Fight Motion Sickness: Boat, plane or car travel can leave many feeling nauseated. To help feel better naturally, Laboranti suggests adults take between 0.5 - 2 grams of ginger 30 minutes before travel departure for smooth sailing, flying or driving.

Avoid Counting Sheep: For a good night’s sleep, valerian root or melatonin, a natural hormone, may help promote pleasant dreams for even the most restless traveler. Laboranti cautions against driving or operating heavy equipment when taking valerian root and cautions pregnant mothers, people with severe allergies or certain autoimmune or cancerous diseases against taking melatonin. She recommends adults take 200 mg of valerian root in standardized extract form or 1000 mg of it in whole herb form 30 minutes to an hour before bed. For melatonin, Laboranti recommends 2.5-3 mg a day, at least 30 minutes to 1 hour before bedtime.

Pump Up Your Immune System: The re-circulated air of planes, trains and automobiles can be stale and unhealthful. To pass through these environments unscathed, Laboranti suggests taking between 250-500 mg of vitamin C daily. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that may keep you healthy by neutralizing free radicals and supporting the immune system.

Bring Health With You: Echinacea has been used for centuries and studies show that Echinacea may help support a healthy immune system. Laboranti recommends a daily dosage of 250 mg for the standardized extract form or 1400 mg in whole herb form, but for no longer than eight weeks at a time. Also, if you have allergies, (e.g., if you are allergic to ragweed or related plants), Laboranti strongly advises checking with your physician before taking Echinacea.

Arm Yourself For New Environments: The new sights we encounter on our travels are exciting, but the new climates sometimes make a trip go sour. Clinical studies show that daily amounts of vitamin A may boost the body’s immune function. Laboranti recommends adults take 3,000 I.U.’s of vitamin A each day, in addition to a healthy diet and other antioxidants such as vitamin E and vitamin C. Note: The new DRI (Dietary Reference Intake) for Vitamin A is 2,300 I.U. for women and 3,000 I.U. for men. This number represents the minimum daily recommendation, with an upper limit of 10,000 I.U.

Say Goodbye to Sour Stomach: One way to spoil an otherwise great vacation is to suffer the wrath of unfamiliar foods on the stomach. To enjoy the local fare without worrying about the body’s response, take Acidophilus before, during and after your travels and keep things as regular as the day you left. Laboranti recommends taking 500 million live cells twice a day.

Energize to Maximize Your Travels: For an active traveler who is on the go from dawn until dusk, Ginseng may help maintain physical stamina. Alos, ginseng is an adaptogen, which helps the body adjust to physical and mental stress. Laboranti suggests adults take 250 mg in standardized extract form or 1,000 mg in whole herb form daily. However, she strongly advises people with abnormal blood pressure, taking anti-depressants, or taking insulin or diabetic medication, to speak with a health care practitioner before using this product. I ti s always best to check with your doctor or health care provider before taking herbs or other dietary supplements along with prescription medications.

Make A Pit Stop at the Doctor’s Office: There may be certain vaccinations or other preparations required before traveling abroad. Play it safe and make sure to check with your physician before departing. Some doctors and/or clinics specialize in travel medicine. Take advantage of these services to better ensure a safe and healthy trip.