Carry-On Travel Oil
July 27, 2018
Why does my Carry-On Travel Oil work?
Flora + Fiona Carry-On Travel Oil was my first product and the one I have been passionate about for nearly 10 years. I am delighted to see that we have been getting great feedback from our customers on this special oil! It is used by frequent fliers and holidaymakers alike: anyone who wants to enjoy a relaxed journey with the added reassurance of natural products that protect you and keep you well when you travel. Some customers love the aroma so much that they use it as a perfume!
So what do I put into the Carry-On Travel Oil to make such a small bottle do so much hard work?
I chose some of my favourite oils when researching this formula. Firstly, All my blends are 100% natural and carefully chosen from ethical distillers all over the world. I create and hand blend my oil formulations myself in my studio in Dublin looking out at my garden. I have been hand-blending oils for my private clients for nearly 20 years and really enjoy researching and discovering new oils . About 8 years ago, I started looking at oils for travel that had anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties. A client who suffered constantly with sinus problems when flying had asked to me to create a blend for her. My research led me to examine many of the problems associated with travel :
- Jet lag
- Disturbance of sleep patterns
- Stress and anxiety
- Fatigue
- Exposure to contagion
I wanted a convenient roller bottle, with an oil blend designed to target some of these downsides of travelling. The oil I created became The Carry-on Travel Oil.
Powerful Oils
Powerful oils including Ravintsara and Niaouli from Madagascar, and Egyptian Sweet Marjoram, all used in their native countries for their antibacterial, antiseptic and antiviral properties, are combined in this unisex product.
I’ve written about Ravintsara previously. I love it for its strong punchy aroma. I see it as a strong protective presence in the blends I create with it.
Breathing in its powerful aroma certainly transports me to the exotic island of Madagascar, with its unique and fascinating flora and fauna. In its chemistry it contains an oxide called 1,8 cineole that is historically known to be anti-viral, anti- bacterial and an immune stimulant. This oxide is also found in more common oils such as Eucalyptus and Tea Tree. As an immune stimulant and also an energising oil I felt it was just what you need in transit.
Sweet Marjoram oil has been used since Ancient Times as a culinary and medicinal herb. Sweet, warm and protective are words I associate with this plant native to Mediterranean regions. They are also words I would like to have close to me when travelling, like a cocoon to protect me from the hustle and bustle about me.
In aromatherapy it is used for its antiseptic and anti-bacterial qualities. It is also considered to be a muscle relaxant and have analgesic and sedative properties. It brings a wonderful sense of calm and peace. Sweet Marjoram helps to aid mental and emotional fatigue or ‘overthinking’ by settling any nervous tension and anxiety. From this description alone you will understand why I include this “all rounder” in my oil.
The Third Protector Oil in the Carry-On Travel Oil
Wild Niaouli is the 3rd protector oil and is also sourced in Madagascar. Related to Tea Tree it has similar qualities but is far more gentle on the skin. It is thought that the presence of the Niaouli Tree in New Caledonia is responsible for the absence of malaria on that south west Pacific island. Whether or not this is the case, for me it is an oil that protects and helps clear the head.
I have completed the blend with the sunny and cheering aroma of lemon and orange oils. Apart from their various properties it is essential that my blends make you feel good. Breathing in the aroma has a direct link to the storehouse of memory and emotions in the brain. The oils I have chosen have a vitality and energy that are joyful, comforting, and reassuring, ensuring that you are refreshed and ready for anything at your destination.
If you think that sounds like how you would like to feel when contemplating your next journey, whether for business or pleasure, my 100% natural Carry-on Travel Oil in its handy 10ml rollerball bottle will be your perfect travel companion.
June 20, 2018
Excited about your holiday? Be prepared and then just dive in!
In this article I write about travel. I love to travel myself but I know how stressful it can be. That’s one of the reasons why I developed my Carry-On Travel Oil – to combat the feelings of anxiety and act as a support in new places.
I love travel. I joke with my pals that one of my favourite places is the Departure gate at Dublin Airport!
Holidays are a wonderful time to sit back, day dream. Put aside work demands, say goodbye to the boredom of domestic chores, park some worries and just let it all go.
Of course, Anticipation is a big part of a holiday. I know an eight year old who is very excited about her holidays. There is a blackboard in her house with a number on it. Everyday she rubs out the number and subtracts one. She is one day closer to her holidays.
That being said, for the parents, actually getting there can be so stressful.
