July 2014 Natural Travel Kit Balanced Body

Mary MacDonald • ND, BSc, BComm Naturopathic Doctor Balanced Body Active Health Centre 260 The Esplanade • Toronto, On M5A 4J6 Natural First Aid in the Summer •
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Most of us will take time in the summer to enjoy the warmer weather and travel. Whether we are going to the cottage or packing the little ones along in the car for the ultimate summer road trip, we can take along a few simple things to make life’s little bumps, bruises, bites, & sunburns easier to handle! Alcohol: Small plastic bottle for removing poison oak/ivy oils from the skin. Bandage Materials: Sterile gauze pads and roll, adhesive bandage tape, elastic for sprains or strains. Electrolyte Replacement: Powdered drink packets such as Emergen-­‐C. Scissors: Small pair for cutting bandages and adhesive tape Thermometer: Instant-­‐read type. Tweezers: For removing ticks and splinters. Waterless Hand Sanitizer: Travel-­‐size bottle. Water purifying drops (“Pristine” is a good brand) Aloe Vera: soothing for cuts & burns of any kind, including sunburns. Purchase aloe vera gel at a trusted health food store or grow at home & break a leaf open as needed. Apply directly to the cut or burn. Tea Tree Oil in a Carrier Base: antibacterial, anti-­‐fungal & can be applied topically to relieve the following ailments: nail fungus, poison ivy (oak), cold sores, warts, ticks & mosquito bites, scrapes, and cuts. Arnica Oil or Cream: to alleviate bruises, joint inflammation, muscle strain/soreness & minor sprains. Massage arnica onto unbroken skin to reduce pain & promote healing. Do not use on open wounds. Calendula Cream or Oil: for external cuts, sores & infected areas. Great for skin inflammation & irritations of any kind. Use only after thoroughly cleaning the infected area. Lavendar Essential Oil:very calming for anxiety or for a fussy child. Apply a few drops to a cloth & inhale. Natural Insect Repellent: containing a combination of lavender, thyme, basil & citronella. These do work, but must be applied often (every 2-­‐3 hours). Chamomile Tea Bags: gentle for children, promotes relaxation, relieves indigestion and, when applied topically, soothes skin irritations. Ginger capsules, tea bags or crystallized ginger: antispasmodic & gas-­‐relieving properties to soothe digestive upsets. Ginger also has been proven to relieve motion sickness better than Dramamine, the conventional drug treatment. Antihistamine tablets for hayfever, allergies and itching •
Sunscreen products that are Paraben free: • Trukid Sunny Days Facestick SPF 30+ • Badger SPF30 Sunscreen • CVS Sunscreen with Zinc Oxide • Glycolix Elite Sunscreen • Estion Sunscreen with Zinc • Vanicream Sunscreen Sport • Vanicream Sunscreen •
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Eau Thermale Avene Sunscreen Cream for Sensitive Areas California Baby Fallene Cotz Water Resistant Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin It's all Good UV Natural Sunscreen Green Beaver Kids SPF 30 If you are travelling in another country or going back country camping, feel free to contact me for information on suggested vaccinations, water purification techniques and things to watch out for depending on the details of your travels. marymacdonald@gmail.com ● www.marymacdonaldnd.ca