Bruised elbows from surfing
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 make a like a boy scout and 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 tools 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.
Remember that the remedies suggested here are for minor first aid use only – do not hesitate to seek medical assistance to determine appropriate treatment.
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
For use as needed:
- Natural electrolyte drink: For dehydration from diarrhea, vomiting, heat exhaustion, excessive sweating – if you can’t find every ingredient, do your best. I also recommend using pre-mixed electrolyte mixes – look for low-sugar options that contain both sodium and potassium, such as Vega Electrolyte Hydrator.
- 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
First aid homeopathic remedies:
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
Please see me as a patient for this list. You can buy these remedies as a kit from Kew Beach Naturopathic Clinic, which includes the list, instructions for use, and labelled envelopes with each remedy.
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