Will all the work deadlines be met and finished in time? Have I brought everything? Will the house be ok? Cancelled deliveries? Told the neighbour? Are all the passports up to date?
Whether you are travelling for work or pleasure there are certain things you can do to avoid those anxiety pitfalls. From my experience, travelling the world for fun and function, these are my top five tips for a smooth journey this summer. Naturally I recommend my specially blended Carry-On Travel Oil, my REST Oil and Velvet Skin Body Oil for super relaxed travelling but there is much else besides. Read on and please add in your own tips in the comments below!
The Checklist
Like the eight year old friend, do a countdown. You may not have to countdown the minutes as she does but certainly think about milestones you must hit or deadlines you have to reach before you can put your feet up. Make a plan and a to-do list to help you reach those milestones. Definitely start making a checklist now of things you must do or remember before departure: I have a checklist that is divided into Work: Personal: Pack. (Often on a back of envelope but carry it with you and jot it down whenever you think of something).
Keep your eye on the prize.
If you are feeling stressed, a few drops of frankincense on a tissue will bring some calm. Its exotic aroma, traditionally from Somalia, will put you in mind of far off places and help you remember why you are on the move. Its soothing and relaxing properties are documented and it is a key ingredient in my REST Oil.
Digital Companions
Choose your books (I always bring a few actual books), or download an audiobook or ebook and up load those playlists,. The great thing about using digital downloads is that they don’t take up any extra space in your precious carry-on luggage.
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- I love www.audible.co.uk for audio books. Since discovering it, It has given me such enjoyment and magical moments. You just sit there and someone is reading to you! Perfect for flights/train journeys and often a very handy way to fall asleep. I love using them for the Classics: Dickens, Tolstoy, Jane Austen, The Brontes… Check out Juliet Stevenson, she is a wonderful narrator and brings an extra sparkle to every book.
- BBC Radio 4 podcasts are endlessly enjoyable and so varied. RTE Doc on One are brilliant too.
- A friend recommended The Stitcher app for listening to podcasts, easy to use and easy to search to find podcasts of interest to you. One recent find was 36 Questions, a podcast musical in 3 Acts about a couple working their way through a rough patch. Also check out 99% Invisible a weekly exploration of the process and power of design and architecture. Sounds nerdy but is full of humanity.
Bring a Natural Support
Bring the Carry-On Travel Oil. I have received rave reviews of my Carry-On Travel Oil: Elaine from Holland writes “The Travel oil comes everywhere with me. It is always in by bag” Designed to meet the requirements of carry on liquids, this 10ml roller ball is your security blanket. I have researched this formula for 8 years to source oils that are historically known to have anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties. Ravintsara, Sweet Marjoram and Niaouli provide strong support and these are holistically balanced by zesty Lemon and sweet Red Orange. It smells divine and it works! Whether on short haul/ long haul flights, just pop it in your bag. I made it as protection against the stuffy, bug-filled atmosphere of all modes of transport. Roll it on your wrists and neck regularly and breathe in deeply. One regular user, Mairead, says, “ It is lifesaver on flights”.
Take a Moment
Lastly and most importantly, remember to Take A Moment.
Carve out some quiet Metime when on your holidays. For me; it is the early morning swim when no one is around swimming in cool water looking at a blue sky; sitting under the shade of a tree sipping a morning coffee listening to the birds; In the early evening after a shower, rubbing after sun body oil over your skin and just enjoying the aroma and sensory experience. Of course I would recommend my Velvet Skin Body Oil (!) rosehip, prickly pear and apricot oil are perfect to hydrate and soothe heat rashes or itchy skin post sun. The vetiver is a natural insect repellent which is bonus to help fight off the mosquitoes.
If you like to do some meditation, I use my REST oil to tackle a whirling mind and those anxious moments. Essential oils can be a wonderful asset when you combine them with meditation. Just roll on the palm of your hand, gently rub together and breathe in deeply 3-4 times. Or roll directly on inside of wrist and over neck area. Take a moment to enjoy the powerful aroma, tune into your senses and take a rest. Again it comes in a 10ml rollerball so perfect for carry-on luggage. Ideal for long haul travel where you intend to catch a few winks and arrive refreshed and ready to go at your destination.
There are some of our top tips for travelling for work and pleasure. How do you combat the stress of travelling and being away from your home place? I’d love to hear any tips you might have for the excited but weary traveller.
p.s I forgot to say.. heat can make everyone a little cranky! My grandmother’s advice.. before you react. take a deep breath and count 10!
Happy Holidays x
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