Natural remedies for Intestinal Parasites-Tapeworm, pinworm, hookworm, roundworm, whipworm, threadworm, giardia, cryptosporidium

Worms (Intestinal Parasites)
HEALTH HERBS & NUTRITION - REMEDIES - WORMS (INTESTINAL PARASITES)

· General Description · Symptoms · Causes · Herbal & Homeopathic Remedies · Helpful Dietary Habits · Dos and Don'ts

A parasite is an organism that exists by depending on another organism. They are larger than yeast or bacteria, and can cause infection, usually in the intestines. There are two main types of intestinal parasites: helminths and protozoa. Helminths are worms with many cells. Tapeworms, pinworms, hookworms and roundworms are among the most common helminths in the United States and Canada. Usually, helminths cannot multiply in the human body. Protozoa have only one cell, and can multiply inside the human body. In the U.S., the most common protozoa are giardia and cryptosporidium. Roundworms, or nematodes, are a group of invertebrates (animals having no backbone) with long, round bodies. They are parasites that can infect humans, usually by residing in the intestines. Several different species of worm can cause infection. They range in size from those plainly visible to the naked eye to those several hundredths-of-an-inch long and visible only under a microscope (range from 1 millimeter to 1 meter). Parasitic roundworms can live on or in humans where they can cause a variety of health problems. Most parasitic roundworm eggs or larvae (immature form) are found in the soil and enter the human body when a person picks them up on the hands and then transfers them to the mouth. The eggs or larvae also can enter the human body directly through the skin. As with other parasitic diseases, roundworm infections are more common in warm, tropical climates than in cooler, temperate areas of the world. Ascariasis (caused by the worm Ascaris lumbricoides) is the most common roundworm infection, and affects as many as 1 billion people worldwide. With the exception of the parasitic roundworm that causes trichinosis, mature adult roundworms eventually end up or live in human intestines and cause infection and disease. In trichinosis, it is the movement of the larvae through the body from the intestines and their encystment (becoming enclosed in a capsule) in muscle tissue that creates serious problems. Parasitic roundworms that infect humans are much more widespread than many of us realize. Diseases caused by these parasites affect not only poverty-stricken individuals in developing or remote areas of the world, but they also can be important health problems for people throughout the world, including in the United States. Infection with parasites can be life-threatening in people with severe impairment of immune function.

▲TOP

 

Diarrhea or constipation     Nausea or vomiting     Gas or bloating, Flatulence     Dysentery (loose stools containing blood and mucus)     Skin lesions, rashes, hives, itching (Particularly rash or itching around the rectum or vulva)     Stomach pain or tenderness (Abdominal cramps)     Loss of appetite & Weight loss     Passage of worm by mouth, rectum, or, with certain species (particularly dracunculosis), through skin ulcers.   Worm   eggs may also be passed in feces.     Anemia     Cough, chest pain, or difficultly breathing     Feeling tired & Muscle aches     Fever     Swelling of lymph nodes     Visual impairment with certain species (particularly onchocerciasis)   For parasite specific symptoms, see causes.

▲TOP

The various parasitic infections include: Pinworm (Enterobius vermicularis) infection - Enterobiasis Pinworms are small, threadlike roundworms found primarily in the colon and rectum. The life cycle of the pinworm-egg, larva, and mature worm-takes place inside the human body and requires from 3 to 6 weeks to complete. A pinworm is the most common roundworm parasite in temperate climates-even in areas with high levels of sanitation. In the United States, it is the most common of all parasitic roundworm infections, affecting up to 1/3rd of children in some areas. Because pinworm infection is spread mainly by children, it is found most often in family groups, day-care centers, schools, and camps. How do pinworms get into the body? A pinworm infection occurs when an individual consumes food or drink contaminated with fecal matter containing the roundworm Enterobius vermicularis. After being ingested, eggs hatch in the small intestine, and adult worms ultimately inhabit the large intestine. The pregnant female worms migrate to the anus and deposit thousands of eggs in the skin around that area. Because the eggs are moist and a bit resistant to drying, they may be able to infect someone for several days after being distributed in dust. They can cling to the fingers of children. Exposure to infective eggs may occur if you are infected and then scratch the contaminated area (the area around the anus where the female worm deposits her eggs), transferring the eggs to your fingertips and from there to your mouth. The eggs may be scattered into the air from bed linen and clothing, and can cling to doorknobs, furniture, tubs and faucets, and even food. Although you may have no symptoms over a long period, episodes of infection may return repeatedly. Movement of egg-laden female worms from the anus will often produce itching of the anus or vagina that, in some cases, may become very intense and even interfere with sleep. Prevention You can prevent becoming infected or re-infected with pinworms by: Bathing frequently Using clean underclothing, night clothes, and bed sheets Washing your hands routinely, particularly after using the bathroom Children usually outgrow the infection. Because of the strong probability that small children will get infected again outside the home, strenuous efforts to eliminate the eggs from the household are of little help.

