Don’t Travel Without These 5 Essential Oils

Summertime is one of the busiest travel seasons of the year. Some days are apparently more in-demand than others. According to the U.S. Travel Association, Fridays in June, July, and August are the most popular day and months for traveling all year. No matter when you plan to travel, essential oils need not be left at home. If you plan to travel during the busiest travel season of the year, you may need your oily friends along to help calm your nerves and get you in the right mood for fun and relaxation.

If you are anything like me, you probably already keep some of your favorite essential oils in your handbag and take them everywhere you go. Not that obsessive about your oils? We will have a chat about that epic failure later. For now, I want to address all the reasons why you should never leave home without them and my top 5 essential oils for travel.

Adding essential oils to your packing checklist

Underwear? Check! Favorite swimsuit? Check! Plenty of sunscreen to protect against sunburn? Check! I always make a checklist when I am packing for a big trip to ensure I do not miss anything important. When you pack for yourself and other members of your family, checklists are the best way to keep from losing your mind during the hectic days before leaving for your trip.

Essential oils should be one of the most important items on your packing list next to clean undies and a swimsuit that does not ride up your backside (unless, of course, that is the look you are going for). Why, exactly, do you need them? Well, why do you need them any other time? They are part of healthy living! Just because you are on the road and away from home does not mean you cannot take your oily lifestyle along for the ride. Bringing essential oils with you can help improve your travel experience.  

Can you take essential oils on the plane?

Yes, absolutely! There is nothing in the TSA Guidelines for liquids that say you cannot take your favorite oily friends in your carry-on bag or packed securely in your checked baggage. TSA guidelines allow up to 15ml of liquids in your carry-on bag. They must be secured in a 1-quart plastic bag. If each of your essential oil bottles is under 5ml, you are good to go. I have discovered you can assume safe passage through airport security with the following combinations of essential oils:

• Five 15ml bottles
• Six 15 ml bottles
• Eighteen 5 ml bottles

Carrying them with you is your best bet for preventing accidental breakages that can occur when your checked luggage gets tossed about throughout your travels. Make sure the caps on all bottles are screwed on tight to avoid leakage. While it would smell wonderful, it would make quite a mess in your bag.

Best essential oils for travel

Now that we know why and how you can safely bring essential oils along on your trip, I want to switch focus to which essential oils you must bring. It can be difficult to choose, but the sad reality is, you cannot take all your essential oil products with you. I know, I know. It stinks that you must decide which ones stay and which ones go. Life is unfair, my friends. Since we must make those hard choices, here are some of my top 5 picks for must-have essential oils for the road.

1. Peppermint Essential Oil
   It is a no-brainer why you would want to include this multi-purpose essential oil in your carry-on bag when you travel. From nausea and digestion issues to pain relief and tension taming, peppermint does it all. After a long day of traveling (especially if that travel involved any time on an airplane), peppermint can soothe the crankies and help the entire family relax before settling in at your vacation destination. You can roll it directly onto your skin or diffuse it to share the oily goodness with others.
2. Lemon Vitality Essential Oil
   Detoxing is important when you spend time on an airplane or in any public accommodation. Diffusing it in your hotel or other lodging is an effective way to purify and cleanse the air and rid it of any lingering odors from previous guests. Make sure you pack an inexpensive diffuser to bring along for this purpose. I say inexpensive because things tend to get lost while traveling, and I would hate to see you lose your favorite diffuser. You also can add 1-2 drops in your water glass for a quick detox.
3. Tea Tree Essential Oil
   Talk about versatility! Tee tree oil is one of my favorites for inclusion on any trip because it can be used for so many things. If your travel includes any time hiking or relaxing outdoors, it is great for soothing itchy bug bites. Its antifungal properties can help ease common skin irritations. Did I also mention it is antimicrobial?
4. Cedarwood Essential Oil
   Sleeping in a strange bed (or sleeping bag) can be unsettling and sometimes makes for a restless night. Massaging some cedarwood essential oil onto the bottom of your feet offers a calming effect. If you or your littles are having difficulty relaxing in a strange place, give it a try.
5. Deep Relief Roll-On
   Last (but certainly not least) is this handy blend of nine penetrating essential oils, including Dorado Azul and Wintergreen. If you will be doing a lot of touring on your tootsies while traveling, your aching muscles will thank you for bringing this along.

A final word on traveling with essential oils

Traveling – especially with little ones – is challenging. The last thing I want to do is make packing more stressful. Trust me when I say that you will never regret taking a few minutes to include these essential oils in your necessities bag. Still need some help with all things oily? Consider becoming an On Call Essentials member for exclusive benefits.