Travelling is mostly joyful, but can unknowingly add stress to our body. Our immune system takes a little hit whenever we travel, as we’re exposed to various stressors and health risks. For example, travelling in a plane, confined within a small area, with poor air quality, or a disrupted routine due to unfamiliarity and time differences.
I’d like to be ready for the little incidences that may occur as a result of this, and to keep us on routine as much as possible on our daily supplements. We are a family of 4 with a pair of 9 year old boys, and here’s a guide on the 10 items that go into our “first aid kit” as we pack for our family travels!
01. Silver Hydrosol
This is my household staple, and I definitely cannot travel without this. This is nature’s antibiotics, antiviral, antifungal, all-in-one. Silver is a natural element that can be found in whole grains, edible and medicinal mushrooms, mammalian milk, spring water, sea water and tap water. It is natural, gentle and safe even for little ones, yet highly effective. While it is antimicrobial, it does not cancel out the good microbes in our body, unlike conventional antibiotics which disrupts our gut’s microbiome.
We use it topically + internally, on styes, eye infections, cuts, scrapes, toothaches, ulcers, for signs of flu and cold like nasal congestion, and sorethroat.
We use only Sovereign Silver for 3 key reasons:
- >98% of its silver ions and silver nanoclusters are positively charged. This is important because if silver is not positively charged, it is not bio-active. Most other brands contain as little as 10% positively charged silver.
- Its particle size is as small as 0.8 nanometers. The smaller the particle size, the more bio-active the silver and the easier it is for the body to absorb and eliminate.
- Sovereign Silver has only two ingredients: 99.999% pure silver and pharmaceutical-grade purified water.
All in all, it is highly absorbable, safe, and does not require a high ppm (parts per million) to be effective.
There are two versions of Silver Hydrosol from Sovereign Silver:
BIO-ACTIVE SILVER HYDROSOL 10PPM, SOVEREIGN SILVER
I have used this for years in place of antibiotics and antivirals. When taken at first signs of infection, it works quickly. Otherwise, just as we would take a course of antibiotics, taking it for a couple of days in a row resolves the issue. You can find this in gel form for topical use as well.
Available on iHerb.
ARGENTYN 23, PROFESSIONAL BIO-ACTIVE SILVER HYDROSOL 23PPM, SOVEREIGN SILVER
This is a professional version with a higher ppm. I have used this in the past year and have seen how highly effective the result is. At any first sign of infection, one dose is all that’s needed to stop the infection in its tracks.
Available on iHerb.
Bio-Active Silver Hydrosol has a travel kit that comes with nasal spray, and mist spray. Useful for a short trip, or even to just trial the product.
While colloidal silver from Sovereign Silver does not disrupt our gut microbiome, I would still encourage taking probiotics during signs of bodily stress, or better still, incorporate it in your daily routine. Our health begins in our gut. When we’re ill or in a stressful situation, taking probiotics will lend the much needed support our body require for stronger immunity.
“Our technology makes the smallest particles ever seen with almost perfect dispersion… and an absolutely safe concentration that outperforms much higher ppm products.”
Stephen L. Quinto, Founder of Sovereign Silver
02. Lysozyme
Leftose is a brand name for lysozyme hydrochloride, a natural enzyme found in abundance in the blood and liver, in secretions including tears, urine, saliva, and milk. It has the ability to drive the production of white blood cells to fight infections, while also reducing inflammation.
Leftose is derived from the whites of chicken egg, hence is non-vegan (and should be avoided by those with egg allergy). It is by far the most effective in addressing throat inflammation in my experience. If you take it at first sign of discomfort, 1-2 dosages would be all you need.
Leftose come in both tablet and liquid forms, easily attainable from major pharmacies in Singapore, as well as Shopee and Lazada. The tablets are small and my children could swallow them with no problem. It is an essential at home, and while travelling.
03. NAC
You would have heard of or maybe at some point been prescribed Fluimucil by your GP. This was one of the very common remedies during the COVID period. Fluimucil is a brand name for NAC (also called Acetylcysteine, N-acetyl cysteine, or N-acetyl-L-cysteine), except that Fluimucil also includes ingredients that our body doesn’t need, which I will address in a short while.
