Most days I’m the weirdest traveler in the guesthouse.
“What’s that?” people hesitantly ask and point to my glass jar of bacteria.
“Umm what are you drinking?” they probe with concern as I mix green powders into my fruit smoothie.
Last night my dorm mate was stricken with food poisoning. I mixed black charcoal powder with water and offered it to her to drink.
I may be eccentric, but I’m pretty damn healthy.
My immune system has never been strong. With constant strep throat, sinus infections, and the stomach flu as a child, I took many courses of antibiotics throughout my life. When I left home for college my illness amplified. Chronic cough kept me awake at night for most of Spring quarter and monthly bladder infections pulled me out of class.
You can imagine what happened when I started traveling.
My already struggling immune system had no armor against the intense physical strain and exhaustion. I was a victim many times to questionable street food. Last January alone I had four rounds of food poisoning. Fevers and frequent bathroom visits became a regular part of my life.
However last May, after being pummeled by a virus on a remote island, I found myself so worn down and exhausted that I simply could not continue traveling. I realized that my physical wellness was essential in pursuing my passions. I returned to Puerto Viejo on a mission to take control of my health.
Puerto Viejo is a place where one can cure his own cancer as easily as he can drink himself to death. In the past I skirted the gray space between: passionate in my yoga practice in the morning, dedicated to my dance moves in beach bars at night. This time was different.
Visiting Dr Gregory Damato at the Tierra de Suenos Wellness Center was a huge turning point. In addition to creating a natural treatment plan to restore my health after a year of antibiotics and food poisoning, he opened my eyes to the truth that I have the ability to heal myself, no matter what ails me. He showed me that food was more than calories and pleasure; it was medicine.
I also began practicing Reiki. A dear friend and gifted yoga instructor, Kristin, attuned me in Reiki through a course at her studio Om Yoga in Puerto Viejo. Adopting this practice into my repertoire gave me another tool for self-healing that went beyond food. It also allowed me to heal others.
Fortuitously, during my Reiki Level I course, I met a fascinating woman named Graciella. In the past she worked as a medical doctor in San Jose. Today she practices Reiki in the jungle. She and her husband, a hippie from San Francisco, are strong believers in the power of probiotics. Graciella spoke to me about the importance of regularly ingesting fermented foods with the ferver of a Baptist Minister.
So I began cleansing. I began giving myself Reiki. I began making kefir and sauerkraut. I became immersed in alternative medicine and healing. I realized that feeling good began with taking care of my body.
Two months ago when the time came to hit the road again, I was determined to maintain my health. Sure I could stay healthy in the hippie enclave of Puerto Viejo or in Seattle with the comforts of home, but what about backpacking through Southeast Asia?
In preparation, I departed Vietnam armed with my most essential health supplies. I’m happy to report that it has gone quite well. With the exception of a cold my first week in Vietnam and a brief stomach bug I have stayed healthy, even after countless overnight bus rides, rooms with air conditioning, and sharing beds with friends with fevers.
This is what I packed:
Coconut Oil
This wonder oil is antiseptic, antibacterial, and antifungal. I drink raw organic coconut oil in my smoothie, lather it on my skin, brush my teeth with it, and even use it as sunscreen. It protects against parasites in the tropics, repels insects, has an SPF10, and smells oh so good. Make sure that the brand you buy is organic and cold pressed to retain the beneficial enzymes.
Spirulina Powder
Before I left I knew that I would go through serious green veggie withdrawal. For months I was drinking a green smoothie every morning loaded with kale and spinach. While I miss that smoothie dearly, I’ve compromised by adding spirulina powder to my water or fruit smoothie. I packed a large bag to last me months. Spirulina has tons of vitamins and minerals found in dark leafy greens. The taste is not the greatest, but if you mix into a mango banana shake it’s not bad at all. Expect a green mustache and lots of stares.
