5 Stay-Well Travel Tips

Avoid getting sick by following a few “pre-travel” steps and using herbal tonics customized to your blood type

- Emily A. Kane, ND, LAc

Q : I often seem to get sick during travel. Bad timing! What can I do?

—Lorenzo J., San Antonio

It's no fun getting sick when you’re on vacation, or even when you’re away on business. But it happens a lot, simply because you’re exposed to far more germs than normal when you travel—especially if you fly. Luckily, there are five simple steps you can take to bolster your immune system.

STEP 1: Do These 2 Things Before You Leave

First, do your best to get enough (even extra) sleep in the week to 10 days before traveling. And take as much vitamin C as possible without getting loose stools. Start with 500 mg at bed-time and add a little more each evening to max capacity. I prefer a buffered powdered form mixed in water, which is gentler on the stomach.

STEP 2: Take Herbs for Your Blood Type

* Type A: Good old echinacea and goldenseal work great for type A blood.

Type B: If this is your type, you will be greatly helped by elderberry extract (1 tsp. 3–4 times daily during flu season), as well as by chamomile tea (stress-relieving) and fermented foods.