Internal Parasites

I know, YUCK! I didn't want to read about this either! But I have come across this problem so much in my herbs research that I felt compelled to learn the truth. There seem to be so many claims that parasites are the cause of everything from headaches to cancer. I was shocked to discover that even the Centers for Disease Control confirm that this is TRUE! Parasites are a big problem, even in the United States. They are passed from person to person and children are very vulnerable. They are in some of the foods we eat and can thrive and multiply in the human body at an alarming rate! They can invade your body and live undetected for years! You may think you are safe if you drink city water, practice good hygiene or eat well cooked meat, but read what even your government has to say! Below are actual articles I found on the website of the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) which describe a few of the most prolific invaders. BEWARE this is some scary stuff!

Pinworms

The nematode (roundworm) Enterobius vermicularis (previously Oxyuris vermicularis) also called human pinworm. (Adult females: 8 to 13 mm, adult male: 2 to 5 mm.) Humans are practically the only hosts of E. vermicularis.

Life Cycle:
Eggs are deposited on perianal folds. Self-infection occurs by transferring infective eggs to the mouth with hands that have scratched the perianal area. Person-to-person transmission can also occur through handling of contaminated clothes or bed linens. Enterobiasis may also be acquired through surfaces in the environment that are contaminated with pinworm eggs (e.g., curtains, carpeting). Following ingestion of infective eggs, the larvae hatch in the small intestine and the adults establish themselves in the colon. The time interval from ingestion of infective eggs to oviposition by the adult females is about one month. The life span of the adults is about two months. Gravid females migrate nocturnally outside the anus and oviposit while crawling on the skin of the perianal area. The larvae contained inside the eggs develop (the eggs become infective) in 4 to 6 hours under optimal conditions.

Geographic Distribution:
Worldwide, with infections more frequent in school- or preschool- children and in crowded conditions. The most common helminthic infection in the United States (an estimated 40 million persons infected).

Clinical Features:
Enterobiasis is frequently asymptomatic. The most typical symptom is perianal pruritus, especially at night, which may lead to excoriations and bacterial superinfection. Occasionally, invasion of the female genital tract with vulvovaginitis and pelvic or peritoneal granulomas can occur. Other symptoms include anorexia, irritability, and abdominal pain.

Roundworms

Ascaris lumbricoides is the largest nematode (roundworm) parasitizing the human intestine. (Adult females: 20 to 35 cm; adult male: 15 to 30 cm.)

Life Cycle:
Adult worms live in the lumen of the small intestine. A female may produce up to 240,000 eggs per day, which are passed with the feces. Fertile eggs embryonate and become infective after 18 days to several weeks, depending on the environmental conditions (optimum: moist, warm, shaded soil). After infective eggs are swallowed, the larvae hatch, invade the intestinal mucosa, and are carried via the portal, then systemic circulation to the lungs. The larvae mature further in the lungs (10 to 14 days), penetrate the alveolar walls, ascend the bronchial tree to the throat, and are swallowed. Upon reaching the small intestine, they develop into adult worms . Between 2 and 3 months are required from ingestion of the infective eggs to oviposition by the adult female. Adult worms can live 1 to 2 years.

Geographic Distribution:
The most common human helminthic infection. Worldwide distribution. Highest prevalence in tropical and subtropical regions, and areas with inadequate sanitation. Occurs in areas of the southeastern United States.

Clinical Features:
Although infections may cause stunted growth, adult worms usually cause no acute symptoms. High worm burdens may cause abdominal pain and intestinal obstruction. Migrating adult worms may cause symptomatic occlusion of the biliary tract or oral expulsion. During the lung phase of larval migration, pulmonary symptoms can occur (cough, dyspnea, hemoptysis, eosinophilic pneumonitis - Loeffler's syndrome).

Hookworms

The human hookworms include two nematode (roundworm) species, Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus. (Adult females: 10 to 13 mm (A. duodenale), 9 to 11 mm (N. americanus); adult males: 8 to 11 mm (A. duodenale), 7 to 9 mm (N. americanus). A smaller group of hookworms infecting animals can invade and parasitize humans (A. ceylanicum) or can penetrate the human skin (causing cutaneous larva migrans), but do not develop any further (A. braziliense, Uncinaria stenocephala).

