Every traveler of India has heard of the term "Delhi Belly", and perhaps it is unlikely that any who come here escape it. It is the imminent invasion of micro-organisms, bacteria, that live in the water here and arrive into the body via poorly filtered water, or food prepared in untreated water. It happens. It's part of the experience, and i believe it strengthens the immune system. :-) Sometimes it lasts the whole time you are here; for us it has come in 24 hour periods. It can include vomiting, diarrhea, fever and aching joints.
We both experienced a little "India welcome party" in our bodies, in Rishikesh. It was worse for Ben than I, he having a bit of all the symptoms; I only had a day of aches and low fever. We both fared it well and took it as our homeopathic dose of the little bacteria, similar to a flu shot you get in order to buiid up immunity. It came and went and after a few days, we gained back our courage with the food and water. It seems, however that we picked up some new "friends" in Varanssi before we left. It's no surprise, Varanassi is thought to be the dirtiest city in India. Ben began feeling sick the night before we left Varanassi, and progressively got worse through the next day. It was mild, thankfully, consisting of the runs and some low energy. He began to pull out of it after about 24 hours and I thought I was in the clear. Just as in Rishikesh, however, it hit me exactly a day later than he. This is typical of us. It hit me two days ago in the late afternoon, and took me to my knees.. Literally. I had all the symptoms, with ferocious intensity. It felt like my insides were getting juiced and it was the most pain I have ever felt while being sick. Thankfully, the intensity only lasted that night, and by yesterday morning, I felt only exhaustion. I laid in bed the whole day, unable to peel myself out had I wanted to. By 8pm I felt a refreshing of energy, and we went to a nice place for some brothy soup and boiled vegetables.
We both brought some "grapefruit seed extract" with us.. A natural antibiotic which you mix in water and drink. The taste is horrifying, but it works quickly and efficiently. I am amazed at the healing powers of this little seed. After a half hour of taking it, you begin to feel better, and progressively thereafter. I believe it is the reason our bouts have only lasted 24 hours rather than days, or months. We have also been taking our rehydration salts, medicinal mushroom capsules and Ayurvedic adaptogenic herbs... So we are back on track to feeling healthy and parasite free!
For those who might be worried about us, don't be. This is totally normal...a rite of passage if you will. We are doing fine with it all, and taking really good care of each other. We both feel a lot better now.
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