Aromatherapy Travel Kit

Whether you are jumping in the car for a weekend road trip or cruising the high seas on a luxury vacation, don’t leave home without it—aromatherapy, that is! Pack your bags with an aromatic travel kit of essential oils that will ensure your getaway is as relaxing and rejuvenating as you anticipated.

Aromatherapy can be easily incorporated into your travels with some planning. Pack essential oils in checked baggage, sealed tightly in plastic food storage bags to avoid spills. Include several empty one-ounce plastic spray bottles that you can fill with bottled water and essential oils for blending on the fly. 

Before you take off, create a facial mist for easy access that incorporates balancing Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens), uplifting Grape-fruit (Citrus paradisii), and calming Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia or officinale)—key essential oils that will protect skin from airborne germs and stale airplane air. Grapefruit will also help lessen puffiness from dehydration caused by air conditioning. Mist your face regularly to soothe dry, taut skin. 

If you hate to fly or get a little claustrophobic from close quarters, lavender can allay those jittery nerves. Reach for it whenever you feel a little overwhelmed. Breathe deeply for several minutes to thwart panic. Lavender will also comfort sunburned skin: Add a few drops to a cool bath and soak for 10 minutes. 

Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) is an all-star antiseptic and a go-to for your aromatherapy first aid kit. Treat scrapes or cuts (even insect bites) by applying a drop to the affected area to nix infection and hasten healing. 

Use tea tree and lavender to bust bacteria. Add a few drops of each on a tissue and disinfect restroom taps and toilet handles and seats before using. Tea tree is also a natural cleanser, so mix a few drops in spring water with skin-balancer lavender to daub your face and body whenever you feel a little gritty from travel. 

Combat travel sickness with essential oils of Peppermint (Mentha piperita) and Ginger (Zingiber officinale). Even just a few whiffs of peppermint can calm a queasy stomach and combined with lavender, ease an achy head. Add two drops of each oil to any lotion you have on hand and dot on your temples for quick relief. Once you’ve arrived at your destination, create a cooling peppermint spray that will do wonders as a refreshing body mist and act as a minty air freshener for stale hotel rooms. 

Ginger essential oil is an excellent remedy for motion sickness. Add a few drops to a tissue and tuck into a pocket for quick access when you’re feeling a little unsteady. Inhaling every minute or so while traveling will help alleviate nausea. 

Healthy tip: One of the best inventions for enjoying aromatherapy on the go is the portable aromatherapy inhaler. These nifty containers are perfect for taking your favorite essential oils with you without having to pack the entire bottle. (And they’re spillproof, too!) 

Feeling a little out of sync due to a time change? Treat jet lag with essential oils of lemon, eucalyptus, geranium, and lavender. Toss a few drops of uplifting Lemon (Citrus limonum) and invigorating Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) on the floor of your hotel shower stall to rev you up for a day of sightseeing and to eliminate lingering germs or odors. 

Did you know …

Eucalyptus and lemon oils are invigorating and can rev you up for a day of sightseeing.

And keep that facial mist nearby during your trip: geranium relieves exhaustion due to the stress of traveling between time zones, and when combined with lavender is effective in easing jet lag by naturally balancing hormones and resetting the biological clock to “me time.” 

Geranium relieves exhaustion due to the stress of traveling between time zones, and when combined with lavender is effective in easing jet lag by naturally balancing hormones.

Jet Lag Moisture Mist 

• 7 drops geranium 
•  11 drops grapefruit 
•  12 drops lavender 
•  1 oz. distilled or spring water 

Close eyes and mist face whenever needed to freshen skin or balance mood. 

Motion Sickness Blend 

•  8 drops ginger 
•  12 drops lavender 
• 4 drops peppermint 
•  1 oz. sweet almond, apricot, or other plant oil 

Apply to temples and stomach in a circular motion to combat nausea or other digestive issues. 

Reviving Travel Spray 

• 6 drops eucalyptus 
• 12 drops lavender 
•  12 drops lemon 
•  1 oz. distilled or spring water 

Mist into air or spray surfaces to disinfect any room. It can also be used as a refreshing body mist.