If you’re fighting with intestinal tract parasites, a number of natural remedies might help restore your health. Although no natural remedy must be used as a replacement for conventional medicine in the treatment of this type of infection, such approaches may help rid your body of digestive parasites and speed up your recovery.
Intestinal Tract Parasites
Intestinal tract parasites are typically caused by protozoa (single-celled organisms that can multiply within your body) or helminths (worms and larvae that cannot increase in the human body).
The most typical types of protozoa in the U.S. include giardia and cryptosporidium.
Unlike protozoa, helminths aren’t likely to reinfect you after you’ve gone through treatment for digestive tract parasites. The most typical types of helminths are tapeworms and roundworms.
In most cases, intestinal parasites are sent through contact with infected feces (normally by way of infected food, soil, or water). Risk factors for digestive parasites include living in or visiting an area known to have parasites, poor sanitation, bad hygiene, exposure to child and institutional care centers, and having a weakened body immune system.
Symptoms of digestive tract parasites include:
- bloating
- diarrhea
- tiredness or weakness
- gas
- queasiness
- passing a worm in your stool
- stomach pain or tenderness
- vomiting
- weight loss.
If you believe you may have intestinal tract parasites, seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Natural Remedies for Intestinal Parasites
Although few studies have tested the impacts of natural remedies in treatment of digestive tract parasites, some research reveals that certain herbs and dietary supplements might help clean up this type of infection.
Here’s a look at numerous key findings from the offered research on natural remedies for digestive tract parasites:
Berberine
A substance offered in a range of herbs, berberine has been discovered to combat off digestive tract parasites in numerous initial research studies. In a report released in the Iranian Journal of Parasitology in 2014, for example, berberine extracted from barberry demonstrated activity that might help protect versus tapeworm infection.
In addition to barberry, berberine is found in herbs like goldenseal and coptis.
Papaya Seeds
For a pilot study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food in 2007, 60 children with digestive parasites got instant dosages of either an extract consisting of a mix of papaya seeds and honey or honey alone. After seven days, a significantly greater number of those offered the papaya-seed-based extract had their stools cleared of parasites.
Wormwood
Wormwood may help treat digestive tract parasites by exterminating a type of helminth called Heterobranchus longifilis, according to a preliminary study released in Parasitology Research in 2010.
The herb consists of substances called sesquiterpene lactones, which are believed to compromise parasite membranes.
Diet
Specialists of natural medicine often advise specific dietary strategies in the treatment of digestive parasites. These techniques include:
- briefly avoiding coffee, improved sugar and improved grains
- consisting of more garlic in your meals
- increasing your consumption of pineapple (a fruit high in bromelain)
- increasing your usage of carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, and other foods high in beta-carotene (a precursor for vitamin A, which might increase resistance to penetration by helminths)
- restoring beneficial bacteria in your gut by packing up on probiotics.
Some professionals likewise recommend digestive cleaning, a technique that involves matching a high-fiber diet with supplements stated to help your body in cleaning out intestinal parasites. These supplements include psyllium, beetroot, and flaxseeds.
There’s presently an absence of clinical support for the claim that dietary methods or digestive tract cleaning can help treat digestive tract parasites.
Should You Use Natural Remedies for Intestinal Parasites?
While natural remedies may help promote recovery from infection with digestive parasites, it’s crucial to consult your physician to find what kind of organism is triggering the infection.
Drink more water during your parasite cleanse to promote excellent bowel elimination. Worms are removed in the feces. Consume more fiber for the same factor. Up your dose of vitamin C and zinc to support immune function and help your body release parasites. As soon as your clean is finished, take digestive enzymes to keep the intestinal tracts healthy and unwelcoming to parasites.
During your cleanse, avoid fine-tuned foods, fruits, dairy products and all sugars, other than honey. Parasites love these foods and eat them. If you are pregnant or nursing, you need to be thoroughly monitored by a healthcare provider during your clean. Some remedies will not be suitable to women who are pregnant or nursing.
Health Tips
Self-treating intestinal tract parasites with natural remedies and preventing basic care might have hazardous repercussions.