Do you like herbal medicine?
So just because you're discovering a new country doesn't mean you have to resort to conventional medicine!
The solution ? Prepare an all-herbal first aid kit.
Discover the 12 medicinal plants to take with you when you go on a trip.
(Echinacea purpurea)
It's not for nothing that echinacea is at the top of the list:it is damn effective!
Echinacea strengthens the immune system and contributes to its proper functioning. It also has antibacterial and antibiotic properties.
If you feel sickness coming, follow a treatment with Echinacea mother tincture. Even if it doesn't cure you right away, echinacea will drastically shorten the duration of your illness.
And when used in conjunction with vitamin C, echinacea is all the more effective.
You can find Echinacea tincture here.
(Hydrastis canadensis)
This North American plant, surely known to our Canadian readers, produces an alkaloid frequently used in pharmacies.
Goldenseal is a powerful antidote with many benefits:antibacterial, antibiotic and even antiparasitic.
Applied in powder form, Goldenseal disinfects open wounds.
But when traveling, it is best to use it in the form of a mother tincture. For diarrhea (the famous "tourista"), goldenseal eliminates parasites and protects the digestive system.
Used together with echinacea, it can treat severe colds and sore throats that you can't recover from.
You can find Goldenseal tincture here.
(Viburnum opulus)
There's nothing worse than menstrual cramps to put an end to the euphoria of a trip.
This shrub is a herbal alternative to over-the-counter cramp medication.
Viburnum not only relieves pain — it also helps soothe the muscles that cause cramping pain. To treat yourself with viburnum obier, give preference to the use of mother tincture.
You can find Viburnum Obier mother tincture here.
(Prunella vulgaris)
Common brunelle is known by several names:small comfrey, great tit, sloe, carpenter's weed and brunette.
It has several virtues:antibiotic, antiseptic and astringent.
Its main use for travelers is as an ointment or balm. Brunelle ointment replaces the healing creams that you buy in pharmacies.
Its antibiotic properties will prevent infections and will heal wounds with remarkable speed.
You can find brunelle here.
(Zingiber officinale) and(Mentha × piperita)
Gastric upset is a recurring problem among travellers.
To relieve this type of pain, ginger and peppermint are particularly effective treatments.
They help the body to digest better and at a remarkable speed.
Ginger tea or breath mints are also effective remedies for seasickness and nausea.
You can find ginger tea here.
(Arnica montana )
Mountain arnica can be found in two forms:in gel or in homeopathic granules.
Intended for external use, the gel is really ideal for healing bruises, reducing bumps and swelling and relieving muscle pain.
Taken internally, arnica relieves headaches and aids in recovery from trauma, such as falling off a scooter in Hanoi, for example :-)
You can find arnica gel here.
(Melaleuca alternifolia )
This plant, which comes to us from Australia, produces an oil with powerful astringent properties.
But beware ! The oil smells very strong and must imperatively be diluted in water:a few drops are very effective!
It is used to clean scratches and abrasions. But it is also useful for washing the face or for irrigating the sinuses (with a nasal bulb).
If you run out of toothpaste, add a few drops to a glass of water to make a mouthwash.
Tea tree is also effective in treating skin irritations, especially fungal infections.
You can find tea tree essential oil here.
(Glycyrrhiza glabra )
Licorice tea has a delicious, naturally sweet taste. It is also the ideal treatment for sore throats.
Licorice has mucilaginous properties — that is, it becomes viscous on contact with water. It is a useful property for treating dry throats following a trip to a particularly polluted place.
As a bonus, licorice tea is also beneficial for digestion. Are you constipated after eating too much? Licorice tea can give your digestive system the little boost it needs.
You can find licorice tea here.
(Azadirachta indica )
Neem is also known as “neem”. It is a sacred tree in India. It has dozens of uses, each as varied as the next.
For example:planted in a garden, this tree purifies the air. But applied to the gums, it tones them.
As far as travelers are concerned, neem powder is an excellent way to repel all those little buggers that prevent us from sleeping peacefully. For a bug-free night, just sprinkle this 100% natural repellent on your sheets.
But beware:neem powder has a “clean” smell, an almost medicinal smell. Therefore, some people find it unpleasant.
If you sprinkle it in your shoes, the powder protects your feet from mycoses.
Neem powder, or neem powder, is hard to find outside of the Indian subcontinent. But if you have an Indian grocery store in your town, check it out to see if they offer it.
You can also find neem powder here.
(Syzygium aromaticum )
This spice has a strong aroma, but its real use is as an anesthetic.
To treat dental emergencies, clove essential oil can be used. This oil has a "numbing" effect on the gums, mouth and even on the teeth.
It also prevents infections from spreading, since it has antibacterial properties.
Although its primary use is dental, clove essential oil can also anesthetize the skin. As a bonus, its pleasant aroma has a reviving and motivating effect.
Two tips for use:always dilute clove essential oil in water. And although it can be used in the mouth, it should never be swallowed!
You can find clove essential oil here.
(Lavandula angustifolia)
A headache ? A little shot of the blues? Just need to relax? Or just disgusted with exhaust/sewer/smoke/fish smells?
Look no further for the solution:just throw a bottle of lavender essential oil in your backpack.
All that remains is to apply a few drops to the temples, the pressure point of the wrists and under the nose.
Aromatherapy is a simple and effective way to preserve your emotional balance when you travel.
And as a bonus, lavender essential oil repels certain insects. But beware:it does not replace mosquito repellent (when you travel to an area at risk of malaria).
Still not convinced? Know that if you haven't taken a shower for a week, lavender essential oil will quickly become your best friend:it covers bad odors in a particularly effective way.
But be careful:never ingest lavender essential oil. Lavender is toxic in concentrated doses!
You can find lavender essential oil here.
(Aloe vera )
Nothing worse than a bad sunburn, especially when you have to carry around a backpack with the skin on your shoulders in tatters!
Here is the solution:aloe vera gel. Apply it to your sunburns for faster healing (not to mention the relief effect).
Your sunburn will quickly turn into a tan! :-)
You can find aloe vera gel here.
Medicinal plants and essential oils are readily available from herbalists and organic stores.
It is also a good way to talk to qualified personnel if you have questions about the use of medicinal plants.
For your convenience, we have also included links that allow you to purchase these plants on the Internet.
If you want to use herbal medicine when traveling, the main thing is to be well prepared.
For example, if you normally use 1 bottle of mother tincture at home, it is better to bring 3 or 4 when you travel.
And also, remember that some products are difficult to find on the other side of the globe. It is useful to know the Latin names of the plants that we usually use (that's why we have mentioned them for you).
Last thing, it is important to recognize when alternative medicine has reached its limits. Herbal medicine is wonderful for the treatment and prevention of common diseases. But there's no shame in going to a pharmacy when herbal medicine isn't enough!
So, now you know the medicinal plants needed for a first aid kit! We hope this helps on your next trip.
Please feel free to share your comments. We can't wait to read them! :-)
