Up to one-third of all children in the United States will have a pinworm infection, which is contracted by ingesting contaminated foods or beverages. Pinworms, or Enterobius vermicularis, are a type of roundworm parasite that live and breed in the intestines and anus. Both conventional and herbal remedies exist to treat pinworm infections; consult your child’s healthcare provider before administering any treatment to discuss potential side effects, proper dosage and possible health risks.
Ipecac
Ipecac contains the alkaloid emetine, which appears to kill pinworms. A review of medical studies published in Phytotherapy Research in 1990 suggested that ipecac can help to get rid of pinworm parasites, as well as tapeworms and amoebae, according to the University of Michigan Health System. Due to its potentially severe side effects, ipecac is typically administered in the form of dihydroemetine and used primarily when anti-amoeba medications fail to work. Talk with a doctor before giving a child ipecac or dihydroemetine.
Garlic
Some animal, test tube and human studies published in “Garlic: The Science and Therapeutic Application of Allium sativum L. and Related Species” in 1996 have indicated that garlic could help to treat pinworm, hookworm and roundworm infections, according to the University of Michigan Health System. No widely-accepted, recent medical research has confirmed that garlic can kill pinworms in humans, however. The suggested dosage of garlic standardized extract for treating pinworm infections is 400 mg taken two or three times per day, but you should talk with your child’s doctor about the proper dose.
Anise
Anise is also recommended for treating parasitic infections. Studies published in “Herbal Medicine” in 1985 have revealed anise’s ability to kill intestinal parasites like pinworms, notes the University of Michigan Health System. Consult a healthcare professional before administering anise to treat pinworm infections.
Curled Mint
A preliminary clinical trial found that taking 1 mL of curled mint tincture three times daily for five days eliminated intestinal parasites and relieved symptoms in children, according to the University of Michigan Health System. Curled mint is closely related to peppermint, indicating that peppermint might have anti-parasitic actions as well. Be sure to ask a pediatrician before giving curled mint or peppermint to your child to get rid of pinworms.
Clove, Black Walnut & Wormwood
Herbal remedies containing a combination of wormwood, clove and black walnut have been used in traditional medicine to kill parasites, and appear to have anti-parasitic effects in preliminary or test tube studies, notes the University of Michigan Health System. Don’t take remedies containing wormwood if you have stomach ulcers or are pregnant, warns the University of Maryland Medical Center. Other traditional herbs used to treat pinworm and other parasitic infections in children include sweet Annie, tansy and wormseed, but no human clinical trials have proven their effectiveness or safety.
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