Herbs on holiday: if you're planning a road trip, be sure to pack an herbal travel kit - includes related article on tinctures and creams - The Herbalist

Vegetarian Times, April, 1995 by Drew DeSilver

One caution: Pennyroyal oil is highly toxic and should never be taken internally; furthermore, because it can cause miscarriage, Brigitte Mars, an herbalist in Boulder, Colo., says that pregnant women should avoid using it even topically. Instead, she says, try a blend of eucalyptus, rosemary and citronella oils. Again, you can purchase such a blend or make your own following the previous instructions.

If, despite your best efforts, you get bitten anyway, Weissbuch suggests applying a cream made with calendula, pepermint and plantain, which are all healing and soothing. (See "How to Make Tinctures and Creams," p. 98.) If you're traveling in the south, the ubiquitous kudzu root--mashed up and rubbed on the affected area--can relieve an itching bug bite. Tierra also recommends an echinacea tincture, applied topically.

JET LAG

SIBERIAN GINSENG is the herb of choice for this bane of the frequent flyer; several herbalists praise its adaptogenic qualities, that is, its ability to help the body adjust to changing conditions.

Weissbuch recommends a tincture made with equal parts Siberian ginseng and hawthorn; Mars suggests either a plain Siberian ginseng tincture or capsules made with the dried herb. Take a dropperful of tincture or two capsules, three times a day, starting a day or two before your plane trip; stop once you've reached your destination.

MOTION SICKNESS

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH has confirmed ginger's ability to treat motion sickness. Ginger capsules are widely available in naturalfood stores; follow the directions on the package or take one or two capsules every three to four hours, starting 30 minutes before the trip begins and continuing as long as you're in motion. If you forget to take ginger beforehand, use it after the nausea hits.

SUNBURN

THE HERB OF CHOICE here is calendula. Apply a cream containing calendula, comfrey and plantain (in roughly equal parts) liberally to the burn area; Green suggests adding a touch of goldenseal to the cream, for its general antiseptic and infection-fighting properties. Aloe vera cream has long been used for healing burns. Mars suggests adding one-half cup of apple cider or vinegar to a cool bath.

RELATED ARTICLE: HOW TO MAKE TINCTURES AND CREAMS

If you want to make tinctures for travel, start the same time you make your reservations. Tinctures need to blend from two to six weeks to ensure that the maximum amount of active ingredients is extracted. Here is a step-by-step guide to making herbal tinctures:

1. Start with fairly strong alcohol, such as 100-proof vodka, brandy or gin. Michael Castleman, in The Healing Herbs (Rodale, 1981), writes that commercial herb marketers typically use 198-proof grain alcohol. If you prefer not to use alcohol, substitute warmed wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar.

2. The standard proportion is one ounce of dried or finely chopped herb to five ounces of alcohol. Mix these ingredients in a wide-mounthed, sealable glass jar (preferably brown glass, to minimize exposure to light, which can weaken the tincture).