Travelling Tonics:How to Stay Healthy on the Road

There’s nothing worse than falling sick while you’re on holiday. Rather than hiding out in your hotel, head to the nearest grocer for the ingredients of these easy-to-make home remedies, or better yet, pack them in advance.

Portrait of Tammy Strobel

There’s nothing worse than falling sick while you’re on holiday. Rather than hiding out in your hotel, head to the nearest grocer for the ingredients of these easy-to-make home remedies, or better yet, pack them in advance.

My Reading Room

Period Pain

Getting your period just before you fly can be a huge pain – literally. If you suffer from period pain, there are plenty of natural foods that relieve cramps and aches. Getting your period just before you fly can be a huge pain – literally. If you suffer from period pain, there are plenty of natural foods that relieve cramps and aches.

REMEDIES: Avoid drinking cold drinks and make sure you drink plenty of warm water and herbal teas like chamomile, Avoid drinking cold drinks and make sure you like chamomile, fennel and cinnamon. They are excellent at heating the body and keeping your stomach muscles relaxed. Dark chocolate is also known to boost serotonin levels, for a calming effect.

Vomiting

Throwing up because of motion sickness or from being a bit too adventurous with your food choices is never fun. But at least you know that eventually, it will pass. In the meantime, find a way to soothe your stomach.

REMEDIES: Ginger is your go-to in this situation. Either add it to a cup of warm water to soothe your stomach and reduce nausea or, if you prefer, chew on it instead. Cloves are also known to reduce nausea, and are packed with antibacterial properties.

Jet Lag

If your internal clock is out of whack, you can try to reset it by getting more or less sunlight, depending on where you are. As a general rule, if you’re travelling east, get up early and expose yourself to the morning sun; and if you’re flying west, get some late-afternoon sun after reaching your destination.

REMEDIES: Take a relaxing bath infused with lavender oil before you go to bed, or rub coconut oil on the soles of your feet to stimulate relaxation trigger points. 

Under the Weather

If you’re worried about whether your immune system will stand up to foreign foods and climates while travelling, the best thing you can do is stock up on herbal teas and antioxidant-rich fruits. The minute that throat gets itchy, dig into your stash.

REMEDIES: Honey, ginger and citrus fruits are excellent sources of essential vitamins and minerals to help your body function at its best. For a soothing remedy, mix one tablespoon of fresh ginger, one tablespoon of lemon juice, and a teaspoon of honey in a mug of hot water. Let it steep for a few minutes before you drink.

Tummy Trouble

Having an upset stomach is a common struggle for frequent travellers. Avoid raw foods that may be washed with contaminated water – remember, not every city you visit has water you can drink from the tap!

REMEDIES: The ginger, lemon and honey mixture above is also a great remedy for stomach aches. Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties and helps to promote blood circulation for better digestion, while lemon packs a punch with vitamin C that naturally boosts your immune system.

Still-life Photography Angela Guo Styling Leong Li Yuan Text Michelle Tchea. If symptoms persist, see a doctor.