I've spent many hours over the last several days looking up vacation rentals on Airbnb for our upcoming vacation later this summer. It won't be long until we will be packing up the car and embarking on a 10+ day road trip out to eastern Canada for a brief visit with relatives and then on to some new sights and adventures.
Last year we flew out to the Canadian Rockies, this year we explore part of the Maritimes. It has been fun describing the differences in Canada's vast landscapes to our 5 year old son.
As I look at possible places to stay and plan our route, the list of necessities we will need to bring starts to come together in my mind. Along with clothes, shoes, beach gear, books, toys, games, food, toiletries, and other must-haves, you better believe I have a list of travel "essentials" - oils that is!
Whether you are headed on vacation by plane, train, boat, or automobile, here are my top essential oil picks to help you stay healthy, happy, and balanced, even when facing the unexpected on your vacation.
Read on to learn tips for solo travellers or families for dealing with travel sickness, digestive upsets, anxious and stressful feelings, germ-filled airplanes, and more.
Bon voyage!
1. Lavender - The "Swiss Army Knife of Oils"
Whether dealing with anxious and stressful feelings from long days spent listening to "are we there yet?," being stuck in traffic jams, dealing with unexpected situations, or having trouble getting the kids (or yourself) to drift off to sleep after an adventure-filled day, Lavender is an oil that you want in your arsenal.
Along with it's ability to soothe the mind and emotions, it's also great to soothe sore muscles and joints, ease head tension, soothe skin irritations (bug bites, sunburns, unexpected rashes, etc), and help relieve coughs and colds if you happen to pick one up on your travels.
2. Lemon - Cleansing, Purifying, Uplifting
Does your car smell like old shoes or yesterday's meal-on-the go? Maybe your hotel room is smelling a little dingy and needs a bit of pick me up. Lemon to the rescue!
Diffusing Lemon oil in the car or hotel room will help create an uplifting environment that purifies and freshens the air, removes odours, and promotes greater clarity, focus, and feelings of positivity.
One of the first things I do when I get to a new hotel or rental place is turn on the diffuser and add a citrus oil, like Wild Orange or Lemon, to freshen up the place and create a new vibe.
A combination of Lemon and Lavender in the diffuser not only smells great, but it also helps with any seasonal congestion or coughs/colds, which is great if you are in a new environment that you may not be accustomed to.
3. Easy Air - Opening and Refreshing
Easy Air was one of my first "miracle moment" oils. A particularly pollen-filled summer a couple of years ago had me struggling and this gem helped ease my airways. This beatifully crafted blend includes Lemon, Peppermint, and Tea Tree essential oils (among others) which are all Health Canada Approved for coughs and colds.*
A drop of Easy Air in the bottom of the shower before turning on the hot water helps to create a beautiful aromatherapy experience that stimulates the senses and uplifts the mood, which is particularly good during those early mornings of adventuring.
Pop this one in the diffuser to freshen the air and create more space in your breath, or apply topically (dilute with carrier oil first) for a cooling and soothing sensation that eases congestion. (Note: Avoid UV rays / sunlight in the areas that you have applied this oil topically for 12 hours after application to prevent photosensitization).
4. Balance - Grounding and Centring
I rarely go anywhere without Balance. Really. This oil is everything to me. It's soothing, calming, grounding, and centring. A whiff of this when experiencing anxious or stressful feelings can help bring things right back into perspective.
Feeling overwhelmed? Grab the Balance oil.
A little nervous on the airplane, winding road, or new adventure? Grab the Balance oil.
Kid freaking out for ANY reason? Grab the Balance oil.
Need to stop yourself from pulling out your hair after being asked for the THOUSANDTH time where your child's (or husband's, or neighbour's) other sock is? Grab the Balance oil.
Get the idea?
Rub a drop of Balance on the soles of your feet each morning to hit the ground running. Watch how your day changes! A few drops in some bath oil at the end of a long day can soothe those troubles away. Great for the kiddos too!
5. On Guard - Protective Blend
This is another must have for any kind of travel. On Guard is what you want on hand for immune support, protection, and prevention.
I carry a little roller bottle of On Guard (diluted with fractionated coconut oil) with me whenever I travel. A swipe on the soles of the feet in the morning and/or across the base of the skull as soon as we get on a plane is how we roll (pun intended).
Since adding this to our travel routine, no one in my family has suffered from "airplane sickness" (you know, the cold that you seem to pick up when you fly through the air in a tin can petri dish with hundreds of strangers?).