Life Cycle:
Eggs are passed in the stool , and under favorable conditions (moisture, warmth, shade), larvae hatch in 1 to 2 days. The released rhabditiform larvae grow in the feces and/or the soil , and after 5 to 10 days (and two molts) they become become filariform (third-stage) larvae that are infective . These infective larvae can survive 3 to 4 weeks in favorable environmental conditions. On contact with the human host, the larvae penetrate the skin and are carried through the veins to the heart and then to the lungs. They penetrate into the pulmonary alveoli, ascend the bronchial tree to the pharynx, and are swallowed . The larvae reach the small intestine, where they reside and mature into adults. Adult worms live in the lumen of the small intestine, where they attach to the intestinal wall with resultant blood loss by the host . Most adult worms are eliminated in 1 to 2 years, but longevity records can reach several years. Some A. duodenale larvae, following penetration of the host skin, can become dormant (in the intestine or muscle). In addition, infection by A. duodenale may probably also occur by the oral and transmammary route. N. americanus, however, requires a transpulmonary migration phase.

Geographic Distribution:
The second most common human helminthic infection (after ascariasis). Worldwide distribution, mostly in areas with moist, warm climate. Both N. americanus and A. duodenale are found in Africa, Asia and the Americas. Necator americanus predominates in the Americas and Australia, while only A. duodenale is found in the Middle East, North Africa and southern Europe.

Clinical Features:
Iron deficiency anemia (caused by blood loss at the site of intestinal attachment of the adult worms) is the most common symptom of hookworm infection, and can be accompanied by cardiac complications. Gastrointestinal and nutritional/metabolic symptoms can also occur. In addition, local skin manifestations ("ground itch") can occur during penetration by the filariform (L3) larvae, and respiratory symptoms can be observed during pulmonary migration of the larvae.

Whipworms

The nematode (roundworm) Trichuris trichiura, also called the human whipworm. The third most common round worm of humans. The unembryonated eggs are passed with the stool . In the soil, the eggs develop into a 2-cell stage , an advanced cleavage stage , and then they embryonate ; eggs become infective in 15 to 30 days. After ingestion (soil-contaminated hands or food), the eggs hatch in the small intestine, and release larvae that mature and establish themselves as adults in the colon . The adult worms (approximately 4 cm in length) live in the cecum and ascending colon. The adult worms are fixed in that location, with the anterior portions threaded into the mucosa. The females begin to oviposit 60 to 70 days after infection. Female worms in the cecum shed between 3,000 and 20,000 eggs per day. The life span of the adults is about 1 year.

Geographic Distribution:
Infections more frequent in areas with tropical weather and poor sanitation practices, and among children. It is estimated that 800 million people are infected worldwide. Trichuriasis occurs in the southern United States.

Clinical Features:
Most frequently asymptomatic. Heavy infections, especially in small children, can cause gastrointestinal problems (abdominal pain, diarrhea, rectal prolapse) and possibly growth retardation.

Tapeworm

The cestode Diphyllobothrium latum (the fish or broad tapeworm), the largest human tapeworm. Several other Diphyllobothrium species have been reported to infect humans, but less frequently; they include D. pacificum, D. cordatum, D. ursi, D. dendriticum, D. lanceolatum, D. dalliae, and D. yonagoensis.

Life Cycle:
The adult D. latum tapeworm resides in the small intestine where it attaches to the mucosa. It can reach more than 10 m in length, with more than 3,000 proglottids. Immature eggs are discharged from the proglottids (up to 1,000,000 eggs per day per worm) and are passed in the feces. Under appropriate conditions, the egg matures (in 11 to 15 days), yields an oncosphere which develops into a coracidium. After ingestion by a suitable freshwater crustacean (copepod) (first intermediate host) the coracidium develops into a procercoid larva. Following ingestion of the copepod by a suitable freshwater fish (second intermediate host), the procercoid larva migrates into the fish flesh where it develops into a plerocercoid larva (sparganum). When the smaller infected fish is eaten by a larger one, the sparganum may migrate into the flesh of the larger fish. Humans (the optimal definitive host) acquire the infection by eating raw or undercooked infected fish. Eggs appear in the feces 5 to 6 weeks after infection. In addition to humans, many other mammals can also be infected.

Geographic Distribution:
Diphyllobothriasis occurs in areas where lakes and rivers coexist with human consumption of raw or undercooked freshwater fish. Such areas are found in the Northern Hemisphere (Europe, newly independent states of the former Soviet Union (NIS), North America, Asia), and in Uganda and Chile.