NAC is an important ingredient in helping our body manufacture Glutathione, one of our body’s key antioxidants. Apart from that, NAC also has the ability to relieve respiratory symptoms. It can effectively thin mucus that causes cough, nasal congestions, lungs inflammation, in cases of allergies or infections.
There may also be times during our travel when we may overindulge in foods that produce mucus, such as foods that are spicy, sweet, fried, or cold. NAC would come in super handy during such times to thin out mucus, minimizing throat discomfort and/or cough.
I keep NAC as a staple at home, and follows me during my travels. While NAC is most easily found as Fluimucil in Singapore, I avoid it if I can as it contains flavouring and sugar. I prefer to take them without. If you have a week or two before your travel, iHerb is where you can get NAC in its pure form. Here are some suggestions:
N-ACETYL-L-CYSTEINE (NAC), NOW
Now Foods’ NAC is available in capsules and powder form. The powder form is suitable for kids and those of us who do not like swallowing pills or tablets. Taste-wise, they’re all sulfur-like. That’s one of the characteristics of NAC. But the kids gulp it down, one quick shot, with no problem when mixed with a little honey.
Available on iHerb.
N-ACETYL-L-CYSTEINE (NAC), LIFE EXTENSION
Life Extension is one of the reputable supplement brands out there. We’ve used this for a long time before alternating between this, and Now, depending on availability and price. Easy to consume and highly effective.
Available on iHerb.
04. Liver Support
In general, most of our liver require additional support. If your lifestyle includes any of the following: sleeping past 11am, eating foods that lean towards acidity, using plasticwares (which is very common with takeaway food), taking medications, exposed to toxins of any kind, or if we’re often under stress — offering your liver extra love is essential. Our liver is a detox organ, it helps our body eliminate what’s not needed, from toxins to excessive hormones. When overwhelmed, its function may be impaired.
With travels — stress, fatigue, a disrupted routine that affects the body’s circadian rhythm, eating foods rich in fats, sugar, and alcohol, dehydration, as well as exposure to various toxins and pollutants — these can add additional burden to our liver.
A good liver supplement will help provide the support and protect against liver damage during such times. Here are 2 that I use frequently:
EVERYDAY DETOX TEA (DANDELION), TRADITIONAL MEDICINALS
The main ingredient in this tea is dandelion which is known to reduce stress on our liver, and support its ability to produce bile. It also contains other liver supporting ingredients, including licorice, peppermint and fennel. Have 2 bags each time. I typically refill with hot water, steep and drink until it becomes flavour-less. 🙂
LIVER HEALTH COMPLEX, GREENLIFE
GreenLife’s main ingredient is milk thistle which supports liver health and protects against liver damage. The Liver Health Complex also contains dandelion, along with other liver supporting ingredients such as turmeric, schisandra, and artichoke. I take 2 pills each time at the start of travel to minimize the impact of travel on my body.
Available at major pharmacies in Singapore, Shopee or Lazada.
If you are on medication, blood thinner or have impaired kidney or liver function, do seek your doctor’s advice prior to taking these supplements.
05. Activated Charcoal
Activated charcoal is helpful for times when we accidentally ingest contaminated food / beverages. It helps absorb toxins in our body, and relieves diarrhea. To relieve food poisoning, it is important to also take probiotics to strengthen our gut, a couple of hours apart from activated charcoal.
MEDICINAL CHARCOAL, ULTRACARBON
This is a brand that’s most commonly found in Singapore. Ultracarbon can be used in cases of diarrhoea, food poisoning and flatulence.
Available at major pharmacies in Singapore, Shopee and Lazada.
ACTIVATED COCONUT CHARCOAL, LIFETIME VITAMINS (LIQUID)
I have not personally tried this but it has great reviews on iHerb. This could be useful for those of us who prefer liquid to tablets. It is also easier to adminster to little ones who can’t yet swallow tablets.
Available on iHerb.
06. First-Aid Balm
A first-aid balm is necessary to bring along to soothe skin issues such as insect bites, rash, dry skin, abrasions, scrapes and bruises. Here are 2 that we use:
The active ingredient in Papaw is fermented papaya, which contains antimicrobial properties. We keep this first-aid balm with us at all times to address any skin-related issues for both children and adults. It also works for chapped lips.
