02 Oct Chinese Medicine Travel Kit
I love travel and as summer holidays approach many will find themselves plannng a well deserved break or a visit to family. Whether travelling locally, interstate or overseas there is nothing worse than getting sick!
As Chinese Medicine practitioner and avid traveller I now travel with my emergency travel kit after being very sick for 3 days after a banquet lunch while visiting Egypt, and then again in Port Douglas, Australia.
Yes, that is 22 year old me in Egypt in 2009
So here is my hand travel kit….
NUMBER 1 – Saccharomyces boulardii or SB flora
This ‘Probiotic yeast’ is sometimes called “Travel probiotic” has a range of functions but most importantly improves gut barrier function, eradicates pathogens, produces antimicrobial peptides, stimulates the immune system, and inhibits inflammation.
SB flora can be taken not only preventatively, and treatment of gastrointestinal tract disorders, including diarrhea symptoms. I recommend 1 capsule daily but if any signs of gastrointestinal symptoms increase dose.
Above product can be purchased from our clinic or seek assistance from local health food store.
NUMBER 2 – Food Intollerance Support
When travelling overseas langauge barriers and exposure to different foods can lead to gluten, fructose or lactose “poisioning”.
I recommend to try to support your digestive sytem for the “Just in case”, although ideally avoid foods you know are triggers sometimes you just want to try some local delicies. So here are a few recommendations.
A broad spectrum enzmatic support that helps your body break down foods. Containing
Lactase aids in the digestion of lactose.
Bromelains aids in the digestion of proteins.
Gentian has traditionally been used in western herbal medicine (WHM) to help promote healthy digestive system function and to stimulate gastric secretions.
Gentian and fennel have traditionally been used in WHM to relieve digestive discomfort and symptoms of indigestion such as bloating.
Fennel has traditionally been used in WHM to relieve flatulence.
Gentian has traditionally used in WHM to relieve loss of appetite.
BioCeuticals – MultiGest Enzymes can be purchased from our clinic or chemist. Alternatively ask about other digestive enzymes.
GLUTEN INTOLLERANCE – https://gluteguard.com.au/
There are many gluten enzymes on the market but I found this one the best.
NUMBER 3 – Over-indulgence
Based on the famous formula “Bao He Wan” a combination of herbs that help “descend” food in the case of overeating, and half of which help to remove “dampness” and “heat” and treat “deficiency”. Used by acupuncturists and Doctors of Chinese Medicine for hundreds of years, this formula was traditionally used to support people with chronic digestive issues.
It is perfect for travel as you are often eating rich indulgent or different foods, adding to this make a few extra alcohol beverages can make you feel very stagnant in the digestive system. I remember one of my lecturers describing the trick to use this formula preventatively before heading to a celebrational banquet or dinner where dishes and copious drinks would be consumed.
Made and sold at our clinic. Also check out our “Hangover” drops! 🍻 🥂 🍷
NUMBER 4 – Immune System support
Yu ping feng san, or “Jade Windscreen,” has been used in East Asia for over 800 years, this formula supports and enriches the wei qi, or protective qi, in guarding against harmful influences entering the body. This simple formula incorporates three herbs to support healthy immune function, can be taken throughout trip to prevent colds & flus 🤧 😷 🤒
Prevention (everyone in general seems to be sick): 4 pills 2X/day
Exposed (people I’m interacting with are sick): 10 pills 3X/day
Yu Ping Feng San is stocked at the clinic.
Gan Mao Ling, or “Common Cold Effective-Remedy” is a simple over the counter herbal immune, virus protection tonic often sold at Chinese groceries. One of my mentor recommended taking 3 pills before getting onto a plane and after getting off to prevent exposure form close proximity to others ✈️
Prevention (everyone in general seems to be sick): 2 pills 2X/day
Exposed (people I’m interacting with are sick): 3 pills 3X/day
Sick (I start to feel the symptoms of getting sick): 6 pills 3X/day
Gan Mao Ling can be purchased at local Asian Groceries.
NUMBER 5 – Pain!
A long car trip or plane trip can make the most limber of us sore and stiff. I recommend packing a few light weight thin pain patches. Here are a few you might find useful.
Salonpas are great for acute injuries, think twisting ankles on cobbled streets of Europe or trying new sports. Simply stick a few of these and overnight swelling, and inflammation will go down 🏄🏿♀️ 🧗🏿♂️
Can be purchased at Asian Groceries.
For more chronic pain consider heral heat patches. Great for lower back after hours in car or plane seats!
Can be purchased from the clinic.
Simple heat patches, great for general pain including period pain. However, also useful in cold weather. Stuck onto the clothing provides 12 hours heat.
Can be purchased from the clinic.
I also recommend travelling with your pillow or a good quality travel pillow. I would travel with my mattress too but at least with my own pillow I dont have to deal with inconsistent hotel pillows. I simply carry my pillow onto the plane in the plastic case it came in. Check out the range Here 🛌🏻
Wishing you all happy travels for the rest of 2023 and beyond 🙋♀️
Dr Lauren Surridge (TCM) is the Acupuncturist, Chinese Herbalist and owner of Balanced Life Health Care. To find out more about Lauren click here and to make an appointment to see Lauren at her clinic in Ferntree Gully click here
