By Nanette Basic, B.A., Hom

With less than a month left of school many of us are planning our summer getaways.  Whether it be the cottage, camping or flying to a destination, sometimes we can run into problems like motion sickness, jet lag, food poisoning, bumps and bruises, those pesky insect bites, sunburns and sunstroke.

The fundamental principle of Homeopathy is “Like cures Like”.  This means one can treat individuals with medicines that are capable of producing in a healthy person similar symptoms to those experienced in a sick person.  For example, drinking coffee can CAUSE insomnia but used in the homeopathic form, coffea is often used to TREAT insomnia.  Therefore, look at the remedies that closest match your symptoms.

The following homeopathic remedies will help you resolve any travel challenges!

Motion Sickness

Motion sickness can affect you with any mode of transportation be it a car, plane, boat or train.

Cocculus 30C

Is the first remedy we think of for motion sickness.  It helps with nausea, vomiting, dizziness; a need to lie down; if there is vertigo.  Take 3 pellets 1 hour before departure, then every 4 hours.  Stop once symptoms have improved.

Tabacum 30C

Helps with severe nausea and vomiting with cold sweats and dizziness; worse with smallest movement and better with fresh air.  Take 3 pellets every 3 hours up to 3 times per day then only as needed up to 3 days.

Nux Vomica 30C

Helps with severe nausea; a desire to vomit but can’t; chills; headache; worse from the smell of food, tobacco, coffee.  Take 3 pellets every 3 hours up to 3 times per day then only as needed up to 3 days.

Jet Lag

Jet lag is a temporary sleep disturbance due to long distance travel.  It affects your biological clock causing dehydration, excessive fatigue, insomnia, difficulty concentrating, your appetite and bowel movements.  Make sure to always drink plenty of water, eat lightly and avoid alcohol.

Cocculus 30C

Helps with nausea; dizziness; insomnia despite fatigue; disorientation.

Arnica Montana 30C

Helps with physical tiredness and muscle pain especially if they feel bruised; feeling foggy, in shock.

Nux Vomica 30C

Helps with constipation and gastrointestinal issue, irritability, chills, nausea, headaches.

Indication:  Take 3 pellets every 4 – 6 hours as needed up to 3 days.  Stop once symptoms have improved.

Food Poisoning and Traveller’s Diarrhea

Traveller’s diarrhea can strike at any time.  Besides diarrhea one can experience fever, nausea, bloating and cramping.  When travelling eat well cooked food and fruit you can peel.  When tap water is not drinkable, avoid ice in drinks and drink bottled water.

Arsenicum Album 30C

Helps with food poisoning; simultaneous diarrhea and vomiting; burning pains; exhaustion; restlessness; and anxiety.

Podophyllum 30C

Helps with watery diarrhea, smelly, explosive stools with lots of gurgling; abdominal cramping; faintness and weakness.

Veratrum Album 30C

Helps with profuse, watery diarrhea; cold sweat, especially on the forehead; cravings for ice cold drinks but feel cold; possible simultaneous vomiting; muscle cramps.

Indication:  Take 3 pellets every 2 to 4 hours, reassess after 3 doses; wait for symptoms to worsen before repeating.  Repeat up to 3 days.  Stop once symptoms have improved.