Aromatherapy for Travelers, Part Two: Your Basic EO Travel Kit
Lyn Belisle and Dr. Bill Kurtin
In Part Two of Aromatherapy for Travelers, Lyn Belisle, educator, artist and certified aromatherapist since 1989, and Dr. Bill Kurtin, Professor Emeritus in Biochemistry and lecturer on Essential Oils offer some suggestions for constructing a handy kit with “essential” essential oils (EOs) to take along on your journey.
First, read Part One of Aromatherapy for Travelers.
The choice of which oils to include will vary from person to person, but the following suggestions are good, basic EOs for a travel kit. As in Part One of our article, the holistic therapeutic benefits of each oil are described followed by the scientific research-based validation for their effectiveness. While each of the oils has its own special use, they expand and enhance each other when a few drops are combined together in a synergistic blend.
Five Basic Oils for the Traveler
• High-Altitude Lavender for balance
• Ginger for warmth and comfort
• Ylang-Ylang for anxiety
• Peppermint for mental clarity
• Bergamot for uplifted spirit
High-Altitude Lavender
Holistically, how does it help?
While any good Lavender oil is invaluable to the traveler, Lavender grown at high altitudes naturally produce more 'Linalool', a component of the essential oil found to reduce stress and improve sleep. It is one of the safest oils in aromatherapy, and can be applied undiluted on small burns and insect bites to help the pain and promote cell regeneration. Its fresh herbaceous aroma can freshen the air in a closed space without a cloying “perfume-y” smell. Essential Oil of Lavender is the most versatile and important oil in the practice of Aromatherapy. Its most noted quality is its ability to BALANCE body, mind, and spirit.
Relevant scientific research*:
Lavender essential oil is the most scientifically studied EO. In controlled human studies its use has been shown to reduce generalized anxiety, reduce autonomic nerve activity and stress, help to maintain focus and attention, and reduce postoperative pain, the latter reducing the need for pain medication. These effects are due to its two main components, linalyl acetate (a monoterpene ester) and linalool (a monoterpene alcohol), as documented in recent studies using the purified components in laboratory animals. One species of lavender that grows well in high-altitude environments is lavandula angustifolia.
Ginger
Holistically, how does it help?
Essential oil of Ginger is the primary EO recommended for relieving travel sickness (peppermint is also recommended). It calms diarrhea and nausea. The warm, balsamic woody fragrance relieves nervous tension and mental exhaustion. Because it is a warming oil, it can help make the traveler comfortable in industrial air-conditioning – just put a drop or two inside your socks. Two drops on a tissue for inhalation is an effective and fast way to enjoy the benefits of Ginger EO. Also, a drop of Ginger blended with a drop of Ylang-Ylang (below) makes an incredibly sensual natural perfume.
Relevant scientific research*:
Ginger root is perhaps best known for its antiemetic properties. In laboratory animals ginger oil has been shown to affect gastrointestinal motility, and to be as effective as well-known antiemetic drugs. Other studies in mice have shown that oil of ginger affects cell-mediated immune responses, and thus may have beneficial effects for conditions such as chronic inflammation. The main components of ginger oil are simple terpene hydrocarbons, which are the most volatile type of EO components. Thus it is important that purchased ginger oil be as fresh as possible.
Ylang-Ylang
Holistically, how does it help?
Sweet Ylang-Ylang is called “the flower of flowers.” Like jasmine, it can be used to treat chronic anxiety, depression and shock. It improves the circulation of blood to different body parts, and therefore allows more oxygen and nutrients to be delivered to the various organs and systems. Medically, it has been shown to reduce hypertension. Additionally, it is wonderful for dry skin and it promotes hair growth. It has been used as an aphrodisiac, as well. This EO should be diluted with a carrier oil since its strong exotic aroma may occasionally cause headaches.