Chlorella
Chlorella is a powerful cleanser that I use only occasionally. It works by binding with heavy metals and toxins then flushing them from your system. I find it to be quite potent so I reserve it for the day after flying or when I have a stomach virus.
Grapefruit Seed Extract
I packed grapefruit seed extract for its versatility. It is a natural antiseptic, which I use for cleaning wounds, mixing with water for a mouthwash, and drinking diluted in water to maintain a healthy ph level in my stomach.
Activated Charcoal
What would I do without this miracle powder? It is the only thing I have ever taken, pharmaceuticals included, that clears up stomach poisoning almost instantly. You can purchase it in pill form, but I prefer the versatility of the activated charcoal powder. I use it as a skin scrub mixed with coconut oil to detox and exfoliate, occasionally brush my teeth with it for a whitening treatment, and mix a small amount with water to drink when my stomach is acting up.
Tea Tree Oil
I did not actually pack tea tree oil, but I really wish I had. In the past I have used it to clear up infected wounds. It is quite potent and is proved to even kill staph infections. It also works as an insect repellent when mixed with coconut oil and applied to your skin. You can find inexpensive tea tree oil at Trader Joe’s.
Enema Bag
Ok, humor me for a moment. I know this makes most people squeamish, but I promise it’s really not that bad! In fact I feel pretty amazing after doing a coffee enema. My skin clears up, my energy lifts, and I feel a strong sense of clarity. Unfortunately it is not the most convenient tool when you are sleeping in hostels with shared bathrooms. I typically aim to do one per week, though when traveling it has been less frequent. I recommend doing a coffee enema after flights and when you have food poisoning in particular. Make sure to do your research, enemas are controversial, but in my experience when done properly they are completely safe and highly beneficial. You can order enema bags online and be sure to use filtered clean water and organic coffee.
Water Kefir
Full disclosure: traveling with water kefir is a pain. It needs to be fed daily, it takes up space, and sometimes my jar leaks. However for me the benefits far outweigh the inconvenience. Water kefir is a fermented drink made from kefir grains, sugar, and water, and produces thousands of strains of probiotics. Probiotics are, in my opinion, the single most important supplement for your health, particularly when traveling. Taking probiotic supplements is certainly more convenient, however if you are taking high quality pills they can get quite expensive. Also, I find that making your own probiotic foods is much more effective than probiotic pills and purchased probiotic foods because you are using the bacteria that actually exists in your local environment.
If you want to set up your own water kefir batch, you can start by finding someone in your local community who has some water kefir grains to share or you can pick up dehydrated water kefir crystals from a local co-op or order them online.
Yoga, Meditation, and Reiki
I strongly believe that health and wellness is more than what you put into your body. Illness can often emerge from our emotions, particularly stress, anxiety, and fear. By regularly practicing meditation, yoga, and Reiki, I seek to restore balance in my mind, body, and spirit. Plus it just feels damn good to stretch your muscles, clear your mind, and relax.
I’ve fortunately had access to some of my health staples in the countries I’ve traveled through. In Vietnam I was able to find raw cacao (for Magnesium), chia seeds (for fiber and omega 3s), and local bee pollen (vitamin B and other minerals). There are also loads of natural, indigenous health treatments all over the world if you ask the locals. In the tropics the aloe vera plant, young coconut, ginger, and turmeric can all be used as medicine for various ailments. Best of all they are cheap and readily available.
While I have tried to use exclusively natural products, I have made a few exceptions in extreme circumstances. Early in my trip I got a nasty burn from the exhaust of a motorbike. After two weeks of cleaning with salt and grapefruit seed extract and coating with coconut oil, my wound was not healing and it was infected. I finally broke down and cleaned it with hydrogen peroxide and used antibiotic cream. Sometimes when you are traveling you have to weigh your risks. Developing a serious infection was too big of a cost for me.
Disclaimer: I am in no way a nutritionist or a health expert. These are simply the tools I have found that work for me. Please do your own research and use what works for you. Whether you have travel sickness, a chronic cough, or cancer, the more you research and experiment the more you empower yourself to take control of your own health. It could change your life.
