When you are packing your T-shirts, tennis shoes, sunglasses and cute little shorts for that well-deserved vacation, don't overlook one of the most important items a first aid travel kit. As a medical doctor who travels a lot, how often have I seen a vacation saved by the prompt application of a well-chosen homeopathic remedy. After reading this article you will be the hero of the trip, the Dr. Schweitzer of the family.

Suppose you are traveling by car and one of your youngsters is susceptible to motion sickness. He has his head hanging out of the window, vomiting his nutritious breakfast, while his face goes from white to yellow to green. If it were up to the kid, you would stop every half hour to give him some fresh air and a pause from his sickening ordeal. So much better than available medications (and much cheaper) is a dose of Cocculus an hour before your departure.

Maybe you prefer to take a cruise and pray for calm, balmy seas. But if nature plays a cruel trick and throws a storm into your party, you may be hanging over the rails, feeding the fish and praying for your boat to strand on the next little island. Instead, take Tabacum, which is tobacco in homeopathic form (the only way to use this substance!) If you forgot your kit, ask a cigarette from someone, pulverize some tobacco in a glass of water, stir well and take a few sips. You’ll be a newborn seaman.

If fear of flying gives you diarrhea, a cold sweat and knots in your stomach, homeopathy comes to the rescue: Argentum nitricum will make you feel like your were born on the airplane. And if jet lag ruins your vacations with sleepy days and sleepless nights, never leave home without Cocculus. Take it an hour before your flight and again at your arrival, and your body will adapt to the time change as if by a miracle. Whenever you travel to a country where Montezuma’s revenge can hit you, Arsenicum is the king of loose stools. It will work according to Nature’s laws, healing from the inside to the outside, instead of suppressing toxin elimination as most popular drugs will do. If you forget your Arsenicum, make a tea with ginger root.

Finally you get out in the sun and of course, you overdo it for the first few days. There is no worse punishment than being locked in your room to avoid further sunburn. For first degree burns use Urtica urens, and for second degree burns Cantharis. It is amazing how quickly they will restore the damage done by the sun’s rays. Of course, one of your kids will stay out in the sun too long in spite of your advice. For complaints of nausea, headaches, chills and cold sweat—in other words, a sunstroke—Glonoin is the answer to your prayers.

If you discover muscles you never thought you had, trying to keep up with your kids in sports, Arnica will make the bruised, stiff feeling disappear as snow under the sun. If you encounter strains and sprains, Rhus tox. will free you from pain and swelling. For cuts and abrasions, there is nothing better to speed healing than Calendula.

Holidays are often a time of overindulgence: too many rich and fatty foods, sweets and alcohol. If you have a hangover the next day with nausea, if the smell of food makes you sick and you just want to sit still and not move, Nux vomica will save you. If you travel with small children, take Aconite along for the sudden onset of high fevers, especially after being exposed to drafts after sweating. Are you visiting mosquito country? It is a delight how fast Ledum works against swelling, itching and burning from any insect bite.

So here is what I suggest you pack for your travel kit:

Aconite, Arnica, Argentum nitricum, Arsenicum, Calendula, Cantharis, Cocculus, Glonoin, Ledum, Nux vomica, Rhus tox, Tabacum, Urtica urens. The strength of the remedy is expressed in 30c or 200c, and either or both strengths will do just fine!

For further method of how to take a remedy—see the article: “Homeopathy Basics”

That leaves me only one thing to say: “Bon voyage!”