Which oils should I bring when traveling?
This is a highly personalized question, and if you ask 100 people you'll probably get 150 answers. Your answer should take into consideration the following:
Which oils do you use on a daily basis?
Which oils will you need at your destination?
Which oils might you want to share with others along the way?
Which oils might you need for life's little emergencies?
Which oils might you need to as you travel, try new foods, or encounter stressful situations?
Which oils might you want to support your mood, especially if things go wrong on your trip?
Which oils will you want to diffuse?
Consider how much oil you'll use on your trip. Do you really need to bring full-size bottles of everything? Many people will pack sample bottles and roller balls of most items. Some people invest in the small hard-side "pencil boxes" with foam inserts and carry an every oil they own in sample bottles.
You should also consider how you'll use your oils. Do you need to pack veggie caps? Fractionated coconut oil? Unscented lotion?
You'll also want travel-size bottles of dōTERRA shampoo and conditioner, toothpaste (the samples also work great for travel!), skin care, etc. Don't forget the sample packets of Deep Blue Rub for any muscle tension!
Finally (and possibly most importantly), consider what supplements you should bring. Daily Nutrient Pack or Lifelong Vitality is a must, but you may also want things like Mito2Max, TerraZyme, DigestTabs or DigestZen softgels, On Guard+, or others. (I personally don't travel without On Guard+ to boost my immune system as I come in contact with various threats in different places.) Many people like to put everything they take each day into small baggies or pouches that come with supplement organizer pouches. However you separate your supplements and vitamins, transferring them to smaller containers is usually preferable to taking the bulkier full-size bottles.
How should I transport my oils?
Consider a couple of important facts when transporting oils:
Essential oil bottles could leak. Always hand-tighten every bottle, especially if placing oils in your checked bags on an airplane. Even if they are new/unopened, check to be sure. When possible, place oils in a sealed bag, even in checked luggage. (The same is true for items like shampoo.)
TSA might want you to treat them as liquids, meaning you are limited to one quart-size ziplock bag per person on carry-on luggage, which must contain all liquids. Remember that you're limited to a 3-ounce container or smaller. Many people say they travel with their oils regularly and do not follow TSA's liquids rules by simply stating that they are medically necessary, but I've heard enough reports of this strategy failing that I urge you to err on the side of caution.
Here are a few bonus tips from the dōTERRA blog.
Traveling with oils FAQ:
How much space will my oils take up in my bag?
An every oil kit worth of sample bottles will fit in a quart-size sealable bag with sample packs of DeepBlue Rub as well as dōTERRA Salon Shampoo and Conditioner.
Can I take glass on the plane?
Yes, you are allowed to bring glass bottles on the plane.
Will the x-ray machines harm my oils?
No, the x-ray machines will not hurt them.
What should I say?
You may be asked what the oils are with questions such as, "Why do you need to have so many bottles?" I've been asked this numerous times by TSA, and the question is far more curiosity than them thinking anything is wrong. Don't be afraid to open a bottle or two and let them sniff and even offer them a business card, but don't offer them a sample or ask for their number as they are absolutely prohibited from taking samples or giving you their phone number.
Can I bring my key chain?
Most people get through security with their key chain oils still on their key chain; it's typically not even questioned.
What about DeepBlue Rub and On Guard Toothpaste?
Deep Blue Rub and On Guard Toothpaste are both too big to go through security, so if you want to bring full-size tubes, you'll need to check them. The good news is that samples are available for both and they're very convenient for travel!
How should I pack my oils in my checked bag?
When packing large suitcases:
a. Use an oils container (bag with foam inserts, wooden box, etc.)
b. Cushion your oils container in the center of your suitcase surrounded on all six sides by clothing.
c. If you're checking bags with the airline, it's wise to snap a cell phone pic of the oils before you zip it up ... just in case.
When traveling with a diffuser:
a. Pack it well (the original box is the best choice).
b. Be sure to remove all liquid before packing (learn from the fail of others).
c. Be sure to remove the bottle, if it's an Aroma Ace or Cloud or similar device.
d. You can take diffusers through security but DO expect for your bag to be hand-checked; you'll probably be asked to explain what it is. For this reason it's best to pack the diffuser near the top of your carry-on so that TSA does not rummage through your delicates to get to it.
What about Customs?
If you're going to developed countries, especially Europe and tourist destinations, expect no problems. Chances are, they've seen oils before-just maybe not so many in one place. Do check to see if your destination country has different liquid restrictions from TSA, though.
If you're going to the mission field or a less-developed nation, it's wise to have a letter of medical necessity or printout that describes oils as being wellness products.
What about the altitude?
Oils work just as well "up there" as they do on the ground.
Oils may smell differently (usually not as strong) as they do on the ground. There's nothing wrong with that!
It's wise to use lots of immune support oils before, during, and after a flight. On Guard, On Guard, On Guard, in all its beautiful forms!
Headed somewhere fun? Post a selfie from your destination in the comments below or tag me in it on social media so I can be a part of your adventure!