Parasitic Infection: Symptoms and Treatment

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Parasitic Infection: Symptoms and Treatment

 

 

 

Hulda Regehr Clark drew world attention to one specific fluke that

she maintains is the cause of all diseases. There are in fact over

3000 different parasites that have been loosely grouped into four

different categories.

 

 

 

 

 

According to the World Health Organization, 3.5 billion people

suffer from some type of parasitic infection. Not all of these people

live in third world countries; many in the developed world have any

number of parasitic infections, some of which are so highly contagious

that extremely casual contact with something that has been handled by

an infected person can infect another person.

 

Since there are such a huge variety of parasites and their

characteristics vary greatly, it is not possible to generalize too

much; however some broad statements are possible. The symptoms of

parasitic infection vary enormously, enough that anyone reading the

list that follows will quickly assume that he or she harbors some type

of parasitic infection. Therefore, it should be stated that the

presence of one or more of these symptoms does not lead ipso facto to

the conclusion that one is infected, merely that it might be worth

investigating the possibility of such an infection.

 

 

 

Symptoms of Parasitic Infection

 

Acute parasite infection is usually characterized by greater or

lesser abdominal distress and diarrhea, often urgent and attended by

burning sensations and tremendous fluid loss. Only rarely is there any

visible evidence of infection. Moreover, many laboratories fail to

detect the presence of parasites even when presented with specimens

from infected persons. It is therefore sometimes necessary for the

patient to determine whether infection is likely and to

self-administer some remedy since allopathic medicine requires a

diagnosis before prescriptions can be written.

 

Once a condition has moved from acute to chronic, there may be

alternating periods of constipation and diarrhea, abdominal distention

and bloating, intestinal cramping followed by burning sensations and

the sudden urge to eliminate. Generally, there is malabsorption of

nutrients, especially fatty foods. Irritable bowel syndrome, blood

sugar fluctuations, sudden food cravings, and extreme emaciation or

overweight are all possible symptoms—but, as stated, not necessarily

proof of parasitic infection.

 

Itching is a possible clue to infection, especially among

children; however, the absence of itching does not mean there is no

infection. The itching tends to be worst where there is moisture:

nose, eyes, ears, and of course the anus. Skin sensitivity is also

common: rashes, eczema-like conditions, and even serious eruptions.

 

Many parasites affect the nervous system and give rise to sleep

disorders, such as insomnia. In children, hyperactivity is common, but

adults may have symptoms ranging from depression to anxiety. Some

parasites affect the brain and memory. In short, the part of the body

affected depends on where the parasites have invaded: blood,

intestines, liver, pancreas, kidneys, brain, etc. To make infection

even more difficult to determine, add to this scenario the fact that

many, if not most, parasites migrate so the symptoms could change

depending on where the parasites are at any given time.

 

How Parasite Infections are Contracted

 

It is extremely easy to contract a parasite infection.

Contaminated water is one source of infection. Improperly washed or

undercooked food is a common means of infection. Transmission from

pets is another. Contact with another infected person is also a common

route of infection. Travel can escalate the risks. Antibiotics pose

another problem because they interfere with normal intestinal flora,

some which tend to control certain types of infection.

 

Treatment

 

Since there are many types of parasites, each with its own

particular life cycle and pattern, a few generalizations may simplify

the rationale behind the different treatment strategies.

 

First, one needs to understand that the parasite is a creature

that depends on a host for survival, ergo its name. It leeches

nutrients that the host needs in order to be healthy.

 

Second, the parasite invades a bodily structure and inflicts

damage to that structure so healing requires both the elimination of

the parasite and the regeneration or rejuvenation of the affected organs.

 

One thing at a time. I spent many years in tropical countries and

came to realize that experts in parasitology are more likely to hail

from such countries than from the big modern medical institutions that

tend to underestimate the importance of parasitic infection. Parasites

lay eggs, thousands of them each day. According to most investigators,

the eggs are destroyed by cloves and/or clove oil. Some eggs may be

weakened by hydrochloric acid in the stomach, but parasites are clever

and want to survive so they usually lay their eggs where the chances

of viability are greater. Therefore, the hydrochloric acid is mainly

effective against newly ingested eggs. Since one can never be certain

of destroying all the eggs, perseverance has its rewards.

 

Many parasites hide in the folds of the large intestine or under

the membrane lining of the intestines. When the eggs hatch, usually

around the time of the full moon, the lining sloughs off and exposes a

sensitive area that gives rise to acute pain and often the urge to

eliminate. Some people have observed the tissue when it is sloughed off.

 

Cloves

 

I want to tell a clove story. I had some cloves in a conventional

spice jar. One day when I went to use the cloves, I noticed that the

red plastic lid was " melted. " It looked just as it might had it been

exposed to extreme heat, but the plastic was a bit sticky. I have

since discovered that several spices, good quality, fresh spices, have

a similar capacity to emulsify plastic. I am certain that it is the

volatile oils in the cloves that possess this unique trait.

