Travel-Friendly Remedies for the Family

You know that feeling when you finally get everyone packed and buckled in, snacks ready, playlists loaded, and then... someone starts coughing in the back seat, or your stomach starts to turn before you even hit the highway? Family travel is full of memories, but it can also test our immune systems, patience, and sometimes our digestion. Over the years, we’ve learned that a little prep and a few herbal allies can make all the difference between a stressful trip and a smooth one.

Whether you’re flying cross-country or heading to Grandma’s house for the weekend, it helps to have a travel-sized wellness kit ready to go. Remedies that actually work, that are safe for the whole family, and don’t take up half your suitcase. Let’s go through what to always pack (and how to pack it), plus some easy DIY options and travel tips to help you stay well on the go.

Core Remedies to Always Pack

Think of these as your “bare minimum” herbal essentials. The things you’ll reach for repeatedly, whether someone can’t sleep, gets a tummy ache, or touches every questionable surface between here and there.

All Purpose Salve

Scrapes, bug bites, hangnails, mystery rashes; this one handles it all. Keep a mini tin in your purse and a larger one in your suitcase. It’s one of those multipurpose must-haves you’ll use daily.

DIY: Try our DIY blog First Aid Salve

Breathe Well Salve

Traditional vapor salves contain petroleum-based ingredients and are toxic if ingested or applied to broken skin. Our Breathe Well Salve is made of natural ingredients, is non-toxic, and may even help nourish your skin, making it a must-have for your whole family!

DIY Alternative: Try our DIY Herbal Sinus Rinse!

Elderberry Elixir

Elderberry is a time-honored tradition for winter remedies. This shelf stable, easy to take tincture is a perfect fit.

DIY Tip: Not sure about elderberry? Check out 5 Reasons to Try Elderberry!

Cough B Gone

Perfect for those surprise coughs that happen on the road. A combination of mullein, fenugreek, and dandelion root helps to support the respiratory system and soothe occasional coughs.

DIY Alternative: Looking for soothing cough and cold lozenges -- try this recipe!

Feel Better Fast

Perfect for fevers, upset stomach, discomfort, and more. Astragalus, echinacea, fennel, cinnamon, and elder flower support your immune system and overall wellness to support your body and comfort.

DIY Alternative: Looking for more? Try this DIY Immunity Tincture!

Infant Tummy Relief

Road trip snacks and airport food don’t always sit well. This blend helps calm upset tummies, relieve gas, and ease motion sickness. A few drops before hitting the road can prevent those “Mama, my tummy hurts” moments.

DIY: Make your own tummy tincture with ginger root, fennel seed, and chamomile flowers in glycerin. Pre-dilute for kids so it’s easy to give on the go.

Optional Remedies Based on Your Family’s Needs

You don’t have to bring everything, but if your family tends to deal with certain things while traveling, these can save the day.

If you get motion sickness, Infant Tummy Relief (again) is your friend. You can also pack some ginger chews, peppermint tea bags, or pre-brew a small bottle of ginger-fennel tea and store it in a brown glass bottle in the cooler. Sip before and during travel.

If you struggle with sleep in new places, aside from Good Night Lotion, try Sleepy Time Herbal Extract from Earthley. It’s gentle enough for kids and helps everyone settle in. Diffuse a little lavender or cedarwood essential oil at bedtime (if you use essential oils, make sure they’re pre-diluted & safe for kids).

If you tend to get constipated while traveling, hydration is key. Digest Ease from Earthley can really help get things moving gently. Magnesium from the Good Night Lotion also supports regularity.

If you’re prone to headaches, keep a small roller bottle with peppermint and lavender essential oils, pre-diluted with carrier oil. Roll onto temples or neck. Or bring a small sachet of dried peppermint and rosemary to inhale for a natural pick-me-up.

If you expect bugs or outdoor adventures, Earthley’s Pest Aside is a must-pack if you're heading outdoors. This all-natural bug repellent stick protects against mosquitoes, ticks, flies, and other biting pests... no chemical fumes needed. Made with just five simple ingredients like neem, citronella, and coconut oil, it’s safe for kids and easy to apply with its mess-free tube. Toss it in your carry-on or glove box for hikes, camping, or everyday outings.

How to Pack and Store Your Remedies

Earthley’s 1 oz and 2 oz bottles are perfect for travel... they’re TSA-compliant (under the 3.4 oz liquid rule) and easy to label.

Example Packing System:

• Liquids and extracts: Pack in a small waterproof pouch inside your toiletry bag. (If flying, wrap each bottle in a bit of cloth or a zip bag to prevent leaks.)
• Salves and lotions: Tins and jars go in your carry-on for easy access.
• Sprays: Keep all of these placed upright, in side pockets if possible.
• Essential oils: Only bring pre-diluted blends — kid-safe strength is usually around 1% dilution.
• Teas or dry herbs: Store in labeled snack-size bags or mini mason jars.
• If you’re checking luggage, double-bag tinctures just in case. For road trips, stash your wellness kit in an easy-to-reach spot rather than buried under suitcases, because when someone needs it, they usually need it right now.

TSA Tips for Natural Mamas

Liquids in carry-on bags must be 3.4 oz (100 mL) or less per container. Earthley’s 1 oz and 2 oz tinctures fit perfectly!

Pack all liquids in a clear quart-sized zip-top bag.

Solid items (salves, lotion bars, or herbal teas) don’t count as liquids — easy win.

Label your bottles if you’ve DIY’d them — it helps avoid confusion during security checks.

Keep remedies you’ll use during travel (like Calm and Clarity or Tummy Soothe) in your personal item for quick access.

A Few Extra Travel Tips

Start early: If you know travel tends to throw off your digestion or sleep, start taking your supportive herbs (like Immune Aid or Digest-Ease) a few days before your trip.

Stay hydrated: It sounds simple, but herbs work best when your body isn’t running on empty. Bring a reusable water bottle and refill often.

Snack smart: Bring easy, nourishing snacks like trail mix, beef sticks, or fresh fruit. The fewer processed snacks, the fewer tummy troubles you’ll have later.

Rest when you can: Even short trips can be overstimulating. Create small moments of calm — herbal tea at night, lavender lotion before bed, or a quick walk outdoors.

Keep your rhythm: Try to eat and rest at similar times as home. The more predictable your body feels, the better it adjusts.

DIY Mini-Kit Checklist

You can make your own herbal travel kit with simple brown bottles, jars, and tins. Here’s a quick reference list:

• Get your Travel Survival Kit from Earthley
• Calm & Clarity for daily support for focused attention and a balanced mood in a convenient
• Herbal Throat Spray for on-the-go care to support a healthy immune response in a convenient
• Magnesium Lotion to promote healthy sleep + muscle support in a convenient
• A small roller bottle with pre-diluted Essential Oil blend, like Earthley’s Tension Relief, is great for headaches and sore muscles.
• A snack-size bag for herbal tea or loose herbs is great for relaxation or digestion.
• Travel size All-Purpose Salve is great for cuts, rashes, and bug bites

These fit easily in a small pouch or cosmetic case to become your portable herbal apothecary.

In Conclusion

Travel doesn’t have to mean leaving your wellness routines behind. With just a few simple, family-friendly remedies (and a little forethought), you can handle most bumps along the road naturally. These herbs and Earthley favorites have been lifesavers for many families, whether it be camping, visiting grandparents, or braving airport delays.

So before your next adventure, take a few minutes to pack your travel wellness kit. You’ll thank yourself later when you’re calm, rested, and ready to enjoy the trip, no matter where the road takes you.