What do you pack in your suitcase to stay healthy on the road? Are you a crazy hippie like me? 🙂
Bravo to you for not letting your tender physical state disrupt your resolve to travel — being true to your mantra of making travel your prime priority and living your values —- A very interesting post, makes me curious about natural health, tho I’m sure I don’t have the discipline to explore as you have
Ease into it 🙂 Start with a green smoothie!
This is great! Thank you for sharing your list. I use most of these things in my everyday routine in the States – but it is good to hear that you can travel with them and use them in other countries. I wouldn’t have thought of bringing kefir with me – but now I will! Hope you stay healthy and happy out there! 🙂
Thank you Amy!! 🙂
Hey girl! Love the info here! Where did you get your powdered charcoal? I’m heading home tomorrow for a bit and I will purchase a bunch of these things while I’m in the states. xoxo
Thank you! I actually bought mine in Puerto Viejo at the farmer’s market! But you can buy them in any health store. I usually have just seen the pills. And of course online you can find anything and everything.
Thank you so much for posting this, I’ve got about 6 months till I begin my travels and I have been super curious about many of the things you posted above. This information will be very beneficial for me.
Great let me know how it goes for you!
This is my favorite post yet! So many good tips and ideas to think about. Thanks lady! 🙂
Thanks girly 🙂 Miss you!!
This is great, thank you! A wellness kit is definitely something I overlook in my attempt to pack superlight. I remember on my last trip, a good friend packed a big bag of doterra essential oils. many of them were medicinal, and used internally a drop or two at a time to cure a variety of ailments. The taste was awful, but definitely useful and saves space! Anyway, thanks for sharing, I will start to do this forward; I miss my green drinks when I travel too. I didn’t ever think about bringing the powder along with me!
You’re welcome! Yes, I definitely wish I had more essential oils with me. Let me know anything else you think belongs in the kit 🙂
This Charcoal powder is something I must look into. I sometimes battle with stomach problems!
It is uhhhmaaayyyzing 😉
Can I find good *organic* coconut oil somewhere in Puerto Viejo? I’d love to buy some 🙂
Yes! The best brand is Eco Talamanca which you can find at most of the grocery stores, I think I’ve bought mine from Old Harbor or Pirripli? They sell it at La Botanica Organica too. OR make your own, how: https://www.thisamericangirl.com/2013/07/15/what-to-do-with-a-coconut/
Thank you. I’m printing this. I’ve used coconut oil, natural sources of magnesium and other things for decades. I’ve often wondered how you manage to live/travel with the locals, consume the traditional cuisine of so many countries and . . . . . still write such lively, healthy, positive blogs! Have you ever picked-up a strange “parasite”? A travelers worst fear!
Aw thank you so much! Hm have I gotten a strange parasite? Not sure, most likely considering how sick I’ve been but as soon as I get back to my probiotics everything always balances out 🙂
I am a crazy hippie also. I do have to say, it sounds like you may have an allergy to something. I had sicknesses like you, found out I was allergic to gluten and have removed most of the dairy also, and am rarely sick now and have way more energy. You might try removing those two things for a few months and see what happens. Thanks for the specifics though & have great fun with your travels! 🙂
Thank you! I’ve definitely noticed that when I’m traveling, as long as I have kefir water I don’t get food poisoning. However, I also discovered in Southeast Asia that I’m allergic to dairy, as my skin now completely breaks out when I eat it after basically going off it for 6 months. I may also be allergic to gluten, generally I try to eat as little of it as possible. Thanks for the advice!
Great Read! This is very helpful to me because I’m a frequent traveler. The one thing that I’m always concerned about is my health. Will I get sick from eating the food? I try to eat healthy but it’s a struggle. I plan on getting better at choosing healthier food options. Thanks for sharing!
http://www.inspireandlove.com
Sure thing! Glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Love your holistic approaches to health 🙂
But… Do you recommend getting traveler’s insurance? We will be in Costa Rica for 6 weeks
Thank you Jasmine 🙂 I personally don’t use traveler’s insurance, but it might not be a bad idea. I think it’s less important here than in SEA with poor healthcare and chance of motorbike injuries.
