You’ve been there – after planning for weeks, months or even years for a special holiday to an exotic travel destination – Bali, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Mauritius – you arrive at your destination and sample the local exotic food fare. Then it hits you – your stomach turns into a writhing, flinching, griping animal and you spend your eagerly anticipated vacation hugging the bathroom basin or making friends with the toilet seat!

I have certainly been there and while you can’t always guarantee that you will be bug-free and bulletproof to the nasties that can inhabit the food and drink that seem to love the tropics, and are waiting to strike just when you have kicked off your shoes and ordered your first Sex on the Beach.

Those who have travelled to the tropical beaches and forests of some of the most beautiful locations in the world will still warn you of the dangers of infection that come from the smallest of scratches or skin injuries.
I have seen the most innocent looking scratch become an oozing crater in a matter of days and no amount of antiseptic cream will make the least difference.

There are some precautions and natural remedies you can pack in your first aid kit that are kind to your body and yet will pack a punch and send those nasty bugs and germs back to their Maker.

These miracle cures do not cost the earth and will protect your delicate mucosal linings and your skin from alien invaders and have you on the road to recovery and lounging by the pool in no time.

Slippery Elm Powder

Derived from the bark of the Slippery Elm tree this powder is one of the fastest acting yet most gentle aids to your digestive and intestinal health. Take a spoonful of the powder in warm water or mashed into a banana after you have noticed any stomach discomfort and keep taking it every few hours until you experience relief. This powder forms a gelatinous film on your mucosal linings, it sooths and salves your digestive tract and provides fast relief to an irritated bowel.

Probiotics

Carry these with you whenever you travel and in this way keep up healthy numbers of gut flora that will assist your digestion and also aid your small intestine to recover especially after periods of illness and during and after a course of antibiotics.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Use the 3% solution of this wonder liquid to combat skin infections (you won’t believe how fast a scratch can turn into a septic ulcer in the tropics!) and also as a first defence against an ear infection. Always make sure you use this solution as an active treatment – you place it on the wound or a small amount in the ear canal as long as there is activity. The solution will froth and crackle where there is infection present and it is surprisingly gentle on skin that is healthy.

Tea Tree Oil

This is a must have in any first aid kit, whether in the home, in the car or in your suitcase. Obtained from the leaves of the Melaleuca alternifolia, it has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties will aid you in everything from skin abrasions, skin infections and colds and flu symptoms. It should never be taken internally as it is toxic when swallowed.

Raspberry Cordial

There is anecdotal evidence from many travellers to Asia that drinking raspberry cordial mixed in water alleviates the dreaded symptoms of ‘Bali belly’ and other such ailments. Although many people swear that it makes otherwise dubious drinking water safe, I would only do so if extremely pressed to find bottled water to mix the cordial in. The raspberry cordial may help prevent problems caused by bacteria in the water, however parasites and other nasties may be present and the cordial will probably not protect you against these nasties.

There is no need to fear the dangers of travel bugs when planning your next holiday to these exotic destinations. Arm yourself well with these precautionary items and have confidence in your ability to enjoy your holiday the way it is meant to be enjoyed! Be adventurous by all means, but don’t let the fear of other traveller’s tales stop you from exploring and most of all, having fun in the sun!

What are your healthy travel tips? Comment below, I'd love to hear them!

N.B. This article first appeared in Smart Healthy Women Magazine – Issue 14