Coca Tea | Tagged Posts
2017
20
September
Can Chlorophyll Drops Help with Altitude Sickness in Peru?
20
September
Question:
Humans say...
Heather
It's hit or miss who the altitude affects. Slow acclimation is the best defense. We also took the medication Acetazolamide and had very few problems.
Alison
I had a severe headache and trouble sleeping after arriving in Quito. Drank coca tea and sucked coca candy which is available there, and found relief, but it took four days!
Larry
I had the same issues in Cuzco. Severe headache, couldn’t sleep, heavy breathing, and had aches all over. Drank a lot of coca tea and ibuprofen
Sara
Thanks!
Sara
Larry thanks!
Dena
I had to breathe more frequently but for the most part I was good.
My travel companions didn’t fair as well but slowly acclimated.
We took the altitude sickness meds along with us and started taking them before getting too high. They made my hands, feet and sometimes face tingle so I quit taking them and I was fine.
It’s just going to depend on your body. Get lots of rest and drink plenty of water. Coca tea can be helpful too.
Heather
The tingling can be hard to take. Drinking more water solves that
Brendan
My wife and I went to Ecuador. We both noticed shortness of breath on hikes but not much more than that. Depends where you are going. Machu Picchu is lower than Quito but Cusco is higher.
Sara
Thanks ... yes we are going to Cusco..
E
I did , I took the pills and it didn’t work , I relax and didn’t work , I ended up in a clinic for 3 Days , thank god I had insurance , it went away went I went to Machu Picchu , you only get sick in Cuzco cause is higher then Machu Picchu , I got heachace , puked and diarrhea , they thought I had food poison but at the end was high altitude sickness
Sharron
Give yourself a “few day” to adjust.
Cynthia
I felt nauseous a few times and drank the coca tea and was fine. Spent about 3 days in Cusco adjusting and had no problems.
Sara
If you can take the bus to cusco do it. It's long but helps. Also you can get pills at the pharmacy to help climatize. I was told they were better to get their than at home. They were cheap and I had no issues at all.
Norma
Yes me too. I used my friend's locally purchased caffeine pills. He didn't need them and I did and I'm a hiking freak (or I was at least). Two ozzie grandmas in our group were fine and other young strapping hikers were sick. Nothing you generally can't push through though, under supervision.
Marilyn
Actually you can die from altitude sickness. It's not really something to push through.
Marilyn
Everyone's different and no way to predict how your body will react. My husband was hospitalized. Another friend vomited. I felt like I had the worst tiquilla hangover ever. Cocoa leaves didn't help us. Get the drugs from the travel clinic and take them before you go to altitude - start a couple of days before. Others we traveled with were fine. We took about 4 days to acclimatize but still got sick.
E
Me all of the above nothing helped me to acclimatize
Jill
Just returned from Peru. My husband tried the pills but they didn't help. Time, coca tea and hydration are key! In Cusco the altitude will mess with your mind and body a bit, but just accept it and take it slow for a few days. When we arrived in Cusco, our hotel was up an incline that was too narrow for the taxi. Our driver offered to carry our suitcase but my husband (attempting to be macho, I think) declined at first, but within a minute realized his error and gave it over! It was funny.
I must say, the tea really helped us. Gives you a little energy without any ill side effects. We particularly found chewing the leaves helpful when we hiked to 18000 feet to rainbow mountain! As others have said, altitude sickness is not particular in choosing its victims! Some of the youngest and strongest can get hit the hardest. Take it slow, accept that you will have some down time and keep hydrated! Also be careful to eat consistently. I normally have a very high metabolism and eat often but found my appetite was greatly diminished at the high altitude. Bring a supply of your favourite snack bars( Vega) at hand and be sure to snack even if you don't feel hungry. In summary, we had the trip of a lifetime and the few incidents of not feeling top notch were well worth it! Oh, and do not forget to be generous with your sunscreen. It may feel cool but you WILL burn in no time at that altitude.
Heather
The sunscreen! Remember the backs of your hands. I really noticed how much sun my hands got... we were there in April/may so the weather was cooler and often wearing long sleeves. Didn't think about my hands!
Gabriel
My friend and I both started taking Acetazolamide pills the day before we flew to Cuzco. We also drank coca tea every morning with our breakfast. I didn't experience much altitude sickness but my friend did, and she was out of breath/fatigued for some of the trip. (eg. The Ollantaytambo ruins hike is pretty steep and has a higher elevation than Machu Picchu) You probably should get the prescription just in case or else you may miss out on some really awesome hikes! (I really recommend Pinkuylluna even though most people skip it because of the altitude and difficulty)
Lissi
Ask your drugstore.
Karen
You can chew on coca leaves and that helps
Sharron
Coca candy as well.
A.I. says...
Altitude Sickness in Peru: Will Chlorophyll Drops Suffice?
Altitude sickness is a common problem for travelers to Peru, as the country is home to some of the highest mountains in the world. Symptoms of altitude sickness can include headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and shortness of breath.
There is no cure for altitude sickness, but there are a number of things that can be done to prevent or treat it. One common treatment is to take chlorophyll drops.
Chlorophyll is a green pigment that is found in plants. It is believed to help with altitude sickness by increasing the production of red blood cells, which carry oxygen to the body's tissues.
There is some evidence to suggest that chlorophyll drops may be effective in preventing or treating altitude sickness. However, it is important to note that there is no definitive research on the subject.
If you are considering taking chlorophyll drops to prevent or treat altitude sickness, it is important to talk to your doctor first. Your doctor can help you determine if chlorophyll drops are right for you and can provide you with instructions on how to take them.
Other Tips for Preventing and Treating Altitude Sickness
In addition to taking chlorophyll drops, there are a number of other things that you can do to prevent or treat altitude sickness. These include:
* Ascending slowly to higher altitudes
* Taking breaks during your ascent
* Staying hydrated
* Eating a healthy diet
* Avoiding alcohol and caffeine
* Getting enough rest
If you experience symptoms of altitude sickness, it is important to descend to a lower altitude as soon as possible. You can also try taking over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen to relieve symptoms.
Conclusion
Altitude sickness is a common problem for travelers to Peru, but there are a number of things that can be done to prevent or treat it. Chlorophyll drops may be one of these options, but it is important to talk to your doctor before taking them.
Sara
Travelling to Peru , anyone experience altitude sickness, will chlorophyll drops suffice?