Flying long distances is stressful for the body and can lead to jet lag. A plane’s environment is often lower in oxygen than the regular atmosphere and also quite dry, which may cause you to become dehydrated. Once you arrive at your destination, you may also encounter unfamiliar bugs and parasites that can wreak havoc on your system. But you can arrive refreshed and stay healthy. Here’s how.
NATURAL REMEDIES FOR BEFORE YOU GO
Before taking your trip, load up on antioxidant vitamins A (10,000 IU), E (400 IU), and the mineral selenium (50 mg) daily for a week before departure. This will help protect you against free-radical damage caused by radiation during the flight. Also take an anti-stress high-potency B-complex (50 mg) vitamin with 1,000 mg of time-release vitamin C once daily while on your trip.
GOOD TO KNOW!
Rescue Remedy is a combination of five Bach flower remedies. It is available in natural food stores. It is good for helping you deal with all sorts of stressful situations that can occur when traveling, such as fear of flying, lost luggage, or stolen passports. Bring some along to stay calm just in case you encounter a crisis along the way. Take three drops under the tongue or in a half glass of water as needed.
Diarrhea is a common traveling ailment. Start taking a high potency probiotic supplement a week before leaving and during the trip to help establish friendly intestinal flora. Look for the types that don’t require refrigeration. Take 1 capsule three times daily. Take three garlic capsules daily to prevent dysentery if traveling to areas where that is a problem. If you can, bring your own activated charcoal water filter. Look for one that will remove giardia.
NATURAL REMEDIES FOR WHEN YOU ARRIVE
During the flight and afterward, be sure to drink plenty of fluids, especially water, to rehydrate your body. If you land during the day, get some sunlight to recharge your batteries. This will help you adjust to the new time zone.
The hormone melatonin is manufactured in the brain during periods of darkness to promote sleep. It helps reset your body clock and facilitates deep and restful sleep. The level of melatonin in the body decreases with age, making people over the age of 50 more susceptible to jet lag. If you are traveling across time zones, take up to 8 mg of melatonin 30 minutes before bedtime at your destination. Take for four days after arriving to make you less sleepy, more efficient at work, and less moody. Also, try to schedule your arrival before 9 pm so you can get a rejuvenating night’s sleep. A drop of lavender oil on your pillow can also help you sleep in a new environment.
GOOD TO KNOW!
Whenever possible, try to keep your feet above your head. For example, when lounging on the couch, support your legs and back and drape them up over the top of the couch. Inverted postures help divert circulation from the area of inflammation and elevate the area needing inflammation reduction.
Once you depart, take ginseng or eleuthero, as both are considered adaptogens, an agent that helps the body adapt to different environments, climate changes, altitudes, and stress. Use ginseng or eleuthero twice daily in capsules or tincture, following the dosage guidelines on the bottle.
A lavender or rosemary aromatherapy bath and a clay mask followed by a quick cold shower can have you feeling refreshed and alive in no time. There is also nothing wrong with allowing some time to get your feet back on the ground before beginning a whirlwind schedule. Stay put for a day or two before “le grand tour” if possible.
The Chinese patent formula cerebral tonic Pills can also be used to help overcome jet lag. Take as directed on the packaging.
GOOD TO KNOW!
Bring along a bottle of versatile lavender, peppermint, or tea tree essential oil. Your spray mister can serve a double purpose. On arrival, spray the bedding to deter bed bugs.
If you get a cut in a tropical climate, apply tea tree oil directly to prevent the nick from becoming major jungle rot. Even bathing in contaminated water can be a problem. Every time you wash, add one drop each of tea tree, eucalyptus, and lavender essential oil to a sink full of water.
A few homeopathic remedies that can help alleviate jet lag by balancing the body’s energy are as follows:
• Arnica: Helps alleviate the shock and stress of changing time zones
• Cocculus: Helps alleviate irritation, weakness, fogginess, nausea, and faintness
• Nux vomica: Helps alleviate nervous debility with trembling, lack of appetite, irritation, and constipation
• Phosphorus: Helps alleviate dizziness, sluggishness, absentmindedness, nausea, and fogginess
Natural food stores carry many homeopathic combinations that help overcome jet lag. Usually three to four pellets are dissolved under the tongue three or four times daily.
Skip This!