Gearing up for a ltt to South America – used to making lots of fermented foods at home but haven’t tried water kefir and would love to know the logistics of how you made it on the go! thx
Thanks for inspiring my latest post 🙂 Enjoy your trip to South America!!! 😀
Great post! I will definitely be sharing it 🙂
thank you so much 🙂
hi,
i always carry tea trea oil and char coal with me. what i can also recommend are homeopathic remedies. but when using it u should deny mint and coffee.
u can carry them easily since they dont take a lot of space and they work well and fast when you take the right ones.
good health! *
Thanks for the tip Julia. Any homeopathic remedies in particular you can recommend to us? 🙂
Great information! My grandfather was a medical doctor and in his day they used activated charcoal to treat stomach viruses, poisonings and some overdoses! I have an addition to the kit: I get motion sick in rough seas or mountain roads and swear by crystallized ginger (and acupressure wrist bands) I also travel with chamomile tea to calm the stomach and lavender oil for a good night sleep. Thanks for sharing your amazing experiences with us!
Yes ginger is such a great nausea remedy! Thanks for the tip 🙂
Hi,
I am like you. I am traveling with all sort of weird packages, chlorella tablets, essential oils, coconut oil.
For the Emma bag it usually stays home and don’t bother to take it with me as I like to travel light.
I am in Africa and I haven’t been sick yet.
I wouldn’t travel without some clay. It allows me to drink whatever water available. I add one teaspoon of green illite powder clay per liter of water. You can the drink it or leave it at the bottom. It also helps against parasite, malaria and supposedly helps you cleansed.
It’s also great for wounds and other injuries.
Thanks for the great information.
Martin
Great tip! I will definitely look for some of this clay! Is it different from bentonite clay?
Thanks for the tips! I’m going to Sri Lanka for a year and trying to avoid sickness as much as possible, really appreciate you passing your experiences on. (I don’t know if you know anything about this but I was told not to eat ANY leafy greens there, which is going to make me very sad; is Spirulina the best option or is there a way to make foreign greens ok for my system?)
Hey Casey, hm that’s strange I haven’t heard anything about not using any of the leafy greens. Some people are weird about eating vegetables that can’t be peeled, but I just make sure to have my kefir water and it’s never a problem. In Southeast Asia I bought local green spinach all of the time. You should be fine 🙂 BUT leafy greens can be hard to come by, which is why having the spirulina on hand is good.
Is it easy to find essential oils in Costa Rica? I am planning to do some long term traveling there and don’t know if I should bring my tea tree, peppermint, and lavender oils with me or just buy them there?
Hey Leyla, hm you can buy Aromaflor which is awesome and made by my Costa Rica friend, but there definitely not easy to find everywhere. I think you need to go to her shop in San Jose. Personally I buy all of that stuff ahead of time, and I get my oils wholesale with Young Living. If you’re interested in getting wholesale essential oils, shoot me an email at camille@thisamericangirl.com.
Camille, How do you bring the water kefir into a country that does not allow you to bring in foods that have been opened? Ex: Mexico
Hey love, you can bring them in dehydrated form inside of a sealed packet 🙂
We met Gregory Damato at Envision last year (after a month in PV!) and we learned all about chaga mushrooms. We were so surprised at his knowledge and cool attitude about health. We are back in Costa Rica and once again made it to Envision (this time staying in Dominical for a couple months). We visited Greg again and thanked him for catapulting us into the world of medicinal mushrooms. He and his family are such beautiful and authentic beings! I’m curious if you his wellness center is near PV?
That is so awesome!! Ok so they used to run the wellness program at Tierra de Suenos but now they do their own thing down here in Puerto Viejo 🙂 I love his wife Hillary so much!
