Natural Strategies for Parasite Relief

Military terms such as “war,” “battle,” and “fight” are commonplace when referring to illness and disease. When it comes to parasitic infections, identifying and understanding the parasitic organism is the first step in developing a strategy to defeat “the enemy within.” In fact, common symptoms of abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, bloating, unexplained weight loss, and lethargy are not unique to parasites, which can often lead to a misdiagnosis.

There are two main categories of intestinal parasites: helminths and protozoa. Helminths include tapeworms, pinworms, and roundworms, which are common in North America. Protozoa are unicellular microorganisms with complex life cycles; numerous species of Giardia and Cryptosporidium are common protozoans that can lead to infection.

Transmission usually results from direct contact with infected feces or by means of contaminated food, soil, or water. Noninvasive detection of parasites include microscopic examination of fecal samples or blood analysis for the presence of parasites or their ova (eggs).

Parasitic infections are usually associated with travel to exotic destinations. However, increased globalization and the worldwide demand for novel food products places everyone at an increased risk for novel parasitic infections. In fact, even contact with cats and dogs can lead to infection.

There are several chemotherapeutic agents available to treat specific groups of parasites, with dosages and duration of treatment as brief as three days. Considering the dynamic and vast surface area of the gastrointestinal tract, the likelihood of eradicating parasites and their eggs that burrow, embed, and cling to intestinal walls and within intestinal mucosa is not easily accomplished with a quick fix and a narrow therapeutic range.

Harnessing a broad range of botanicals effective for parasite elimination and control of their symptoms is emerging as the treatment option for a growing number of people wary of prescription drugs. Treatment therapies that feature tolerable doses of antiparasitic botanicals over prolonged periods can be likened to a recently weeded garden; it requires vigilance to eliminate the root system of weeds lurking in the soil, ready to spring up and rob your produce of its nutrients.

There are many botanicals that can work synergistically for relief of a wide spectrum of parasitic infestation.

Cloves are recognized to weaken parasite-egg cell membranes, which can pave the way for natural parasite killers, including black walnut hulls, wormwood, and quassia bark, to penetrate and destroy parasite eggs and parasites themselves. Grapefruit seed extract, a potent antibacterial and antifungal agenda, is also useful for making the intestines a less hospitable environment for parasites to thrive.

Aloe and ginger are among the botanicals useful for comprehensive parasite clearance, along with soothing the intestines from the irritable by-products (toxins) resulting from their destruction. Barberry bark and Oregon-grape root are popular agents to clear liver congestion for better performance in breaking down toxins relevant to parasite destruction. Root extracts of goldenseal and mandrake are also useful to support immune-system and glandular performance during parasite elimination.

Bulk-forming fibre, such as psyllium husks, is also recommended for accelerated intestinal transit and toxin excretion essential during a natural parasite cleanse. Finally, a broad-spectrum, enteric-coated probiotic is also critical for maintaining a healthy microbiome as you reclaim your health. Naturally!