For upper-respiratory infections: Zinc elderberry lozenges. One of my favorites is Nature’s Way Organic Sambucus Zinc Lozenges ($12, amazon.com). For stress and anxiety: Chamomile tea. Pack 10 bags in your kit. I recommend Traditional Medicinals Organic Chamomile tea ($15, amazon.com). (Make sure you’re not guilty of these 5 daily habits making your anxiety worse.) For bloating, headaches, and bug bites: Peppermint tea. Pack 10 bags of this, too. Drinking this tea can relieve gas, and you can also use a tea bag as a compress for a headache or dip a cotton ball in cooled tea to relieve the itch of a bug bite. A favorite of mine is Traditional Medicinals Organic Peppermint tea ($7.30, amazon.com). For sunburn: Lavender essential oil. Put five to eight drops in a sink full of cold water. Soak a washcloth and wring out, then apply topically. I like Now 100% Pure & Certified Organic Lavender Oil ($14, amazon.com). (Take a look at 30 more cooling home remedies for sunburns.) For cuts and scrapes: Herbal salve. Look for an ointment that contains one or more of the following: calendula, goldenseal, myrrh, plantain, tea tree oil. I use Country Comfort Golden Seal-Myrrh Herbal Savvy ($11, amazon.com). For nausea and cramps: Candied ginger. Use the following recipe:
Stomach-Soothing Ginger
Peel 1 cup fresh organic ginger and slice into ¼"-thick pieces. Cover with 2 cups water in saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat. Cover and cook 30 minutes. Strain and set aside. Heat gently 1 cup organic cane sugar and ½ cup fresh water in saucepan. Add ginger and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cook until candy thermometer reads 225°F, 30 to 45 minutes. Strain. Cool ginger pieces 2 hours, then roll in sugar.
