The sheer amount of detoxes out there can be confusing, but one of the most important detoxes you could possibly do is a natural parasite cleanse.
Natural parasite cleanses are a bit of a well-kept secret among the natural health community. But considering the damage parasites do, it's important to get rid of them as soon as possible.
These “unwanted guests” can be found anywhere from your intestinal tract to your blood and bodily tissues. Parasites are bad news, but the good news is that they can be killed with the right herbs and nutrition.
What are Parasites?
A category of living organisms that cause an infection, parasites need the host organism in order to survive, and they thrive off of the host's resources.
Though parasites may seem simplistic, they are highly effective and efficient at what they do, and the “host” body is the one that ends up suffering.
They find their way into nooks and crannies in the body, reproduce often, and can create a chronic problem that may take years for the body to rid itself of before it's all said and done.
Perhaps the most difficult part about parasites is that they are hard to identify once they take up residence in your body. Some cause serious symptoms, while others create low-grade inflammation that doesn't manifest until years later.
It is for this reason that many naturopathic doctors recommend supporting the body with periodic detoxes and cleanses, using various detox products.
The Five Most Common Types of Parasitic Disease
According to CDC data, there are five types of parasites that are most common within the human body. (1)
These types of parasitic infections are quite commonplace, with hundreds of thousands of Americans affected each year. Some kids are even born with parasites already eating away at their bodies, as is the case with Chagas disease (not to be confused with medicinal mushrooms!).
Here are the most common diseases caused by parasites today:
Chagas Disease
With more than 300,000 Americans infected with Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite that causes Chagas disease, it goes without saying that this is a huge, silent problem.
Chagas disease is transmitted through a bite from the triatomine bug, which then deposits its feces in skin openings on the human body. This can lead to long-term digestive, cardiac and neurological disorders. (2)
Parasites are capable of causing debilitating health issues in many different areas of the body, which is why undergoing a natural parasite cleanse is wise.
Toxocariasis
Over five percent of all Americans have antibodies against this type of parasitic infection. But huge swaths of the population are at risk for contracting it from dogs and cats, which carry the Toxocara canis parasite. (3)
This infection generally comes from roundworms found in the intestines of our pets. While the infection rate of 5% sounds low, asymptomatic carriers could number higher. And people worldwide are at risk of infection and, in some rare cases, death. (4)
Be sure to see your doctor, preferably a naturopath, if you suspect you have these parasites in your body.
Cysticercosis
Caused by the Taenia solium tapeworm, this parasitic infection lives in human tissues such as the brain and muscles, making it especially dangerous.
Complications that may arise from this type of parasitic problem include seizures and other similar issues. There are at least 1,000 people hospitalized each year in the U.S. because of this type of infection alone. (5)
Often, infection is the result of eating uncooked or under cooked pork that may contain its larvae. But here's the thing: it is spread through human feces. Pigs get it when they come in contact with infected human feces. Since the larvae live in muscle tissue, undercooked pork may, indeed, lead to infection.
Toxoplasma Gondii
Known as the “cat poop parasite,” this one infects between 20% and 50% of the world population, according to CNN. It is often contracted when coming in close contact with cats, as well as in undercooked meat. (6)
This nasty little parasite creates the infection Toxoplasmosis. While Toxoplasma gondii can only reproduce in the main host animal (cats only!), it can replicate in human cells and create problems in the brain and eyes. Loss of vision or encephalitis may result. (7)
If you are or may be pregnant, let your partner clean the litter box. An infection with T. gondii can infect the fetus. And immunocompromised people should also avoid the litter box! (8)
Swollen lymph nodes, muscle aches and eye problems may arise from coming into contact with these parasites. If you have a cat or have come into contact with any of these forms of food, you may want to look into a natural parasite cleanse.
Trichomoniasis
A common and curable sexually transmitted disease (STD), this protozoan parasite infection affects 3.7 million people in the United States, although the vast majority of them will not develop symptoms. (9)
Antibiotics are the standard medical course of treatment for this parasite. But those looking for a less toxic alternative may want to try natural parasite detox herbs and cleanses instead.
