I just got back from an amazing trip!! A short holiday is rejuvenating in all ways.
I have a few fixed things I take with me when I travel so that it minimizes travel-related health issues. At the end of the day if something has to happen, it will. But we can largely prevent many situations from getting worse.
I may carry one less pair of clothes but these travel essentials from my kitchen will find a prime place in my bag.
Travel Essentials From My Kitchen
Cumin Seeds /Jeera
My go-to for actually everything but more importantly, fever-like situations or fever itself. Boiling a tsp of these super medicinal seeds with water and drinking it offers an immediate immunity boost. Not to mention can induce sweating too. Fever usually recedes quickly with cumin seeds.
Carom Seeds / Ajwain
We chewed on this every day considering we were eating hotel food. Ajwain seeds are great for digestion and getting rid of bloating. So we felt light and didn’t have any issues with our stomach at all.
Methi Seeds/ Fenugreek
I rely on this when the situation of loose bowel arises. One day I felt my stomach wasn’t all that perfect. First I chewed some ajwain and next, I swallowed 4-5 of methi seeds and guess what; my stomach was back to functioning normally! No trouble at all.
Turmeric/Haldi
It’s a world-renowned super spice ( secretly proud of its Indian origin!!😍). Gargle with salt and turmeric for a sore throat or just drink warm turmeric tea to manage cold weather. I also use it over raw bruises coz it works like the best ‘antibiotic’.
Salt
One would think why should we carry salt? Table salt in most places is refined and if you need salt to gargle with or use as an antihistamine, then rock salt is the best!
Also carried mustard oil and coconut oil in small glass jars. Mustard oil contains anti-inflammatory compounds similar to ibuprofen. So it helps the body fight cold and viruses which are dancing around in a pressurized cabin. We’ve been doing it for many decades now and the result is fantastic. My patients swear by this hack!
Tried & Tested Travel Tips That Work Wonders
Cloves or cardamom when chewed has a beneficial effect on nausea. I used to have a lot of motion sickness which is 90% cured by homoeopathy and for the 10% remaining, clove works.
Eating smart is the best way to combat unwanted throw-ups or indigestion. Eat 90 mins prior to flying or getting into a car. Avoid feeding kids right before a journey. I avoid eating on flights due to the fact that food is frozen and reheated and is a source of potential stomach upsets.
Infants should be nursed on the flight ( We would always time our flights to the kids sleeping times. They used to fall asleep on the flight and wake up just before or after landing( short flights) and our co-passengers would thank us! 🙂 .
If your child is a thumb sucker, let him suck his / her thumb on take-off and landing. It will be hassle-free. Older kids can be given a dry snack once the flight is in mid-air.
Jetlag bothers some people more and some very little. You can manage it well by simply understanding that your gut microbiome is unable to adjust to new surroundings. Hence feed it a meal rich in pre and probiotics and you will adapt faster. Khichdi or rice congee ( with ghee) for two consecutive days (at least 4 meals) will help tremendously!
If after using home remedies things seem to require more attention, then of course I use my Homoeopathy remedies!
Have you tried any of these? Will you try using these tips?
Parul Gupta
bahar dutt
Tarun Sakhrani
Avnita Bir
Radhika Iyer Talati
Mansi Zaveri
