Travel Awareness

We present our 7 step guide to being safe and well when you go on holiday:

If you are travelling to an area where you are going to need immunisation consider getting homeopathic immunisation. Most homeopaths can give you an alternative to traditional jabs.
To find a homeopath in your area look in the Practitioner Directory

Also don't forget to visit your dentist to get any essential dental work done before you go.

Insurance - make sure you have medical insurance with your travel insurance, as anything can happen while you are away. In many countries medical assistance can be very expensive. For travelling in Europe you can take a form from the DOH (Form E111) which will entitle you to free health care - call the DOH on 0800 555 777 to get hold of a form.
Make sure you take all your health products with you rather than waiting until you get to your destination to buy them. Your essential natural healthcare travel kit should include:

Anti-diarrhoea treatment - apart from taking a re-hydration formula (see below), treat with Goldenseal or Slippery Elm powder. The homeopathic remedies Arsenicum Alb 6c and Pulsatilla 6c are also helpful
Anti-constipation treatment - a fibre-rich treatment such as Fibrogel is effective. Also Psyllium husks or Linseed - take a tablespoon at night for a bowel movement in the morning.
Re-hydration powder - such as Dioralyte (from chemists) - you can make up your own by mixing 1 tablespoon of sugar and 1 teaspoon of salt with 1 pint of water, but is best to take the ready-made sort.
Mosquito and insect repellent - Citronella oil and candles
Travel sickness - ginger root or crystallised ginger, Rescue Remedy and Nux Vomica. See E-Zine Issue 18 for more details.
Multivitamin and mineral formula, and Vitamin C in case you do not get to eat enough fresh fruit and vegetables
Acidophilus capsules - to replace essential intestinal bacteria after a severe bout of diarrhoea
Antiseptic gel/oils - Lavender oil - used neat on stings to reduces swelling, and Tea Tree oil is an effective antiseptic: rub one drop into a bite or sting.
Anti-irritation/anti-allergy skin cream - Calendula ointment reduces swelling ,Witch Hazel for mosquito bites to quell itchiness, and Rescue Remedy cream for everything from easing the pain of bites and stings to soothing sunburn
Antibacterial eg.Citricidal (from Higher Nature). You can use this to purify water, wash plates, brush your teeth, and clean your toothbrush.
Sun protection - again at least SPF 15 or above, with broad spectrum UVA protection
After sun and sunburn treatment - Aloe Vera is an excellent after sun treatment - use the fresh 100% gel. Also Camomile and Calendula ointments soothe and heal. St John's Wort tincture is an effective treatment topically for bad sunburn.
Painkillers
Plasters
Earplugs

Food and drink when abroad - minimise your chances of picking up bugs by watching what you eat and drink. Only drink bottled water and use this to brush your teeth - to make extra sure add a few drops of Citricidal to the water. Avoid raw vegetables and salads. And if eating fruit either wash thoroughly using water and Citricidal or eat only fruit you can peel such as bananas. If you get a stomach bug use your anti-diarrhoea treatment, drink plenty of water and re-hydration salts, and eat bland food such as white rice which help to start bind you.
Protect yourself against bites and stings. Use your insect repellent on all exposed areas. Wear long trousers and sleeves and if you are in a mosquito area use a mosquito net around your bed. Avoid perfumes and after-shave as these will just attract bugs.
If you are pregnant - check for airline rules and regulations- many airlines will not take you if you are more than 36 weeks pregnant, and most airlines will require you to have a certificate of medical fitness from your Doctor if you are over 28 weeks.
Back home -If you have been to a tropical country you may have picked up an infection that could make you ill up to 6-8 weeks after you get home. So if you do get sick see your health care practitioner immediately with details of where you travelled, what you took and if you had any local treatment.

For more information on holiday health go to Health E-Zine Issue 18

Also see:

To find a qualified practitioner in your area go to the Practitioner Directory

Privacy Statement | Terms & Conditions | Telephone: 020 7243 1968 | Email: cyberspace.healthclinic@virgin.net
Url: http://www.cyberspacehealthclinic.co.uk | Designed & Developed by SP Internet Consultancy Ltd