Roundworm (Ascaris lumbricoides) infection - Ascariasis The name Ascaris lumbricoides reflects the resemblance of this intestinal roundworm to the common earthworm known as Lumbricus. Ranging in length from 6 to 13 inches, the female worm may grow to be as thick as a pencil. Ascaris infections are common throughout the world in both temperate and tropical areas. In areas of poor sanitation, everyone may be harboring the parasite. Amazingly, up to a hundred worms can infect one person. How is ascariasis spread? Almost more than any other parasitic disease, human carelessness causes ascaris. Human feces in streets, fields, and yards are a major source of infective eggs in heavily populated areas. The eggs of ascarids do not infect humans when first excreted by the worm. The eggs are very resistant to extremes of temperature and humidity. They usually are transmitted by hand to mouth, although the use of human feces as fertilizer may also permit transmission of infective eggs by food that is grown in the soil and eaten without being thoroughly washed. The eggs require several weeks to develop and become infective. Infection occurs when an individual consumes food or drink contaminated with fecal matter that contains mature worm eggs. If you swallow the infective eggs, they pass into your intestine where they hatch into larvae. The larvae then begin their journey through your body. Once through the intestinal wall, they reach your lungs by means of the blood or lymphatic system. In the lungs, they pass through the air sacs, are carried up the bronchial tree with respiratory secretions, and are re-swallowed to be returned to the small intestine where they grow, mature, and mate. The worms become mature in about 2 months. Adult worms can reside in the small intestine and produce eggs for a year or more. Specific Symptoms A few worms in your intestine may cause no symptoms or may give rise only to vague or intermittent abdominal pain. Heavy infection may cause partial or complete blockage of your intestine resulting in severe abdominal pain, vomiting, restlessness, and disturbed sleep. The heavier or greater the worm infection, the more severe your symptoms are likely to be. Occasionally, the first sign of infection may be the presence of a worm in vomit or in the stool. Necator and Ancylostoma - Hookworm disease or Ancylostomiasis One of the most common roundworm infections is hookworm. You can pick up hookworms as a result of unsanitary conditions. Hookworm eggs are passed in human feces onto the ground where they develop into infective larvae. When the soil is cool, the larval worms crawl to the nearest moist area and extend their bodies into the air. They remain there-waving their bodies to and fro-until they come into contact with the skin, usually when stepped on by a bare foot, or until they are driven back down by the heat. Hookworm is widespread in those tropical and subtropical countries in which people defecate on the ground and soil moisture is most favorable. Necator americanus is the prevailing species in the southeastern United States. Children are particularly susceptible to this kind of infection. Once infected, children become weak and experience stunted growth patterns. These roundworms infect about 25 % of the world's population. How hookworms get into your body? You can get hookworms by walking barefoot over contaminated soil. In penetrating the skin, the larvae may cause an allergic reaction. It is from the itchy patch at the place where the larvae entered that the early infection gets its nickname "ground itch." Once larvae have broken through the skin, they enter the bloodstream and are carried to the lungs. (Unlike ascarids, however, hookworms do not usually cause pneumonia.) The larvae migrate from the lungs up the windpipe to be swallowed and carried back down to the intestine, where they attach and mature into adults, laying more eggs. Pets can transmit these parasites to humans Some animal hookworms can become accidental parasites of humans in a manner similar to the ascarids. If you are exposed to these animal hookworm larvae, they can penetrate your skin but, like the ascarids, cannot complete their life cycle. This results in these larvae wandering around in the subcutaneous tissue beneath the exposed skin, a condition called cutaneous larva migrans. Specific Symptoms Diarrhea, particularly if you have never been infected, sometimes starts as the worms mature in your intestines and before eggs appear in the stool. Other signs and symptoms at this stage include vague abdominal pain, intestinal cramps, colic, and nausea. Scientists have learned that people in good health and on a diet containing adequate iron can tolerate the presence of these worms in small or moderate numbers without having problems. In chronic infections, if