Intestinal parasites enter the body through the mouth and lodge in the intestinal walls. They can come from undercooked food, contaminated water, unwashed hands or contact with soil containing parasite eggs. Umn.edu notes that helminths and protozoa are the most common forms. Helminths, or worms, include tapeworms, flukes, pinworms and roundworms. Protozoa, like giardia, are one-celled organisms that cause serious infection if they multiply inside the body. Conventional treatment may include drugs like metronidazole and mebendazole, but they can have unpleasant side effects. Herbs may be effective home remedies for intestinal parasites. It is important to get a proper diagnosis and consult a health care professional before starting herbal treatment.
Garlic
Garlic, or Allium sativum, is a perennial herb used in cooking and medicine since antiquity. The bulbs or cloves can be eaten whole, in powder form or as an oil. Garlic has many traditional medical uses, including treatment of high cholesterol, upper respiratory infections, bacterial and viral infections, digestive disorders, high blood pressure and human parasites. Garlic contains sulphur compounds like alliin, which metabolize to allicin, one of the herb's many active ingredients. The parasite known as Giardia intestinalis is a common cause of diarrhea worldwide and, if not eliminated, can multiply in the body and lead to serious disease and death. A study by Janine C. Harris and colleagues published in the December 2000 issue of "Microbiology" tested a freeze-dried garlic extract and six sulphur-containing compounds of garlic against Giardia intestinalis cells. The study found that, in vitro, the garlic extract immobilized the parasite, allowed it to detach from the vessel walls, and damaged the cell membrane. The sulphur metabolites appeared to be more important than allicin in eliminating the parasite. This study confirms the traditional use of garlic in treating intestinal parasites. Further studies are needed to confirm these results. Garlic may interact with anticoagulant drugs.
Wormwood
Wormwood, or Artemisia absinthium, is an aromatic perennial herb with light yellow flowers native to Europe and Asia. Traditional healers use the leafy parts as a digestive tonic and to treat a range of disorders, including poor appetite, upset stomach, gastritis, gall bladder dysfunction, depression and worm infestations. The active ingredients include a volatile oil containing alpha- and beta-thujone, and sesquiterpene lactones like absinthin, artemetin and matricin. In his 2003 book, "Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine," herbalist David Hoffmann states that wormwood can be a potent remedy for roundworm and pinworm infestations, and that powdered wormwood in capsule or pill form will make the herb more palatable. Wormwood should only be used in recommended dosages and should not be used during pregnancy.
Cucumber and Pumpkin
Cucumber, or Cucumis sativus, and pumpkin, or Cucurbita pepo, are vegetables with seeds that have a long history of medicinal use. Ben-Erik van Wyk and Michael Wink state that pumpkin seed extracts are used against intestinal parasites, especially tapeworms and roundworms. They site the amino acid cucurbitine as the active ingredient against tapeworm. Phyllis A. Balch, CNC, and Dr. James F. Balch recommend pumpkin extract because one of its components, zinc, helps expel worms. Herbalist David Hoffmann notes that the seeds of both cucumber and pumpkin are effective against tapeworm. He recommends using ground cucumber seeds mixed with sugar or honey, and fasting during the process. Although these seeds are considered safe, it is best not to exceed recommended dosages.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center
- "Microbiology"; The microaerophilic flagellate Giardia intestinalis: Allium sativum (garlic) is an effective antigiardial; Harris JC, Plummer S, Turner MP, Lloyd D; December 2000
- "Medicinal Plants of the World"; Ben-Erik van Wyk and Michael Wink; 2009
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing": Phyllis A. Balch, CNC, and James F. Balch, M.D.; 2000
- "The Complete Illustrated Holistic Herbal"; David Hoffmann; 1996
