6 Herbal Allies for Travel
Into the Wild… but first let me pack my allies
I’m back from my 2023 (6th year) Into the Wild journey. As I shared on IG this is an annual Pilgrimage I take. It’s evolved over the years but it’s always with the intention to immerse myself into Nature. In nature I find resolution, rejuvenation and I remember what it means to listen… to deepen my connections within so that I can come home and share with others the enrichment I discover every summer.
Last week on Instagram I shared 6 easy ways to bring natural remedies to harmonize your next trip. I wanted to create a landing page here of these main herbal allies I travel with. I'll also expand upon My WHY these herbs are important enough to make the extra room for in my travel trailer.
Take a moment to PIN THIS for your next wild adventure…
Here. We. Go...!
Echinacea**
Echinacea purpurea + angustifolia
WHY: Immune Boosting
There are two main medicinal Echinacea products you’ll find on the market. Listed is their latin names above, which you’ll find if you start reading ingredient labels. Both are wonderful, I’m personally an advocate for the benefits on angustifolia, but many mainstream products tout the
readily available purpurea. I’ll share more on the pros of each of these another day.
Echinacea Tincture
I love this Herb Pharm brand because it actually includes BOTH the angustifolia + purpurea which is why it gets the label as their Super Echinacea. You can find a standard Echinacea tincture from this label as well. I love this product as a daily immune booster when I travel. If I’ve been in and around sickness I may increase my intake for a few days.
Super Lysine
A potent immune boosting tablet featuring Lysine. I found this on a summer road trip up the PCH and snagged it as a way to stave off cold sores. Lysine is an incredible amino acid that helps prevent or repair cells when a virus attacks (ie cold sores). We are always more susceptible to virus when our body has been taxed. Stress comes in many forms especially when traveling. Even though we’re having an incredible time our bodies may be working over time to adapt to new foods, mental stress of navigating the unknown, physical stress, emotional stress, and even environmental stress such as too much sun. Much like Echinacea tincture I take this as a minimal dosage to help my body keep up but I boost up the dosage if my body is feeling taxed or vulnerable.
Stress comes in many forms especially when traveling. Even though we’re having an incredible time our bodies may be working over time to adapt to new foods, mental stress of navigating the unknown, physical stress, emotional stress, and even environmental stress such as too much sun.
Arnica**
Arnica Montana
WHY: Pain + Inflammation
Arnica Homeopathic
Homeopathics are a great way to use a small dosage of a plant to integrate its healing parts to where you need them most. Arnica is an incredible tool for stiffness, swelling, bruising, inflammation and generally pain. There is much to share about HOW Homeopathics (much like Flower Essences below) work, but for now lets just say assume the intelligence of these plants have a way of supporting us. Homeopathic pellets are a light way travel companion. Simply place the recommended dose under your tongue and let these lil guys dissolve as they work their magic on your body.
Arnica Gel
Arnica is a fantastic topical agent. For first aid situations its potent to take Arnica internally with Homeopathics as well as a topic agent. Arnica is not meant for open skin; wounds or blisters. But it is incredible to support those deeper layers of muscle aches, bruises or swelling. Just place a generous amount in your palm, much like you’d think to use a product such as ICY Hot, however this natural alternative will be free of those linger manufactured scents.
Arnica Salve
This is a lovely product I made last summer from herbs we wild crafted, but you can find many Arnica Salve blends on the market. When looking to produce or source a healing Salve always ensure it’s been produced with high quality ingredients. Small batch should be properly labeled with ingredients and I highly recommend finding products that include the latin names of the plants so you truly know (like Echinacea) exactly the plant matter your working with. I’ll share more on
Triphala **
WHY: Digestion Regulation
Triphala Capsules
In Sanskrit Triphala is tri- three + phala- fruit. In this herbal remedy the ancient science of Ayurveda combines 3 fruits that promote healthy digestion. The basis of all Ayurvedic overview always begins with how well you are or ARE NOT digesting. It’s the belief of this science that our health and well being comes from the management of intake/absorption and elimination. If these two scenarios aren’t in harmony we often result in under or overactive digestive track. Triphala is a great option to take at night to help all your morning movements.
Guardian Flower Essence**
from Alaskan Essence
WHY: Empathy Protection
I just might a whole book on the power of Flower Essences, but for now I’m just sharing that ‘Guardian’ by Alaskan Essence is my super power. Guardian is a special blended elixir that is known to support empaths in the way that they show up in the world.
This blend is a must for travel to new environments with new people. A couple of drops in my water helps me maintain my sense of self and not be so easily diverted to carry the burdens of others emotions. Flower Essences like Homeopathic work to increase the efficiency of the body through vibration.
**We currently have this in stock at the Venture Well Apothecary. Send us a note jessy@venturewell.life to purchase and pickup (online ordering coming soon)
A couple of drops in my water helps me maintain my sense of self and not be so easily diverted to carry the burdens of others emotions.
Oat Seed**
Avena sativa
WHY: Take the edge off
Oat seed is a powerful Nervine, which supports the nervous system and helps us take the edge off of life or a moment. On Instagram I described the moment I first tried Oat Seed. I was in the middle of a full time semester of Herbal School, running a business 50 hours a week and just trying to do my best as a human. I sat down on the couch watching class, took a dropper of Oat Seed and suddenly all that was difficult seemed to melt away or as I call it “the edge just melted”. Road trips: flat tires, arguing about a route, caught in a rainstorm… take a dropper of oat seed and it’ll feel like your just watching the most perfect sunset!
Rose Facial Serum**
from Mountain Rose Herbs
WHY: Self Care Ritual
Rose, Rose, Rose… this is my “I may be a sweaty, dirty hippie, but I still need a little something sweet to get me through my day”. I love this herbal based facial serum from Mountain Rose Herb. It’s part of my daily regimen at home or in the Wild. Take it up a notch by packing your gua sha stone for a little TLC when you just need a nourishing moment.
I'm Jessy Raspiller, Venture Well Founder + Somatic Herbalist. I've had a passion for optimizing my own health + wellness for the past two decades. I'm excited to rouse others curiosities through the practices, rituals and allies that I've turned to time and time again.
**Please use caution when introducing new herbs. Never blindly take herbal remedies without learning more about their constitutions and contraindications. It’s important to consult with your medical professionals to ensure that herbal allys you’re curious about will best support your overall well-being.