There are other papaw ointments in the market. Do check their ingredients list, because not all are created the same!
You can get Lucas Papaw at major pharmacies in Singapore, Shopee or Lazada.
ORGANIC DIAPER BALM, EARTH MAMA
It may be called a Diaper Balm but this magical balm resolves way more than diaper-related issues. It functions as magically as papaw and has cleaner ingredients. It had been our companion since the boys were born, resolving all kinds of skin issues (and it smells very good too!). It is a must-have for every family with babies and little kids.
The only thing to be cautious about the Diaper Balm is that it goes bad pretty quickly as it’s made of all natural ingredients, and well, Singapore climate. Keeping them within 6 months at room temperature after opening is ok. Any longer, it begins to oxidize. When the kids were under 4, we open a new jar every 4-5 months because that’s how very helpful this magical balm is!
Available at Shopee and Pupsik Studio.
07. Throat Spray
Throat spray is a must everywhere I go, and definitely would not travel without it. We use them as a first line of defense whenever our throats feel off, for instant relief, and as a throat coat. Here are 3 highly effective ones that we use:
SUPER KIDS THROAT SPRAY, HERBS FOR KIDS
This kid’s throat spray is very soothing for the throat, and is especially helpful for dry throat and cough. It contains echinacea which boosts immune function, relieves pain, reduces inflammation, and have hormonal, antiviral, and antioxidant effects. It also gives off a cooling sensation due to its peppermint oil content. My kids love this throat spray.
Available at iHerb.
IMMUNE CHARGE+ ZINC THROAT SPRAY, QUICKSILVER SCIENTIFIC
This is my favourite throat spray. A zinc-powered throat spray that’s also bound to quercetin and luteolin. These 3 together helps boost intracellular immunity. The spray also contains propolis that acts as a throat coat.
Being a liposomal formula, the spray is highly bioavailable, quick to absorb by our body.
I highly recommend this for travel but for a small bottle, comes at quite a hefty price tag. It’s a lot more affordable to buy them in a box of 12 from the US website, and have someone bring them back for you. Otherwise, locally, they can be purchased via Root of Life or Medi Therapie.
SOOTHING THROAT SPRAY, HERB PHARM (for adults only)
Made with organic ingredients, the actives in this spray are propolis and echinacea which soothes dry and scratchy throat effectively. The herbs are extracted with Regenerative Organic Certified® cane alcohol hence is not suitable for children.
This throat spray also contains other ingredients that calm inflammation–sage which is anti-inflammatory, hyssop relieves chest congestion, cough, as well as soothes throat, St John’s Wort moisturises mucous membrane.
I love Herb Pharm as a company, they produce highly effective tinctures, made mainly with plants grown organically in their own farm.
Available via iHerb.
08. Digestive Enzymes
Food exploration is a big part of travel. Some of us with a delicate digestive system often have to take precautions which sometimes prohibit us from immersing ourselves in a culture fully. While I do not encourage eating food that our body do not agree with or eating a huge meal at one go, because that adds burden to the detox organs and triggers inflammation, I’d still rather be equipped with what is needed to deal with the “inevitable” moment of weaknesses!
Digestive enzymes help us digest problematic food, and a huge meal, so we can minimise the occurence of digestive issues, such as stomachaches, diarrhea, gas, which can be disruptive to our travels.
Our body produces its own enzymes, but there are instances, such as the natural aging process or digestive disorders that may interrupt that process. If you often experience indigestion, digestive enzymes is recommended. Start with a small dosage, and then move up from there if needed.
This enzyme formula is vegan, and is helpful for digesting fats, protein, carbohydrates and fiber. It also contains lactase to help with the digestion of dairy. Digest Basic has the lowest enzyme concentration of the range. For higher potency, there is Enzymedica’s Digest™ or Digest Gold™.
ADVANCED DIGESTIVE ENZYMES, THORNE
This formula is helpful for digesting fats, protein and carbohydrates, and is especially great for those who’s had their gallbladder removed. It contains ox bile, that is essential in replacing the function of a gallbladder, releasing bile during the digestion of fats.
There’s also Betaine HCL (hydrochloric acid) in this formula for those with low stomach acid. HCL is essential in digesting protein. Experiencing discomfort almost immediately when food hits the stomach or soon after eating a meal may indicate the lack of HCL.
