No home remedies or natural "parasite cleanses" are scientifically proven to cure parasitic infections. While foods like garlic, pumpkin seeds, and papaya seeds are traditionally used to support gut health, they should never replace conventional antiparasitic medications prescribed by a doctor.
Some infections clear on their own, but most people need prescription antiparasitic drugs to get rid of intestinal parasites. These drugs work by paralyzing parasites, stopping their growth, or killing the parasite or its eggs.
Home remedies that can help relieve the discomfort of intestinal worms and may help get rid of worms include:
Probiotics and certain foods like pumpkin seeds and papaya seeds have also been suggested for their potential benefits against parasites. Despite the popularity of these natural remedies, it is important to note that most studies on their effectiveness lack robust evidence.
If you continue to experience symptoms like stomach cramps and pain, nausea or vomiting, dehydration, weight loss, and digestive problems, including unexplained constipation, diarrhea, or persistent gas even after trying several treatments, you may have a parasite.
Symptoms of Parasitic Infections
Unexplained constipation, diarrhea, gas, bloating, heartburn, or nausea can be a sign of parasitic infection. By nature, intestinal parasites take root in your gastrointestinal (GI) tract. They cause your immune system to react, and you will get different symptoms based on the organism.
Ivermectin's wide-ranging efficacy against various parasites makes it a valuable tool in the treatment and control of multiple parasitic diseases, contributing to significant improvements in global public health.
A fecal (stool) exam, also called an ova and parasite test (O&P) This test is used to find parasites that cause diarrhea, loose or watery stools, cramping, flatulence (gas) and other abdominal illness. CDC recommends that three or more stool samples, collected on separate days, be examined.
Foods That Kill Parasites Naturally
Common types of intestinal parasites include hookworms, tapeworms, pinworms, roundworms, flukes, and giardia. What can I drink to deworm myself? Drinks that may help to fight parasites include teas made with wormwood or barberry, and smoothies or juices that contain papaya seeds, pomegranate, or coconut.
Signs that it is time to deworm
Frequent abdominal pain, especially around the navel, along with loose or hard stools. A noticeable loss of appetite, skipping meals, weight loss, persistent fatigue, and paleness. Children have difficulty achieving deep sleep, frequent night crying, and a large and firm abdomen.
There are many common foods that can help you get rid of the worms without affecting your body at all.
Some parasites go away on their own, especially if you have a healthy immune system and maintain a balanced diet. However, talk to a healthcare provider if you have signs of a parasitic infection. They can make an official diagnosis and help prevent the spread of the parasite to others.
How long can worms live in your body? Adult worms can live up to 17 years in the human body and can continue to make and spread parasites during this time frame.
Use an anthelmintic medication (aka a medicine used to destroy worms). Some anthelmintic medicines, like mebendazole, thiabendazole, and albendazole, starve and kill the worms. Other medicines, like ivermectin and praziquantel, paralyze the worms in the gut so they are removed in your stool.
10 Warning Signs of Parasitic Infections
Some parasitic infections clear up on their own. But most people will need medications, not a cleanse, to stop parasites from growing or multiplying, or treat a parasitic infection. Each type of parasite – protozoa, helminths, and ectoparasites – has specific medicines that treat them and the infections they cause.
Silent signs can include digestive disorders such as gas, diarrhea, or constipation, which may not be immediately distressing. Skin conditions like eczema, hives, or chronic itching without a known cause can also indicate parasitic infection.
In particular, both gastrointestinal diseases and parasitic infections have been shown to impair micronutrient absorption. Several of these micronutrients, including vitamin A, selenium and zinc, play critical roles in immune function and resistance to parasitic infections.
Here are five potentially deadly parasites you should keep on your radar.
Roundworms and tapeworms typically appear as long, spaghetti-like, or segmented flat worms in stool, whereas hookworms and pinworms are smaller, thread-like worms. Stool tests, particularly the Ova and Parasite (O&P) test, along with blood tests and imaging, are effective for assessing parasitic infections.
In mild or moderate ascariasis, worms in the intestine can cause:
Food
There are many at-home tests for parasites. Testing for parasites at home is very easy. Our Ultimate and Advanced Gut Health Tests both test for parasites.