The Essential Oil Travel Kit

You have saved, you have planned, and now you are headed on your dream vacation. All goes well until you get an upset stomach from that cute little restaurant, you get a sunburn from laying at the beautiful beach too long, or a mosquito decides to have you for lunch. If you have a few essential oils in your luggage, you can be prepared for some of the most common ailments that strike on vacations.

One thing to keep in mind is that essential oils are very strong, so you usually just need one or two drops to be effective. Peppermint oil has a calming effect on the stomach for those who get travel sickness. If you place a drop in a cup of hot water with honey or sugar and drink it before you start your trip, you will be much more comfortable. Or you can put a drop of peppermint on a cube of sugar, pop it in a baggy and take it when it is needed.

Ginger oil is good for seasickness. You can use two drops on a handkerchief and inhale as needed. Or you can put one drop in a little vegetable oil and rub your upper abdomen for travel sickness.

If you have a long journey in the car, put one or two drops of lavender, eucalyptus or peppermint oil on one or two cotton balls and place them on the rear window shelf of the car. They soothe the nerves and will keep the driver attentive. You can also put them in the air vents at the front of the car also. Basil oil dropped onto a wash cloth and rubbed over the body before leaving will keep the driver alert and sharpen their concentration.

Do you get nauseated when you smell the exhaust from trucks and cars? Put a drop of eucalyptus on a couple of tissues and place them around the car to counteract the smell.

• Animals bites: Thyme, Lavender, Eucalyptus, Chamomile
• Blisters: Geranium
• Bruises: Chamomile, Geranium, Lavender
• Bumps: Lavender, Chamomile
• Burns: Lavender
• Chills: Ginger, Geranium
• Colds: Eucalyptus, Ginger, Thyme
• Constipation: Peppermint, Thyme
• Cramp: Geranium, Ginger
• Cuts: Lavender, Thyme, Eucalyptus
• Exhaustion: Lavender, Chamomile, Peppermint, Geranium
• Fevers: Eucalyptus, Peppermint, Lavender
• Fractures: Ginger, Thyme, Lavender, Geranium
• Hay Fever: Chamomile, Eucalyptus
• Headaches: Peppermint, Lavender
• Heat Exhaustian: Lavender, Eucalyptus
• Heatstroke: Lavender, Eucalyptus, Peppermint, Chamomile
• Indigestion: Peppermint, Ginger
• Infections: Thyme, Lavender, Chamomile, Eucalyptus
• Insect Bites: Lavender, Chamomile, Eucalyptus, Thyme
• Insect Repellent: Lemongrass, Thyme, Lavender, Peppermint
• Insomnia: Chamomile, Lavender
• Itching: Eucalyptus, Peppermint
• Jet Lag: Lavender, Eucalyptus, Geranium, Peppermint, Lemongrass, Grapefruit
• Muscle aches: Thyme, Lavender, Eucalyptus, Ginger
• Sunburn: Lavender, Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Chamomile
• Toothache: Peppermint, Chamomile
• Travel sickness: Ginger, Peppermint
• Vomiting: Peppermint, Lavender, Ginger

Thyme oil is a great disinfectant. To avoid getting some nasty germs from the toilets you use while you travel, wipe the toilet seat with a tissue that has a drop of thyme essential oil on it. Remember too the toilet flush knob and doorknob. Thyme, lavender and eucalyptus provide very powerful bactericide.

To avoid getting bed bug bites, spray a few diluted drops of lavender oil on the mattress. You can also drop lavender or eucalyptus oil into your bath water if you stayed too long in the sun.

To avoid heat exhaustion make sure you drink enough water. If you are feeling dizzy, faint, or nauseous, rub lavender or eucalyptus oil to the temples, back of the neck and upper abdomen and breathe deeply.

To keep insects at bay, use lemongrass or citronella oil sprayed around the room. To keep insects from landing on your skin, lavendar oil is a good choice. Thyme, Lemongrass, Lavender and Pepper can all discourage insects from disturbing your sleep. Just put a couple drops on a cotton ball and place by your bed.

Next time you head out on your long-awaited vacation, go prepared with the most appropriate essential oils for your family and your destination.

A basic travel kit would include Lavender, Peppermint, Geranium, Chamomile, Ginger, Eucalyptus, Thyme, and Lemongrass or Citronella.