January, the cold wind blows, the snow falls (in my case sadly more rain than snow) and leaves us cold to the bone. Naked branches, bare soil, the birds have left. Everything rests deep within itself. The sky turns grey, the sun seems on holiday...we citizens of the northern hemisphere want to follow the light, the warmth and feel the ease of summer. A life at the beach, light shirts, shorts and flip flops. Coconut water for breakfast and mango for lunch.
The asian paradise is almost perfect, if it wasn't for the those small creatures sucking our blood and colonising our intestines, or wounds and cuts in our skin. As much as Asia has to offer ripe, tasty fruits, white sand and a turquoise ocean, it has a trizillion of hungry mosquitoes and nasty bacteria and viruses.
Here's my list of tested remedies for small and big aches, some can be used preventative, some straight up in open wounds or cuts. This list does not give any promise that you stay healthy during your Asia experience even when all remedies are used in the most nerdy way. If Asia wants to get you, it gets you.
By booking your flight, you also book the risk of getting sick. Many times for me an extended detox-diarrhea-fast-deep-cleanse experience was part of my Asia trip and somehow, when looking back it, it was always a shedding of old layers and I came out with clarity and an enhanced life experience and the pure gratitude for being alive (and leave the safe zone around the bathroom).
When Indian micro organisms visited my daughter the first time, I remember how my husband took it personal. Like a personal attack, India against his family. I remember clearly (now smiling, back then not so much) how he got up angry and was about to book a flight at two clock in the morning when Lea woke up the 7th time vomiting from a nasty stomach bug. I also remember that this was the very day I got organised with a well propped travel kit.
This winter I actually consider staying at home, enjoying my two kids. Early nights, candles, books and art, root vegetables and resting, just as nature does. If you go, I wish you health and... eat some mangoes for me and dip in the ocean... I miss mother ocean.
- A good disinfectant
Take a spray bottle of disinfectant that doesn't sting and ALWAYS have it at hand in your back pack / hand bag. Small wounds can become nasty fast in humid and non hygienic environments. Keep them as clean and dray as possible. I use Octanisept. That one also my daughter accept on wounds.
- Colloidal Silver
Anti-bacterial, wound care / skin health, ear infection, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, sinusitis... more here. Use with care.Don't put it everywhere, all the time. Your body is made of cells, too!
In my opinion: Our bodies are made for life, also a certain amount of nastiness we can handle a lot of everything (some of us more than others)... when too fuzzed about bacteria, viruses and hygiene stay more in touristic, clean places, than going too much off-road. And when too fuzzed about everything... stay at home!
- Grapefruit seed extract
I love this one and use it as a prevention for stomach bugs. I love the taste (I might be odd?!) and do take it for about a week before going more into the wild parts of Asia and / or planing on going nuts on street food which I personally can't resist. I do take the risk, because I love the fun of it! It has anti bacterial, anti viral and anti fungal properties. Get some more information here.
- Homeopathic kit with the 24 most common remedies
Take homeopathy with you if you use it at home, too. Starting to use those alternative remedies in a foreign country with some more severe bugs usually doesn't go well. It makes a lot of sense to play with the most common remedies for the most common health issues at home to get in touch with their properties. I always have the following 24 remedies with me: Aconitum, Allium Cepa, Aloe, Apis Mellifera, Arnica, Arsenicum Album, Belladonna, Bryonia, Calendula, Cantharis, Carbo vegetabilis, Chamomilla, Cocculus, Colocynthis, Drosera, Hepar sulphuris, Ipecac, Mercuris solubilis, Millefolium, Nux Vomica, Podophyllum, Pulsatilla, Silicea, Verum album.
- Euphrasia eye drops
It happened to me so often: new climate, being on a scooter, air conditioning... gets me a conjunctivitis. Euphrasia eye drops are great for any sensitive eyes, dry, wet, or straight up conjunctivitis.
- Calendula essence
Wound treatment and also for flushing the mouth. Calendula has anti inflammatory properties. Should always be used diluted.
- Mercurialis balm
Awesome for eczema and slow healing, ulcerating wounds. Small cuts can easily turn into nasty wounds in a warm and humid climate. Be extra cautious with wounds, keep them as dry and clean as possible to prevent wounds from getting infected.
- Healing earth
Is something that is very common in Germany. It's a clay powder which is an amazing remedy for diarrhoea. It binds germs and scoria while leaving the digestive flora intact. Can be easily used preventative. Also available in capsules if you don't like the sandy drinks.
- Essential oils are always in my bag!!!
Lavender for wounds and burns, Copaiba for any skin issue, Eucalyptus for stuffed noses or breathing issues, Peppermint for headaches, Oregano oil for stomach bugs, Australian Sandalwood for sore throats.
- Bandages, a lot, best is in nice colours or with animals when traveling with children
You get them in any pharmacy there, too. Yet, they are great to have at hand to keep wounds clean. Make sure you let wounds breath in dry and clean places so they can heal properly.
- Electrolytes
Crucial to keep you hydrated when diarrhoea hits.
I personally always travel with also:
Bamboo cutlery that comes in a handy bag. As mentioned: I love street food and something that the planet definitely does NOT NEED any more is plastic cutlery that has only been used once. In my ToGoWare bag is also a bamboo straw for my daily dose of coconut water.
- Cacao
I don't do coffee, but I love cacao and when there is the luxury availability of alternative milk such as rice, oat or almond milk I do enjoy my home mixed cacao with coconut blossom sugar.
- 2 lacrosse balls
Long plane and train rides take my thorathic spine out of place and gives me a tight neck. Keeping my body happy prolongs my patience with myself, the travel progress and my family. For me they are crucial.
Leave a comment