Keep in mind the symptoms of a parasite infection depend on the location.
Other treatment beyond an intestinal cleanse may be required.
Childcare and long-term care facilities are places where there’s a greater risk of parasites.
Illustration by Nusha Ashjaee for Verywell Health
The risk is also higher if you don’t use proper hygiene or you have an impaired immune system.
Does a Parasite Cleanse Work?
Certain supplements could help you feel better if you have a nutritional deficiency.
Before making any major changes to your diet, talk to your healthcare provider.
That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says.
There’s no good evidence for their use and supplements can have unintended side effects.
Berberine
Berberinemay be able to limit parasites.
Berberine is thought to have antiprotozoal properties, meaning it can kill or inhibit the growth of protozoa.
Talk to your healthcare provider before taking berberine to confirm it’s right for you.
Don’t use berberine if you’re taking cyclosporine (an immunosuppressive drug).
At least 14 studies of thyme suggest it fights roundworm and tapeworm infections, among others.
Ginger
There’s some evidence that ginger may offer benefits when treating toxoplasmosis.
The promising results build on prior investigations of ginger’s use in treatingtrichinosisand other parasitic infections.
More study, including clinical trials in humans, will be needed to understand potential benefits.
Papaya Seeds
There is some evidence papaya seeds may help with parasite infections.
Other groups were given porridge with an anti-parasitic medication added or plain porridge.
The group that ate papaya seed porridge had 63.9% fewer roundworm eggs in their stool after the test.
The group that ate medicated porridge had 78.8% fewer eggs.
The students who ate untreated porridge had higher egg counts overall.
Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkinseeds are high in amino acids and fatty acids.
Pumpkin also contains nutrients that have antifungal and antimicrobial properties.
It’s been shown to have antiparasitic properties when studied as a possible treatment forblastocystis, a common infection.
Wormwood
Wormwoodhas long been used in herbal medicine to treat a number of gastrointestinal ailments.
double-check wormwood and products with wormwood are labeled asthujone-free; thujone is a psychoactive chemical that can be toxic.
Children, those pregnant or breastfeeding, and people with certain health conditions should steer clear of wormwood altogether.
Animal studies aren’t always representative of results in humans.
Propolis
Propolisis a resin-like material made by bees that has long been believed to have medicinal properties.
Probiotics
A 2018 paper concluded thatprobioticscan help decrease the risk of getting a parasite.
The authors also noted that probiotics may be helpful as a complementary therapy for people who have gastrointestinal parasites.
Probiotics are microorganisms that can help support the natural community of bacteria in your digestive system.
They’re also found in fermented foods like yogurt.
Vitamin A has many other beneficial properties.
It helps keep your teeth, bones, soft tissue, mucous membranes, and skin healthy.
It also helps with eyesight, especially in low light.
Selenium and zinc are important micronutrients that help boost the immune system.
They recommend that you:
Some natural medicine providers also suggest a gut cleanse or detox.
This involves pairing a high-fiber diet with supplements to clear out your intestines.
These supplements includepsyllium, beetroot, andflaxseeds.
Safety Concerns
Using a parasite cleanse without first talking to your healthcare provider can be unsafe.
If you do have a parasite, the cleanse alone may not be enough to eliminate it.
If you have symptoms, see a healthcare provider right away.
Healthcare providers may order tests (includingstool tests) to identify the parasite.
Some antiparasitic drugs like ivermectin come in different forms.
Berberine and wormwood may be useful.
Pumpkin seeds and papaya seeds have also reduced parasite numbers in humans.
Talk to your healthcare provider before adding any herbs or supplements to your diet.
In some cases, medical treatment may be needed.
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