Five Home Remedies for Intestinal Parasites
Today’s article will give you some remedies for treating intestinal parasites. These worms are organisms that can cause a lot of health problems when they take hold in your intestines. Generally, these are protozoic, like Giardia. However, intestinal parasites can also be worm-like, as with Taenia solium.
They can show up in your body due to contact with contaminated food, water, and certain kinds of insects.
Many people think that this only happens in poorer communities. However, the truth is that everyone is at risk of getting infected, especially when certain conditions exist, such as poor cleaning and cooking of food, for example.
The World Health Organization estimates that about 2 billion people have or have had intestinal parasites.
Symptoms of intestinal parasites
If a person’s been infected with intestinal parasites, they may experience a variety of symptoms: stomach discomfort and pain, apathy, tiredness, bloated abdomen, diarrhea, foul-smelling or light-colored stools (alternating with episodes of constipation), gas, hunger, sugar cravings, among other things.
Dr. Jorge Horacio Espíndola, from the National University of the Northeast, in Argentina, explains that the first symptoms may be diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach pain.
In addition, he warns that extreme and prolonged cases may lead to cramps, seizures, and, in the long term, symptoms of malnutrition.
Dr. Espíndola recommends that if a person is infected by parasites, the whole family should be dewormed. Above all, because they may have eaten the same food and the parasite may be in the process of gestation. The parasites or their eggs can also be easily transmitted through the environment.
When a diagnosis of intestinal parasite infection is received, it’s important to pay attention and follow your doctor’s instructions. Beyond taking the medications you’re prescribed, it’ll be equally important to improve your life habits and, above all, to take care of your diet.
Home remedies for intestinal parasites
Below we’ll share some remedies or home treatments that, according to popular belief, can relieve an intestinal parasite infection.
It is important to keep in mind that none of them have scientific bases, so it’s not proven that they’re effective in relieving symptoms or eliminating parasites as such.
Therefore, they’re just simple drinks you can complement your balanced diet with, according to the needs of your body.
1. Lemon and mint for intestinal parasites
Lemon and mint tea helps digestion after any main meal. It also complements hydration and, according to belief, can also support the treatment of intestinal parasites.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp. of mint
- 1 c. of water
- 1 lemon’s worth of lemon juice
- salt (optional)
Preparation
- Firstly, mix the mint with hot water and let it sit for 8 to 10 minutes.
- Then, strain the liquid. Then add the lemon juice and a pinch of salt.
- Finally, drink it two times per day as needed.
Read about How to Use Garlic to Harden Your Nails
2. Coconut water
Coconut water is another natural drink recommended to complement hydration in case of having intestinal parasites.
Ingredients
- 1 c. of coconut water
- One piece of grated coconut
Preparation
- Firstly, grate the coconut and soak it in a glass of warm water for one hour.
- Then, blend until smooth.
- Finally, serve and drink.
Find out more about the Four Benefits of Including Coconut Water in Your Diet
3. Castor oil and soy milk
According to popular belief, soy milk combined with some castor oil may help treat intestinal parasites.
Ingredients
- One c. of sugar-free soy milk
- 1 tbsp. of castor oil
Preparation
- Firstly, warm up the soy milk in the microwave.
- Then, mix with the 1 tablespoon of castor oil.
- Finally, serve and drink.
*Remember that sugar “feeds” parasites, so you should avoid sugary foods and drinks.
4. Tomato juice with salt and pepper
Tomato juice with salt and black pepper is another natural drink proposed as a diet supplement for people with intestinal parasites. Its benefits are mainly attributed to the lycopene in tomatoes and the piperine in black pepper.
Ingredients
- 3 or 4 ripe tomatoes
- 1/2 a c. of water
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
Preparation
- Firstly, wash the tomatoes well. Cut them into slices. It isn’t necessary to throw out the seeds or skins.
- Then, put all of the ingredients into your blender. Blend them until you get a smooth liquid.
5. Garlic and honey
The mixture of garlic and honey results in a sweet syrup with a certain “spicy” punch that, according to popular belief, can support the treatment of intestinal parasites.
Ingredients
- 6 garlic cloves
- 1/2 c. of honey
Preparation
- Firstly, chop the garlic into thin slices, or crush it with a pestle and mortar.
- Then, add this to a glass jar and cover it with the honey.
- Let it sit for three days and then use it.
Are these remedies enough?
We recommend always consulting your doctor before consuming these (or other) home remedies for intestinal parasites, in case one of them is not the best option for you. This way you’ll avoid side effects and adverse reactions.
Keep in mind, however, that, home remedies or treatments DON’T replace the treatment your doctor may prescribe. In any case, the most recommendable thing would be to complement your diet with them (as long as your medical expert authorizes it).
Last (but not least), always remember to clean your food well, especially meat, fish, seafood, vegetables, and greens, before consuming them.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
- de la Paula L, Cándido A, et al. Antiparasitic properties of propolis extracts and their compounds. Chemistry and Biodiversity. Septiembre 2021. 18 (9): e2100310.
- Intestinal parasites. (2016). umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/condition/intestinal-parasites.
- Kristin S, Sobeh M, et al. Anti-parasitic activities of Allium sativum and Allium cepa against Trypanosoma b. brucei and Leishmania tarentolae. Medicines. Julio 2018. 5 (2): 37.
- Noticias ONU. La OMS alerta sobre la infección de parásitos intestinales en países en desarrollo. Naciones Unidas. Agosto 2008.
- Parasitosis intestinales y su efecto perjudicial en la Salud. Agencia CyTA – Instituto Leloir / UNNE.(2011).
