Moving day is stressful enough as it is, and you don't want to risk damage to your items by poorly packing them. We have researched efficient ways you can pack your essential oils so they don't leak -or if they do it won't ruin your other belongings.
When packing essential oils, make sure you place everything in a resealable bag. If they won't fit in a bag, place them in an airtight plastic box--though this is only feasible if you're not traveling by air. Airplanes require a quart-sized clear Ziplock for your liquids, not more than 3.4 ounces (100 mL).
Packing can be challenging, but you can apply different packing strategies depending on your mode of travel. If you want to learn more about packing essential oils and how you can benefit from them, keep reading below!
How to Travel with Essential Oils
If you're traveling by air, you will need to comply with the TSA rules. According to the rules, your liquids should be under 3.4 ounces or 100mL and kept in a clear zip-lock bag. If you place them in an opaque case, you might get pulled over at the airport.
If you're worried about the bag tearing, you can get a clear quart-sized bag with a zipper top instead. That way, airport security will still be able to see your liquids and inspect them without any hassle.
Although it may not be necessary, labeling your bottles will also make the checking process easier. Some airport staff may not be able to identify your oils right away, and having them labeled will make the routine smoother for everyone.
This is especially ideal if you like mixing your scents and placing them in small amber bottles. Label them with "vanilla peppermint oil," "immune support essential oil," or "anti-stress oil" for a hassle-free experience at the airport.
Can you use a travel case for essential oils?
Anything other than a clear bag will be held off by security if you're traveling by plane.
However, traveling by land gives you more options on how to pack your essential oils. You can pack larger essential oils, so you will need to put them in a clear airtight box so that nothing leaks out. You can also use a durable travel case so it remains snug in place even with slight bumps and jostling.
Should you travel with an aroma diffuser?
A compact and inexpensive aroma diffuser will do wonders for you on a trip. It will also help you relax once the adrenaline of packing and moving has calmed down, and you need to wind down. There are many scents that are specifically for travel; oils meant to clear your head of stress and anxiety.
Aroma diffusers distribute the scents more efficiently, so traveling with them along with essential oils would be to your advantage.
Check out this diffuser on Amazon.
How To Store your Essential Oils
Once you've moved into your place, it's time to figure out how to store the essential oils. The general rule is to keep them away from direct sunlight and place them in a cool, dry location. Shelves, cupboards, and cabinets are excellent places you can store your essential oils.
Where should you put the oil itself?
If you are thinking of transferring the essential oils from their original packaging, remember to use amber or cobalt glass bottles.
Dark-colored bottles reduce the amount of heat and sunlight absorbed by the bottle, making it beneficial for the oil. This is also the reason the standard packaging of essential oils comes in small amber-colored bottles.
Don't put essential oil into a plastic bottle since the components of essential oil can be potent and damage the plastic bottle, eventually exposing the oil to moisture and sunlight.
What are the best oils to bring when moving?
Traveling effectively means narrowing down your choices in everything--even in essential oils. Bring your most-used oils, and ones you may need to deal with stress and anxiety. If you're moving far from home, try bringing oils that suit the season or weather patterns of the place you're going to.
Lavender Oils to Treat Jet-lag
Jet lags interrupt the body's sleep cycle. If you are moving to a different timezone, you will benefit from lavender essential oils since the scent relaxes the mind enough to make you restful.
Lavender is known to stimulate the brain's GABA receptors, encouraging the production of melatonin--the hormone in charge of controlling our sleep cycle. In an experiment, it was seen that lavender releases antioxidant properties in the brains of mice.
These antioxidants shield the brain from free radicals and cell-damaging elements. These neuroprotective benefits aid in decreasing the stress experienced in the brain and helps you sleep better.
See this lavender oil on Amazon.
Ginger Oil for Motion Sickness
Ginger essential oil is one of the most helpful oils that you can use while traveling. A 2017 study concluded that aromatherapy using ginger oils significantly lowered nausea and vomiting among the participants.
The clinical trial included patients in post-operation, and it showed that ginger oil reduced vomiting, lethargy, and discomfort among them. Most aromatherapy enthusiasts swear by ginger, and science agrees.
If you don't have access to a diffuser, and if the instruction says that oil can be applied to the skin, you can rub it on the pressure points at the forehead or stomach.
Ginger oil can improve your condition if you feel yourself about to experience lethargy, anxiety, dizziness, and fatigue. Make sure you have it handy especially if you are traveling by land where the travel time is longer.
See this Ginger oil on Amazon.
Peppermint Oil for Energy
Peppermint oil is a popular choice among aromatherapy enthusiasts since the scent can give your brain an energy boost. This oil also promotes improved respiratory health, which eliminates any discomfort you may feel when traveling.
Moving also tends to sap away your brainpower. Fortunately, peppermint oil relaxes your brain enough so that it can absorb information better. It can help you be more alert, focused, and energetic. If you're in the middle of a busy moving day and can't plug your diffuser, you can simply inhale it straight from the bottle.
If you intend to rub it on pain points along your body, make sure you read the instructions first and find out if you can apply it safely. Some essential oils are only meant for inhalation.
See this peppermint oil on Amazon.
Citrus Essential Oil to Refresh You
Citrus essential oils are a crowd favorite for smelling like "sunshine in a bottle." They make you feel as if you are in a lush forest surrounded by warm sunshine; their scents resemble the orange trees in the early morning.
This is the reason why people who suffer from stress or depression use citrus essential oils as a pick-me-up. They balance your emotions and improve your mood since the chemicals in the brain work with your olfactory system.
Citrus essential oils also strengthen the immune system, which is ideal during flue season. Lemon oil, specifically, help clear out your sinuses to help you breathe better.
See this tangerine oil on Amazon.
Sakura Oil for a Sweet and Relaxing Scent
Sakura, or Japanese cherry blossoms, has a fruity and sweet scent that can soothe your nerves. The scent reminds you of a Japanese garden that can improve your mood, lower stress, and relieve tension.
The effects of sakura oil depend on the individual. According to some investigations, cherry blossoms stimulate parts of the brain related to nostalgia and memory.
Flowers in general tend to trigger parts of the brain related to intimacy and romance. Sakura scents can encourage bonding and relationships with their soothing effect.
See this sakura oil on Amazon.
Thieves Essential Oil to Aid Travel Sickness
Though it has a strange name, Thieves oil is ideal for combating travel sickness. It has a blend of rosemary, lemon, cinnamon, and eucalyptus which all have a positive effect on the brain on their own. Aside from travel sickness, they also have protective properties that help ward off germs in public spaces.
See the Thieves essential oil on Amazon.
Tea Tree Essential Oil for Air Purification
Tea tree oil should always be in your travel pack. This essential oil acts as a natural purifier that improves the air around you wherever you may go. It has antibacterial and antifungal properties, protecting you from bacteria.
See this Tea Tree oil on Amazon
Final Thoughts
Essential oils have a lot of benefits, so make sure you pack them properly if you want them to last longer. Follow the packing guidelines to avoid unnecessary hassle, and to keep enjoying their benefits!
If you enjoyed this article, check out "Can You Reuse Mylar Bags?" and "Do Self Storage Units Have Electricity?"