On Guard is also great for cleaning surfaces, which, let's be honest, is sometimes necessary when you check into a hotel or vacation rental and you don't know where it's been. If you have space in your luggage, pack a small spray bottle. A few drops of On Guard topped up with tap water creates an amazing surface cleaner. Use it on counters, toilets, doorknobs, light switches...trust me on this one.
6. On Guard Sanitizing Mist - A Traveler's (and Mom's) Dream Come True
I may have cried a little tear of joy when doTERRA first launched this product in 2018. Commercial hand sanitizers are notoriously bad for the skin, contain harmful chemicals and colours, and may contribute to antibiotic resistant bacteria.
But...germs are gross and can totally mess up a great trip if they lead to some sort of illness.
On Guard Sanitizing Mist to the rescue! The power of On Guard essential oil blend and alcohol in this formula eliminate 99.9% of germs. The addition of natural apple extract helps moisturize the skin instead of drying it out. No synthetic colours, fragrances, or toxins here!
I use this on hands, shopping carts, restaurant tables, library books with plastic covers (do you KNOW where people read those?), and especially on airplane tray tables, armrests, and headrests (they rarely, if ever, get cleaned...think about it).
It's convenient. It works. And it doesn't contribute to drug-resistant bacteria. You want it. You're welcome.
7. ZenGest - Digestive Support
You want to enjoy yourself on your vacation right? I want that for you too, so make sure you add this to your natural travel kit.
Did someone eat too much? Food not sitting right? Maybe those winding roads or choppy waves are making your insides feel a little wiggly?
A whiff of ZenGest can help soothe and calm things down for you. Apply it to the abdomen (diluted in some fractionated coconut oil or other carrier oil) for soothing relief.
If car travel tends to bother you, add a few drops of ZenGest to a car diffuser and experience the calming benefits. Don't have a car diffuser? Just place a few drops on a wooden clothespin and clip it to your car's air vents.
I travel with a small roller bottle of ZenGest on me at all times. I also seem to hand out samples of this one to other moms more than any other blend. It's magic.
8. Peppermint Beadlets - Refreshing, Uplifting, Soothing
This is another little bottle of oily gems that I carry in my purse. Peppermint beadlets are small veggie capsules that each contain 1/4 drop of Peppermint oil.
Pop one of these in your mouth to freshen your breath, open your airways, and/or relieve digestive discomfort.* These are really great after a heavy meal, you're feeling a little off your game, or anytime you want a burst of freshness and clarity. These ones are just for the grown ups - no oils internally for kids!
You can also pop a beadlet between your fingers and rub the oil on your temples or back of your neck to soothe tension and provide a cooling sensation. This is great when you are in a hot climate and need to cool down.
9. Deep Blue Rub - Soothing Muscle Relief
Deep Blue Rub is a perfect way to soothe tired muscles after a workout, heavy lifting, or long days sitting in a car / plane / train.
Apply a small amount topically to anywhere that needs a bit of TLC and you will immediately feel a heating/cooling sensation as the oils in this blend go to work.
After rolling my ankle last summer, this blend helped me get back on my feet so I could continue to hike with my family.
Wherever I go, I invariably meet someone who needs some of this. Often it's me.
10. Correct-X Ointment - Essential All-Purpose Ointment
This small tube holds so much power, and none of the toxins of conventional ointments. A blend of Frankincense, Tea Tree, Lavender, and Helichrysum oils form the base of this preservative free ointment that is great for all kinds of skin irritations.
This multi-purpose, natural ointment helps soothe skin and keep it clean while recovering from distress. Scraped knees, cracked or chapped lips, bumps, cuts, hangnails...you name it. You will be glad you threw this little tube into your suitcase!
There you have it! My top picks for essential oils for travel.
If you are planning a trip anytime soon, I recommend that you invest in some of these. Along with the uses listed, there are dozens of other ways to use each of the oils in this article!
Not part of doTERRA's Monthly Wellness Box Program yet?
Since joining the doTERRA Monthly Wellness Box Program in 2017, I have saved thousands of dollars and dozens of hours that we can invest into our family time instead.
As a member of my Essential Alchemy Wellness Community, you will get step-by-step and personalized assistance getting started with your oils - whether it's for your upcoming trip, daily health habits, particular health goals, and more.
I will teach you how to use your oils to become your own health guru!
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* Lavender NPN# 80061038, Lemon NPN# 8006096, Peppermint NPN# 80061370