We Explored These Unique Remedies for Jet Lag to See If They Really Work

Discovering a new place—along with its cuisine, culture, and sights—can be an exhilarating experience that boosts your adrenaline. However, the journey to and from can be draining. Traveling through multiple time zones can leave even the most experienced travelers feeling the severe impacts of jet lag, a sleep disorder that can cause headaches, daytime tiredness, difficulty focusing, stomach issues, mood fluctuations, and a general sense of discomfort.

The reason is straightforward: You’re shifting from one daily cycle to another, disrupting your body’s circadian rhythm. Morning light signals your body to wake up, informing your internal clock that it’s time to start the day. After a certain period of natural light and meals, your body begins to wind down. When you transition between time zones too quickly, your body doesn’t have the opportunity to adjust properly.

Many people try various methods to alleviate jet lag, ranging from sleep aids (such as sleeping pills and melatonin) to light therapy. To find out if there’s a genuine remedy for jet lag, five Dinogo editors and contributors tested different strategies to adapt to new schedules in unfamiliar locations. From homeopathic remedies to a technique endorsed by Gwyneth Paltrow, here’s what proved effective and what didn’t.

Fasting

Aislyn Greene, Associate Director at Dinogo, Podcasts

The concept of fasting as a method to combat jet lag involves avoiding food and drink, aside from water or herbal tea, for about 16 hours prior to landing. Once you arrive in your new time zone, try to have your first substantial meal as close to 7:30 a.m. as possible (this is easier for morning arrivals). The premise is that fasting may help realign your biological clock, mitigating the common jet lag slump. I tried this approach during a work trip to Ireland last year, where I had to step off a 10-hour flight from San Francisco and immediately perform in a high-pressure environment. Before departure, I had a light breakfast and then fasted for roughly 17 hours. Fortunately, I was on a morning flight, allowing me to enjoy a decent breakfast around 8 a.m. Irish time.

The Outcomes

I felt fantastic! Fasting helped me avoid alcohol, caffeine, and the sugary, salty foods that can make you feel terrible, so it was no surprise that skipping those items made a positive difference. What surprised me was how invigorated I felt upon arrival, even with little sleep. By the end of my first day in Ireland, I was tired but didn’t experience the typical jet lag fog, headache, or fatigue. I got through my work event and then treated myself to a hearty meal afterward.

Would I do it again?

Absolutely, especially in scenarios where I need to perform at my best right after disembarking. Though that doesn’t happen often, so I’m all for indulging in snacks!

Aromatherapy

Maggie Fuller, contributor at Dinogo
I consider myself a curious skeptic when it comes to aromatherapy. I don’t believe it’s a magical solution (no one claims it is), but on challenging days, my Saje stress relief essential oil roll-on (starting at $32) smells wonderful and provides a brief escape, which is likely the intention.

Since I prefer not to take extra supplements while traveling, I opted for an aromatherapy Jet Lag Recovery Kit ($59) from the Australian skincare brand Sodashi during my trip to Borneo. The kit features two travel-sized containers: one is a gel and the other a mist. Both include lemongrass and rosemary to energize the mind and body while enhancing circulation; grapefruit for skin toning; and ginger to support digestion and alleviate muscular fatigue. These ingredients were designed to combat fatigue, brighten my skin, enhance blood flow (important for reducing blood clot risks on flights), and keep my digestive system functioning well after landing.

The instructions were straightforward—apply the gel to pulse points and the nape of the neck every three hours while traveling and use the mist as needed. (Evidently, applying aromatherapy topically works well because body heat activates the essential oils, releasing their fragrance.)

Since the journey to and from California lasted about 23 hours, the thought of waking up every three hours was daunting. However, the routine of applying the cool gel to my wrists and temples turned the flight into a nearly spa-like experience. Cramped in a Boeing 777 with a crowd of other sweaty, snoring passengers, I began to appreciate the gel’s warm, grassy scent. I didn’t use the mist much, though; without a reminder to apply it regularly, it slipped my mind.

The results

Upon reaching my destination, I felt surprisingly refreshed, although the long flight left me a bit disoriented. I can’t deny that I experienced some afternoon fatigue in the following days, but adjusting to the new time zone was easier than I had anticipated. The kit definitely earned high marks for helping with digestion.

My return journey was less successful. Once again, I avoided the typical travel-related digestive issues, but it took me several exhausting days to get back into a healthy sleep routine.

Would I use it again?

Absolutely! It definitely enhanced my flying experience, which is crucial when traversing multiple time zones. This method likely works better on shorter journeys—around three to five hours—keeping you feeling and smelling fresh. However, tackling jet lag after a 23-hour flight to Borneo would be a challenging feat for any remedy. Ultimately, I doubt there's a magical solution for the fatigue that follows such a long haul.

A picturesque walkway next to the water at Venice’s Parco delle Rimembranze, framed by lush greenery on the left.

A Dinogo editor evaluated the effects of grounding in Venice’s Parco delle Rimembranze to see if it alleviated her jet lag.

Image courtesy of Shutterstock

Grounding technique

Sara Button, a Dinogo contributor
Celebrities like British actress Naomie Harris and Gwyneth Paltrow advocate for a jet lag remedy known as “grounding,” or “earthing.” This wellness practice is said to enhance both physical and mental well-being (including sleep) by walking or standing barefoot on natural surfaces, such as grass, sand, or even by wading into the ocean. It doesn’t require much time—just 20 minutes will suffice—and there are also grounding mats (starting at $89) available if you can’t get outside. Proponents claim that connecting with the earth’s electrons can help reset the body, potentially lowering inflammation and stress, benefits that are only now being explored by scientists.

