Happy Holidays
It’s the time of the year to pack the swimming costume and sun lotion and head off to the sun for that well deserved break. Rest and relaxation are the watchwords but, along with the guide book and the phrase book, it’s always best to be prepared with a few remedies so that your holiday is not spoilt by that unexpected upset.
Most holidays involve a flight and more people than you would imagine are anxious about flying. To help calm those nerves Avena sativa, derived from the oat seed, is an ideal choice. Oats are well known as a rich source of calcium, magnesium and B vitamins to nourish the central nervous system, helping to calm and relax the muscles. It is best taken several days before the flight when you start to feel edgy and can be kept handy to repeat the dose up to three times a day when the flight is imminent.
Emergency Essence is an ideal companion to Avena sativa and is especially helpful for anxiety and those panicky feelings, wondering if this great weight of metal will ever get off the ground! Emergency Essence can be repeated up to every 15 minutes quite safely with no fear of overdosing or adverse reactions with other medication.
For some it is not the flying but the thought of the long drive to the airport or a ferry trip across the seas and its accompanying nausea that may deter them from their holidays. Fear not, Ginger is at hand and works very quickly to ease feelings of nausea and to stop vomiting. It also acts as a digestive tonic, improving the production and release of bile and more efficient digestion of fats, ideal for any sickness due to travelling, dodgy food or over-indulgence in rich foods.
If your holiday involves longer distances and crossing time zones you may suffer the problem of jet lag and disturbed sleep patterns…falling asleep in the middle of the afternoon and being wide awake at 3 o’clock in the morning. Valerian, especially when combined with Hops, is ideal to help re-establish a sleeping pattern. Its tranquillising and sedative actions will help you to fall asleep more easily and to have a deeper sleep. It is non-habit forming and tincture format means that it is quickly absorbed and will start to work within 20 minutes. It can also be given to children over two years old, the dosage being one drop per year of age, so a seven-year-old gets seven drops.
One of the biggest fears on holiday is tummy upsets and these can affect you wherever you go – not just exotic and faraway destinations. One of the best remedies to pack for diarrhoea is Tormentil, combined with Avena sativa. The high tannin content of Tormentil has an astringent effect on the digestive tract, protecting the lining of the bowel from irritation and infective organisms and toxins. The Avena sativa has a calming effect on the nervous system and overactive digestive system. It works quickly and effectively for diarrhoea, slowing down the frequency and helping to heal the bowel. If this persists for more than 36 hours consult a doctor and always ensure a sufficient intake of fluids to prevent dehydration.
If you are visiting exotic places where the food is very different and the hygiene not as you would like, or if you have a sensitive digestive system or have taken antibiotics for an infection, this may make you more susceptible to tummy upsets. So it’s best to be prepared. A course of Molkosan taken two to four weeks before you go, acts as a digestive tonic. Its antifungal and antibacterial properties help to create the correct balance of intestinal flora which help protect you against foreign bugs and germs.
This can be taken alongside Echinacea to modulate the immune system.
In the unlikely event of over-indulging in the local alcoholic brew, make sure your Milk Thistle is at hand to break down alcohol and toxins in the liver. Take a dose before you go out, on your return (if you can) and then again in the morning. A little tip from a friend of mine is to line up the glasses with Milk Thistle already in them before you go out, ready for your return!
If, like me, you are regularly bitten by the mosquitoes then don’t forget to pack Neem Insect Repellent. It contains Neem oil, a powerful but natural insect repellent, and is free of DEET and citronella. It is suitable for all the family. Apply every three hours (more frequently after swimming) or if the ‘mozzies’ find you particularly delicious. Remember to test some on a small area first just in case you are sensitive to Neem. Should you forget to apply the repellent and get bitten, simply apply Neem then and there, as it is calming and soothing to the skin.
And don't forget to have a fantastic holiday.
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