Stomach problems in or after India/Nepal? Check for Blastocystis hominis & take kuṭaja against parasites

 Just a little heads up for fellow Asian travel enthusiasts. If you are having some stomach problems when in India or Nepal, or possibly long after you have returned, it is very much possible you have contracted a parasite called blastocystis hominis. Stomach problems can have a wide variety of causes, from a simple unbalance in your constitution (possibly caused by different climate, food and pathogens in Asia than you are used to) till the more serious and more well-known pathogens such as  E. coli or Giardia. But in some individuals (not everyone!) it can be caused by blastocystis hominis. Wikipedia says:

"Although the role of Blastocystis hominis in human disease is often referred to as controversial, a systematic survey of research studies conducted by 11 infectious disease specialists from nine countries, found that over 95% of papers published in the 10 years prior identified it as causing illness in immunocompetent individuals.[7] The paper attributed confusion over pathogenicity to the existence of asymptomatic carriers, a phenomenon the study noted is common to all gastrointestinal protozoa."

Basically, this means that some people have this but it doesn’t bother them, but in some –otherwise healthy- people it can cause problems.

As for myself, I had some stomach problems such as bloating, pain and flatulence, mostly during the night. I did a stool test in Nepal, yet all tests came out negative. I continued to have some symptoms on and off for months. After a long time (too long) I finally decided to do another text in France. This time, the test was much more extensive. The problem is that standard stool tests do not always test for blastocystis hominis and only test for E. coil, Giardia, etc. The test came out positive and in all likelihood I have carried this pathogen around for 1.5 years. 

Alternative solution to antibiotics

The standard treatment for blastocystis hominis is ten days of Metronidazole. However, antibiotics is not so great for your stomach. And after a bit of Googling, it also does not even seem to be 100% effective. In the past, whenever I had stomach problems in Asia, I used to take an Ayurvedic herb called kuṭaja, kurchi or ambikā, in latin referred to as holarrhena antidysenterica (isn't that an amazing name?) There has been plenty scientific research on the efficacy of this herb against amoebias, giardiasis, etc. 

"Singh (1985) reported the clinical efficacy of HA stem bark extract in forty patients of clinical amebiasis and giardiasis. The extract was found to improve 70% of clinical symptoms (symptoms such as loose motions, constipation, flatulence, abdominal cramping, diminished appetite, and mucus in stools related to these infections) when given at 4 g/day per adult in three divided doses for 15 consecutive days."

Some more Googling also suggested the pro-biotic Saccharomyces boulardii. In any case, after taking both of these all my symptoms disappeared within one or two days.

Kuṭaja in India

Kuṭaja in Nepal

In general, I would advise to always have a supply of Kutaja with you when you travel in Asia. As soon as you have any signs of some pathogen such as amoebias, irritable bowel syndrome, etc, immediately take it. In any case, it won’t hurt. If you are in Nepal, it is available under the name Amati. Take according to instructions on package. Or take 1 tablet before each meal (thus 3 times a day) for a week. Symptoms should disappear within one two days. 

DISCLAIMER: I am no doctor and all of this is on your own risk! If you are sick, go and see a doctor!