If you are troubled by intestinal parasites, you may be wondering whether a natural remedy could help restore your health. Although there is not much research that clearly supports their use, some herbs, seeds and their extracts can benefit your body.
A parasite cleanse involves a dietary or other supplement regime that helps to detoxify the human body and rid it of infections caused by parasites. The aim of the cleanse is to do this without unnecessary prescription medicines. However, there is no evidence that it is an effective way of treating a parasitic infection.
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What are parasites?
Parasites are organisms that infect the body of another living being and then live off their host for their own survival. While some parasites cause no symptoms in their hosts, others can cause serious illnesses.
Parasitic diseases occur when parasites grow, reproduce or attack organ systems, which makes their hosts ill. These include, for example:
- malaria,
- toxoplasmosis,
- sleeping sickness,
- dysentery.
All of these diseases depend on the specific type of parasite. Parasites that cause damage in or on the body also include, for example, tapeworms, leeches and lice.
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Symptoms of parasites in the body
If you are not sure whether you have intestinal parasites, the following bullet points list possible symptoms of their presence in the body:
- bloating,
- diarrhoea,
- tiredness or weakness,
- flatulence,
- nausea,
- passing worms in your stool,
- stomach pain or tenderness,
- vomiting,
- weight loss.
If you think you have intestinal parasites in your body, seek medical help immediately. Your healthcare provider will carry out tests to identify the parasite. They will also prescribe the most suitable treatment and explain how to stop the problem coming back.
After the treatment ends, it may be necessary to have a stool test to confirm that the parasites have really gone from your body.
Trying to diagnose yourself can lead to the wrong treatment. Instead of improving, your condition will only get worse. That is why you should always turn to a healthcare professional.
Causes of parasites
Intestinal parasites are usually caused by protozoa (single-celled organisms) or helminths (worms and larvae). In many cases, they are passed on through contact with infected faeces. This can happen when food, soil or water is contaminated.
The risk of parasites increases if you live in or visit an area where parasites are common or where human and animal waste is not properly treated. Childcare facilities and long-term care facilities are places with a higher risk of parasites.
If you do not follow good hygiene or your immune system is not working as it should, you are also more likely to get an unwanted parasite in your body.
Likewise, pets are a significant source of parasites. Many people do not realise that they should wash their hands after touching a pet. Pets usually lick their fur, and parasites and their eggs are often found on it.
Natural remedies
There is no confirmation anywhere that natural remedies can effectively treat intestinal parasites. However, some studies suggest that certain herbs may contain compounds that can be turned into plant-based medicines to treat parasites.
There is also evidence that a diet rich in vitamin A and the minerals selenium and zinc may improve the body’s natural defences against parasitic infection.
Some research suggests that certain herbs and foods may help fight parasites if you are already infected. However, most studies have involved experiments on animals.
1. Berberine
You can find this compound in herbs such as common barberry. Several studies have found that berberine can reduce the presence of parasites. For example, it was reported that this substance obtained from barberry helped protect against tapeworm infection.
You can also find this compound in herbs such as goldenrod and coptis.
2. Cabbage and garlic
Even such everyday foods can have great cleansing power, especially sour sauerkraut, onion, garlic and horseradish. These natural remedies often help drive away unwanted parasites.
Garlic works very well against pinworms and roundworms. Simply follow a course for a few days in which you steep a few cloves in warm milk and then drink it. It may not sound very appealing, but it does work.
Hot spices (such as chilli peppers or pepper) are excellent for disinfecting the stomach and digestive tract.
3. Pumpkin seeds
Pumpkin seeds contain many amino acids and fatty acids. In particular, they contain plenty of berberine, cucurbitin and palmatine. All of these amino acids are known to damage certain parasites.
In one animal study, scientists found that pumpkin seed extracts reduced the number of eggs and adult parasites. Specifically, it was research on mice. However, it is important to note that the study involved a parasite that infects mice, not humans. Scientists study this little creature because it behaves similarly to parasites that infect people.
However, pumpkin seeds crushed and soaked in milk are excellent at helping against tapeworms.
4. Wormwood
In one study, an extract from the sweet wormwood shrub killed, paralysed or damaged adult tapeworms and their eggs. It therefore shows strong antiparasitic action and helps the stomach. It appears to be most useful as wormwood tea
Many medicines are made from compounds of the sweet wormwood plant. Even so, more research is needed before it is truly clear that the plant on its own is a reliable way of treating infections.
5. Overall diet
The last tip is not a herb or a plant, but it certainly counts as a natural approach. Natural medicine experts claim that stomach acid may help protect against parasites in food. It is recommended to:
- Avoid coffee, sugar, alcohol and refined grains.
- Increase your intake of carrots, sweet potatoes and pumpkin. These foods are high in beta-carotene, which your body converts into vitamin A. This helps fight parasites.
- Restore the “good” bacteria in your gut with foods rich in probiotics (kefir, buttermilk).
- Eat foods rich in vitamin C and B vitamins.
- Avoid raw meat or fish.
Some health professionals also recommend a bowel cleanse or detox. This involves a combination of a diet high in fibre and supplements that cleanse your bowels. These include psyllium, beetroot and flaxseed.
At present, there is not much evidence to suggest that a particular diet or detox can prevent or treat parasitic infection. However, it is worth a try, as it will do no harm.
In summary
Parasitic infections can cause nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach pain and weight loss. If you think you might have a parasite, seek medical help immediately.
If you are thinking of including a natural method in your treatment plan, remember that it may not always fully work. However, berberine and wormwood extracts appear to be useful. Pumpkin seeds have also reduced the number of parasites in people. A healthy diet that includes vitamin A, selenium, zinc and probiotics can help you build your immune defences.