Clinical Features:
Diphyllobothriasis can be a long-lasting infection (decades). Most infections are asymptomatic. Manifestations may include abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, vomiting, and weight loss. Vitamin B12 deficiency with pernicious anemia may occur. Massive infections may result in intestinal obstruction. Migration of proglottids can cause cholecystitis or cholangitis.

Excerpts from the CDC website at
http://www.dpd.cdc.gov/dpdx/HTML/Trichuriasis.htm

The above are only a few of the intestinal parasites. There are many others! Blood-born parasites, parasites of the liver, kidneys, spleen, lymph nodes, heart, lungs, even brain!

How do people get parasites?

Easier than you think! Parasites (in the larval stage) are consumed in uncooked, or undercooked, seafood or most any undercooked meat. Touching (in any way) someone who has them. It is estimated that 85% of Americans have some kind of internal parasites! Animals, all animals carry parasite that can be transferred to humans. Water (even bottled) that has not been heated to boiling. Unwashed fresh fruits and vegetables can carry many parasites also! You can even get parasites by inhaling dust which contains the dried form of these organisms.

For more information PLEASE click Here!

Are there herbs or natural products to eliminate intestinal parasites?

Yes, there are many herbal formulas and single herb tinctures which contain plant extracts known to kill parasites. Some of these also contain herbs and extracts to kill fungus and bacteria left behind by parasites. Parasitic byproducts can do as much damage to the body as the nasty little buggers themselves!

Green Hulls of Black Walnut (Juglans Nigra)
Black Walnut Green Hulls contains naphthoquinones and is well documented as an anti-parasitic herb. It has traditionally been used as a vermifuge (kills worms) for many centuries by Europeans and American Indian tribes. It aids digestion and helps to maintain a healthy digestive system.

Wormwood (Artemisia Absinthium)
Wormwood contains essential oils such as absinthol, isovaleric acid and thujone which aid digestion, and has broad spectrum anti-parasitic properties.

TheraClear™ (Formula)
Contains Black Seed herb, Black Walnut Hull, Cloves, Wormwood Extract, Peppermint Leaves, Grapefruit Seed Extract, and base herbs Fennel, Hyssop, Pumpkin Seed Meal, Genetian Root, and Thyme. Effective, and inexpensive, natural formula known to eliminate many varieties of worms.

Paracan (Formula)
Contains Black Walnut Hulls (green); Wormwood; Cloves; Senna Leaf; Usnea. Used to help fight parasites and cancer. Should be used for a three month duration for a complete removal of all types of parasite.

Parasities & Scabies (Formula)
For both internal and external use to help rid the body of parasites, scabies, and ringworm. This can also be used for pets. Contains Wormwood; Black Walnut Hulls; Senna Leaf; Wild Carrot.

Dr. Hulda Clark's Parasite removal (Kit)
Parasite Protocol is a complete kit for the natural removal of Parasites from the body within 20 days.

Grapefruit Extract Plus (Capsules)
Effective against parasites, colds, dysentery, indigestion and fevers related to sunstroke, and tuberculosis.

Pau D'Arco (tabebuia impetiginosa)
Pau D'Arco is a South American herb known for its anti-infective properties. Lapacho is very aggressive against yeast, fungus, several viruses, parasites and bacteria.

Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare)
Used to expel worms, especially round and thread worms for this purpose, drink the tea while fasting.

Garlic (Allium Sativum)
Research shows that Garlic possesses anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. Allicin, one of garlic's important active ingredients is believed to provide many of its anti-microbial and anti-parasitic benefits. It may also help eliminate bacteria while supporting the growth of natural bacterial flora (good bacteria).

Olive Leaf Extract (Olea Europaea)
The olive plant has been highly esteemed throughout history. The medicinal benefits of olive leaf extract is now well documented. The leaf extract contains oleuropein components, valuable for treating both infectious and degenerative conditions. Research has identified elenolic acid as the main active ingredient in oleuropein, believed to work efficiently against a range of pathogenic organisms including yeasts and parasites.

Cloves (Caryophyllus aromaticus)
Contains anti-parasitic properties as well as germicidal agents which help soothe the digestive tract.

For more information and products to protect you and your Family Click here!

In conclusion, I would like to ask that you pass this information to your friends and loved ones. Or anyone who is experiencing the systems described above. Over 1,000 species of parasites can live in the human body and tests are available for approximately 40 to 50 types. This means, doctors are only testing for about 5% of the parasites and missing 80% of those. This brings the clinically found parasites down to 1%!

Copyright 2002 Herbal Remedies USA LLC & Deb Jackson

Back to Articles