5 Natural Remedies for Intestinal Parasites

If you have (or think you have) intestinal parasites, you may be interested in natural remedies to help restore your health.

Intestinal parasites are typically caused by protozoa (single-celled organisms that can multiply within your body) or helminths (worms and larvae that can't multiply in the human body). The most common types of protozoa in the U.S. include Giardia and Cryptosporidium and the most common helminths are pinworms, hookworms, tapeworms, and roundworms.

In many cases, intestinal parasites are transmitted through contact with infected feces (usually by way of contaminated food, soil, or water). Risk factors for intestinal parasites include living in or visiting an area known to have parasites, poor sanitation, poor hygiene, exposure to child and institutional care centers, and having a weakened immune system.

Symptoms of intestinal parasites include:

• Bloating
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue or weakness
• Gas
• Nausea
• Passing a worm in your stool
• Stomach pain or tenderness
• Vomiting
• Weight loss

If you think you might have intestinal parasites, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. Your doctor may order testing (including stool testing), prescribe treatment, and recommend preventative measures. After treatment, your doctor will likely order fecal testing to be sure that the parasites are gone.

Although there's a lack of clinical trials testing the effects of natural remedies in the treatment of intestinal parasites, some preliminary research suggests that certain herbs and dietary supplements may have potential. Here's a look at several key findings from the available research:

A compound available in a variety of herbs such as the European barberry (Berberis vulgaris), berberine has been found to fight off intestinal parasites in several preliminary studies. In a report published in the Iranian Journal of Parasitology in 2014, for example, berberine extracted from barberry demonstrated activity that may help protect against tapeworm infection. Along with barberry, berberine is found in herbs like goldenseal and coptis.

For a pilot study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food in 2007, 60 children with intestinal parasites received immediate doses of either an elixir containing a mixture of papaya seeds and honey or honey alone. After seven days, a significantly greater number of those given the papaya-seed-based elixir had their stools cleared of parasites.

A natural remedy that shows promise is pumpkin seeds, which have been found to be high in amino acids, fatty acids, and the compounds berberine, cucurbitine, and palatine. Research on the use of pumpkin seeds for intestinal parasites includes a preliminary study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences in 2016, in which pumpkin seed extracts were found to have some anti-parasitic activity.

Wormwood may help treat intestinal parasites by killing off a type of helminth known as Heterobranchus longifilis, according to a preliminary study published in Parasitology Research in 2010. The herb contains compounds called sesquiterpene lactones, which are thought to weaken parasite membranes.

Practitioners of natural medicine sometimes recommend certain dietary strategies in the treatment of intestinal parasites to optimize stomach acid, which is protective against food-borne parrasites. These strategies include:

• Temporarily avoiding coffee, refined sugar, alcohol, and refined grains
• Including more garlic in your meals
• Increasing your consumption of carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, and other foods high in beta-carotene (a precursor for vitamin A, which may increase resistance to penetration by helminths)
• Rebuilding beneficial bacteria in your gut by loading up on probiotic-rich foods such as yogurt
• Eating foods rich in vitamin C and B vitamins
• Avoiding raw meat or fish

Some practitioners also suggest an intestinal cleanse or detox, an approach that involves pairing a high-fiber diet with supplements said to aid your body in clearing out intestinal parasites. These supplements include psyllium, beetroot, and flaxseeds.

It can be tempting to want to try natural remedies to help rid your body of intestinal parasites and speed up your recovery. While there are preliminary laboratory and animal studies that suggest that certain remedies may offer some benefits, clinical trials (the kind of research you want to see before trying any treatment) are lacking. Also, little is known about potential effects to be aware of at the doses typically used.

If you think you have parasites, it's crucial that you consult your physician to get diagnosed. Proper treatment may prevent the condition from worsening and lessen the likelihood of complications.