Aromatherapy has many applications in healing and wellness: skin care, respiratory support, stress relief, management of sore muscles and cosmetic purposes just to name a few. But how do essential oils (commonly abbreviated to EOs for those in the field) fare on the road? Aromatherapy is useful for the following travel conditions:

• jet lag
  e.g. Inhale invigorating grapefruit in the morning and calming lavender at night to help get your body used to the time zone of your destination.
• stress
  e.g. See previous post entitled Keep Calm & Spray On.
• motion sickness
  e.g. Ginger or peppermint, either inhaled or ingested, are great for helping deal with nausea.
• first aid
  e.g. Though not aromatic, arnica and aloe vera have their use as plant-based ‘medicine’. Arnica is used topically for pain relief, insect bites and bruising while aloe vera is good on burns and mild cuts.
• a very mild insect deterrent
  e.g. Ants don’t like peppermint, certain insects are put-off by geranium and mosquitoes are said to dislike citronella (lemongrass and lemon eucalyptus can be used too). Combine these oils in a spray bottle with some water and spritz your bed and clothing for a pleasantly scented warning sign to these bugs.