Natural Treatments for Parasites

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Natural Treatments for Parasites

From Cathy Wong,Your Guide to Alternative Medicine.

It is estimated that three out of five Americans will be affected by parasites

at some point in their lives.

 

Parasites can sometimes appear like a digestive problem. Chronic diarrhea is a

common sign of parasites. Parasites can cause a wide variety of symptoms, such

as abdominal pain, allergy, anemia, bloating, bloody stools, chronic fatigue,

constipation, cough, diarrhea, gas, irritable bowel syndrome, itching, joint and

muscle aches, nervousness, hives, allergic reactions to foods, mucus in the

stools, poor immune response, rashes, sleep disturbances, teeth grinding, fever,

unexplained weight loss.

 

Parasites can deplete the body of nutrients such as vitamins A, B6, and B12,

potassium, calcium, and magnesium, overwhelm the immune system, which can lead

to severe illness. Symptoms can come and go depending on the life cycle of the

parasite involved.

 

Parasites are a hidden disease, because most people who have parasites don’t

know it. Researchers are beginning to see how parasitic infections may mimic or

be involved in diseases such as rheumatoid symptoms, chronic fatigue syndrome,

Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea, AIDS,

and arthritis.

 

Sources of Parasites

Many people think parasites are something we only get from traveling in other

countries, but this is not true. Contaminated water supplies, international

travel, day care centers, pets, consumption of raw fish are just some of the

reasons why parasites have become more prevalent.

 

Food – Raw or undercooked beef may contain tapeworms or the roundworm

Trichinella. Raw fish such as sushi, sashimi, ceviche, and smoked salmon may

contain tapeworms and anisakid worms. Poor digestion can be a contributing

factor. Someone with a low acid level in the stomach may not be killing germs in

the foods they eat.

 

Water – Two of the most common parasites are Giardia and Cryptosporidium,

which can survive even in chlorinated water for up to 18 months.

 

Travel – Parasites that were once associated with tropical diseases are now

appearing in North America, due to the rise in international travel and

migration.

 

Pets – Some of the parasites that may be transmitted from pets to human

include roundworm, hookworm, and toxoplasmosis. They are transmitted through

contact with fur containing parasite eggs, infected fleas, or contact with

animal feces.

 

Testing for Parasites

Random stool tests are the most common form of testing for parasites. This test

detects about 85 to 90 percent of parasites. Some parasites, such as Giardia,

live further up in the digestive tract so some labs now give an oral laxative

prior to testing for parasites. This is called a stool purge.

 

Another form of testing is a rectal swab. This is used because some parasites

live in the mucous membrances that line the intestines rather than in the

stools. A rectal swab allows a sample of mucous to be taken.

 

Natural Treatments for Parasites

There are a variety of mainstream drugs to treat parasites. . Some may cause

severe side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, cramps, and vertigo and be hard on

the liver.

 

If you suspect that you have parasites, it’s a good idea to get a diagnosis. You

can discuss these natural treatments and herbs with your doctor if you would

like to try a natural approach and avoid some of the side effects caused by

prescription drugs for parasites.

 

Natural treatments are highly effective but work more slowly, taking about a

month. They generally contain herbs such as garlic, wormwood, goldenseal,

grapefruit seed extract, and/or black walnut. Friendly bacteria such as

acidophilus and bifidus should be replaced after therapy is finished.

 

Herbs

Garlic - Garlic (allium sativa) contains the active constituent allicin, which

has been shown to be effective against Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lambia.

It has antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal properties. It is used for

pinworms, roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, and giardia. Garlic is available in

capsule and tablet form. Another way is to juice three cloves of garlic with

four ounces of vegetable juice and drink it, repeating every two hours.

 

Goldenseal - The herb goldenseal (Hydrastis Canadensis) has been used

historically for infections involving the mucous membranes throughout the body.

The active constituent of goldenseal is the alkaloid berberine, which has been

shown to be effective against bacteria, fungi and parasites, particularly

giardia parasites.

 

Black walnut - Black walnut is a traditional herbal remedy for ringworm,

athlete’s foot, and healing cracks in the hands and the feet. It is the juice of

unripe hulls of black walnut that are used for parasites and fungal infections.

 

 

 

Wormwood (Artemesia annua) - The herb wormwood has been used for centuries as a

herbal remedy for parasites. Wormwood tea is often used for pinworms and

roundworms and is especially effective against giardia. Wormwood can be found in

tea, liquid extract, or capsule form, however, the pure oil is poisonous. It can

initially cause a worsening of symptoms and some irritation of the intestines.

Wormwood contains sesquiterpene lactones, which work similar to peroxide by

weakening the parasite membranes. Wormwood also contains an ingredient that is

effective against malaria.

 

American wormseed - Wormseed (different from wormwood) is a traditional herbal

remedy in the tropics for expelling roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms. It is

considered to be especially useful for children. The concentrated wormseed oil

is too potent to use, wormseed tea is often preferable. More scientific studies

are needed to confirm the historical usage of this herb and its safety.

 

Pumpkin seeds - Traditionally, pumpkin seeds (Curcubita pepo) have been used as

a herbal remedy for tapeworms and roundworms. They have been shown to immobilize

and help expel intestinal worms and other parasites. In order to be effective,

great amounts would have to be eaten, up to 25 ounces for adults. The seeds are

usually mashed and mixed with juice. Two or three hours after consuming the

pumpkin seeds, a laxative is often recommended to help clear the bowels.

 

Grapefruit seed extract - Grapefruit seed extract is active against viruses,

bacteria, protozoa, and yeasts, and has been used extensively for the treatment

of parasites. Grapefruit seed extract is generally considered nontoxic and is

not absorbed into the tissues, which means that is can be used for up to several

months. This is especially beneficial for giardia and candida yeast, which can

take a longer time to kill.

 

Diet

Cook all meats until well-done. Eliminate coffee, refined sugar, white flour,

processed foods. Cooked foods are usually recommended. Carrots, sweet potatoes,

and squash are some foods that are high in beta carotene, a precursor for

vitamin A. Vitamin A seems to increase resistance to penetration by larvae.

 

Eat anti-parasitic foods. Pineapple contains the digestive enzyme bromelain. A

diet rich in pineapple can help to clear certain parasites such as tapeworms.

Papaya seeds contain enzymes that help to digest protein. They can be chewed,

but watch out, they are as hot as mustard seeds.

 

If stomach acid is low, supplementation to improve digestion may be beneficial,

such as betaine hydrochloride.

 

Probiotics such as Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacteria, and L. bulgaricus

can help to rebuild beneficial intestinal flora.

 

Tumeric and cloves are other spices that can help fight parasites. Do not eat

raw beef, raw fish or sushi.

 

Detox

Detox and cleansing is believed to be one natural approach to ridding the body

of parasites in the stools or embedded in the intestinal walls. Natural

supplements include psyllium husks, citrus pectin, papaya extract, bentonite

clay, activated charcoal, pumkin seeds, beet root, and flaxseeds are some of the

substances that can be used. Look for combination products.

 

 

 

 

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