Relevant scientific research*:
Research with humans has shown that inhalation of the vapors of ylang ylang oil can increase calmness, reduce psychological stress, and reduce blood pressure and pulse rate. Similar effects were demonstrated when the oil was applied to the skin of human subjects. These effects are not surprising since ylang ylang EO has the same main component as lavender EO. But the secondary components are quite different, and will change the therapeutic properties relative to lavender.
Peppermint
Holistically, how does it help?
Peppermint is wonderful for digestion, and has even been shown to be an effective treatment for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. But more than that, it increases mental focus. If you can't make a decision or figure out the next step, give peppermint a try. It can increase your clarity and reduce brain fog. It’s also a very cheering oil. Sniff just one drop on a cotton ball and you will find yourself smiling. Though they are very different oils in character, an uplifting blend of Peppermint and Ylang Ylang EOs leaves you feeling refreshed and revived.
Relevant scientific research*:
Peppermint EO has been shown in numerous controlled human studies to be an effective alternative treatment for irritable bowel syndrome and functional dyspepsia. It has also been shown to reduce daytime sleepiness. Its antispasmodic effects are apparently due mainly to the widely used components menthol and eucalyptol. Its refreshing and uplifting qualities are due to these components as well, but also to the presence of components like limonene, which is found in abundance in citrus fruits.
Bergamot
Holistically, how does it help?
Perhaps the greatest bergamot essential oil benefits are emotional in nature, as the oil has an uncanny ability to refresh the mind, renew the spirit and relieve emotional stress. Like most citrus oils, it enlivens one’s mood. Bergamot EO has a sunny disposition that helps people regain self-confidence, making it especially useful for individuals suffering from social anxiety disorders and fear of the unpredictable human contact that travelers often experience. It is extracted from the bergamot orange tree and has a fresh, sweet, spicy, citrus-like scent.
Relevant scientific research*:
Bergamot EO has been shown to reduce stress in laboratory animals as well as in humans. Its two main components are the same as those in lavender EO, but it also typically has a high concentration of limonene, since it is extracted from a citrus fruit. This combination of molecules may lead to its simultaneous calming and uplifting benefits.
Aromatherapy Travel Kit – Putting it together
This is an easy way to recycle a mint tin into a sturdy, compact container for your essential oils. You will need:
• A clean, empty metal mint tin, painted or not, with decorative label or left plain
• Small vials, one for each essential oil, preferably with an orifice-reduction dropper top. The ones shown in the photo examples are 1 dram and 2 dram sizes.
• 
• Essential oils, the five suggested or your own substitutions
• A lining material for cushioning (we used silver insulation tape)
• Labels – important! We use address labels cut into smaller strips
• Optional but recommended – a small chart describing the oils
Paint the tin (if desired) and assemble your materials while it dries.
Line the tin with your cushioning material. This silver foam tape is self-adhesive, but you could also use soft felt or very thin foam sheets.
Carefully fill the vials. A two-dram vial will hold about 100 drops of essential oil. Label each one as soon as you finish filling it. You can copy some of the information in this article to a small card and include it in your kit.
This kit shows six vials, but if you use just five, you can put cotton balls in the extra space for inhalation. That’s all there is to it! And remember that these little tins would make a great going away gift for a friend.
As always, we ask that you remember your precautions when using essential oils. They are a pure and natural traveler’s friend, protector and defender, but they are also powerful and concentrated.
Happy Trails!
Visit our educational website at www.chemaroma.com
Sources:
(Note: there are many good internet sites that offer aromatherapy supplies and oils – these are several that we have tried and liked)
Vials and Bottles
• SKS Bottles and Packaging
Essential Oils
• Aura Cacia
• Rainbow Meadow
*The aromatherapeutic use of essential oils is similar to other molecular-based therapies, in that responses should be expected to vary from person to person. The reasons for this are that essential oils are complex chemical mixtures, and that one’s ability to respond to these molecules is determined by our individual genetic make-up. As with any plant material, some people may have a sensitivity to certain Essential Oils. Make sure to do a patch test before you travel if you have concerns.