Travel essentials for immune support
When embarking on a holiday, a travel adventure or time with relatives from afar, the last thing you want to experience is some nasty viral or bacterial illness. Making some space in the travel bag for some immune supporting herbs and probiotics, lozenges, nasal sprays and indispensable essential oils, can help ward off any nasty microbes.
Travel essentials for immune support
Travel kit check list
- Nasal spray
- Lozenges
- Herbs for immune support
- Probiotic
- Nausea/ motion sickness support
- Antibacterial/ antiviral wipes, spray or liquid
Nasal sprays
Saline nasal sprays – especially those containing xylitol or essential oils of eucalyptus and tea tree, can help prevent infection from airborne pathogens.
The nose offers a protective action filtering, warming and humidifying air before it reaches the lower respiratory system. It is an efficient warning system which alerts the body to airborne irritants and allergens. A stuffy nose, sneezing, running, nasal congestion or feeling blocked are good indicators nasal tissues are inflamed or irritated. Saline sprays assist the natural action of the nose to wash away viruses, irritants and allergens by thinning excess mucus in the nose and sinuses, maintaining nasal tissue and nasal immunity.
Saline nasal sprays can help in the dry condition of planes and other air-conditioned environments.
Saline with addition of:
- Xylitol helps moisturize and soothe sinus and nasal passages. It has a cleansing benefit which alleviates congestion and prevents bacteria and other pollutants from sticking to nasal tissues.
- Tea tree (melaleuca) oil offers an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory action.
- Eucalyptus is a powerful natural antibacterial.
Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) powder in a nasal spray helps protect from airborne allergens and pathogens by creating a barrier shield. The powdered nasal spray turns into a gel inside the nose helping protect against cold symptoms such as sneezing and a runny nose within minutes and is non-drowsy [1].
Lozenges
- Zinc has shown evidence to prevent respiratory tract infections and shorten their duration. Zinc supports immune system health and function in adults and children [2,3].
- Manuka honey and Propolis candies or lozenges are ideal to soothe a dry throat, clear the nose and freshen the breath. They offer antiviral and antibacterial properties, and can reduce inflammation [3].
Manuka and propolis are also available as a spray which can be applied to the throat or the skin as a convenient antiseptic solution. Handy for any situation.
Herbal medicine for immune support
Look for products or formulas containing one or more of the following Ingredients:
Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) is an amazing traditional medicine which offers antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune stimulating actions, making it extremely beneficial when travelling. It can strengthen the immune system and help relieve symptoms of upper respiratory infection [4].
Echinacea species - E. purpurea, E. angustifolia and E. pallida, have been used in Native Americans medicine for centuries for respiratory tract infections and inflammatory conditions. There are many modern studies confirming its therapeutic efficacy [5].
Garlic (Allium sativum) extracts offers antibacterial activity towards a wide variety of microorganisms, along with its antiviral, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities [6].
Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) was traditionally used for the prevention of colds and flu viruses, longevity and vitality. As an adaptogenic herb it supports the body in times of stress. Siberian ginseng offers immune regulation, antiviral and antibacterial effects; helps with energy and how the body copes with stress [7].
Probiotics for travel
Probiotics contain bacteria which are similar to the beneficial bacteria found in the human gut, and are useful for maintaining balance of immunity. There is an abundance of high-quality evidence showing probiotics to be effective for acute infections, and its safe use in infants, children and adults [8,9].
Specific probiotics found to be effective for travellers’ diarrhoea:
- Bifidobacterium breve
- Lactobacillus acidophilus
- Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. Bulgaricus
- Lactobacillus fermentum
- Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG
- Saccharomyces boulardii
- Streptococcus thermophilus
Antibacterial/ antiviral wipes, spray or liquid
Tea tree oil or eucalyptus oil contained in wipes, spray or liquid are useful for destroying bugs in hotel rooms, dabbing on wounds, or as an inhalation to clear the nasal passages and sinuses [10,11].
Nausea/ motion sickness support
Ginger - can settle the stomach and ease nausea. Ginger is available as a tablet or capsule and can be sipped as a tea.
Peppermint - can help to reduce nausea and symptoms of travel sickness, and its stimulating property can help to counteract the effects of jet lag. Peppermint can be taken as a tea or a drop of peppermint essential oil can be placed on wrists, temples or in the nape of neck. Inhaling the scent directly from the bottle can have an immediate effect on reducing nausea.
Wrist bands - work by applying pressure on the acupressure point on each wrist with a plastic stud. This acupressure point is referred to as Nei Kuan, and if activated can help to relieve motion sickness, nausea and vomiting. Bands can be worn long-term, are safe to use for both adults and children and offer long-lasting results.
Hand washing
Microbes which cause diarrhoea, respiratory infection, and other diseases can easily spread from poor hand hygiene. A friendly handshake or touch can easily spread germs from one person to another. Hands can become contaminated from such things as changing baby’s nappy, using the toilet or from food handling. Regular and thorough handwashing is a back-to-basics concept considered one of the best ways of reducing risk of transferring infection from a touched object or person - to mouth, eyes, and nose. Several studies indicate using soaps remove germs from hands more effectively than washing hands in water alone [10].
Basic hygiene guide
- wash your hands often for at least 20 seconds with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitisers when no soap and water is available.
- avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- clean and disinfect surfaces you use often such as benchtops, desks and doorknobs.
- clean and disinfect objects you use often such as mobile phones, keys, and wallets [13].
References
- In vitro and in vivo Evaluation of the Efficacy and Safety of Powder Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose as Nasal Mucosal Barrier https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7136663/
- Zinc lozenges and the common cold: a meta-analysis comparing zinc acetate and zinc gluconate, and the role of zinc dosage https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5418896/
- Zinc for the prevention or treatment of acute viral respiratory tract infections in adults: a rapid systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8578211/
- Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Wall. ex Nees: An Updated Review of Phytochemistry, Antimicrobial Pharmacology, and Clinical Safety and Efficacy https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8072717/
- Immunomodulators Inspired by Nature: A Review on Curcumin and Echinacea https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6278270/
- Chemical Constituents and Pharmacological Activities of Garlic (Allium sativum L.): A Review https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7146530/
- Comparison between the Biological Active Compounds in Plants with Adaptogenic Properties (Rhaponticum carthamoides, Lepidium meyenii, Eleutherococcus senticosus and Panax ginseng) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8747685/
- Probiotics for Gastrointestinal Conditions: A Summary of the Evidence https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28762696/
- Probiotics for Gastrointestinal Conditions: A Summary of the Evidence https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2017/0801/p170.html
- Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree) Oil: a Review of Antimicrobial and Other Medicinal Properties https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1360273/
- A systematic and comprehensive review on current understanding of the pharmacological actions, molecular mechanisms, and clinical implications of the genus Eucalyptus https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667031321000713
- https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/why-handwashing.html
- https://www.health.gov.au/health-alerts/covid-19/protect-yourself-and-others
This article is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. If you have any concerns or questions about your health you should consult with a health professional.