Natural approaches to treating parasites

Talk of parasites doesn’t make the best dinner party conversation - the thought makes most people squirm! Yet worms, pathogenic bacteria, viruses and yeasts do inhabit our internal world and create major health problems if left untreated or treated incorrectly. Parasites have been implicated in almost every chronic disease from heart disease to cancer.

What happens if you have a parasite? Normally the symptoms are gut-related such as diarrhea, constipation, nausea, stomach cramps and food intolerance though some parasites can remain in the system for years without symptoms. Parasites often take hold when a person’s digestive, detoxification and immune systems are out of balance so treating parasites means treating the whole person and the various health conditions and stressors they present with. An integrated program that combines complementary therapies with Western medicine produces the best outcome for the person.

In some situations antibiotics such as flagyl may be necessary but they wipe out all the beneficial bacteria along with the parasites and you can often be left with an immune system that is depleted. Using the three R’s – Remove, Replace and Repair – helps the person to strengthen their immune system and prevent repeated infections.

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Remove

Powerful herbs with antiparasitic, antibacterial and antiviral properties can help to remove parasites taken on the advice of your health practitioner. These include: 

      Black walnut

      Artemisia annua

      Grapefruit seed extract

      Oregano oil

      Olive leaf extract

      Goldenseal

      Echinacea

      Cat’s claw

      Garlic

      Caprylic acid

Removing food allergens and eating a low stress diet by excluding processed, refined cereals, sugar, damaged fats, tea, coffee, alcohol and junk food creates a healthy internal environment that discourages parasites. A diet high in fresh fruits and vegetables, wholegrains, pulses, nuts, seeds and fish contains anti-inflammatory properties that can heal the gut and deal with the toxic by products of parasites.

Bioresonance is also a powerful modality that can be used in conjunction with dietary, homeopathic and herbal approaches. It is effective in treating all stages of parasites including the eggs, larvae and adult forms by removing the pathogenic oscillations produced by the parasites.

Replace

It is essential to replace the beneficial bacteria that may be destroyed whilst taking antibiotics or after periods of prolonged stress and poor diet. Supplements of lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidobacteria treat the disturbed intestinal flora during bouts of parasitic infections and provide a food source in the form of fructooligosaccharides (FOS) enabling the friendly flora to thrive.

Replacing digestive enzymes is an important step in the process of getting well. Taken with each meal, digestive enzymes containing pancreatin or bromelain and papain (from pineapple and papaya) can improve digestion along with betaine hydrochloride. Digestive enzymes can also destroy foreign proteins including parasites.

Repair

Parasites can damage the gut wall making it more permeable to large protein fragments which can in turn set up inflammatory reactions in the body. Repairing the gut wall involves removing parasites, food allergens and avoiding drugs such as steroids and aspirin. Adding supplements to a diet adequate in protein and essential fats improves gut wall immunity. These supplements include:

      L-glutamine, an amino acid

      Fish oil, flax oils and evening primrose oil containing omega 3 and 6 essential fatty acids

      Vitamins A, C, E and B complex

      Zinc, selenium

      Butyric acid found in soluble fibre (especially hi-maize a corn based fibre found in “Freedom Foods” rice and corn pastas)

It is not uncommon for people to experience bloating, gas, extreme fatigue and altered bowel movements during the initial phases of treatment. Patience is required when treating parasites as it is often a long term problem that requires tackling a person’s diet, lifestyle and other factors which predispose them to infections.

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