Causes
• Buffets - here the food may stay out at room temperature for long periods and breed bacteria
• Dairy products
• Fruits and vegetables, unpeeled
• Ice
• Salads
• Street food
• Undercooked animal protein
• Water, tap
Take a homeopathic remedy kit with you for traveler’s diarrhea: podohyllum (the best remedy for acute diarrhea) and arsenicum (for food poisoning). See homeopathic remedy section below.
Remedies
Folk
Acidophilus Take acidophilus with meals whenever you feel sanitation or water supply may be questionable. This will help build up the "friendly" bacteria in your intestines. Either a tablespoon of liquid or one to two capsules should do the trick. One good product is called Culturelle (a probiotic formula).
Apple cider vinegar For a preventive measure start taking a teaspoon of vinegar and a teaspoon of honey in a glass of water half an hour before each meal a few days before your trip. Continue this regimen during your trip.
Bismuth Subsalicylate The active ingredient found in Pepto-Bismol, bismuth subsalicylate, can be taken either after an attack or as a preventive measure. Be careful if you take aspirin regularly as Pepto-Bismol contains salicylates, which added to that in the aspirin may cause symptoms such as ringing in the ears (tinnitus).
Grapefruit seed extract Another good preventive or treatment remedy for traveler’s diarrhea is grapefruit seed extract. This extract is a powerful all-around antimicrobial product and is an excellent disinfectant. This extract is very bitter, so use tablets or capsules (take 3 capsules daily) instead of the liquid. If you do use the liquid, use five drops in a glass of water. Another helpful product to carry with you is activated charcoal which is explained in more detail below.
Lemon juice Drinking the juice of a freshly squeezed lemon in a large glass of water three to five times a day will kill off the pathogens causing the diarrhea. For prevention in case there is a stomach virus going around, take 1-2 tablespoons of juice before meals.
Loperamide hydrochloride For severe cases of diarrhea, Loperamide hydrochloride (the active ingredient of Imodium A-D) can be very helpful.
Powdered cow’s milk carries antibodies of the E. coli bacteria that you may take to prevent getting Montezuma’s revenge. Check with your health food store.
Wine Red or white wine (6 ounces is enough) contain polyphenols, an antibacterial agent.
