I’ve traveled to India many times, often staying for several months. There are a lot of pathogens (especially parasites) that travelers are exposed to while in India that we haven’t built an immunity to. I have found that certain all-natural supplements do a great job of warding off these unwanted “critters” from wreaking havoc in my body and also keeping my immune system strong and healthy. The other keys to staying healthy are to build up your system before you travel and avoid eating or drinking the wrong things while you are in India.
Water is the Key to staying healthy
Now keep in mind, you can take all the supplements in the world, but if you aren’t taking proper care to avoid ingesting the wrong thing, you may likely still get sick. So most importantly be careful not to ingest anything that may have been contaminated with un-purified water. This includes:
- ONLY drink bottled water. If you buy water on the street, double check that it is properly sealed
- Brush your teeth with bottled water
- Don’t eat raw food from restaurants or other camps at the Kumbh Mela (this includes innocent and delicious looking chutneys)
- Keep your mouth closed while you bathe
- Don’t eat at streetside food stalls and be very picky about which restaurants you go to
- Clean your hands well before putting them in your mouth (Since we eat with our hands in India, make sure to wash well before meals, or I highly recommend carrying natural anti-bacterial hand wipes.)
When coming to stay in our camp at the Kumbh Mela or visit the Sai Maa Shakti Dham Ashram, our kitchen is kept clean and we only use purified water, so you don’t need to worry about eating or drinking anything that comes from one of our kitchens.
Before you travel
Before you depart for India, I suggest building your immune system with immune-boosting supplements and a healthy diet, as well as taking some probiotics to boost gut health (I much prefer liquid probiotics to pills).
Next, stock up on supplements to keep you healthy while you are there. Here’s the supplements I use to stay healthy while traveling in India or other third-world countries. Every person’s body is different, so make sure you check with your healthcare provider before starting a new supplement regimen, and find the combination of supplements that is right for you.
My go-to supplements for staying healthy in India
Miror EPF
This is the best supplement I have ever found to kill pathogens (bacteria, parasites, fungus, viruses) and at the same time it boosts immune function. I have been taking this for several years and it has stopped many colds that threatened to get me sick. I literally never travel anywhere without Miror EPF.
Dosage: For maintenance take 3 drops, 3 times a day on a daily basis (take this long term, every day, to ward off any pathogens you come in contact with BEFORE they get you sick). Increase dosage as needed for acute pathogenic infections (ie when you get sick). It can also be used topically for skin infections.
Note: Miror EPF tastes like soap and temporarily numbs your tongue (from the clove oil) so I don’t recommend taking it straight if you want a healthy long-term friendship with this supplement. I’ve often heard people say they stopped taking it because it tastes so bad, however in my experience it’s pretty harmless when taken diluted. My preferred dosing is putting water in my mouth, placing a few drops into the water, and immediately chasing it with more water. I hardly notice what went down.
Grapefruit Seed Extract
This treats digestive disturbances and kills pathogens in the gastrointestinal tract. This is another great supplement for killing all kinds of infectious microbes—bacterial, viral, and fungal.
Dosage: Can be taken in liquid or pill form. For liquid, adults can take 10 drops diluted in water or juice, 1-3 times daily.
NOTE: Grapefruit seed extract can deplete the good bacteria in the gut when taken long-term. Taking Probiotics two hours before GSE is a good way to balance gut flora. It is known to interact with some drugs and may lead to adverse reactions. If you are taking medications, please check with your doctor before taking Grapefruit Seed extract.
Oregano Oil
This is another effective supplement that has been shown to reverse or reduce infections caused by bacteria, fungus, parasites, or viruses. It will help infections in the gastrointestinal tract, as well as treat respiratory infections such as coughs, colds, flu, sore throats, and bronchitis.
Dosage: Can be taken daily, or as needed. Has shown effectiveness to eliminate certain intestinal parasites when taken as 200 mg three times daily for 6 weeks.
Activated Charcoal
This relieves acute digestive issues such as vomiting and diarrhea. Activated charcoal binds with toxins in the stomach and helps them to be eliminated, rather than being absorbed and causing harm. This is a great supplement to have on hand in case of food poisoning.
Dosage: Taken as needed (hopefully not at all!)
Contraindications: Activated charcoal is safe for most adults when used short-term. May cause constipation. Don’t use activated charcoal if you have any kind of intestinal obstruction.
Immune Boosters
It is very important to keep the immune system strong while traveling in an environment with lots of new pathogens. There are many immune-boosting supplements such as Vitamin C, Elderberry, Cat’s Claw, Zinc and so many more. Bring along your favorite immune boosters and, as always with supplements, find the most bioavailable and highest quality you can get. In my experience, liquid supplements are easier for the body to absorb.
Lung Support
If I spend too much time in a big city or at the Kumbh Mela where there is a lot of smoke, my lungs suffer. Essential oils are fantastic for the lungs and purifying air. I always travel with lavender and eucalyptus oil (and there are many other essential oils that are great for lungs). There are also many herbal formulas for the lungs. I suggest doing your own research based on what you know about your body to find the right herbs.
My final words of wisdom: If you do get sick, consider it a blessing of purification from India ;). It’s not worth being in fear of getting sick, so just enjoy the ride and trust the intelligence of your body to take care of itself!
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. If pregnant or nursing, consult your doctor before taking any supplement. Consult a healthcare practitioner before taking any nutritional supplement if you have or suspect a medical condition and/or are taking any medications. If you experience any adverse reactions from taking any product, discontinue immediately and contact your health care practitioner.
