5 Essentials To Be Sure To Pack For Your Holiday Weekend

By Dr. Jessica Corbeille Harris, ND

It’s that time of year! The time of year where we embark on family BBQs, camping trips, and other get-out-town escapes. What do you bring? Here’s a few ideas to add to your checklist! ​

1. Non-toxic Sunscreen: Whether you’re headed for a sunny getaway or a not, be sure to back a reliable, non-toxic sunscreen (the sun finds us even when it’s cold and/or rainy). The best sunscreens out there for your skin (and the least toxic) use zinc or titanium oxide as the active ingredient. My favorite face sun screen right now is MyChelle’s Sun Shield. It goes on smooth, doesn’t clog pores, and offers non-toxic protection for several hours. 
2. Herbal bug repellent: There are plenty of DIY home recipes for herbal bug repellants available online, but there are quite a few available at your local health food store or natural grocer too. Some essential oils that seem to especially repel the bugs include citronella, lemon, and eucalyptus! You can use it liberally too as you don’t have to worry about the nasty neurotoxins present in some of those bug sprays! 
3. Arnica 30C Homeopathic Pellets: You never know when you’re going to bonk your head or twist an ankle during your precious time off! Best to be prepared with one of natural medicine’s longest standing acute injury remedies – homeopathic Arnica. If you do get injured, take 3-5 pellets under the tongue 3x/day for at least a week or until the pain stops. 
4. Quercetin: This anti-inflammatory is a good one to pack in case you end up somewhere with pollens you’re not used to! You can use this as needed to decrease sinus congestion and even help relieve inflammation from bug bites. Typically, doses range from 500-1000mg 3x/day as needed for inflammation. 
5. Curcumin: A good basic to have on hand, curcumin is a great immune support if you start to become ill, a strong anti-inflammatory if you acquire an injury, and a potent anti-oxidant to counteract the less-favorable oxidative behaviors (sun exposure, alcohol consumption, eating grill-charred foods, etc.). Most people tolerate doses in the range of 500-2000mg daily as needed. 

 
Enjoy your holiday weekend with your friends, family, and loved ones!