People the world over enjoy traveling to new destinations, exploring new lands, and soaking in various cultures. While the lure of travel is exciting, it can also be quite distressing for many. Coping with new foods, crowded spaces, and long commutes can sometimes be more of a nightmare than that cherished dream. In recent years, however, more people are discovering the secret to stress-free travel is to add a few essential oils to their travel accessories. However, with so many different kinds of oils out there, deciding on the best essential oil for travel can be quite confusing. Nevertheless, if you’re clear about your needs, deciding on the essential oils that you need to add to your travel kit should be fairly simple.
Why Add Essential Oils To Your Travel Kit?
If you haven’t used an essential oil yet, you’re probably wondering why it is so important, especially for travel. The reason why essential oils are one of the best travel accessories is because of the numerous benefits that these oils have on the body and mind.
Great stress buster
Essential oils are the key ingredient in aromatherapy – a holistic approach to treating stress and other mental issues. These oils are not only energy boosters but also have grounding effects. When traveling you can carry along a small-sized diffuser so you don’t miss out on your daily dose of aromatherapy.
Sedative qualities
Many essential oils have sedative qualities that help relieve anxiety associated with flying and jet lag. They also relieve headaches and can alleviate muscle and joint pain after a long flight.
Refreshing
Essential oils that have refreshing fragrances can boost your mood and also freshen up a musty hotel room.
Natural Insect Repellents
Many citrus-based essential oils act as natural insect repellents. These fall into the category of non-toxic bio-pesticides which are great for people with skin allergies. The best part about using essential oils as an insect repellent is the pleasant scent.
Peppermint Essential Oil
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Peppermint Oil sits at the top of the best essential oil for travel because of the multiple benefits associated with it. The oil is said to energize the mind and body with its cooling menthol scent. When the mind and body are energized it leads to greater alertness and clarity. This helps clear the fogginess associated with jet lag.
Apart from this, the clarifying effect also helps in digestion and in controlling motion sickness. Another benefit of Peppermint oil is that it is also a stress buster and helps alleviate bad moods. Since this oil is far more concentrated than other essential oils it is generally recommended to use it with a carrier oil for topical application.
Lemon Essential Oil
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If there is one best essential oil for travel, it would probably be Lemon Essential Oil. There are several reasons why this is one of the best essential oils to have on a trip. Besides its refreshing fragrance which is great for alleviating bad moods, this oil helps fight allergies, eases a sore throat, and is also great for preventing insect bites. It’s also good for disinfecting and cleaning surfaces and can also be used for laundry.
One thing to note about lemon essential oil is that it can be quite strong so it should not be applied on a raw wound.
Jojoba
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The cosmetic benefits of Jojoba Oil are no secret, so if you do use makeup, this essential oil should definitely be in your travel kit. While Jojoba oil makes a great moisturizer, it’s also good for removing makeup. The gentle effects of this oil make it safe to use on your face and around the eyes. When combined with rosehip or argan oil, it makes a good nighttime regime to reduce dark scars and acne.
Apart from its moisturizing benefits, Jojoba Oil is also good for the hair. If you’re going to be traveling in a place where you’re uncertain about the quality of the water, it’s a good idea to add a few drops of Jojoba oil to your shampoo. It not only acts as a natural anti-hair loss solution but also helps reduce dandruff. Due to these great benefits, Jojoba oil sits at the top of the list of the best essential oil for travel.
Lavender
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One of the most popular fragrances in aromatherapy, perfumery, and cosmetics is Lavender Oil. The reason why it is also considered the best essential oil for travel is because of its multiple therapeutic properties. Its refreshing aroma is known to bring down stress and anxiety levels and induce sleep. This is especially great when you’re traveling and struggling to sleep in a difficult place like a plane or train. Apart from these benefits, Lavender Oil also mitigates the effect of acne, sunburn, inflammation, or eczema. It also helps with motion sickness and nosebleeds.
Sage
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Sage Oil is another essential oil that is a travel must. From its refreshing and clean fragrance to its antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, the benefits of this oil are plenty. It’s a great travel companion as it works as a natural hand sanitizer and a stimulant to shake off drowsiness caused by jet lag. This cleansing herb is also perfect for yoga or meditation on the go as the stimulating scent helps create a more vibrant and unhindered mindset.
