WITH the Christmas holiday season only weeks away, most people look forward to a little time out to recharge their energies and to just relax and enjoy life.
Whether you intend to catch a plane or train to some special destination, or leisurely tour the countryside in a car, travel sickness can make the journey very unpleasant.
And not only humans suffer this disagreeable sensation; so do our pets!
There is nothing worse than packing the whole family off in the car, including the four-legged member, and having to then deal with the consequences of being ill.
For those who choose to fly off to some exotic overseas location, jet lag can certainly have you feeling out of sorts and make your holiday downright miserable.
While flying, drink plenty of plain, still water, and avoid alcohol, coffee and carbonated soft drinks.
Most important, plan ahead.
A week before takeoff time, take a daily dose of Siberian ginseng capsules, as directed on the label. Continue this same dosage for a week following arrival.
If you have trouble relaxing or sleeping when you reach your destination, settle down with a cup of chamomile tea.
Peppermint also helps to allay nausea and acts as a soothing sedative to induce relaxation and sleep. Other mild sedative herbs are linden (lime flower) and lemon verbena.
If travelling by car or train, you can ease travel or motion sickness by chopping up half a teaspoon of fresh ginger, dusting it with powdered cinnamon and binding it with honey. Take before a journey and when symptoms occur.
A few drops of peppermint or lavender oil added to a handkerchief or tissue and inhaled will also ease the nausea associated with travel sickness.
If you suffer from motion and air sickness, you should avoid sweet and starchy foods on the day of travel. Eat fruit or drink pure, unsweetened fruit juice only.
For dogs who travel in the family car, valerian is one of the most powerful herbal sedatives and tranquillisers. The chopped roots can be given to pets in their normal food prior to a journey, and will relax them without sedating them. Two tablespoons of the fresh root should be enough for a large dog, and proportionately less for a smaller animal.
Holidays are also a time that many people spend out on the water.
If you are one of those unlucky individuals who suffer seasickness, take half a teaspoon of powdered ginger about 30 minutes before sailing, or put a drop or two of ginger essential oil on a vitamin tablet and then swallow it.
And for those who have been remiss in taking preventive measures for travel and motion sickness, freshly grated ginger or powdered cinnamon infused with hot water, or sprinkled in other herbal teas, can be taken as required to relieve the symptoms of nausea and vomiting.
Clove tea is another excellent remedy for allaying nausea and vomiting. Add 10 cloves to a ceramic cup, pour 250ml of boiling water over them, cover and infuse for 10 minutes. Reheat if required and take as necessary.
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