Alike the planet we live on, our physical mass is not us alone. Living within and upon our bodies is the microbiome; comprised of bacteria, fungi, and virus’ there is more life on a single human being than there are humans on the planet. Within the gut there is an even greater number of organisms.
But don’t worry! This is a natural occurrence, our body actually operates and functions in part to the organisms living on the skin and within the body. But alike any ecosystem, it is possible for some organisms to take over and be non-beneficial to the bodies functioning. These we refer to as parasites.
A parasite is a living being which takes and does not provide an equitable service in return. To many, the most commonly known parasites are from 3rd world countries; tapeworm, roundworm, hookworms, and liver flukes being the most commonly identified in western medicine. Because the symptoms of parasite infections vary, even western medicine has a difficult time identifying a parasite infection. There are some theories that parasites and the excrement they produce affect not only our digestive system but also our mental and cognitive capacities. They may be a cause, at least in part, to autoimmune conditions, and neurological disease.
What are the potential symptoms of having a parasite?
Stomach pain
Abdominal pain
Diarrhea
Dysentery (loose stool containing blood and mucus)
Nausea, vomiting
Gas, bloating
Cravings for sweets and carbohydrates
Fatigue
Weight loss
Cognitive impairment
Digestive complications
Skin rashes
Itching around the anus or vulva
Cold hands and feet
People most susceptible to acquiring a parasite are those living or visiting areas known to have parasites, living in poor sanitary conditions, consuming undercooked meat products; those exposed to animals, children (who are more likely to get infected), and institutional care centers; and those diagnosed with AIDS. In part, some may acquire a parasite from living in an overly sterile environment which degrades the bodies naturally beneficial biome making way for more ‘invasive’ organisms.
Parasites are difficult to diagnose.
To do so, one must have a positive fecal test. Occasionally a string test or scotch tape test may be employed for diagnosis, although these seem to be less common in the industrialized and modernized 1st world. This difficulty to diagnose lays within the life cycle of various parasites. Each one reproduces and matures within the natural cycles we see in the world around us. Parasites also move thru the intestinal tract toward the stomach where the body is warmer and our foods undigested sugars are greater. The natural rhythm I most often employ in parasite management is that of the Lunar Cycle; linking the birthing of parasites near the full moon and the growth/dormancy (of symptoms) closer to the new moon. This may however vary from one parasite population to another.
Another consideration to undertake in the treatment and even diagnosis of parasites is that parasites themselves may be host to another form of parasite, thus making the effort to remediate the population within one digestion that much more tenacious. Removing a parasite population can take a long time and often requires a rigorous routine. For many, this routine often needs repeating a number of times.
How does one ‘treat’ themselves for parasites?
The most obvious answer is to remove its source of food, sugars and simple carbohydrates (which digest into sugars!). Cutting out sugar, processed and refined foods, fruits, juices, and dairy products (dairy creates a ‘damp’ environment and is acidic, both support parasite populations).
Eliminate caffeine and alcohol.
Foods with Anti-work properties include:
raw garlic, pumpkin seeds, pomegranates, beets, and carrots.
Foods sour, astringent, bitter and neutral in flavor don’t support parasite growth. These include:
squash seeds, umeboshi plum, cabbage, cucumber, lemon/lime, members of the onion family, papaya (the source of papain enzyme), pineapple, rice (non-glutinous); citrus seed extract (grapefruit seed extract is most commonly found on natural food store shelves), corsican seaweed (also beneficial to those dealing with hypothyroidism), shrimp; sesame seeds/oil, and vinegar.
Drink a lot of water to promote good bowel function.
Add digestive enzymes to your daily supplementation to help restore the digestional tract to a balanced state, making it inhospitable to parasites.
Taking Papain Enzyme 30 minutes before or after meals helps to kill worms.
Support the immune system with Vitamin C (250-500 mg twice a day) and Zinc (20-30 mg a day).
Enemas may help in clearing parasites in the lower digestional tract (although remember, they like to move and live closer to the stomach). Garlic soaked in olive oil also serve as a beneficial suppository in killing worms in the lower digestive tract.
Acupuncture, Oriental Medicine and Parasite Treatment/Prevention
Acupuncture and Herbal therapies are also very beneficial to finding balance when dealing with such an infection. Acupuncture helps to calm major symptoms listed above thru restoring the body’s immune defense mechanisms, clearing the damp from the digestive tract, and increasing the bodies ability to move and circulate. Herbal therapy is critical when clearing parasite infections. Your practitioner may suggest a rotation of herbal therapies every 10:5 days or 7:3 days for a course of 4-16+ rounds, depending upon progression of symptoms over the course of therapy. It maybe best to alternate herbal therapies so as to not encourage the parasites to adapt and to increase target parasite populace.
Certainly, this is all pretty daunting. But with patience, discipline and tenacity you can knock out parasites. Good luck! And please, let me know if I may be of further assistance in your pursuit to balance an well being. Consultations are available via video chat or in office.