Don’t get sick on your holiday!

The last thing you need is to have your vacation ruined because you got sick from eating foreign food.  Here are a few guidelines to follow to prevent and avoid this situation:

  • at least 6 weeks prior to your trip, visit a Health Care Practitioner to find out about any required immunizations for your destination (you will not be allowed into certain countries that have a specific disease outbreak without having been vaccinated, in which case you may want to choose a different destination for your trip)
  • avoid alcohol & caffeine and drink plenty of water during airplane trips to prevent dehydration
  • take Probiotics before and during your trip: use a CFU (colony-forming unit) count of at least 10 billion per dose.  Look for a shelf-stable, no-refrigeration required formula like Saccharomyces boulardii
  • bring some “all-in-one” multivitamin/mineral sachets to save space
  • if parasites are a concern at your destination, look for antiparasite travel formulas that contain garlic, black walnut, wormwood  & cloves
  • wash your hands regularly: bring along some natural hand wipes and/or a small bottle of alcohol-free, natural disinfecting spray to kill germs:
    • Thymus vulgaris (Thyme) Oil is a natural antimicrobial
    • Tea Tree Oil is antifungal, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and fights infections
    • Oil of Oregano is antiparasitic, antifungal, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory: take 5 drops 3x per day as soon as you feel a tickle in your throat for almost instant results
    • use a natural insect spray without DEET to protect againt mosquitoes
  • AVOID raw produce, food from street vendors & local drinking water
  • make sure water bottles are sealed, ask for drinks without ice and avoid swallowing water when swimming
  • eat only hot, cooked and steamed veggies, lean proteins, whole grains and fresh fruit that you can peel (avoid the skins)

Solutions for traveling ailments:

  • Aches & Pains: bring an Epsom gel which feels similar to an Epsom salt bath.  Arnica gel is as effective as Ibuprofen in treating pain and symptoms of hand osteoarthritis
  • Constipation: use a fibre supplement such as Psyllium, munch on whole grain crackers, fruit and high-fibre foods
    • Avoid caffeine and alcohol and limit intake of low-fibre and processed foods like cheese and chips
    • Drink plenty of water
    • If the above suggestions don’t help, take a dose of Magnesium Citrate which is a gentle laxative and use as directed
  • if you experience diarrhea, use a homeopathic remedy available in small vials ideal for travel: Goldenseal (which contains Berberine) is anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory
    • Recovery: follow the BRAT diet: bananas, rice, applesauce and toast, only consume fully cooked meals and avoid fatty & spicy foods
  • Heartburn: chew gum after eating to produce acid-subduing saliva but don’t use mint varieties as these cause the valve that regulates acid flow to loosen
    • eat small portions slowly
    • avoid caffeine and spicy, acidic foods
    • don’t sleep immediately after a meal
    • experience relief by taking one or two teaspoons of baking soda in a glass of cold water
    • use antacids sparingly as they decrease stomach acids, increasing the possibility of another episode
  • Motion Sickness: the morning & night before travel, take two tablets each of a formula containing Cocculus, Tabacum & Nux Vomica.  Take another tablet before departure and then as needed throughout your trip
    • Ginger capsules or tea may be helpful
    • try consuming dry crackers, unsweetened carbonated beverages or a tart green apple to quell nausea
    • some tricks you can try include gazing at the horizon, driving or lying down with your eyes closed
  • Sleep: bring a Melatonin supplement to help reset your internal clock.  If snoring is an issue, try an anti-snore spray containing essential oils like Mentha Piperita (peppermint) and Citrus limonium (lemon) to help open nasal passages and coat the throat tissues against vibration

Happy Trails!