How to Prepare a Homeopathic Travel Kit

This is a guide to making your own homeopathic travel kit. But first, for those who don't know, an explanation of what homeopathy is and what is so great about it.

What is Homeopathy?

Homeopathy is the second most common system of medicine in the world. It works under the premise of "Like cures like" - for whatever your symptoms are, you would take a medicine that would produce similar symptoms. It is the same basic principal in which vaccines are based on, where a small dose of the virus is given to strengthen the immune system and help it fight against that particular virus. Also like vaccines, homeopathic remedies are prepared in an extremely dilluted form, making a dose extremely small.

This system of medicine is in many ways much better than many conventional medicines on the market. It treats the actual cause of symptoms, not just the symptoms itself like most over-the-counter drugs, which really only offer temporary comfort and act against your immune system by suppressing its natural reactions (such as cough and runny nose) for your comfort. Homeopathy is also very effective and works very quickly, while remaining safe enough for babies and pregnant women to take.

And now on to making your own homeopathic travel kit...

The Travel Kit

Step 1: First, you'll need something to contain your kit in. This can be a child-size shoe box, a small travel case that's generally used for toiletries, an empty first-aid-kit container; whatever suits you.

Step 2: If you wish or have the need, you can divide your container into different areas of treatment. Common travel ailments can include anxiety and motion sickness, jet lag, insect bites and allergies, etc. Making unique areas for each category may make it easier to keep things organized.

Listed below are suggested homeopathic remedies by category.

Anxiety / Motion Sickness / Nausea

Argentum Nitricum is a good remedy that is useful when it comes to fear and anxiety that you may feel while traveling, and also for those feeling extreme dizziness, nausea and vomiting due to anxiety. It works well in flights where a person may be afraid of the height of flying, along with being in a close space for a long period of time.

Cocculus Indicus is a very common homeopathic treatment for motion sickness, whether from a car, boat or plane. Key symptoms that may be useful for this remedy to work are nausea (especially if being around food makes it worse), dizziness and empty stomach feeling. This remedy is also great for jet lag, and should be taken every twelve hours beginning two days before the flight until three days after.

Kali Bichromicum is a great remedy for seasickness, where one may develop extreme dizziness, nausea and vomiting that is worse when standing.

Insect Bites and Allergic Reactions

The most common homeopathic remedy for bites and skin irritations is Ledum. It works well for minor insect bites in which there is slight swelling around the area that feels good when something cold is applied to it. Ledum can also be used as a preventative remedy, when taken a few days prior to the trip and continued throughout the trip itself.

Apis is a good remedy for bites or stings that become reddish and puffy accompanied by a stining or burning painful sensation. Itchiness may be another developed symptom. These types of reactions are common to jellyfish or bee stings.

For certain skin irritations that may itch and sting or hives, urtica urens is a great remedy.

Step 3: The above homeopathic remedies may be found in certain health stores, but to be sure you can find them online. Shop around and buy the ones you think you'll need or would be a good idea to have on hand. Most are available in strengths of 6C (good for sudden or acute ailments) up to 30C (used more towards long-term conditions).

Step 4: Once you have your treatments, just put them in your travel container. It's also a good idea to write down your inventory and what each remedy is specifically, so you'll remember exactly what is what and how to use it.

That is it. Your homeopathic travel kit is now complete. Chances are, with each remedy being small itself, you have a lot of extra room in there - if you'd like, fill the rest with other first aid items such as bandaids to turn it into a well-rounded first aid kit.