S. Alternative Medine
Founder, Creator, Roots Revival Herbals
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