the number of parasites becomes great enough, you can develop serious anemia because of blood loss from the worms attaching themselves to the intestine and sucking the blood and tissue juices. When this situation is combined with poor nutritional intake, pregnancy, and/or malaria, the resulting anemia can be severe. Ancyclostoma canium, an illness caused by a particular species of dog hookworm, has been described in Australia. This worm may almost complete its development in the lower small intestine, but produces a severe inflammatory reaction in the bowel, causing abdominal pain, diarrhea, and an increase in certain white blood cells called eosinophils. Whipworm (Trichuris trichiura) disease - Trichuriasis The name whipworm comes from this parasite's long, very thin, whiplike shape. This parasitic roundworm infection of the large intestine often has no symptoms, but a health care provider usually can diagnose it by examining your stool and finding whipworm eggs. Heavy infections may cause intermittent stomach pain, bloody stools, diarrhea, and weight loss. Fertilized eggs develop outside the body, and an embryonated egg is produced in 3 weeks in a favorable environment; that is, warm, moist, shaded soil. Although the incidence of whipworm infection is high, its intensity is usually light. In the United States, the infection occurs principally in warm, moist climates, most frequently among children. You can get infected by accidentally eating whipworm eggs on your hands or in food or drink. After eggs are ingested, larvae hatch in the small intestine and mature in the large intestine. Severe infections in young children can result in serious disease with bloody diarrhea and a condition called rectal prolapse. Taenia saginata, Taenia solium & Diphyllobothrium latum - Tapeworms Raging from only a few millimeters up to several meters in length, tapeworms are segmented and flat. They attach themselves to the insides of the intestines with suckers and hooks, absorbing food from the gut through the surface of their bodies. There are three main varieties of tapeworm that affect humans: The beef tapeworm, Taenia saginata, is widespread throughout the Middle East, Africa and South America. The pork tapeworm, Taenia solium, poses a more serious health risk, as its eggs can travel back into the stomach where the larvae penetrate the stomach wall and are carried around the body – especially to the muscles and tissues just below the skin. Rarely, cysts can develop in the brain, leading to epilepsy. This parasite is commonly found in Eastern Europe, South-east Asia and Africa. Diphyllobothrium latum, the fish tapeworm, can be acquired by eating undercooked or raw fish and is found in Iceland, China, Japan (where sushi is a common source), South-east Asia, Scandinavia as well as the lake regions of Switzerland. Fish tapeworms seldom cause symptoms, but victims can sometimes suffer from vitamin B12 deficiency, which can eventually lead to anemia. How they spread? Egg-filled segments separate themselves from the worm and are then passed out of the body. If these eggs are then eaten by an intermediate host, such as a pig or a cow, they will develop into cysts within its tissues. When humans eat infected meat that is either raw or undercooked, the larvae can be passed on. Strongyloides stercoralis - Strongyloidiasis or Threadworm The parasitic roundworm called Strongyloides stercoralis mainly infects humans. This parasite has different types of life cycles. One is direct, similar to that of the hookworm. After a short feeding period and development in the soil, the larvae penetrate human skin, enter the blood stream, and pass through the right side of the heart to the lungs. From the lungs, the adolescent parasites go up the windpipe into the mouth, are swallowed, and reach the upper part of the small intestine where they develop into mature worms. Under certain conditions, parasites may undergo an indirect life cycle in which free-living mature male and female worms develop in the soil and produce a new generation of large numbers of larvae. At times, the larvae may develop rapidly into the infective state in the intestine where they penetrate the intestinal lining instead of passing out of the body in the feces, as occurs normally. This modification of the life cycle, called internal autoinfection, explains persistent strongyloidiasis, as long as 40 years in people who have moved to areas where the disease is not generally found. Autoinfection may produce heavy infections and severe disease (also known as disseminated strongyloidiasis), especially in people with reduced immunity such as those receiving corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drug treatment, or those with acquired immunodeficiency due to human retroviruses (HIV or HTLV-1).