Black Pepper Essential Oil
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The benefits of Black Pepper Essential Oil are sometimes understated, especially when it comes down to using it as a relaxant for muscles. When your muscles are aching after a long flight, there can be no better therapy than to use this essential oil to relieve the soreness. This is one of the reasons why black pepper essential oil is so widely used for massages and in aromatherapy. The spicy aroma of the oil also helps ease congestion.
When mixed with your favorite carrier oil, black pepper essential oil can also be used in your daily skincare routine. It promotes glowing, healthy skin as it soothes dryness and is also great for revitalizing your hair.
Bergamot
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Bergamot may not be a very familiar sounding product but it is the chief ingredient in Earl Gray tea that gives it its distinctive flavor. Bergamot essential oil is a citrus oil known to relieve anxiety. It’s one of the best travel essentials for someone who suffers from airport anxiety and lack of sleep. The sleep-inducing properties of this oil are great for overcoming jet lag. Another great benefit of carrying this essential oil with you is that it is a natural disinfectant that makes a good hand sanitizer.
Citronella
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For someone traveling to a tropical region where insects can be a problem, Citronella essential oil is one of the best travel essentials to take with you. Certified as an insect repellent in the United States since 1948, this essential oil is a non-toxic biopesticide. The great thing about using this oil as an insect repellent is its pleasant smell. That’s one of the reasons why Citronella oil is also used as a deodorizer.
Other benefits of this essential oil are that it’s also an effective surface cleaner and prevents infections. Its strong antibacterial properties are effective in healing wounds and rashes.
Eucalyptus
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Extracted from the fresh leaves of the eucalyptus tree, Eucalyptus oil has a strong woody and sweet scent. This is another essential oil that is popular in aromatherapy and also one of the best essential oils for travel. The benefits of Eucalyptus oil are manifold. From having a calming effect on the mind to being a great pain killer and antiseptic, this is one essential oil that should definitely be in your travel kit.
Eucalyptus oil helps relieve physical aches caused by exertion such as muscle or joint pain and headaches. The clarifying effects of this oil help to ease breathing during respiratory problems and also boosts energy levels. Besides these benefits, it is also a good insect repellent and helps wounds heal faster.
Frankincense
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A must-have essential oil for your travels is Frankincense essential oil. This oil is a game-changer for women on the road as it not only helps regulate the menstrual cycle but also relieves menstrual and menopausal discomfort. It also works well as a sedative when traveling as it eases anxiety. This multipurpose essential oil boosts immunity and can also be used for treating wounds, scars and gives relief from poison ivy. When combined with virgin coconut oil it can also be used for your daily skin routine.
Ginger
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Not surprisingly, Ginger Oil has a strong, spicy aroma with hints of earthy tones. While its use in aromatherapy has huge benefits such as boosting confidence; mixed with a carrier oil, it’s also a great essential oil for improving circulation. After a few cramped hours on a plane, this essential oil alleviates swelling and aches, making you feel more energized. Another benefit of ginger oil is that it can be used to promote healthier hair growth as it stimulates the scalp and follicles.
Tea Tree
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An extremely versatile essential oil to take along for your travels is Tea Tree Oil. For one, it’s a great mosquito repellent, perfect to take along for that tropical holiday. Due to its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, this essential oil also helps in shrinking pimples and heals bumps and scratches. Besides these benefits, you can also use it for your skincare routine or as a shampoo. Another reason why you should add tea tree oil to your travel essentials is that it’s also an antifungal.
Coconut Oil
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Coconut oil has many health and cosmetic benefits that clearly make it the best essential oil for travel. Firstly, it’s an effective treatment for skin infections, eczema, or rashes arising from sudden allergies. The high content of capric and caprylic acid in this oil makes it a good antioxidant and antimicrobial which helps in boosting immunity.
A few drops of this delicious smelling oil in your diffuser makes it a great choice for aromatherapy. Coconut oil is so versatile that it can be used for almost any beauty or health emergency on the road. You can use it to remove makeup, as a balm for chapped lips or as a conditioner for your hair. It also eases congestion when rubbed on the chest.
