Your holiday health kit bag

If you are going away this summer why not take a selection of natural remedies to boost your travel first-aid kit.

Taking the family on holiday is testing enough; the last thing you want to worry about is trying to find medical care for grazed knees, bug bites, tummy upsets and other minor ailments. Put together your own natural first-aid kit, packed with herbal, aromatic and homeopathic remedies that can fix common ailments quickly and effectively. Always remember broken bones and serious infections or diseases require immediate medical attention.

Essential tools

Alongside the usual first aid kit of: scissors, thermometer, safety pins, tweezers, cotton wool, bandages, absorbent dressings and plasters;  add simple, multipurpose remedies. Store them in a plastic lunch box that’s always ready to take out with you.

Arnica cream: Arnica (Arnica montana) flowers have anti-inflammatory properties; the cream is excellent for sore muscles, sprains, strains and bruises. Used topically as cream and taken internally as a homeopathic pill, will dramatically speed up the healing. Do not apply arnica to broken skin.

Aloe vera gel: Cooling and healing, aloe soothes the inflammation of sunburn and common kitchen scalds and burns. If it’s growing locally where you’re on holiday slice a leaf and apply the gel to the skin.

Calendula or Hyper-cal cream: Use it for cuts, scrapes, rashes and burns. Its antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory properties will inhibit bleeding and reduce the chance of infection.

Lavender: One of the most versatile of all essential oils. Apply lavender directly onto cuts, pimples, burns, bites and stings. It treats skin abrasions by relieving the pain and healing the tissue.It can also be used as an insect repellent.

Tea tree oil: Renowned for its antifungal and antiseptic qualities, tea tree oil speeds up healing and has a mild analgesic effect that reduces pain and inflammation. It can be used topically for burns, cuts, rashes, fungal infections and insect bites. Wash a wound with one part tea tree oil, a natural antiseptic, in 10 parts water.

Chamomile tea: This is very calming. It is gentle on the stomach, and helpful with conditions such as colic, wind, constipation, diarrhoea and teething problems.

Rescue Remedy: Keep a bottle of this wonder-worker in your handbag as well. A few drops under the tongue will help calm you after any emotional trauma. Take a few drops before boarding the plane if you are a nervous flyer and parents can use it to calm their nerves for the inevitable arguments in the car on the way to the holiday destination!

Citracidal: made from grapefruit seed extract this fluid extract or capsule contains powerful antibacterial properties and taken internally will kill microbes from food, reducing your chances of getting an upset stomach. Take 4 drops in juice before meals during your holiday.

Homeopathic remedies
Nux vomica: Stimulates the liver to detox alcohol and rich food quicker, reducing the length of a hangover, calming nausea and settling an upset stomach.

Cocculus: reduces travel sickness and helps the body recover from jet lag. Try using in conjunction with a sea-band, worn on the wrist to help with nausea.

Homeopathy

Homeopathic medicine works quickly and effectively to resolve first aid situations. Remedies are safe, non-toxic, non addictive and can be taken alongside conventional medication.

CT Market Harborough recommends its readers should consult your GP or medical professional before taking any advice