I am prone to upset stomachs when backpacking abroad. I follow all the recommended advice, but, nonetheless, still fall prey when travelling. Can you suggest a simple remedy that I can put in my rucksack and take while I’m away? Chris Barrat, Germany

Jennifer Harper-Deacon, registered naturopathic physician and Style magazine columnist responds: I am a huge fan of the herb oregano, which is known as a powerful natural germ-killing agent. When I travel, I use a wonderful spray called Germ-a-Clenz (£6.99 for 60ml; www.oliveleaf.co.uk), which contains oregano, along with a blend of essential oils with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. I spray this on my sweater or a tissue to inhale on the flight to protect me from all the germs in the recycled air. It can also be used to disinfect cutlery, which might help you.

You can also take the supplement TravelGuard, a unique capsule within a capsule, internally. The outer capsule contains liquid extracts of the antimicrobial oils oregano, coconut, cinnamon, clove, ginger and rosemary, and the inner capsule (released further down the digestive tract) holds many probiotic organisms to help maintain your friendly bacteria. BioCare’s TravelGuard costs £15.95 for 15 capsules (0121 433 3727). Take one capsule daily while travelling.

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