Common cold
Naturopathic travel and first aid essentials
03/Jul/12 10:39 AM Filed in: Travel
by Kate Whimster, BCom, MIFHI, ND
Over years of travelling both locally (camping, hiking) and to far-off places like India and Nicaragua I’ve developed a list of essential travel and first-aid items for naturopathic treatment on the go.
The first rule is that you truly will never know what you will need, so BE PREPARED! I’ve treated cuts, scrapes, diarrhea, vomiting, flu, ear infections, bumps, bruises, sprains, strains, fractures, viruses, bacteria, dehydration, jet lag, motion sickness, anxiety attacks, bug bites, and lots more in myself and others using the things I’ve listed below.
I also have been able to treat myself to avoid major illness (and use of antibiotics) while travelling while most people around me were sick (sometimes extremely sick). I credit this partially to my hardy type O immune system but also to my efforts to maintain my health and prevent illness while I travel.
For daily use:
I also have a list of homeopathic remedies for acute and first aid use to treat most minor illnesses and injuries. These include:
Over years of travelling both locally (camping, hiking) and to far-off places like India and Nicaragua I’ve developed a list of essential travel and first-aid items for naturopathic treatment on the go.
The first rule is that you truly will never know what you will need, so BE PREPARED! I’ve treated cuts, scrapes, diarrhea, vomiting, flu, ear infections, bumps, bruises, sprains, strains, fractures, viruses, bacteria, dehydration, jet lag, motion sickness, anxiety attacks, bug bites, and lots more in myself and others using the things I’ve listed below.
I also have been able to treat myself to avoid major illness (and use of antibiotics) while travelling while most people around me were sick (sometimes extremely sick). I credit this partially to my hardy type O immune system but also to my efforts to maintain my health and prevent illness while I travel.
For daily use:
- Sea salt: Add a pinch to your water bottle to prevent dehydration and electrolyte loss in hot climates
- Probiotics: Use daily to prevent digestive upset while travelling - I usually use Polyflora (type O for me) since it does not need to be refrigerated and I’ve never had an issue
- Deflect (type O for me): I use this when I eat out or while travelling to protect my digestion from foods not right for my blood type and just for general digestive support
- Digestive enzymes: Take with meals to prevent digestive upset (I’ve never used these, but I think for many people it is a good idea)
- Greens powder/protein powder: Handy for extra nutrition while travelling and in case you miss meals
- Natural electrolyte drink: For more serious fluid loss from diarrhea, vomiting, heat stroke, excessive sweating - if you can’t find every ingredient, that’s OK, just do your best
- Peppermint, ginger, chamomile teas: To sooth an upset stomach, frayed nerves, aid sleep and relaxation
- Tea tree oil: For cuts, scrapes, wounds to prevention infection - once, in a pinch, I put this in my ear and it worked to stop a painful ear infection (although I don’t recommend this use!)
- Oregano oil: For sore throats, colds/flus, infections
- Calendula cream: For shallow/superficial cuts, scrapes, and rashes (don’t use on deep, fresh, or open wounds)
- Grapefruit seed extract (GSE): To prevent or treat digestive upsets like vomiting and diarrhea - follow instructions on the bottle
- Aloe vera gel: For sunburn and minor cuts/scrapes
- Apis gel: For bug bites
- Traumeel cream and/or tablets: For bumps, bruises, sore muscles, etc
- Traumeel ear drops: For any ear issues (pain, infection, itch) - I’ve never actually used these but seems like a great idea and they come in single-dose ampules
- Oculoheel eye drops: For any eye issues (allergies, itch, dryness, fatigue) - love these and they come in single-dose ampules
- No Jet Lag: Great product to prevent jet lag - it really works!
- Melatonin: As a sleep aid and to treat or prevent jet lag (although I have always used No Jet Lag)
- Rescue Remedy: Use for anxiety, emotional upset, nervousness, panic attacks, shock, trauma - I like the spray
I also have a list of homeopathic remedies for acute and first aid use to treat most minor illnesses and injuries. These include:
- Fevers, cold & flu, infections
- Frostbite
- Bug bites
- Bruises, strains/sprains, fractures
- Food poisoning
- Diarrhea, constipation
- Vomiting
- Pain
- Burns (sunburn and burns from heat)
- Jet lag
- Motion sickness
- Altitude sickness
- Sunstroke
- Wounds
- Poison ivy
- Hangover
Comments
Winter: cold and flu talk December 14th
by Kate Whimster, BCom, MIFHI, ND
I will be giving a free talk as part of my 4 Seasons of Wellness program called Winter: Cold and Flu on Wednesday, December 14th, 7pm at the Main Street Library (137 Main Street, Toronto). Call the library at 416-393-7700 to RSVP!
How to handle colds and flus. Learn how to address and prevent key winter health issues to keep you and your family healthy all year long.
Topics will include:
See my Appearances and Events page for more upcoming dates and topics!
I will be giving a free talk as part of my 4 Seasons of Wellness program called Winter: Cold and Flu on Wednesday, December 14th, 7pm at the Main Street Library (137 Main Street, Toronto). Call the library at 416-393-7700 to RSVP!
How to handle colds and flus. Learn how to address and prevent key winter health issues to keep you and your family healthy all year long.
Topics will include:
- Key nutrition and lifestyle steps
- Preventing cold and flu
- Acute treatment
- Self-care techniques
See my Appearances and Events page for more upcoming dates and topics!
Winter: cold and flu talk December 7th
by Kate Whimster, BCom, MIFHI, ND
I will be giving a free talk as part of my 4 Seasons of Wellness program called Winter: Cold and Flu on Wednesday, December 7th, 7pm at the Deer Park Library (40 St. Clair Avenue East, Toronto). Call the library at 416-393-7657 to RSVP!
How to handle colds and flus. Learn how to address and prevent key winter health issues to keep you and your family healthy all year long.
Topics will include:
See my Appearances and Events page for more upcoming dates and topics!
I will be giving a free talk as part of my 4 Seasons of Wellness program called Winter: Cold and Flu on Wednesday, December 7th, 7pm at the Deer Park Library (40 St. Clair Avenue East, Toronto). Call the library at 416-393-7657 to RSVP!
How to handle colds and flus. Learn how to address and prevent key winter health issues to keep you and your family healthy all year long.
Topics will include:
- Key nutrition and lifestyle steps
- Preventing cold and flu
- Acute treatment
- Self-care techniques
See my Appearances and Events page for more upcoming dates and topics!