 

For parasite cleansing, it is necessary to use fresh cloves that

have not been irradiated. Most spices are irradiated with 35,000 the

amount of radiation permitted in a chest x-ray. This is ostensibly

done to eradicate bacteria, but spices are generally excellent

bactericides so the irradiation is merely a way of destroying the

precious properties of spices. Non-irradiated spices are available

from most high-end health foods stores, and we, of course, carry these

spices.

 

Cloves are among the most antibacterial spices known, but as we

all know, a few cloves go a long way. Those with some familiarity with

herbal medicine know that clove oil is also used to numb pain due to

dental infection; but few know that part of the reason clove oil works

so well is that it alleviates the infection. Cloves are antiseptic,

bactericidal, and antiparasitic.

 

The Second Strategy

 

After addressing the eggs, one can deal with the parasites that

managed to hatch. There are various opinions here as to what works.

Hulda Clark and Hanna Kroeger used wormwood, Artemesia absinthium, in

a powdered form and the green hulls of black walnuts in a tincture.

These are traditional Western herbs for parasites, and a recent study

at the University of Washington suggests that a different species of

wormwood, Artemisia annua, a famed anti-malarial herb that is also in

many parasitic formulas, has significant anti-cancer properties as

well. It is this artemisia that we use in our formula.

 

Chinese medicine relies on bitter herbs to stimulate the liver to

produce more bile. One theory is that it is the bile that kills

intestinal parasites, not the toxic properties of the herbs. It is

important to bring this out since wormwood is toxic, not perhaps in

small doses, but to gain some idea of its addictive and toxic

properties, one need merely look at the absinthe habits of the

nineteenth century.

 

Vermouth gets its name from the German " wermut " or Anglo Saxon

" wermod " or wormwood, presumably because absinthe was used as a

flavoring in some recipes for this famed aperatif. I feel quite

certain that some of the traditions of consuming such beverages

stemmed from the monasteries that made the wines and liquors and that

also housed the vast libraries of books on botanical medicine. There

is a cultural tradition of dealing with some of the risks of parasitic

infection that is seen in some of the rituals from the past.

 

While Artemisia annua is safe, Artemisia absinthium should be used

cautiously. It may anesthetize a worm enough that it looses its grip

on the intestines so that it can be eliminated. This said, some

species of wormwood have other properties that justify their use in

antiparasitic protocol. For instance, Artemisia annua, popularly known

as Sweet Annie, reduces stomach pain and helps to relieve the anemia

that often attends parasitization of red blood cells.

 

Intestinal Flora, Foods, and Other Measures

 

For a web page, this has become quite long, but it would be

irresponsible to omit some further recommendations. Since parasites

thrive in the absence of proper intestinal flora, it is wise to

repopulate the body with intestinal flora. Chlorinated water and

diarrhea cause destruction and loss of friendly flora so every effort

should be made to rebuild the flora. Turmeric greatly assists this

work as do supplements of acidophilus, bifidus, bulgaricus, and other

friendly organisms.

 

Use of green juices, aloe juice, and a diet high in greens also

helps as does supplemental garlic and asafoetida (in capsules or

food.) In addition, one can nibble on pumpkin seeds and eat fresh

pineapple and calmyrna figs. Coconut also has antiparasitic

properties. According to some sources, sesame oil is somewhat

antiparasitic, and black cumin seed, Nigella sativa, has significant

anti-parasitic properties. Many recommend drinking sesame oil, a

teaspoon or so at a time throughout the day. I personally would add

clove oil and/or fennel seed oil to the sesame oil. Fennel seed tea,

three cups per day, can be used, especially towards the end of the

cleanse. Some authorities believe that fennel intoxicates parasites,

making them less protective and easier to annihilate.

 

Recipe for pumpkin seed, sesame, astragalus nutbutter

 

In my experience, no one succeeds in ridding the body of parasites

in the five days Hulda Clark suggests is possible. I am convinced of

this because there are so many hiding places in the body, especially

the intestines. I do not deny that one can become significantly better

in a short time. I merely doubt that thorough elimination is possible

in a short time. I know specialists in India who required four years

to complete treatment. This said, somewhere between the miraculous

five-day cure and the discouraging four-year one, there might be a

middle ground.

 

Ayurvedic parasite protocols

 

Realism

 

When using parasite formulas, I would suggest hitting hard on the

days leading up to the full moon and just thereafter and going a bit

easier on the last and first quarters of the moon. I would do this

consistently for at least three months or until all symptoms

disappear. Once the body is rid of parasites, it has to be understood

that it needs to recuperate from the insult. Therefore a program of

regeneration of the affected organs should follow.

 

Dealing with tissue damage, toxins, and infections associated with

parasites

 

In the meantime, I would suggest that while undergoing the

parasite purge that one eat less and put ones pets and other family

members on a similar regime so that everyone is on a clean footing

when the job is done.

 

Excellent (and disturbing) photograph of pinworm

 

 

 

Copyright by Ingrid Naiman 2003