Herbal Remedies For Pinworms

Pinworms are tiny worms that target your intestines. Pinworms are the most common worm infection among Americans, and they are especially common in young children. Pinworms spread via person-to-person contact, although they may also be contracted by touching contaminated bedding and food. Herbs may help treat pinworm infection, but you should review herbs and their associated risks and benefits before using them to treat this condition.

Pinworms

Pinworms are small and white. Female pinworms usually lay thousands of eggs around the anus during sleep, although most people with this condition experience few symptoms. However, possible symptoms associated with this condition include itching in the anal or vaginal area, bouts of abdominal pain and nausea and insomnia and restlessness. Risk factors that may increase your likelihood of developing this condition include dwelling in crowded living spaces, being between the ages of 5 and 10, and living in a temperate climate.

Common Herbal Remedies

An entire classification of herbs known as antihelmentics may help treat many types of worms, including pinworms, hookworms, threadworms and tapeworms. In his book "Plant Medicine in Practice," master herbalist and naturopathic physician William A. Mitchell Jr. states that herbs with antihelmentic action include wormseed, sweet wormwood, pink root, male fern, bindweed, spoonwood, kousso, pomegranite, bachelor's buttons, marshmallow, houseleek, bitterwood, elecampane, prickly pear, pineapple and while walnut. Other helpful herbs may include butternut bark, thyme and chamomile.

Highlighted Remedy

Bromelain, a set of enzymes contained in pineapple stems, may be taken internally to help treat treat several types of worms, including pinworms, tapeworms and whipworms. Bromelain has also historically been used for treating sports injuries, sinusitis, burns and wounds, poor digestion, infection and certain types of arthritis. To help treat pinworm infection, Mitchell suggests taking two 200mg capsules of bromelain four times daily for three days in combination with fasting on water and pumpkin seeds. Before using this remedy, discuss proper dosage with your doctor.

Disclaimer

There are several serious health complications associated with pinworm infections, including pelvic inflammatory disease, re-infestation of the parasite, and vaginitis, or vaginal pain. If you suspect you have pinworms, make an appointment with your family doctor. Discuss the effectiveness of various treatments, including herbal remedies, for this condition. Not all herbs have been subjected to rigorous scientific study, and thus, most herbs should be used with caution and under the care of a skilled healthcare practitioner.