During a break from my Aromatherapy studies in London, I set out on a trip with my girlfriend to Egypt. Iâ??d always been fascinated with Ancient Egyptian culture and impressed by their diverse knowledge and documented use of essential oils. Not only were essential oils sourced and used for the sensual pleasure imparted through perfumery, they also played a paramount part in ceremonial worshiping and for general health and wellbeing. To my surprise I was about to find out how resourceful a few essential oils could be.

We arrived at Cairo Airport in the wee hours of the morning excited and apprehensive about our new adventure. Little did we know about bungling taxi drivers in Cairo. It didnâ??t help that the only directions we had for accommodation was our out-of-date â??Lonely Planetâ?? guide. An hour of hap hazard driving and we finally arrived at a place that the driver, very convincingly, told us was paradise! Yeah, right…

Now I know for a fact that the Ancient Egyptians took cleanliness seriously. There are even ancient records of an essential oil deodorant recipe dating back to 1500BC. For those Egyptians who were quite decadent, bathing more than once a day in different temperature baths with perfumed oils was one of a number of beauty-enhancing rituals. But of course that was Ancient Egypt, which on comparison bared little resemblance to our â??paradiseâ?? accommodation in modern day Cairo. Cleanliness was obviously not a priority, not by any meansâ?¦ no siree!!! Anyway we were exhausted and decided to stay regardless. After a weary day we both looked forward to a restful night sleep only to discover that our beds would reveal another not so pleasant surprise bed mites â?¦aghhh!

Fortunately, I brought some essential oils on the trip and pulled out my trusty bottle of (antiseptic, insecticidal, parasiticidal, deodorising, sedating) French Lavender Essential Oil and put a few drops on some tissues that we placed strategically in the bed. Egyptian mummies had the right idea, ritually embalmed in Frankincense and Myrrh and firmly wrapped in bandagesâ?¦nothing gets in and nothing gets out.

Essential oils are a must when travelling. Fortunately for a little forethought we survived sharing trains with farm animals, overcrowded bus trips with lunatic drivers and need I say almost disappearing into the desert by camelâ?¦. but thatâ??s another story.

Your essential oil travel kit should contain: lavender, chamomile, geranium, peppermint, ginger, tea tree and thyme.