Summer, self-awareness, and well-being while traveling, with a little help from nature

Summer is the most eagerly awaited time of the year, and not just because it offers a break from work! For an ever-growing number of people, it has become a precious opportunity to slow down and take care of themselves more mindfully and profoundly.

The data confirm this trend: the wellness tourism market—travel focused on physical and mental well-being—is growing at a yearly rate of over 9%, nearly double that of traditional tourism. According to the latest research, 57% of travelers now choose health-focused experiences, and 49% actively seek vacations that combine fitness and relaxation. It is no longer a niche market, but a trend that reflects how people view their free time: an investment in their long-term well-being.

Yoga at mountain retreats, sunrise classes on the beach, guided meditation sessions at sunset; forest bathing—or shinrin-yoku, the Japanese “forest bath”—that is walking in a forest with sensory awareness—listening, breathing, observing—which, according to increasingly solid scientific evidence, reduces cortisol levels, lowers blood pressure, and strengthens the immune system. And then there’s mindfulness, Ayurvedic massages, thermal baths, dietary and digital detox routines, and even pilgrims’ ways. They all share one common element: a return to listening to one’s body and spirit, reconnecting with nature, and—in contrast—digital disconnection, and slowing down as a conscious choice.

Nature as a source of well-being while traveling: a thousand-year-old tradition

But between climate change, different eating habits, moving anxiety, and long journeys, even a vacation meant at slowing down can challenge our bodies in unexpected ways. And when these discomforts arise, natural remedies can help us regain our lost balance. A range of plants with specific mechanisms of action—recognized by traditional medicine and increasingly studied by science today—can become a valuable ally against the most common discomforts of summer vacations.

Motion sickness: Ginger, the sailors’ remedy

Anyone who has ever suffered from motion sickness—car sickness, seasickness, or airsickness, from the Greek κινέω (to move)—knows how that sudden nausea can turn a trip into an extremely unpleasant experience. It is estimated that between 25 and 33% of the population suffers from it, with higher rates among children and women.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) is probably the oldest and best-known remedy for motion sickness. Chinese sailors chewed it during long ocean crossings as early as the 5th century B.C.; Ayurvedic medicine used it as a digestive tonic and antiemetic; Arab merchants traveling the spice routes always carried it with them. Its reputation as the “travelers’ plant” is based on a thousand-year empirical experience.

Today we know that gingerols and shogaols—ginger’s main bioactive compounds—act both on the stomach (by reducing stomach muscle contractions and accelerating gastric emptying) and the central nervous system, alleviating nausea symptoms. Several clinical studies have confirmed its effectiveness in controlling motion sickness, pregnancy-related nausea, and postoperative nausea.

EPO produces a DNA-certified organic ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) fluid extract, guaranteeing the botanical authenticity of the raw material and preventing adulteration with related species of lesser value or quality. For travelers, this is a difference that matters.

Stomach issues while traveling: Gastalagin® for gastric discomfort

A change in diet and its consequences are perhaps the most common problems people face while on vacation. For those with a sensitive stomach—or simply for those who indulge in local culinary specialties—gastric discomfort—heartburn, a sensation of heaviness, and epigastric bloating—are unwelcome but frequent guests.

Chestnut leaves and rockrose (Cistus × incanus L.) have a long history in European herbal medicine. The chestnut tree, a symbol of abundance and longevity throughout the Mediterranean basin, was used in traditional preparations to promote regular bowel movements; rockrose is a wild plant of the Mediterranean scrub, traditionally used for digestive and respiratory ailments.

Gastalagin® is the EPO branded extract that combines extracts of Castanea sativa Mill. and Cistus × incanus L., standardized to the ellagitannins (polyphenolic compounds) castalagin and vescalagin. In vitro studies have shown that the blend exerts an anti-inflammatory effect on the gastric mucosa and a specific antibacterial effect against Helicobacter pylori, the bacterium responsible for many forms of gastritis. The anti-adhesive action of cistus—documented even after simulated digestion—is thought to prevent bacteria from attaching to the walls of the gastric mucosa.

Bowel regularity: Olivellax® (sea buckthorn)

Constipation is also one of the most common disturbances while on vacation: daily schedule modifications, diet and habits changes, reduced fluid intake, and less physical activity—or simply the stress of adjusting to a new environment—can reduce bowel movements. It is estimated that chronic functional constipation affects up to 20% of the global population, with a higher prevalence among women and older adults; during holidays, even those who don’t normally suffer from it may find themselves dealing with this discomfort.

