Natural Dietary Supplements Birmingham AL

What Should Be in Your Natural Travel Kit

Even the cleanest of places has its health hazards, and thinking ahead and packing some basic necessities can help you stay healthy and safe. Depending on where you’re going you may need more special products, so find out before you go what you’re unlikely to find once you’re there. It’s often best to talk to someone who’s already traveled to that place and see what they recommend.

Antibiotic (natural) comes to the top of our list. We have used grapefruit seed extract for years, both at home and on the road. It can be used as a gargle if you feel a sore throat coming on, as an anti-fungal for athlete’s foot and nail fungus, and to purify drinking water if you feel it is not safe to drink (5-10 drops in a glass of water). It is very bitter, but works well and beats Montezuma’s revenge!

Herbal supplements: many travelers recommend echinacea, which has been shown in various studies to shorten the term of a common cold and in some cases prevent you from catching it.

• Zinc, in the form of zinc gluconate, has also been shown to be effective against colds.

Hygiene: disinfectant sprays, hand sanitizers, sanitary wipes and other instant cleaners can remove any trace of germs in seconds.

• Tea tree oil: this essential oil taken from a plant that grows in the south coast of Australia is a strong antifungal, antiseptic and antibacterial remedy. It is prepared in a very dilute form because of its strength.

Indigestion:

• Ginger, which has been used in the east for thousands of years to settle the stomach,  can also help alleviate motion sickness. It is available in pill and capsule form, but is also effective when eaten in any prepared form.

• L. Acidophilus, a probiotic, is a bacterium that aids the digestive system. It can help with travelers’ diarrhea. Like ginger it is also used for indigestion. It is available in capsule form, or as a liquid in small containers. It sometimes appears under its full name of lactobacillus acidophilus.

• Chamomile, generally made from the flower heads of the plant as a tea, has been used for centuries as a cure for upset stomach and is also used to help alleviate the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). The variety to use is German chamomile because others do not have the same properties. Additionally, peppermint tea is effective against gas, but not recommended for anyone with acid reflux.

• Artichoke extract is another possible cure for upset stomach and gas.

• Dried seeds, including anise, coriander, caraway and fennel have all been used for indigestion.

Insect repellents:

Try to avoid DEET (diethyl-meta-toluamide), which has been shown to cause various reactions from skin sensitivity to insomnia and cognitive disturbance.

• Most natural products, which should not include DEET, i...