Symptoms Many Strongyloides infections are mild and go unnoticed. Moderate infections may cause a burning pain in your abdomen. You may have nausea and vomiting and alternating diarrhea and constipation. Severe infections result in anemia, weight loss, and chronic diarrhea. Disseminated strongyloidiasis in severely immunocompromised people can cause a variety of symptoms, including an ARDS-like pneumonia (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome). Trichinella spiralis - Trichinosis Trichinosis is an infection caused by the larvae of a most versatile roundworm, Trichinella spiralis. This parasite can infect virtually every meat-eating mammal. Unlike the other parasitic roundworm diseases that we have discussed, trichinosis is not an intestinal infection in the usual sense. It is the migration of T. spiralis larvae through the body and their encystment (becoming enclosed in a capsule) in muscle tissue that creates serious problems. The parasite is especially common in rats and in swine that feed on uncooked garbage. The disease occurs in humans when they eat undercooked infected pork. These larvae also live in other wild carnivores, such as bears. Although trichinosis is sometimes found in cities, it is much more common in rural areas, particularly in the hog-raising areas of the United States. Because many states have adopted laws requiring that all garbage fed to hogs be sterilized, fewer people get trichinosis. Human cases have also been associated with eating undercooked home-made sausage that contains pork or horse meat, as well as eating walrus or bear meat. Typically, the life cycle of the parasite begins when a person or an animal eats contaminated meat containing larvae. Digestive juices from the stomach dissolve the capsule-like cyst and release the parasites. The larvae then penetrate into the intestine where they mature and mate. Female worms then pass larvae into the blood stream where they make their way through the capillaries (tiny blood vessels) into the muscle fibers. Once in the muscle fibers, they encyst again and begin a sometimes long life (they can live for months or years). Symptoms The average case of trichinosis is not severe and produces no noticeable discomfort. It can produce symptoms that are frequently overlooked or ignored-a slight stomachache and achy muscles and joints. Invasion by a large number of parasites, however, produces symptoms that mimic food poisoning followed by severe "muscular rheumatism." Prevention Health experts have known all the basic facts necessary for preventing trichinosis in humans for years. You can kill the parasites by cooking (allowing all parts of the meat to reach at least 150 degrees Fahrenheit) or freezing (16 degrees Fahrenheit for 36 hours). Irradiation can also kill them. Smoking, pickling, and other methods of processing or preserving meats do not kill the parasites. Visceral larva migrans (Toxocara canis, Toxocara cati, or Baylisascaris procyonis) - Toxocariasis VLM is an infection caused by the roundworms Toxocara canis, Toxocara cati, or Baylisascaris procyonis. These parasites ordinarily infect dogs, cats, and raccoons, respectively, but a human can become infected by consuming soil contaminated by infected animal feces. In dogs and cats, these ascarids have a migratory cycle similar to A. lumbricoides. In humans, however, they fail to reach the intestine. Instead they remain active in other body tissue for some time. This state of larval migration is known as visceral larva migrans. Young puppies and kittens that defecate outdoors contribute most to contamination of soil by eggs that must incubate for some time in the soil. Almost all dogs are infected at birth. Older dogs, however, have usually become immune to the parasite. Guinea worm (Dracunculus medinensis) disease - Dracunculosis Humans can become infected with Guinea worm disease when they consume drinking water contaminated with the roundworm Dracunculus medinensis. Larvae penetrate the intestinal wall, where they mature and migrate to connective tissues. This type of roundworm infects 10 - 40 million people annually worldwide, primarily in the Indian subcontinent, West and Central Africa, and some Middle Eastern countries. Wucheria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, or Brugia timori - Lymphatic filariasis A lymphatic filariasis infection occurs when an individual is bitten by a mosquito containing the roundworms Wucheria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, or Brugia timori. Over a period of 6 - 12 months, adult worms mature and live in human lymph vessels and nodes and can eventually circulate through the blood. About 90 million people worldwide have been infected with these roundworms. Onchocerca volvulus - River blindness (onchocerciasis) River blindness is an infection caused by the roundworm Onchocerca volvulus. Onchocerciasis, which is spread by day-biting flies, is the leading cause of blindness worldwide, affecting about 20 million people, mostly in Africa. Loa loa - Loiasis Loiasis is an infection caused by the roundworm Loa loa. Like river blindness, loiasis is spread by day-biting flies. An estimated 3 - 13 million people in equatorial Africa have been infected with Loa loa

