Holiday season is upon us, and some of us may be lucky enough to be jetting off on international adventures. While going on holiday is undoubtedly good for the soul, it is not uncommon to get a bout of illness while traveling overseas. A few preventative measures may go a long way in ensuring you can make the most of your holiday.

Colds and flus

Airports and Airplanes are breeding ground for bacteria and other pathogens, and long haul flights can be particularly perilous, for several reasons. Extended time spent in recirculated air, close proximity to others, poor sleep, exposure to radiation, low humidity and poor nutrition can all contribute to a stressed and depressed immune system, making you more susceptible to falling sick and putting a dampener over your holiday.

Various herbs and nutrients can bolster the immune system to help prevent illness during long distance travel. Immuno-adaptogenic herbs astragalus, codonopsis, schisandra and Siberian ginseng may help support immune system function whilst helping the body adapt to the stress of travelling. Commencing an immune regime 5-7 days prior to travel may help ensure that your immune system is in tip top shape before being exposed on your flight. Furthermore, adaptogens may help ease some of the pre travel stressors.

Gastrointestinal upsets

Eating new cuisines is part of the joy of travelling, however occasionally said new foods may not agree with us. Travellers’ diarrhoea or gastroenteritis can make a holiday memorable for all the wrong reasons. Preventative measures can help reduce the likelihood of reacting to bad food or infected water.

Saccharomyces boulardii (SB), a probiotic yeast, has been shown to reduce the incidence of traveller’s diarrhoea and reduces the duration of acute diarrhoea in children. (1,2) SB may be taken in the lead up to, and for the duration of an overseas holiday by the whole family, particularly when travelling to destinations where food borne illness and poor water quality are common. Should an infection occur, travelling with antimicrobial herbs may help promote a faster recovery.

Myrrh, thyme, oregano oil and phellodendron are known for their antimicrobial, antifungal and antiviral properties and can be taken as prophylactic or upon infection.

Sleep

Poor sleep affects all facets of life from immune system function, moods, memory and so forth. Whilst jetlag is not completely unavoidable, supporting deeper sleep may help hasten adaptation to your new time zone, and help you start enjoying your holiday faster.

Herbs such as valerian, hops and passionflower are used in traditional western herbal medicine to relieve sleeplessness and calm the nerves. Taking sleep supportive medicines several days before and after arriving at each new destination may help ease the jetlag.

Speak to your natural healthcare practitioner about supplements which may help make your next holiday even smoother.

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References

1. Kollaritsch, H., Holst, H., Grobara, P., & Wiedermann, G. (1993). Prophylaxe der Reisediarrhöe mit Saccharomyces boulardii. Ergebnisse einer plazebokontrollierten Doppelblindstudie [Prevention of traveler's diarrhea with Saccharomyces boulardii. Results of a placebo controlled double-blind study]. Fortschritte der Medizin, 111(9), 152–156.
2. Kelesidis, T., & Pothoulakis, C. (2012). Efficacy and safety of the probiotic Saccharomyces boulardii for the prevention and therapy of gastrointestinal disorders. Therapeutic advances in gastroenterology, 5(2), 111–125. https://doi.org/10.1177/1756283X11428502