Off you go on your holidays, dreaming of leisurely hours of relaxation and peace or of pursuing your favourite hobbies undisturbed by the workaday world, when a small but persistently irritating health niggle makes its malign influence felt. It's a strange phenomenon that relatively small and definitely non life-threatening problems can cause so much misery; but it is comprehensively the case that a cold sore, a blister or muscle pain can (for different but equally effective reasons) stop you from venturing out, whilst a bout of thrush can seemingly ruin an otherwise happy existence.

Many of these problems have no orthodox solution, and thus appear doomed to plague us whenever they please. There are, however, many complementary approaches that work quietly but effectively to eradicate the problems. They tend not to be given huge amounts of publicity, so you may not know about them. Read on, to find out how to minimise your chances of succumbing to a nightmarish niggle.

Cold sores
Propolis cream works wonders on cold sores, even if they have already erupted. It reduces pain and speeds up healing time. The great benefit is that even if you miss the tingle stage, it will still work. If you are vegan, allergic to bee products or have sensitive skin Silicea Lip Gel may be the answer.

If you are prone to cold sores, avoid chocolate and nuts, and take regular doses of L-lysine and vitamin C (available from health stores). This will starve out the virus that causes the cold sore.

Blisters
Apply Silicea Gel, which reduces inflammation and improves the healing process.

Aching, sore muscles
Try Atrogel Arnica Gel, which is an incredibly powerful anti-inflammatory remedy. A gel is easily applied and absorbed, and its effects are often felt very quickly. There are no side effects or contraindications. People have reported using it on the forehead for headaches and the abdomen for period pain with excellent results, although this isn't what it was originally intended for.

If you find you are quite prone to muscle pain, review your diet to see if you are lacking magnesium (found in green veg and wholefoods such as grains, nuts, dried fruit and seeds). Magnesium allows the muscles to relax properly, and if you lack it, you will get knotted shoulders and generally tense muscles and possibly cramps too. If this is you, adjust your diet and take a magnesium supplement until things improve.

Bruises, cuts, grazes
Use Arnica for bruises. For cuts and grazes apply cold water, and use Calendula cream to speed up healing.

Thrush
Have a good look at your diet. Are you living on sugar, alcohol, caffeine and bread? If so, you are providing an internal paradise for the unfriendly bacteria that cause thrush... Clean up your act and pay particular attention to chewing your food. This isn't because your granny told you to, but because poorly digested food ferments and feeds the bad bacteria.

Take Echinacea daily to improve your immune function (the immune system can deal with fungal infections if it's working well - oh, and those foods I mentioned above will impede the immune system as well as feeding the fungi).

Athlete's foot
Apply Neem cream or oil (cream is easier) to the afflicted area, and take Echinacea daily to strengthen the immune system, as for thrush.

Insect bites
Apply Silicea Gel or Neem cream. If you are going somewhere particularly mosquito-ridden, take a vitamin B supplement for a month or so before you go, as this alters your blood so that you don't taste as tempting to them. It reduces stress levels too, so you'll be relaxed on the beach. Don't worry if your urine changes colour a tad - it's just some of the vitamins coming through.

Diarrhoea/traveller's tummy
Take a complex containing Milk Thistle in tincture form for a month before starting out, and continue to take them whilst travelling if you're going somewhere exotic. This strengthens your liver to protect it against bugs. If the worst happens, take a complex containing Tormentil until things subside. A Papaya supplement can also help ward off bugs if taken daily whilst eating unaccustomed foods.

Fear of Flying
This is a common problem and can be tackled with Flower Essences, such as Emergency Essence and/or Confidence Essence. They should be taken for a couple of weeks prior to travelling as well as throughout the holiday itself right up until the return flight has been successfully completed.

Jet lag
Drink plenty of water whilst flying (avoiding alcohol - yes, I know, but it'll only make things worse at the other end) and take vitamin C regularly through the flight. Once landed, adjust immediately to the local time, so if it's night time, go to bed and take a Valerian/Hops Complex to help you sleep. If you need to stay awake, take liquid Guarana (it comes in handy vials). Watch out though, because it really works and you don't want to overdo it and be awake for days.

A proper diagnosis is necessary before self-medicating, so that you aren't wasting time treating the wrong thing. Remember that if a problem is persistent then it makes sense to seek medical advice again.