Millions of Americans are infected by parasites, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Bet you didn’t know that, although it’s not a death warrant. If you are one of those so afflicted and you have a parasitic infection to deal with, though, life is no picnic. And it can be painful, as well as frightening, knowing a living parasite has set up camp inside of you.
What Exactly Are Parasites?
Parasites are microscopic organisms that live on or inside a host organism (humans in this case) and acquire and consume (i.e., derive) their nutrients from their host. Additionally, parasites not only live and feed off their host, they depend on it as a vehicle to move on to the next available host, where they can continue multiplying and spreading.
The three main forms of parasites are protozoa (singled-celled organisms that infect the GI tract, blood, skin, and eyes); helminths (parasitic worms living in the gastrointestinal tract); and ectoparasites (insects and arachnids that burrow into your skin).
Parasitic-induced infections can include malaria, head lice, intestinal worms (tapeworms, etc.), toxoplasmosis (infection related to eating undercooked meat), and giardiasis (gut health imbalances). For the most part, these parasites originate from contaminated water or food, bug bites, or when you make contact with parasitic-infected animals or their excrement. Symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle aches, and fever, among others, as well as swollen lymph nodes and/or itching and rashes.
Treating or Eliminating Parasitic Infections
Even if you have what just feels like flu or “just” the 24-hour bug or food poisoning, it’s worth getting checked out by your physician – once you feel well enough to get there – to be tested for a diagnosis. If it turns out to be a parasitic infection, most likely your attending physician or nurse practitioner – or someone else qualified to make an official diagnosis and prescribe medicine – will put you on some sort of antiparasitic medicine or antibiotics regimen that should clear up most infections.
An alternative treatment could involve what’s known as a parasite cleanse. That can be a self-managed process under the guidance of a healthcare professional, the goal being to eliminate the organisms through some combination of natural remedies such as supplements and/or herbs, as well as adjusting your diet.
6 Natural Remedies for Parasitic Infections
Probably more than a dozen supplements and herbs have been singled out by experts for their apparent efficacy in treating parasitic infections and mitigating the symptoms. Here are a half-dozen, in alphabetical order, that we believe merit special consideration:
Berberine. This popular herb-based supplement is believed to possess antiprotozoal properties, equipping it to thwart or kill the growth of protozoa.
Black Walnut. Juglone is the active compound found in the hulls of black walnuts, and it acts as a natural organic compound with potent antimicrobial capabilities. Theoretical evidence has shown that juglone can support the body’s natural defenses against bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic invaders.
Coconut oil. It is purported to have antibacterial and antiviral properties that make it an agent able to clear away a pinworm infection. One suggested treatment is swallowing a teaspoon of pure coconut oil each morning. Note, too, that coconut oil is devoid of cholesterol and yet rich in medium chain “good fats” often recommended by doctors.
Oil of Oregano. More than a dozen studies have been studied and cited in assessing how oregano extracts and essential oils can potentially thwart various parasites such as those linked to toxoplasmosis, an infection linked to undercooked meats or exposure to cat poop. Its apparent effectiveness in mitigating parasitic infections also includes giardiasis, a diarrheal infection found in many parts of the world. It is speculated that the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of phenols validate oregano’s promise for treating parasites.
Propolis. Bee-lieve it or not, bees manufacture this resin-like material, which for many years has been praised for its medicinal properties. As recently as 2021, a review of studies has termed the anti-parasitic properties of propolis “promising,” especially against certain kinds of protozoa parasites and parasitic worms.
Wormwood. Wormwood has been used in medical treatments for centuries, along the way earning a reputation for its capacity to bolster the body’s natural processes in deftly handling parasitic challenges. Animal studies have indicated that wormwood’s ability to ward off tapeworms might be on a par with praziquantel, an anti-parasitic pharmaceutical medication. Clinical studies suggest the same results in humans.
Parasitic infections can affect anyone, but its range of symptoms can be mitigated by the use of cleanses, perhaps even in conjunction with an assortment of natural remedies such as those presented here. As always, before using any such supplement, herb, or vitamin for the first time, be sure to discuss their use with your physician or other licensed healthcare professional to make sure they are suitable specifically for you.