Avoid caffeine and alcohol when flying as they will dehydrate you.
FOOD DO’S AND DON’TS WHEN YOU TRAVEL
Salads washed in unsafe water can transmit parasites, so stick with peeled or cooked vegetables. Vegetables need to be washed in purified water if uncooked. Eat only fruit that can be peeled like bananas, papaya, and pineapple. Papaya and pineapple both contain natural digestive enzymes and make an excellent way to end a meal. Papaya seeds have anti-parasitic properties and can be consumed in doses of 1 teaspoonful (3 g) daily.
Both pomegranates and cranberries also have anti-parasitic properties.
Liberal use of raw garlic and onions also helps prevent unfriendly microorganisms (and even bug bites!). Squeeze lime or lemon juice on as many things you eat as possible as such juice has detoxifying and anti-infection properties.
Freezing does not necessarily kill parasites, so think twice before eating that popsicle or ice cream, no matter how refreshing it sounds. If you do eat meat, make sure it is well cooked and eaten hot; otherwise, potential parasites make this is another good reason to avoid meat. Raw seafood can carry hepatitis. Avoid eating with unclean hands.
Be aware that ice cubes are often made with parasite-infested water (ice tends to create more thirst and hinder digestion anyway).
GOOD TO KNOW!
A high-protein meal will increase alertness and the ability to think clearly. A high-carbohydrate meal will make it easier to sleep either on the plane or at your destination.
When buying bottled water, make sure the bottle is properly sealed. If in doubt, order beer or soda in moderation. Wine is considered safe and even antibacterial. The rule to remember is, “If you can’t peel it, boil it, or cook it, forget it.”
IF YOU DO GET SICK
Should you find yourself with diarrhea, you can make an electrolyte-rich beverage to replace lost nutrients by mixing 8 ounces (235 ml) of clean water with 1/4 teaspoon baking soda and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Another formula to replace lost nutrients is made by combining 1 quart (950 ml) of boiled water with 1/2 cup (120 ml) lemon juice, 2 tablespoons (13 g) honey, 1/4 teaspoon sea salt, and 1/4 teaspoon baking soda. You may also want to tuck a few packets of electrolyte powder into your travel first aid kit. Homeopathic Arsenicum can help diarrhea that is the result of eating tainted food.
Ume concentrate made from the umeboshi plum can also stop diarrhea, prevent parasites, treat food poisoning and digestive upsets, relieve a hangover, as well as prevent typhoid. It truly is one of those “Don’t leave home without it” remedies. It can be purchased in pills or as a paste. Charcoal capsules are another excellent for stopping even a severe case of the runs. Take two capsules three of four times daily.
Skip This!
Avoid alcohol at high altitudes for the first couple of days as its diuretic effects will contribute to the body’s loss of minerals and to making you dehydrated.
KEEP IN MIND
Research the areas you will be traveling to better equip yourself for the trip. Know before you go. Tourist and resort areas, though less adventurous, are usually at lower risk for disease. Check with health officials to find out if malaria, dysentery, cholera, encephalitis, or other health bugaboos are a threat where you are going and be prepared.
People often find it difficult to sleep in an unfamiliar environment, no matter how exhausted they are. Consider bringing along some herbal sleeping potions such as valerian capsules or chamomile tea bags. You might also want to travel with an herbal sleep sachet stuffed with hops and catnip to place in your pillow.
A wise traveler should bring along an extra set of prescription glasses. No point in sightseeing if you can’t see! If you are on medication, be it herbal or otherwise, keep it with you should your luggage get lost. It is also wise to have the Latin names for any herbs you are on (they are the same in every language) or generic names for any medication you are using should they need to be replaced.
Ideally, travel with few enough possessions so that you can keep your luggage with you rather than checking it. The wise traveler brings twice the money and half the clothes one would expect to need. Make copies of your passport and credit cards and leave them with someone you trust. Keep a separate paper with you that lists your passport number, date, and place of issue. Only exchange currency at official places such as banks and stations. Have a solar calculator to keep track of exchange rates accurately. Treat the local people with respect. Traveling is supposed to be different from home. That’s why we do it. Have an adventure!
This Avoiding Jet Lag and Other Traveling Pitfalls article is taken from :
The Country Almanac of Home Remedies - Brigitte Mars
