The Top Natural Remedies for Intestinal Parasites
Intestinal parasites are a lot more common than people often realize and can have a significant impact on our health.
Here we will explore what intestinal parasites are, the many symptoms they can cause, testing options, and the best and most effective natural remedies for intestinal parasites.
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What Are Intestinal Parasites?
Parasites are organisms that survive by feeding off of the nutrients of a “host,” such as an animal or human being.
They can be found in various areas of the body such as the liver, on the skin, and in the intestines.
While it is “normal” to have a low level of parasitic organisms present in the body, these organisms can be pathogenic, meaning they can lead to illness. They become pathogenic when they increase in quantity and are left untreated, which is often the case when an individual is unaware that they have a parasitic infection.
Intestinal parasites are usually in the form of helminths or protozoa. Helminths are a form of worm with many cells. These can include the species roundworm (ascaris lumbricoide), tapeworm (cestodes), hookworm (necator americanicus) and whipworm (trichiuris trichiuria).
Protozoa are also a common form of parasites, which only have one cell. Common protozoan species can include entamoeba histolytica, giardia intestinalis/lamblia, coccidia, cryptosporidium, and cyclospora cayetanenensis.
Parasites are mostly acquired by coming in contact with eggs, which then develop into larvae and cysts and continue to mature in the intestines by feeding off of the nutrients intended for the “host,” or human.
They can be acquired from many sources which can include:
- Sushi
- Under cooked meats
- Animals (including pets such as dogs and cats)
- Contaminated water
- On some fresh produce such as fresh greens
- More
What a lot of people don’t realize is that intestinal parasites are extremely common in the US and other developed countries.
You don’t only pick up a parasite from international travel, however this is a common misconception.
Because of this lack of awareness, many people have a parasitic infection that is causing them “mystery” symptoms, while remaining unaware that parasites are the underlying cause.
Intestinal Parasite Symptoms
The symptoms associated with having an intestinal parasite infection are varied and many.
The state of our gut is extremely important for our overall health, as our gut is largely responsible for our immune function, hormone balance, mental & emotional health, ability to properly digest and assimilate vital nutrients, ability to properly detoxify, and more.
If there is significant imbalance in the gut, as is the case with a parasitic infection, many different symptoms can arise.
Symptoms can include:
- Digestive upset
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Gas
- Bloating and abdominal distention, often severe
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Abdominal cramping and pain
- “Leaky gut”
- Food sensitivities
- Chronic fatigue
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Headaches and/or migraines
- Acne
- Dry skin
- Eczema
- Rashes
- Itching
- Insomnia
- Brain fog
- Hormone Imbalance
- Dehydration
- Vitamin, mineral, and nutrient deficiencies
- Weight fluctuations
- Muscle weakness
- Joint pain
- Heart palpitations
- Hair loss
- More
Testing
The most accurate form of testing for intestinal parasites is a Comprehensive Stool Analysis with PCR x 3. This includes 3 stool samples, which allows for a more comprehensive look at the current state of one’s gut.
A Comprehensive Stool Analysis will also test for current levels of probiotics, pathogenic bacteria, short chain fatty acids, and more.
It is important to note that some forms of parasites and biofilm will not show up on a stool test, even though they are present in the intestines.
The Best Natural Remedies for Intestinal Parasites
The following are excellent natural healing agents that can be used to effectively address a parasite infection.
In addition to being used for acute infections, it is recommended to do a “parasite cleanse” about every 6 months. This involves implementing an anti-parasitic protocol for about 2 to 3 weeks.
This is done to maintain a balanced and cleansed gut, since we are exposed to parasites so frequently and acquiring them is basically unavoidable.
Furthermore, in addition to these natural remedies, it is important to stick to a low-sugar eating plan, as sugar feeds gut pathogens and must be avoided.
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Mimosa Pudica Seed
This is an absolutely essential part of any parasite healing protocol.
Mimosa pudica is a seed from the mimosa pudica plant. These seeds are fat soluble and “mucilaginous,” meaning they become a gel and swell when mixed with liquid.
This seed is often called an “intestinal scrubber,” which is a wonderful way of explaining its usefulness in relation to gut healing.
To be used as a supplement, the seeds are made into a powdered consistency and then put into capsules. Once in the intestines, the powder becomes jelly-like and very sticky.
This sticky substance then moves through the intestines, adhering to superfluous substances, biofilm, toxins, parasites, and other pathogens in the intestines, aiding in their removal from the body.
While its adhering capacity is very powerful, It is also considerably gentle and well tolerated.
Including mimosa pudica seed is so important because parasites and biofilm can adhere very strongly to the walls of the intestines, which prevents them from being eliminated without a tool like this seed.
I’ve tried a number of mimosa pudica seed supplements, and have always come back to Microbe Formulas’ product, as it has always stood out in its quality and effectiveness.
Cellcore Biosciences Para 1 Mimosa Pudica Seed only contains 1 ingredient: mimosa pudica seed.
After starting it, its effects were immediate, as I began eliminating parasites and biofilm at a quicker rate around 2 days after my first dose.
Results vary per person. Some notice its efficacy immediately, as I did, and others begin to notice results a month or 2 after starting daily use.
The standard therapeutic dose for this product is 2 capsules, 2 times per day. At this dose, this bottle will last about a month.
A maintenance dose is about 2 capsules per day, which is what I currently take. At this dose, this bottle will last you about 2 months.
It is best taken on an empty stomach.
