Travellers' Notes: Prevention is Better Than the Cure
Nothing can spoil a holiday more than being ill. Prevention is, of course, better than cure, so it's best to avoid the usual sources of problems.
Nothing can spoil a holiday more than being ill. Prevention is, of course, better than cure, so it's best to avoid the usual sources of problems:
don't drink it, clean your teeth with it or eat raw foods which could have been washed in it. Don't swim in it, either - there are some nasty little organisms in the Nile for example
it's not worth saving money if you suffer for it later
the best natural product for deterring mosquitoes is citronella, an aromatherapy oil that seems to put them off. It smells quite lemony and is well tolerated by most people. Apply it to skin and clothing every four hours or so. You can also apply it to mosquito nets and curtains.
sunburn just isn't worth it, and there's the danger of dehydration and salt depletion too.
Lavender Oil is worth packing, as it has so many uses - it calms and soothes the nerves, and it can be applied to insect bites and to sunburnt skin.
There are many remedies that can usefully be taken in a holiday first aid kit; I've listed some of the most commonly needed. I would recommend taking the remedies in a 30c potency. You can add one pill to a bottle of spring water and sip from the bottle approximately hourly. If taking under the tongue, in these situations it would be appropriate to take about three pills a day, evenly spaced apart.
FEAR OF FLYING
Arg Nit (with running to the loo) has anticipation, fear of enclosed spaces and being trapped.
Aconite is better where the fear of dying is the main thing. You can take both remedies if both seem to fit your type of fear.
Gelsemium is good for anticipation if there is weakness, trembling, and/or a sense of heaviness. Might be at their most scared when the plane is landing, as there is a fear of falling.
EAR TROUBLE
Try tissue salt Kali Mur 6x - four a day for 3 to 4 days before the flight (it is said to drain the Eustachian tubes), and take Pulsatilla during the flight.
If fluid retention is a problem try Apis or Nat Mur during the flight.
JET LAG can be buffered with Arnica 30c before, during and after the flight - a good remedy whenever you have pushed yourself too far. The effects of the engines can be countered with the Bush flower essence Mulla Mulla, or you could try Travelessence from the Bush range. This combination particularly addresses the problems encountered with jet travel. It enables a person to arrive at their destination feeling balanced and ready to go. The use of this Essence is beneficial for all forms of travel.
TRAVEL SICKNESS
Cocculus is for disorientation, dizziness and vertigo. Probably the most commonly used remedy for motion sickness.
Tabacum for when the patient looks deathly pale, or with a greenish tinge. Nausea, vomiting. Icy cold and sweating. Fainting/collapsing. They are worse for the smell of cigarette smoke. Stomach feels empty, terrible.
Petroleum where there is nausea with increased saliva. The patient feels better for eating and/or closing their eyes. They feel worse from noise, light and the smell of traffic fumes.
Nux Vom patients can seem a little irritable or impatient. This is a good remedy if you are suffering from over-indulgence - too much rich food or alcohol.
You can buy a combination remedy called Travella and made by Nelsons. It's readily available in Boots the Chemist.
DIARRHEA
This can be complicated and it is important to watch out for cases of watery traveller's diarrhea which persist for more than 14 days, especially if the patient then develops symptoms resembling IBS coupled with loss of weight. This might be caused by a parasite (giardia). The incubation period can be as long as 21 days, so the signs don't necessarily develop until you've been back from holiday for some time, meaning you don't make the connection between your travels and the symptoms. Bloody diarrhea should always be checked by the GP, and you need to mention that you've been away.
It is however worth taking Arsenicum Album on holiday with you, as many cases of watery diarrhea will respond to a few doses.
If you'd like to know any more about travel remedies, please contact me.
Posted on July 25, 2005 03:15 PM
Contact Linda on 01494 416376 or email Linda@HomeopathyResource.com. You can sign up for her free newsletter and download some useful free articles from her website at www.HomeopathyResource.com.
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