Major Sources of Parasite Infections
Parasites come from many of the aforementioned sources, along with several others to know. (10)
They are especially common in areas where sanitation may be lacking in terms of food, sewer systems, and water, as well as in industrialized areas. In addition, parasites are found more often in:
- Tropical and subtropical areas
- Bodies of fresh water, including creeks, rivers, ponds and lakes. The dirtier they are, the more likely you may get a parasite infection
- The soil (dirt, garden beds, forests and other areas)
- Infected meat (pork and fish, especially of the uncooked variety like sushi, are questionable)
- Pets such as cats or dogs
Those most susceptible to parasites include children, the elderly, and people with compromised immune systems. People with leaky gut may also contract parasites more easily.
If you suspect you have a parasite problem, contact a naturopathic doctor as soon as possible, and consider doing a natural parasite cleanse.
Many natural parasite cleanses on the market that contain anti-parasitic herbs work well for this purpose, taken first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.
Symptoms of a Parasite Infection
As mentioned earlier, symptoms from a parasite infection do not often make themselves known, but they do tend to rear their ugly head at the worst possible time.
Parasites can also be very difficult to remove considering how long they stay in the body and how well adapted they become to their environment.
The following are the main parasite symptoms, which may signal it's time for a natural parasite cleanse:
- Stomach pain
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Dehydration
- Fever
- Weight loss
- Irritation
- Redness
- Itching
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Aching muscles
- Diarrhea
- Cramping
- Abdominal pain
- General discomfort
How to Do a Natural Parasite Cleanse
The first step of any parasite cleanse is to detoxas completely and thoroughly as you can in the amount of time you have available to you. If the body is unable to eliminate toxins naturally, it will be difficult to keep them away, as Dr. Daniel Pompa says.
Opening up your body's channels of detoxification and elimination, especially the lymph nodes, is a good first place to start. Continuous movement, infrared saunas, drinking lots of water and jumping on a trampoline help prime the body in this area.
Side effects during a parasite cleanse or detox may include headaches, fatigue or rashes. Keep your doctor or naturopath informed during the cleanse, and be sure to make a plan and stay consistent.
Starting with an alkaline diet, lots of anti-parasite foods like non-GMO papayas and pumpkin seeds, and parasite cleansing herbs like the ones found in our detox box are the best way to begin.
Diet Is Important, Too
The second step of the parasite cleanse is to get on a cleansing diet, which nourishes your body with whole, low or no-sugar foods to starve parasites of their #1 food source.
Processed foods that are harmful, factory farmed meats, especially those that are raw or under cooked, should also be removed from the diet.
In addition, do your best to work anti-parasitefoods into your body like pumpkin seeds and seeds from non-GMO papayas. (11)
Organic vegetables, especially low sugar ones like greens, should form the basis of your diet.
Chaga mushroom is another anti-parasitic natural food you can incorporate into your diet, as is reishi mushroom.
Healthy fats like coconut oil with anti-parasitic properties, garlic, and even low-sugar fruits like berries also work.
Finally, you'll want to take on the third step, which centers around healing your gut. As mentioned before, parasites can cause even more trouble if you have a leaky gut or similar symptoms.
To heal leaky gut, you'll want to cut out all genetically engineered foods (GMOs) from your diet, take a natural source of probiotics daily and eat probiotic rich foods like sauerkraut and other fermented vegetables.
Also, cut out any foods containing gluten or high amounts of glyphosate. The combination of too much sugar and bad processed food can create a nightmare in your gut.
Stick to your whole foods diet plan with the right herbs, and don't waver!
Additional gut healing foods and herbs include aloe vera, sangre de drago, fennel, and ginger. Bananas are also a great source of prebiotics; however, consume these lightly if at all.
Perhaps most importantly, stay consistent. Incorporate the most potent herbs into your natural parasite cleanse.
You most likely won't see results overnight. The parasite problem is a persistent one that takes persistent efforts to beat.
Nobody said it would be easy, but a natural parasite cleanse is definitely worth it.