I was eager to try it on my recent trip to Europe, as it seemed like a budget-friendly and enjoyable way to combat jet lag. Essentially, if it was effective for Gwyneth, it should work for me too. However, upon arriving at the Venice airport, I realized I probably should have purchased one of those mats. By the time I reached my hotel, it was nearly 10 p.m., and the city’s few green areas weren’t easily accessible or open to the public. The concierge also strongly advised against dipping my feet in the “filthy” Grand Canal. So, I quickly touched a plant in the hotel courtyard for five seconds, hoping it might help, and resolved to find a park the next morning.

The next day, I spent roughly 45 minutes at Parco delle Rimembranze, with my bare feet resting on the grass. I enjoyed that this grounding experience pushed me to explore a part of the city I likely wouldn’t have otherwise, even though I received a few puzzled looks from locals for being shoeless on a 60-degree day.

The findings

Scientifically speaking, it’s hard to determine if grounding directly affected my sleep, but I did enjoy a good night’s rest and managed to stay aligned with the right time zone throughout my trip. After returning to California, I got to a neighborhood park within an hour of landing and spent some time soaking in the sun, once again barefoot. I felt much more tired heading west, but I still managed to go to bed at a reasonable hour that night.

Would I consider it again?

If nothing else, grounding offers a great excuse to enjoy the outdoors in a beautiful setting, and I consider that a solid remedy for jet lag.

Homeopathic No Jet Lag Tablets

Sarah Buder, Dinogo contributor
As someone who travels often, my go-to method for battling jet lag is a bit . . . simplistic. When I head to a drastically different time zone, I typically rely on caffeine to help me adjust until I’ve somewhat acclimated. A few cups of coffee throughout the day usually keep my energy up, especially with the added adrenaline of exploring a new place. However, when I planned a trip from New York City to New Zealand, I figured the daunting 16-hour time difference was a perfect reason to try a more established approach to managing jet lag.

The wellness and beauty brand the Organic Pharmacy, based in London and New York, offers a range of homeopathic No Jet Lag Tablets ($17) that promise to alleviate the insomnia and fatigue commonly experienced when your circadian rhythm is disrupted. Each small bottle contains 30 plant-based arnica/cocculus tablets, which resemble tiny sugar candies more than traditional homeopathic pills. Arnica is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and can aid circulation and muscle discomfort, while cocculus is believed to help balance stress and hunger, reduce nausea, and enhance alertness. These jet lag tablets combine these two herbal ingredients, along with sucrose—a plant-derived sugar—and rye alcohol, an “inactive” component used in their production.

Using these herbal tablets is straightforward. Before your flight, place one tablet on your tongue and let it dissolve. Repeat this every 4 hours during the flight and every 12 hours for 2 days after landing. Ensure that the tablet is taken at least 15 minutes apart from eating or drinking.

My journey from New York to New Zealand involved a 6-hour flight from New York to Los Angeles, followed by a 13-hour flight to Auckland. During the first leg, I was diligent about taking the tablets as directed, but I likely missed a few doses while I slept during parts of the Los Angeles to Auckland flight. Nonetheless, once I arrived in New Zealand, I continued to adhere to the instructions for the following 48 hours.

The outcomes

I touched down in New Zealand feeling quite energetic, but it’s difficult to determine if this was due to the remedy starting to take effect or simply my excitement for the trip. I definitely experienced some disorientation on my first night in Wellington, but I managed to stay alert enough to savor my dinner reservation at the delightful Boulcott Street Bistro. I found myself waking up before sunrise during my initial mornings in the country, yet I adapted to New Zealand’s time zone relatively quickly and without much trouble. I’d consider that a win.

Would I try it again?

I still have some tablets left, so I’ll likely use them the next time I travel to a significantly different time zone. This remedy didn’t completely eradicate my jet lag, but it certainly helped me manage my energy levels while I adjusted to New Zealand’s time zone. Additionally, taking the tablets every four hours prompted me to check in with how I was feeling at various times throughout the day. This ritual, in itself, aided my body’s adjustment in a healthy manner.

Clock-Blocking

Katherine LaGrave, deputy editor
A week before my recent trip to Japan, my brother, who frequently travels for work, called with some advice: “You should set your alarm for 4 a.m. each morning and start having dinner then,” he said, unhelpfully reminding me that Japan is 14 hours ahead of New York. I initially dismissed his suggestion, but a few days before my flight, I began to panic. I would be in Japan for 10 days, and I didn’t want to drift between time zones in a dazed state—I wanted to truly adjust to Tokyo time.

With the help of some inventive colleagues, I opted for a strategy so absurdly simple that I wondered why I hadn’t tried it on previous trips: once I boarded my flight to Tokyo, I would set my clocks to Japan time and ignore any mental distractions like What time is it in New York? or In New York, I’d be having breakfast right now! Surprisingly, it worked to some extent. I followed the airline's schedule, eating when meals were served and closing my eyes when the cabin lights dimmed, even after enjoying a large meal before takeoff, and even if our flight left at 10:30 in the morning when I theoretically shouldn’t be tired for another 12 hours. Tokyo time, here I come!

The outcomes

My eyes were burning when I landed, so I headed straight for a vending machine coffee after clearing customs around 4 p.m. I resisted the urge to nap and took several walks, and within a day—short of going to bed an hour earlier than usual (11 instead of 12) and waking up an hour earlier than I normally would (6 instead of 7)—I found myself somewhat, maybe, kind of adjusted. It turns out, the brain is quite powerful.