by MexWriter

Created on: August 09, 2007

Years ago when packing for Mexico I made sure I had two items I considered essential for my health.

The first was Dial anti-bacterial soap, which I used to cleaned scratches, wounds or bug bites, as well as hands. In the moist air of the semi-tropics, airborne germs are ready to float into open sores and thrive on surfaces you will touch every day. Today travelers no longer have to carry-in the soap. Since NAFTA (the North American Free Trade Agreement), everyday products found in super markets and drug sotres of the U.S. and Canada are available in Mexico. But, it is still essential to sores and hands clean, to prevent skin and digestive infections. Today I always carry the new waterless sanitizer and use it liberally.

Grapefruit seed extract is the second product I am never without in Mexico. It can be found in health food stores in the states and is said to be a natural anti-biotic for the digestive system. As a supplement and an alternative treatment to western medicine, that claim cannot be printed on its label. I can tell you that I have seen it work for individuals with an active intestinal infection and I have used it myself at the first sign of a symptom to prevent the flaring of an infection.

Grapefruit seed extract is marketed both in drops and tablets. I superstitiously stick to the bitter oily drops, believing it is quicker to the pesky critters that way. Directions call for mixing a dozen drops or so, depending on age and size in an 8 ounce glass of water or juice. To me that is just one long drink of bitterness. I mix the suggested number of drops in a shot of water, shooting it down like the much less bitter tequila, trying to throw it down my throat without touching it to my tongue and teeth. I then chase it with clear water or juice.

If I have symptoms or just feel my system has been compromised by a suspect source of water or food, I take the product three times in 12 hours. Don't let the bitterness scare you off. A few second of a bitter taste beats days on end of agony in the bathroom anytime. I have never had an intestinal problem in Mexico since discovering this product.

Keeping both hands and sores clean and protecting your digestive system can help insure an comfortable and pleasant visit to Mexico.

Learn more about this author, MexWriter.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.