Don’t lose any of your precious vacation or business time because of the disorienting effects of long-distance travel or jet lag.

This remedy is the simplest, most natural bath cure for jet lag I’ve ever come across. It was developed by a South Sea Islands physician many years ago.

Use this simple treatment as soon as possible after getting off the plane. Within the first few hours is the best. The longer you wait, the less effective it is. I tried it once after three days and it didn’t do much, so I had to “tough out” the jet lag effects for a while longer.

This jet lag bath-therapy only takes a little more than an hour and can be done any time of day or night.

GOOD NEWS: Two can bathe for the price of one!! This is a soak, not a bath, and the person who likes the water temperature hotter can soak first, then the other person can use the same water.

1. Pack one 8-ounce box of baking soda and one cup of Epsom salts* in a zip-lock bag or plastic container. (Label it ‘Epsom salts’ so that Customs doesn’t freak out that you’re smuggling drugs.)

2. As soon as you arrive in your hotel or destination, fill the tub with water as hot as you can safely tolerate it and dissolve the salts and soda in the water.

3. While the tub is filling, drink at least 8 ounces of water, preferably more. Air travel is notoriously dehydrating.

4. The water level should cover your shoulders, so you may have to slide down in the tub. It’s ok for your knees to stick up out of the water. The thing is to immerse your whole torso.

5. Soak for 7 – 10 minutes. Only soak, do not wash with soap.

6. Do not cross your arms over your body – keep them down at your sides. Do not cross your legs or ankles while you’re in the tub.

7. Get up slowly out of the tub after 7 – 10 minutes and gently pat yourself dry. Do not rub your skin with the towel or make sudden movements.

8. Lie down on your back and cover yourself with at least a sheet so that you do not chill off too quickly. Rest for one hour.

9. While resting, keep your arms at your sides and your legs out straight from your body. Do not cross your arms over your body and do not cross your legs or ankles – same as in the tub. If you feel more comfortable with a pillow under your knees, that is fine.

10. After one hour of rest, you may get up and shower and get on with your trip; or, you may roll over and go to sleep for the night.

You might like to add a few drops of essential oils to the Epsom salts or baking soda before dissolving them in the bath. For relaxation, add lavender; for balancing, add lavender and rosemary; for energizing at the beginning of the day, add grapefruit, lemon and/or a dot of peppermint.

This safe and simple treatment for jet lag will re-balance the nervous system, restore the pH of the cells, relax the muscles and re-set your body clock to the present time — holistic at its best!

When you get up from the rest or sleep, you will feel refreshed and fully prepared to make the most of your trip. And take the soak when you get home, too! Bon voyage!