Having mimosa pudica as such an effective tool has really granted me peace of mind after experiencing an intestinal parasite infection. This tool ensures that these organisms will no longer be setting up shop and for that, I am oh so grateful.
Click here to check it out.
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Anti-Parasitic Herbs
There are a number of herbs that have powerful anti-parasitic properties. Several include neem, clove, and vidanga.
Cellcore Biosciences Para 2 contains all of these herbs which combine to create a very effective tool against intestinal parasites.
I’ve been taking Cellcore Biosciences supplements for years and I absolutely love them.
Out of all of the anti-parasitic herbal supplements that I have tried, this one has been the best by far, in large part because it is so well tolerated.
When parasites are killed, they can release toxic byproducts that the body must detoxify. If the parasites are killed too quickly or in too great of a quantity, “die off” symptoms can develop which are the body’s response to having an increased toxic load that it can’t manage quickly enough.
These symptoms can include headaches, increased fatigue, increased brain fog, and essentially a worsening of one’s condition overall.
Para 2 contains fulvic acids, which act as a binder to help the body eliminate these byproducts. This helps to reduce or avoid die off symptoms entirely.
The standard dose for this supplement is 1 to 2 capsules, twice daily on an empty stomach. Taking anti-parasitic herbs on an empty stomach helps to improve their efficacy.
Click here to check it out.
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Biofilm Busters
Biofilms are protective structures that pathogens (bacteria, fungi, parasites, etc) can build around themselves as a means of survival which help prevent them from being eradicated or killed.
If a gut healing protocol doesn’t address the presence of biofilms, then the herbs and other means used to eradicate the infection may not be as effective.
One of the most powerful ways to dissolve biofilms are proteolythic systemic enzymes, which are enzymes supplements that are designed to be taken on an empty stomach to help facilitate various processes throughout the body.
These enzymes are able to dissolve the biofilm structure, which is in part made of proteins.
This then allows the actual pathogen to be accessed and killed by the immune system and via other targeted herbs and agents, resulting in the successful eradication of the infection.
Out of the number of systemic enzyme products that I have tried, Dr. Jockers Proteo Enzymes has been the best.
All of the other ones I have tried contained at least one ingredient derived from fungus. I do have sensitivities to mold/fungus, but even aside from that fungus can be inflammatory in general so it is best to avoid such ingredients.
This supplement is fungus-free and contains a comprehensive formulation of systemic enzyme ingredients which include:
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- Pancreatin10X
- Rutin
- Bromelain
- Trypsin complex
- Papain
- Serrapeptase
The standard dose for this supplement is 2 capsules, twice per day on an empty stomach.
Click here to check it out.
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Binders
Binders are substances that can be used to bind to toxins in the body and help to facilitate their elimination.
As mentioned above, when parasites are being killed, they can release toxic byproducts, or biotoxins, that can overwhelm the body. A biotoxin is any toxin that is created by a living organism, such as a parasite.
Adding extra binders to a parasite healing protocol is a way to account for this and make sure one is not experiencing a worsening of symptoms as the infection is being eradicated.
Cellcore Biosciences Biotoxin Binder is a powerful, multiple ingredient binder that is wonderful for helping to detoxify biotoxins.
This supplement includes humic acid, fulvic acid, broccoli sprouts, molybdenum, and yucca root, all of which synergistically help to support the liver and bind to biotoxins, facilitating their removal from the body.
The use of carbons (such as humic and fulvic acid) as binders is particularly effective because these compounds are able to encourage our body’s innate detoxification abilities on a cellular level.
Furthermore, the molybdenum mineral is especially helpful for cleansing the blood.
Yucca root supports the liver, immune system, and is high in antioxidants.
Broccoli sprouts are a superfood that are high in antioxidants, support the liver and immune system, and are anti-inflammatory.
It is helpful to include natural anti-inflammatory agents in a parasite healing protocol as well, because a parasitic infection can cause a state of chronic inflammation in the body which has an adverse impact on our overall health.
The standard dose for this supplement is 2 capsules, twice per day with or without food.
It is best to start with a low dose and gradually increase.
Click here to check out this binder supplement.
Infrared sauna therapy is another tremendously helpful at home natural healing tool to facilitate whole body detoxification and rejuvenation and is a powerful asset to any intestinal parasite healing protocol.
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Probiotics
Probiotics are a key part of gut healing in general.
Probiotics are live, good bacteria that are present throughout the body and in the intestines which play very important roles in maintaining our health and wellness.
Probiotic bacteria have many critical functions within our body. These functions include:
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- Helping to digest food
- Maintain gut motility
- Keeping pathogens at bay
- Strengthening the lining of the intestines/gut barrier
- Producing vitamins and nutrients such as short chain fatty acids
Probiotics also produce lactic acid, which is an organic acid that helps with nutrient absorption and has antioxidant effects in the body.
Including a good quality probiotic as part of a parasite healing protocol helps to reestablish balance in the gut, support the immune system in eradicating these pathogens, nurture the gut lining which parasites can weaken, and help support the gut overall.
Click here to check out my top probiotic recommendations that have proven to be super effective for me and a big part of my own parasite healing measures.
In Closing…
As we’ve explored here, intestinal parasites can have a significantly adverse impact on our health and cause many challenging symptoms.
It is important to do regular parasite cleanses as a key step in nurturing our gut health, which is one of the most significant bases to cover when it comes to achieving and maintaining optimal health.
REFERENCES
Reference 1: Gittleman, Ann Louise. Guess What Came to Dinner?: Parasites and Your Health. Avery-Penguin Group Inc., 1993, 2001.