The SOiL essential guide to avoiding and aiding jet lag
We all love tapping the confirm booking button and that feeling of having time off work and getting away from it all for some rest and relaxation. On the days leading up to travelling - the rush and buzz of getting ready can be stressful. In this post we will be looking at how to aid jet lag so that the moment you step on to the flight you have a calm and soothed feeling that keeps jet lag at bay and you feeling tip top and ready to play!
Using essential oils generally can assist with symptoms of jet lag and making your trip more pleasurable. Each of the suggestions below can work on their own or blended with a SOiL Carrier Oil and used topically (with a carrier oil) added to pulse points, in a difusser or see our top tips below for further suggestions.
Make sure to stay hydrated during your flight. Adding a slice or two of freshly cut lemon to your drinking water pre and post flight will help boost the immune system. Lemon essential oil is rich in nutrients like vitamin C, potassium, magnesium and citric acid that aids our body’s immune system and immobilise free radicals that are the cause of many ailments. It is not recommended that you take essential oils internally so freshly cut lemon slices in your drinking water is the next best thing.
Let’s look at some of the SOiL organic essential oils that will aid jet lag.
Frankincense - Frankincense comes from the gum resin of a small tree with abundant pinnate leaves and white or pale pink flowers. This oil has been used since antiquity. Frankincense is particularly good for use in treatment of anxiety, nervous tension and stressful situations. Frankincense has a warm rich sweet aroma that calms and comforts your body and mind.
Lavender - Lavender comes from an evergreen woody shrub with beautiful violet blue flowers. It is regarded as the most versatile essence on the market. Lavender is known for its comforting and calming properties and helps aid a restful sleep.
Lemon - Lemon comes from the fruit of small evergreen trees with very fragrant flowers. The juice and peel are widely used in the kitchen. The essential oil is extracted from the peel of the lemon and has a refreshing citrus aroma providing uplifting, antiseptic and antibacterial properties.
Peppermint - Peppermint comes from a perennial herb that is easy to grow. Mint has been cultivated since ancient times in China and Japan and has been found in tombs dating back to 1000BC in Egypt. It’s no wonder that this herb has its place in and around the home. Peppermint is great to aid mental fatigue, indigestion, nausea, headaches and cramps. It is a must have essential oil to travel with.
Rose Geranium - Rose geranium is a perennial hairy shrub with serrated pointed leaves and small pink flowers. The entire plant is aromatic with a rosy-sweet minty scent. Rose geranium helps with bruising, broken capillaries and to aid circulation and problems relating to PMS.
Bergamot - Bergamot comes from a small tree with smooth oval leaves, bearing small round fruit that ripens from green to yellow, much like a mini orange in appearance. Famously used in Earl Grey tea, this refreshing and uplifting fragrance can aid anxiety, stress related conditions and colds, fever and flu symptoms.
Grapefruit - Grapefruit comes from a cultivated tree with glossy leaves and large yellow fruits. The fruit is high in Vitamin C and gives valuable protection against infectious illnesses. Naturally antiseptic and an uplifting stimulant it aids headaches and nervous exhaustion, depression and stress. In short it gives you a zest for life after a long flight.
We have listed a few recipes and some of our top tips to have a successful flight on your travels.
In Flight Relaxer
Frankincense is one of our favourite oils for jet lag. It reduces stress, boosts the immune system, eases digestion, calms nerves and acts as a sleep aid. It also is an astringent that can kill bacteria and germs, when mixed with lavender essential oil it soothes headaches, aids sleep, promotes relaxation and calms the body and mind. If you feel a little anxious when flying then this is a must have inflight relaxer.
Add 5 drops of SOiL organic frankincense essential oil and 5 drops of lavender essential oil to 20ml of any of the SOiL organic carrier oils. This can be dabbed onto your skin during the flight. We suggest applying behind your ears, temples and pulse points for a calming and relaxing journey.
SOiL Tip: you can also add these oils onto your travel pillow directly to inhale during the flight lavender can also be used to sprinkle a few drops on your hotel pillow to promote relaxation and encourage sleep.
In Flight Up lifter
SOiL organic lemon essential oil is uplifting and provides immunity support so why not sprinkle a few drops on your travel pillow to boost your immune system. Alternatively add 2 drops of lemon essential oil and 4 drops of rose geranium essential oil to a 30ml spray bottle filled with water and use as a refreshing and uplifting spritz (remember oil and water do not mix, so shake well before spraying). You can also add SOiL Rose Geranium essential oil to an unscented body lotion and massage into tired muscles and sore legs, or with a carrier oil for a massage on arrival.
Pick Me Up on Landing
Because SOiL Peppermint essential oil increases alertness, reduces stress, eases nausea, relieves headaches, boosts energy and relieves muscle pain it makes the best pick-me-up aid on landing and when jet lag sluggishness occurs at inappropriate times we suggest applying a few drops onto a tissue to inhale.
SOiL Tip: add a drop of SOiL peppermint essential oil inside each shoe for a fresh and reviving step (or use in a foot soak on arrival) You will be walking on air in no time.
All SOiL organic essential oils can be mixed with a SOiL carrier oil and added to your bath on arrival to either stimulate or calm your body and mind. They can also be used in a diffuser or burner to bring your aroma into the room.
No matter where your travels take you, wellness and health is the key. Packing your in-flight wellness kit with your favourite organic essential oils will help improve your in-flight experience. Have a safe and lovely holiday and make some amazing memories! We hope SOiL have helped with some tips on how to avoid jetlag along the way. We welcome you to like, love and share your must have SOiL essential oil stories, recipes and love of all things essential oil in and around the home.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Please note that All SOiL essential oils are intended for external use only. Unless otherwise advised by a medical practitioner. Do not use undiluted on skin. Do not apply to broken or irritated skin. If sensitivity occurs discontinue use. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking any medications or under medical supervision seek professional advice before use. Please keep out of reach of children.
SOiL advocates the responsible use of essential oils. We grow and source the finest quality essential oils from around the world to supply you with pure, potent plant extracts for aromatic and therapeutic applications. Essential oils are many times stronger than the plants they are derived from and are far more concentrated than the herbal tincture extracted from the same plant.
Accordingly, we recommend that you avoid oral use/ingesting pure essential oils without seeking professional advice beforehand. The issue is not the quality of the essential oils you take orally – there is no such thing as a ‘therapeutic grade’ of essential oil nor is one brand of essential oils safe to ingest over another brand. The issue is safety and even though essential oils are 100% natural, plant-derived extracts, they are botanical medicines which have the potential to cause harmful side effects when taken orally. Essential oils should only be prescribed for oral use in a clinical setting, by a suitably qualified practitioner.
There are many methods of obtaining the aromatic and therapeutic benefits of essential oils, namely; inhalation, massage, skincare preparations, bath and compress. If you require individual advice on oral use/ingestion or in relation to a specific medical condition, we recommend you consult a qualified practitioner, as described above.