We’ve all been there- getting sick, not being able to sleep or just not feeling well while traveling. If you are in a foreign country or not near a pharmacy, it can be difficult to get medication to cure whatever’s ailing you. The following strange cures are fairly accessible in most places and will treat common travel ailments.
Sunburn
Even if you apply sunblock vigorously, you can still get a sunburn. The end result is a lot of pain which can ruin your vacation. Soaking a cloth in milk and placing it on the sunburn can provide almost immediate relief. Vinegar will also relieve the pain from a sunburn and in some cases may actually prevent you from peeling. Simply put the vinegar in a spray bottle and squirt it onto the affected areas.
Upset Stomach
If you get an upset stomach while traveling, burnt toast may ease the discomfort. The char from the toast helps absorb the toxins from whatever it is that is ailing you. Fennel is another great option. It doesn’t matter if you eat it raw, drink it in tea or simply munch on a few fennel seeds, it will help settle your upset stomach.
Insomnia
Jet lag and insomnia effect a lot of travelers. A simple cure for this is yoga. Just 15 minutes of doing a few yoga poses will help induce sleep. Easy exercises that you can do in your hotel room include neck and shoulder rolls and stretches. If you aren’t in the mood to do yoga, try eating cherries or drinking cherry juice. This tasty fruit is high in a hormone called melatonin that helps induce slumber.
Colds
Many times when I travel I get sick and I am always looking for a quick and easy way to get rid of a cold. One cure I have found is to put on a pair of wet socks. It may sound strange, but research has shown that it works because it boosts the immune system. Onions are another way to cure a cold. They have a natural antimicrobial in then when eaten raw.
Motion Sickness
Everything from small boats to amusement park rides can cause motion sickness. If you are prone to this, try eating or drinking anything that contains ginger. Readily available options include ginger ale or ginger snaps. Smelling lemon is another easy cure. If you know that you will be participating in an activity where you might get motion sick, place a few lemon wedges in a plastic bag beforehand. Once you start to feel sick, simply open the bag and sniff the lemons for a few seconds. For many people the feeling of motion sickness goes away almost instantly.