This formula is to be taken with food, not on empty stomach. Also not to be taken with NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, Tylenol, or aspirin.
Available on iHerb.
“Enzymes are the key to life. Without them, our bodies would not function.”
Dr. Hiroma Shinya, Author of “The Enzyme Factor”
09. Essential Oils
Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts that have strong therapeutic properties. Here are 3 that I carry along, and the reasons for them:
PEPPERMINT PURE ESSENTIAL OIL, YOUNG LIVING
This is effective in addressing high fever, bringing body temperature down to a more comfortable level, applied at the sole of the feet. Fever is a useful immune response, but when it gets too high, it gets uncomfortable. I use this in replacement of paracetamol.
Peppermint oil is also very helpful in resolving digestive issues like bloating, or trapped gas which can cause a lot of pain in little kids. Trapped gas typically accompanies constipation.
Breathing in peppermint oil is also helpful in relieving nasal congestion. Applying onto tired achy muscles, or after exposure to hot air is relieving. It is also a great headache reliever! The benefits of peppermint oil is really quite aplenty. I would highly recommend peppermint oil if you’re travelling to a hot climate, as peppermint oil has cooling properties.
DIGIZE ESSENTIAL OIL BLEND, YOUNG LIVING
Digize is a blend of oil and as you would have guessed from its name, helps with any digestive issues. When applied on the tummy, diluted, it gives a nice and warm sensation.
Digize is also very helpful in relieving chest congestion that causes cough. Or, rubbing on skin after exposure to cold air. Digize is a blend of Tarragon, Ginger, Peppermint, Juniper, Lemongrass, Anise, and Patchouli. I highly recommend it if you’re travelling to a colder climate especially, but I bring this all the time with me because of its ability to relieve tummy discomfort efficiently.
LAVENDER PURE ESSENTIAL OIL, YOUNG LIVING
An alternative to the first-aid balm for addressing itch, calms and soothes skin. Lavender oil has anti-inflammatory properties. I apply this neat on myself for itch and they typically resolve quickly. For kids, dilute first. It is also very useful to help kids sleep better as it promotes relaxation. Use it as a massage oil, diluted, diffuse or a few drops on the sheets near them.
There are many good brands of pure essential oils out there, I personally use Young Living. The most important point to note is that these are concentrates, hence they are potent. So it is important for us to purchase essential oils from the cleanest source possible. Also, when using on kids, remember to dilute them! I use Organic Sweet Almond Oil as a carrier oil for dilution.
10. ETL No. 9 / Agape Nature
ETL No. 9 and Agape Nature Love Rescue 001 are both certified organic multi-purpose cleaner, that are made of all natural, plant-based ingredients. We use them interchangeably as they are pretty similar. We use these for washing fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, legumes, and even new clothings because it is anti-microbial, cleans and sanitizes, and removes wax and pesticides effectively. While travelling, we bring along a small bottle so we can safely consume fresh local produce! Here’s a video to show how Agape Nature’s Love Rescue 001 removes unwanted residue from a broccoli.
- Removes wax and claims to remove up to 100% pesticide residues on the surface of fresh produce.
- Able to cut through grease and deodorises
- Cleans and sanitises, great for baby products
- Contains antimicrobial properties: eliminates >99.9% of germs and bacteria (e.coli, candida albicans, pseudomonas aeruginosa and staphylococcus aureus)
- Eliminates 99.99% enveloped virus in 1 minute
- Multipurpose: handwashing, dishwashing, cleaning exercise mats, bathroom and kitchen.
Get it from Shopee, Lazada, or directly from the brand website!
Final Words
As with most mothers / caretakers, I can get pretty anxious when travelling with kids. Being prepared with these in my travel first-aid kit allow me to travel with ease knowing that I’d have what I need to address most of the common issues that may occur during travels. Besides these first-aid items, I too bring along our daily supplements:
- Vitamineral Green
- Sodium Ascorbate (Vitamin C)
- Zinc
- Magnesium
- Probiotics (we use Seed – use this link to get 30% off your first month)
I have curated the list of supplements I use on iHerb, and you can access them here for Adult Supplements and Kids Supplements.
Lastly, we wish you nothing but the happiest of travels!
