A Vacationer's First-Aid Kit

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Some words of caution: Since a number of companies market this product, you need to be careful to select a quality brand. Be sure to read the label. Look for tea-tree oil that contains no more than 15% cineole (also called eucalyptol), since higher amounts can irritate the skin. Also, the terpineol content should be above 30% to ensure the product is effective (terpineol is an aromatic alcohol compound found in many essential oils). You should be able to smell tea-tree oil, even in its diluted form. If you can't, you may be wasting your money on a brand with an insufficient oil content. Finally, be aware that some people are allergic to teatree oil; if you're a first-time user, apply a few diluted drops before administering the product full strength.

Your traveler's first-aid kit should also prepare you to deal with sprains and sore muscles. Include in your arsenal some "red oil," which you'll have to prepare ahead of time. Red oil contains St. John's wort (Hypericum perferatum), an herb best known for its antidepressant properties. Less well-known is St. John's ability to relieve muscle soreness. Obtain some dried St. John's wort flowers and crush a cupful of them before placing in a quart of olive oil. Seal the container tightly and place in the sun for several weeks, until the mix turns a deep red color. The oil should keep in your first-aid kit for several months (discard once it starts to smell rancid).

Another effective natural remedy for sprains and sore muscles is arnica cream. Arnica is a flowering herb that grows in the American west and is identifiable by its bright yellow-orange, sunflower-like blossoms. You can buy arnica cream in a tube; most preparations contain about 15% arnica oil. Applied to the skin, it has significant anti-inflammatory properties. Test for allergy by dabbing a very tiny amount on a small patch of skin. If it gives you no problem, apply the cream to the injured area three to six times a day until the soreness subsides.

STOP THE WORLD, I WANT TO GET OFF

Another ill that can ruin your long-awaited vacation is motion sickness - and it can strike whether you're traveling by plane, car or boat. Tempting though they may be, avoid the common over-the-counter remedies; they may relieve nausea, but they can also cause drowsiness and dry mouth. Rather, include a bottle of 500 mg capsules of powdered ginger in your first-aid kit. You can also make ginger tea with a spoonful of finely grated ginger powder in hot water, or you can chew on a piece of candied crystallized ginger.

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