Using Essential Oils to Make Car Travel Easier

It is that time of the year when traveling is gearing up for many families with kids being out of school. The ocean waters have warmed up, the trees along hiking paths have grown leaves for shade, and distance relatives know you no longer have an excuse to not visit. (We are about to go see some of ours finally!)

I have something to admit regarding all this. I am not a good traveler. Ask my friends. Ask my family. Ask my husband.

This probably stems from my childhood and my problem with getting carsick. Like seriously carsick.

We had a Subaru station wagon during my childhood. With me being the youngest of three kids, I sat in the back middle. That was advantageous being one who was carsick frequently since I needed to see out the front window. It was NOT advantageous to my brother and sister on either side when I told my dad numerous times he needed to pull over because I felt sick.

Soon he decided he was not going to pull over anymore and made me keep a plastic bag under my seat. True story.

So there were times I would feel like I needed to throw up because I grew so sick. I would take out my bag, do my business, and my parents would throw it away. (I wonder if my carsickness had anything to do with any particular parent’s driving???)

There are things that do make traveling easier for me though. I love a good audio book. I love having someone to talk laugh with during the trip. I love a comfortable ride (perfect temperature, seat at the right angle, etc). Really, it’s best if I can sit in the front seat too.

I have found essential oils can be beneficial to traveling, making that trip much easier whether it’s to the grocery store with a fussy child or driving cross-country with your family.

Fatigue (or Tired or Sleepy)
Are you feeling tired and you are the driver? Try Peppermint, Joyful blend, Invigorating blend, Basil, Lemon, and Rosemary.

Stress (or Road Rage)
Are you feeling stressed in traffic? Try citrus oils (Grapefruit, Bergamot, Orange, etc), Joyful blend, Balance, or Invigorating blend to help reduce stress.

Carsick
For general carsickness, try inhaling Peppermint and Ginger. Also, keeping the car cooler inside helps with carsickness. Make sure anyone who suffers from it can see out a window as well (sitting in the front or middle so they can look straight ahead out the window). The two mentioned oils along with Digestive blend can also be put in water or on your abdomen to help with that queasy feeling from nausea as well.

Grumpy Kids
Lavender is very soothing for kids helping to calm and relax. Rub it on their feet or give them an empty bottle that still has enough residue so they can hold the empty bottle but inhale for aromatherapy benefits. Other recommendations to help calm and soothe is Calming blend, Grounding blend, Geranium, Ylang Ylang or Cedarwood. Be careful not to diffuse some of these oils as they can make everyone in the car relaxed or drowsy, and we do not want the driver getting sleepy! It’s best to let them have something where they can personally inhale it or rub it on their feet, behind their ears, back of the neck, etc.

Other Issues Like Mine!
I think I suffer from some sort of personal syndrome while traveling. lol If I barely go over two hours in the car, I usually get a fuzzy head accompanied by a headache and pressure in my sinus area. Anyone else get this? I thought there with all my wonderful “miracle” essential oils, there HAD to be something that would help this.

I tried Respiratory blend to help maintain clear airways and breathing. It helped but did not prevent it or make it go away completely. I tried Peppermint because it often helps to soothe my headaches. Same thing. So then I tried a combination of Orange and Peppermint. IT DID THE TRICK!

You could use a car diffuser or do like me and just wear a diffuser necklace. (Those things actually work!) If I feel like I’m getting a little fuzzy headed, I just pick it up and sniiiiiiiffffffff! It has brought several laughs from my family when I do it. But it works and it has made my traveling so much better. I still have to be careful on the carsick thing though (no reading or looking down much).

Diffusing Oils in the Car
* You can use a diffuser necklace as I mentioned above. I found mine on Etsy.
* There are plug in car diffusers such as this one on Amazon. Here is another brand on Amazon.
* Kristy also shared an easy-peasy way to make a diffuser for your car.
* Or just stick a cotton ball in the air vent with some oils dripped on it.
* There are cotton inhalers you can buy where you put a few drops of oils on it and put it just inside your nose to inhale. Here are some on Amazon.

* Another idea is to buy a little spritzer bottle (available at Wal-mart for less than a dollar in the travel section) and add a few drops of essential oils with distilled water. Be careful not to spray it where it gets in someone’s eyes. Follow my directions from my post, Room Spray Alternative, to make a simple spray for the car.

Other things to consider packing while traveling are essential oils that act as natural insect repellents, help ease sunburn, support healing, relax/calm to help with sleep issues (because there’s no bed like YOUR bed!), help with digestive issues from all that eating out while away from home, immune support in case you feel like you’re coming down with something while away, and oils to help cool you down in the summer heat.

Do not forget to pack your diffuser if you love yours like I do mine. It has come in handy while staying at hotels that seemed to smell stale or had a chemical smell from the cleaners. I have two from an essential oil company that I like and can personally recommend, but I also have this one from Amazon and it has worked wonderfully.

Essential Oil Etiquette
Remember to be respectful of others when using essential oils. Even though they are natural, some people are sensitive even to those smells. For example, Patchouli and Ylang Ylang give me headaches. Just keep that in mind when using them around people who you may not have used them around before.

Essential Oil Storage
Also, be cautious of leaving your essential oils in your hot car. Over time the heat can break down your oils and possibly cause chemical changes. Put them in your purse or backpack if you are leaving your car for long periods.

Here’s what I usually carry when I am traveling with my essential oils. I would love to bring more. I used to carry an eight vial key chain but upgraded to this because I wanted MORE!!

This is the size of a check book so it fits great in my purse.

There are also some tips I would like to share in the future on using essential oils when you are flying including how to get through the airport with them in your carry on. As with traveling by car, they can make your travel by air much more relaxed and enjoyable!

What are your must haves while traveling? Do you have any tips to share with me for when you are traveling? Please do either below or find me on Facebook!

P.S. If you are interested in purchasing essential oils, please email me with questions!