By Amanda Reynolds

Essential oils are everywhere these days – it seems no matter where you turn, those little bottles of plant goodness pop up. They are all over social media and even on the shelves of your grocery store. But what exactly are essential oils? They are the highly concentrated, naturally occurring oils found in the roots, leaves, stems, flowers, or bark of plants.They have a strong aroma and many people use them to address a multitude of health and wellness issues.

I’ve been using essential oils in my home and with my children for 5 years, and we’ve incorporated them into many of our daily routines. And traveling is no different! In fact, there are several oils that I always make sure I have with me when we’re packing for a family trip, whether we’re driving for a few hours out to the lake or taking our annual Christmas plane trip to California. Here are 5 of my favorites:

1.Lavender

This is my go-to oil with my young kids. Headache? Rub some lavender on those temples. Sunburn? Dilute a drop or 2 of lavender in some olive oil and rub into that crispy skin. Trouble falling asleep in a new place? Apply a drop of lavender to a pillowcase and another to the bottoms of tiny, restless feet as you sing a quiet lullaby. Having a crazy-Mama moment? Put a drop of lavender on your wrist and hold it to your nose, breathing deeply and reminding yourself that your children aren’t really little monsters and that you’re in control of your own voice.

2.Melaleuca

Melaleuca is also known as Tea Tree oil. With its antifungal properties, this one is great for applying to funky feet that have been inside sweaty socks and shoes all day. I’ve also had a lot of success using it to help with the ear pain associated with a rapid change in elevation, so it’s always in my carry-on when I get on a plane (make sure you follow TSA regulations for bringing liquids onto a plane). I just rub a drop on the bone directly behind my ear lobe if I’m feeling any discomfort.

3.Protective blend

Depending on what brand of oils you use, this blend will have a different name. The blend I use is called OnGuard and is a mix of orange, clove, cinnamon, eucalyptus, and rosemary oils – it smells like Autumn in a bottle. In addition to its delicious smell, this is an immune-boosting, purifying powerhouse. We use it as an alternative to hand sanitizer – a drop or 2 rubbed between our hands works great – and I’ll apply it to pretty much any surface I think might harbor some nasty germs. If we’re staying in a hotel or a rental, I pack our diffuser in one of our bags and diffuse this oil each morning.

4.Digestive blend or Peppermint

The digestive blend we use is a combination of anise, peppermint, ginger, caraway, coriander, tarragon, and fennel. We love this blend for helping with digestion, comforting an occasional upset stomach, or relieving uncomfortable bloating or gas that comes with eating all of those delicious travel foods. I rub a drop or 2 of this on my kids’ tummies if they’re complaining about anything stomach-related – on my youngest, I dilute a drop in a few drops of olive oil to account for her sensitive skin. Another great option for all issues digestive is Peppermint oil, which is also great for relieving nausea.

5.Grounding blend

Again, names will vary depending on which company you use. The grounding blend we love is called Balance, and its fresh, woody aroma is perfect for calming overstimulated kids (and let’s be honest – parents) at the end of a long day. It’s also our go-to oil for feelings of anxiety, and paired with Lavender it’s great for promoting relaxation and tranquility. And who doesn’t need a little more of that in their lives, particularly while traveling with kids?

*Please note: I firmly discourage buying essential oils from a big box store. Oil quality is not regulated and varies dramatically from seller to seller. Find someone you know and trust who loves their oils, and get sourcing information from them.*

Amanda lives in Nashville with her husband and their amazing daughters. She has a background in education and, as a mama to four girls, is especially invested in what it means to be and raise strong, brave, compassionate women. She blogs extremely sporadically at TheDaysArePrecious.blogspot.com.

Wondering which essential oil brands to purchase? Here are thorough and helpful reviews of the top producers from Consumer Advocate.