Awesome okay thanks!! They are such great people – both so radiant and luminous!
A yoga mat and a 2 quarts travel enema kit are always with me (I love a weekly 2qts chamomile enema, so relaxing and detoxing!). Together with a film photography old SLR camera!
Nice! Ohhhh I’ve never tried chamomile enema I will definitely try 🙂 I do the coffee for the liver cleansing benefits…
Camille your blogs are the best! Love them!
As with all of your blogs, “Travel Wellness Kit” blog is also well written and very helpful.
When traveling I try to take essential oils with me. In small amounts.
I buy herbs, as needed, locally when I arrive at a location.
Instead of taking a enema bag kit, I take a 8 ounce enema bulb syringe. It packs small. Just remove the nozzle from it. The nozzle can be stored in the bulb by inverting it into the bulb for packing. You can buy a travel kit enema bag set. But I find the 8 oz enema bulb is perfect when I travel.
For a 2 quart enema, I have to refill the bulb syringe. The bulb syringe is nice if have a “share a bath” down the hallway. Many smaller hotels in Europe are like this.
More discreet carrying a enema bulb down the hallway instead of the red rubber enema bag. OMG. LOL
Debby is so right! A chamomile enema is very relaxing and soothing. After traveling for a long day on a bus or train…I will buy some chamomile and take long hot soaking bath and get a chamomile enema. So, so relaxing.
Often I will seek out the local health food store and ask where I can be given a colonic. Europeans are much more open to enemas and colonics than we are here in the states.
Recently on a trip my travel friend had tummy issues and a fever. At first she was not happy about the idea of getting her first ever enema. I find this often when I tell others about enema benefits. Especially the coffee enema.
I gave her a chamomile enema with the bulb syringe. Fortunately, we had a room with a bath.
After her a chamomile tea enema she was better immediately! She became a believer in enemas. Especially the chamomile enema.
Please keep up the good work you are doing. You are so helpful to others.
Everyone I have told about your blogs loves them.
Bless you hon.
Hugs
Bless you ! Thanks for these great tips, I love your passion 🙂
Hugs.
Camille, love, love and more love your blog!
No doubt many have learned and improved their lives and health because of your blogs.
One, among many, good sources is the book Prescription For Nutritional Healing. Has many natural home remedies in it. Including, yes, enemas!
Another good source is optimalhealthnetwork.com
Also called OHN.
Kristina at OHN sells oils, enema bags and bulbs, soaps and more. She also has many excellent health articles.
She has a spa in MN. Where you can go to for enemas or colonics.
Please keep up the wonderful work you have done Camille!
Hugs
Blessings
Missing you on here Camille!
Hi beautiful come find me on my new website and make sure you are on my new list! I send emails every week <3 camillewillemain.com
Camille omg welcome back hon!
So glad to see you on here again!
Yes, I will visit you there soon and get on your list.
I looked at your new page. Love ❤️ them!
But for a divorced mom the prices are kinda out of my reach for now.
I didn’t see it mentioned on the new pages… do they administer colonics or enemas there?
Omg I would love to come there. Relax, love and joy.
And go on a cleansing when there.
By the way, My travel friend Joan loves your blogs. She has read all of them.
She is the woman (read my comment above) I gave a bulb syringe enema to when we were traveling recently.
She has become a “you” lol
She loves you! And so do I!
She now loves the coffee enema! And gives enemas to her kids when needed.
I introduced your pages to her and now I cannot get her off of your pages! Hugs
omg love this blog! Great helpful information on it.
Enjoyed reading all your blogs. and learn each time I do on here.
I take many of the things you listed to take when traveling.
I used to take the red rubber 2 quart enema bag… ughhh… sure those people on the machine at the airport loved that LOL. joking..sorry
I now take a 8 oz rubber reusable enema bulb syringe. It is better for travelling.