Risk factors           Living in or visiting an area known to have parasites     International travel (particularly traveling frequently to developing countries where there are poor sanitary   conditions)     Poor sanitation (for both food and water)     Poor personal hygiene habits such as washing or bathing infrequently, not washing your hands before eating or   preparing food after using the bathroom     Age - children are more likely to get infected     Exposure to Crowded conditions, such as child and institutional care centers     Living in or visiting a warm, tropical climate     Frequent practice of anal intercourse     Compromised immune system, as in HIV or AIDS     Malnutrition     Eating dirt or clay (children and especially boys tend to become infected this way)     Contact with animal feces     Consumption of food and water that has been contaminated with human or animal feces     Eating raw or undercooked meats from carnivorous animals such as pork, beef, lamb or venison     Livestock such as cattle or pigs may become infected by been exposed to contaminated pastures

▲TOP

Depending on the type of worm and the severity of the infections, medications such as Vermox or albendazole may be prescribed. If one person in your family has been infected, it is generally recommended that the whole family be treated to eliminate the worms effectively. Natural remedies have been used for centuries to eliminate intestinal worms & parasites from the body’s system. Natural alternatives have proven to be highly effective in offering support to the digestive system and helping to keep the intestinal system worm-free. Treatments such as herbal and homeopathic remedies are gentle on the body’s system and can be used safely for both adults and children every so often to help the whole family remain worm-free, without the harsh side effects of prescription medication. Herbs such as Glycorrhiza glabra (licorice root), Agrimonia eupatoria (Agrimony), Althea officinalis (Marshmallow) and Artemesia africana (Wormwood or Wilde-Als) have immune-supporting properties and help to keep the body worm-free. Homeopathic ingredients such as Chamomilla and Cina promote balance and harmony in the digestive system and keep the intestinal system free of worms & parasites.

Glycorrhiza Glabra (licorice root) has long been used as an herbal remedy for gastrointestinal health and is well known for its immune-boosting properties, as well as its calming effect on the digestive tract. Licorice also exerts a gentle relaxing action on the bowels which will assist the body to expel parasites such as worms. In addition, Licorice also helps to relieve cramps and protect the liver.   Artemesia Africana (Wormwood or Wilde-Als) has been well used since ancient times, and it is not surprising to know that the name Wormwood was derived from its traditional usage - the expulsion of intestinal worms. Wormwood will also stimulate and invigorate the whole digestive process, while simultaneously promoting liver and gall bladder health.   Chamomilla (30C) is a calming homeopathic remedy for digestive complaints that is excellent for soothing irritated membranes and relieving gastric upset.   Agrimonia Eupatoria (Agrimony) has been used since Ancient Greece as a digestive tonic. The astringent properties of Agrimony make it an ideal remedy to tone the digestive system and keep it free of parasites. Agrimony will also help to soothe digestive irritation.   Althea Officinalis (Marshmallow) is another herb that has enjoyed a long history of medicinal use. It contains large sugar molecules, called mucilage, which exert a soothing demulcent effect on the mucous membranes of the digestive tract. This makes Marshmallow an ideal natural remedy to keep the system free of gastric irritation and promote a healthy lining in the digestive tract.   Cina (30C) is a homeopathic remedy traditionally used to aid the expulsion of intestinal worms and to relieve abdominal discomfort. The dried flowers of the plant are used as they contain a substance called santonin which is a natural vermicide, and the homeopathic preparation is especially suited to children.

Practice good personal hygiene (such as washing hands thoroughly before eating or preparing food, after using the bathroom or playing with pets, and avoiding contact with fecal matter). Teach your children to wash their hands thoroughly before eating, after using the bathroom and playing outside or with pets.   Bath or shower every morning and evening, and wash around the anal and vaginal areas   Avoid sharing personal items such face flannels, towels, or hair brushes   Change underwear and pajamas daily   Public health measures in areas where roundworm infections are prevalent include improving general sanitation, especially sewage disposal, and reducing mosquito and fly populations.   Sleep with a bed net when visiting tropical areas where malaria is common

Wear protective clothing, and use insect repellant. Wear insect repellant when outdoors to protect yourself against parasitic diseases.   Consult a veterinarian about de-worming pets.   Keep your living area clean by wiping down all surfaces and vacuuming dust particles regularly   Change bed sheets regularly. Wash bed linen in hot water if you or your children have worms and change them regularly   Wear shoes when walking on grass or soil as some worms can penetrate the skin    Wear gardening gloves when working in the garden or with soil and always wash hands afterwards   Dispose of animal and human feces immediately to avoid livestock being exposed to tapeworm eggs    Keep finger nails short and scrub them regularly   Keep children away from pet feces.   Let infected children wear cotton gloves when sleeping to prevent scratching   Avoid eating in the bedroom   Disinfect your toilet seat and handle as well as door handle regularly with natural, environmentally friendly detergent

▲TOP