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) is a hardy plant native to the coastal and mountainous regions of Central Asia and Northern Europe, used as a purgative in traditional medicine since the 16th century. Its orange berries—rich in flavonoids, carotenoids, phenolic acids, and proanthocyanidins—have been the subject of growing scientific interest in recent years.

Olivellax®  is a sea buckthorn extract produced by EPO, standardized to isorhamnetin, the main flavonoid found in the fruit. Its mechanism of action on intestinal transit has been documented in recent scientific studies: isorhamnetin derivatives exert a prokinetic effect by stimulating gut smooth muscles; on the other way, mannitol, naturally present in the fruit, acts as an osmotic laxative, promoting the passage of water into the intestinal lumen; Furthermore, Olivellax® has been shown to modulate the expression of aquaporin 3 (AQP-3), a transmembrane protein that regulates water transport within the colon; finally, the extract helps restore optimal levels of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which stimulate colon motility.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial demonstrated that 500 mg/day of Olivellax® for 28 days can increase the number of weekly spontaneous, complete bowel movements by more than 40%, while also normalizing stool consistency and improving bloating, abdominal pain, and a feeling of heaviness.

Relaxation and sleep quality: BlueCALM® and Lavender—where tradition meets science

It’s not uncommon for the first few days of vacation to bring with them some difficulty in disconnecting: lingering thoughts, trouble falling asleep in a new bed, insomnia caused by jet lag, unfamiliar noises, pesky insects, or the heat. The sleep-wake cycle may take some time to readjust.

Two plants with extraordinary histories come to the rescue here.

Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora L.) is a perennial herb native to the forests of North America, used by indigenous peoples for centuries as a calming remedy and to promote sleep, but also well known in Europe. Its phytocomplex includes flavonoids (including baicalin, the main marker compound), diterpenoids, phenylpropanoids, and even traces of melatonin.

BlueCALM®, EPO’s dry extract obtained from Scutellaria lateriflora L., standardized to contain at least 10% baicalin, in a preclinical study significantly inhibited the release of cortisol, the stress hormone. Furthermore, a single-center, randomized, double-blind, crossover clinical trial demonstrated that BlueCALM® is effective in restoring the sleep-wake cycle and improving sleep quality in individuals with primary insomnia, with an excellent safety profile. 

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.), on the other hand, has an even older history deeply rooted in Mediterranean culture: used by the Egyptians in funeral ointments, by the Romans in bathwater to cleanse and soothe, and by medieval monks in monastery gardens, true lavender has always been the botanical symbol of rest and serenity. Our dry extract of Lavandula angustifolia Mill., standardized to contain at least 8% polyphenols and DNA-certified to guarantee botanical authenticity compared to lower-quality hybrids, has demonstrated an equivalent ability to inhibit cortisol in the same in vitro tests. Ideal for supplements designed to promote relaxation and sleep quality.

Urinary tract infections on vacation: HarmoCyst® 

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common health issues in the summer, yet they are often overlooked when people go on vacation. Heat, increased sweating, swimming in pools or the sea, changes in hygiene habits in new environments, and reduced hydration are all factors that increase the risk. According to the Italian National Institute of Health, 40–50% of women experience at least one urinary tract infection in their lifetime, with an incidence four times higher than in men due to anatomical reasons; and for one in five, the problem becomes recurrent. Summer amplifies this risk.

Cistus (Cistus × incanus L.) is an evergreen shrub found in Mediterranean scrubland that has been used for centuries in traditional medicine to treat inflammation of the skin, respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, and urinary tract. Its phytocomplex is extraordinarily rich in polyphenols—phenolic acids, flavonoids, and tannins—which remain largely stable even after digestion.

HarmoCyst®  is a dry powdered extract of Cistus × incanus L. produced by EPO, standardized for polyphenols. Recent in vitro studies have shown that the extract exerts an anti-adhesive effect on uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC)—the bacterium responsible for most UTIs—by preventing it from attaching to bladder epithelial cells, as well as an anti-inflammatory effect documented by the inhibition of IL-6 (interleukin-6), which is typically high in urinary tract infections. 

The quality that makes the difference

EPO Srl, with over 90 years of experience in manufacturing plant extracts, guarantees the standardization of active ingredients in its extracts using official and validated analytical methods. For its Branded Extracts (Gastalagin®, Olivellax®, BlueCALM®, HarmoCyst®), EPO also provides efficacy studies with a particular focus on bioaccessibility and bioavailability—key factors for a clinically relevant effect.

For information on EPO extracts, visit www.eposrl.com or contact the EPO sales team.