August 2009 Feature – Holiday Health Care
Welcome to Our special August Holiday season special edition of The Health Diva. Our holidays are precious; making sure we stay healthy on holiday is a sure fire way to have a holiday to remember for all the right reasons.
“If we took a holiday, took some time to celebrate, just one day out of life, it would be, it would be so nice!” Madonna.
Whether your quest for a fortnights freedom takes you to the dizzy party Island of Ibiza, the depths of darkest Peru, or a kiss me quick hat in Blackpool, the Diva is on hand to offer top tips for a healthy relaxing holiday x
Pre Flight Jitters
The Fear of flying can cause many people to avoid foreign travel all together! Many individuals no matter how experienced a traveller they are can still feel a bit jittery. Ashwaghandra is an amazing herb, to ease anxiety; 20 drops in juice just before you leave the house, in the departure lounge and on the plane will leave you suitable chilled but fully functional!20 drops of Ginger tincture added to a 500 ml bottle of water can ease anxiety and travel induced nausea, simply sip slowly to calm your tummy. B Vitamins the travellers Friend B vitamins are so useful for travellers on so many levels. A good daily B- complex vitamin, high in vitamin B5 helps to support the adrenal system and converts your food into energy and eases stress. Taking a B complex with vitamin C is fabulous to aid recovery on long haul flights allowing you to step off the plane bouncing with energy. Finally mosquitoes don’t like the smell of B vitamins on us, so taking a daily vitamin B keeps the bugs away.
Dabbing a few drops of citronella and neem oil on your pulse points can also ward of mosquitoes.
Long Haul Helpers
During a flight of seven to tweleve hours duration, most people will notice their ankles and legs start to swell due to lack of movement, insufficient circulation of blood through the veins and accumulation of fluid in the tissues. In some passengers, the cumulative effects of these factors can cause a blood clot to develop – a condition known as DVT or ‘economy class syndrome’, since it is more likely to occur in cramped conditions. Taking maritime pine bark extract Pycnogenol before a long-haul flight could help travellers reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), say researchers in a new study into the effects of Pycnogenol supplementation on leg- swelling. Pycnogenol is derived from the bark of the Maritime pine, which is rich in bioflavonoids and organic acids. Other research has indicated that Pycnogenol is an effective anti-inflammatory agent and can be used to lower blood pressure, support diabetics and in eye health. Based on the clinical evidence The Diva recommends supplementing with 50mg of Pycnogenol daily for a least a fortnight before travelling, 200mg of Pycnogenol 2-3 hours prior to a long-haul flight, 200mg six hours later in mid-flight and 100mg the day after flying, dropping to 50mg per day during your holiday and increasing the dosage for the journey home. Stay on the Pycnogenol for at least a fortnight after you get back from holiday, and if you have a family history of heart disease then you might consider taking pycnogenol long term like me 
Holiday Tummy
The combination of strange and exotic food, different drinking water, heat and alcohol can cause sickness and diarrhea turning even the most luxurious of holidays into a nightmare! The Diva is always armed with her daily probiotic and her secret weapon citricidal. “I would never travel without them!” Acidophilus capsules provide a regulated dose of friendly bacteria, which aids digestion and eases symptoms of bloating, wind diarrhoea and constipation. Citricidal drops are my best friend when it comes to holiday tummy bugs, Citricidal is grapefruit seed extract a rich anti bacterial, anti parasitic herb, which soon gets you away from the bathroom and back to enjoying your holiday. Always drink bottled water, and be aware of ice cubes and salads, which are often know to harbor parasites. Too many cocktails? Milk thistle taken before and after a night on the tiles can help to counter the after effects of a hangover. You should try to alternate your drinks – make every other one a non- alcoholic drink – and girls, keep an eye on each other’s drinks. Drinking plenty of water will help to prevent dehydration and headaches.
Fun in the Sun
Time to cream up! The incidence of skin cancer is on the rise. Always use at least SPF15 or above to protect your skin from damage and premature ageing, think about the wrinkles Darlink! Too long in the sun, and resembling a lobster? Cooling Aloe Gel can sooth and heal your deep fried skin…
Sun, Sand, Sea and Sex…
A little afternoon delight is simply fabulous, but remember to pack your condoms!!! Nasty itches and rashes in tender places are not pleasant and you can even carry an STD without showing symptoms yuk! I don’t care if you are an Adonis devoted to my pleasure … you are not coming near me without wellies on!!!
Happy Holiday XOXO the Diva x
Download a pdf copy of the Diva’s Holiday Health Care article