Once I get to where I am staying and want an enema…to feel better and cleanse… I get it out of suit case and do an enema or series of enemas.
Getting an enema when traveling is so relaxing, healing, and soothing. Feel so much better after getting an enema when in a different place.
I get an enema as soon as I get to a hotel.
How do I do it in hotel?
Get a large glass bowl from office or ask house keeping to get you one.
Found best to make the enema solution using for the enema in a large bowl…get a glass bowl from the office or a local store..clean it well with soapy water..rinse well.
Speaking of warm soapy water…some times I make a warm soapy water solution …for the enema. I take my own Dr brokers soap bar with me to make a mild soapy solution in the bowl. When traveling I never get a coffee one like I get at home with my bag enema. Most of the time a warm plain water enema is taken.
Before making the enema solution I prepare the bed, the room and myself for the enema.
Prepare the room by locking the door..phone off… lights on low..or candle burning…putting some nice soft music on. Light a candle if have one. Scented one..love them.
Then prepare the bed by pulling down the linen or removing it. Placing a towel, or towels, on the bed…length wise…or across the bed way.
Have my tube of lube with me..get it out of bag..sometimes it is vaseline or Vit E capsule squeezed out..
put it on the night stand. Place on a towel or paper towel or tissue. Never on the stand itself.
Then strip from waist down..or total naked…put my bed slippers on..never walk on dirty floor of the hotel!
Go to the bathroom and prepare the enema solution.
Before I prepare the solution in the bowl I clean the sink and the bowl.
I always clean the bulb before each use! So clean it when cleaning the bowl.
Making the water just a little hotter than needed in the bowl…so it is still warm when I take it bedside and ready on the bed for the enema.
Take the bowl and enema bulb syringe to bedside. Place on night stand.
I find it easier to fill the enema bulb up full first time in the bathroom. Then have extra solution in the bowl for the second enema… make sure no air is in the bulb syringe!
Take bowl and enema syringe bedside.
position for the enema varies..sometimes do it on all fours with head down on the bed,..sometimes on my back..sometimes when laying on tummy.
Which ever one makes you comfortable do it that way.
By the way, never do an enema without first talking with your doctor or provider.
This is not medical advice. Just how I do my travel enema.
Making sure the bulb is full… i get into position for the enema and I slowly squeeze the solution in…taking a deep breath in and out of my open mouth while getting the enema.
Rest , relax, relax… take my time ..after the first bulb, 8 oz, is given …I relax some and then refill the enema syringe again…getting a second bulb full.
Very relaxing to get an enema when I get to a hotel after traveling. Relaxes and make me feel so good.
After the enema…remove bed linen..clean the bowl and enema bulb with warm soapy water..rinse well.
Put both somewhere where can. air dry.
I don’t care of the maids see the enema bulb…good that they learn anyway.
I then take a nice warm bath or shower.
I do the enema as soon as I get to the hotel after a long travel day.
Sometimes I do another enema later that night…
One time a maid saw the enema bulb airing out and she told me she has the same bulb syringe at home!
How cool
omg Beth A.
Loved your comment.
I am glad someone told on here how to do an enema when traveling and get it in the hotel room.
Glad you told about setting up the room, bed, towels, getting a bowl for the solution, the enema bulb syringe and how you talk it all to bedside.
And then get an enema.
So very relaxing I bet. Especially after a long travel day and eating junk stuff.
Miss you on here Camille!
Wish you would come back and read all of the love ❤️ For you on here!
Camille, are you back to reading and replying on here?
Missed you dearly! Hugs.
Beth A, loved your comment.
I thought I was the only one who took the enema bag or bulb syringe with me on trips.
I have gotten and given many enemas when traveling.
Recently I was staying with a friend at her place. She wasn’t feeling well. Sluggish. Moody. Headache.
I told her an enema would help her feel better. After her initial “oh no, not that” reaction, she relented and I grave her an enema.
Like magic. She was feeling better immediately after the enema.
Blessings and hugs.