Can Parasites Be What’s Wrong With Me?

Discussing parasites in our bodies can be a bit disconcerting, but it’s a common issue many of us face unknowingly. Could parasites be the hidden culprit affecting your well-being? Let’s delve into the signs, symptoms, and, most importantly, effective ways to address parasitic infections. Knowledge is power, and understanding this aspect of health can be a key step in regaining your wellness.

Our Story of Parasites

A few years ago, my husband, who’s always led a healthy lifestyle, began experiencing joint and muscle pain, despite our exercise routine and wholesome, non-GMO, unprocessed food diet. We believe in a holistic mind, body, and spirit approach to health, and we’re usually quite attuned to our bodies. You can read more about GMOs in our dedicated posts.

We’re pretty in tune with our bodies and listen to them as best we can. He had started to have a bit of diarrhea now and again, was wanting to sleep longer, feeling tired after sleeping, waking often during sleep, and I noticed he was grinding his teeth during the night.

We were talking about his health issues one day and he said, “Something is not right with my body.” The symptoms had developed gradually, taking a couple of years to evolve into a significant health concern. Despite no clear cause, and my half-joking suggestion about age catching up, he trusted his intuition that it was something more.

As someone who tries to follow what most people would call a gut feeling (he would call it the subconscious wisdom of his mind), he said, “No it’s not age, but it will come to me here shortly.” His determination to understand these subtle yet persistent changes in his health led us down a path of deeper exploration.

A day later, he had an epiphany and declared, ‘I’ve figured it out – I have parasites!’ This was unexpected, as he hadn’t been researching the topic. Skeptical but curious, I delved into research. Parasites, really? The idea of pinworms, roundworms, and other harmful organisms living inside us seemed so far-fetched. It just didn’t seem like something we’d encounter.

I was astounded to find that over half of the population hosts some form of parasite. It was a revelation that these unwelcomed guests aren’t choosey; they can affect anyone, regardless of age or gender.

How Do I Know If I Have a Parasite? Symptoms of Parasites

This list of symptoms of a parasite infestation alarmed me right away!

• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Joint and muscle pains
• Anemia
• Cravings, especially for sugar
• Allergies
• Skin conditions – irritation/itching of the nose, ears, eyes, and anus. Also rashes, eczema, and hives
• Tumors
• Nervousness
• Sleep disorders
• Hyperactivity
• Stress (in the body)
• Teeth grinding
• Persistent fatigue
• Unclear thoughts
• Headaches
• Runny nose
• Loss of desire
• Awful taste in the mouth
• Acne
• Fever
• Vomiting (comes and goes)
• Trouble gaining weight, children particularly
• Food allergies often develop after having an infestation for a while. The period of time is different for each individual.
• Dark circles under the eyes
• Yeast/Candida illness
• Body odor
• Bad breath

I soon realized that I was experiencing some of these symptoms too. Together, we embarked on thorough research and devised a focused plan to address our concerns.

How Do Humans Get Parasites?

Parasites can enter our bodies in a variety of ways, often without us even realizing it. Here are some common methods of transmission:

• The most common way is ingesting them in food or water.
• You can get them by way of the mucous membranes of the nose and mouth after handling infested food or materials.
• Parasites can be transferred during sexual activity.
• Insect bites, having a scratch or cut on your skin also allow them access to the body.
• Eating raw fish or meat is also a source of parasites.
• It’s possible to get some parasites by walking barefoot through an infested area.
• There are so many types of parasites there’s no way to even begin to discuss them in this article.

With so many types of parasites and modes of transmission, awareness and preventive measures are key to minimizing the risk of infestation.

An unhealthy digestive system, particularly the colon, can leave us vulnerable to severe parasitic infestations. When our waste elimination isn’t functioning properly, mucoid plaque can build up in the colon, creating an ideal habitat for parasites.

When we were growing up Granny I still go barefoot for earthing purposes but I’m more careful now about where I do it.

I understand this topic can be unsettling – I remember being equally grossed out during my microbiology classes in nursing school. Thinking about these invisible critters can certainly give one the shivers! Growing up, Granny had one rule about going barefoot. If you cross the fence into the pasture or barnyard, you had to have shoes on. Otherwise, we were barefoot.

While I still enjoy going barefoot for earthing, I’m much more cautious about where I do it now. You can learn all about earthing in our dedicated article.

The Effects of Parasites on The Body

*Warning: This will be gross*

Parasitic infestations can be a silent yet significant health issue, often overlooked in diagnosing various symptoms. Once inside the body, parasites can have a profound impact on our overall health, exploiting our nutrients and disrupting bodily functions. As the parasites use up the nutrients you take in, they release toxins in your body in their waste products.

These toxins are responsible for the symptoms you’re experiencing. They are also linked to bowel diseases like IBS or leaky gut. Parasites have been misdiagnosed as cancer because they resemble tumors on scans when they are clumped together.  

If you experience stomach pain frequently, you may have a roundworm infestation. Other symptoms of roundworm infections include pain in your eyes, asthma, and rashes. When these worms secrete their wastes, they can cause rashes or unexplained breakouts in most people.

A hookworm infection usually manifests itself first in your skin and hair. As hookworms mature, they will feed off your blood which results in abdominal pain, abnormally dry skin/hair, acne, and death in some people.

Pinworms are common in kids, infecting up to 20% of them. They could result in acute health problems. These worms can lay up to 10,000 eggs per day!

Like we said there are too many kinds of parasites to list, I just share these as they are the most common infestations in people. Don’t lose heart, you can get rid of them without too much discomfort. 

Candida Albicans is a fungal yeast we naturally have in our bodies. It is necessary to many functions of our guts and lives at peace with us and the other natural organisms in us, most of the time. However, when the microbial flora balance is upset in there, things go haywire!

Yeast gets out of control and causes all kinds of problems throughout the whole body. We could write an article on Candida all by itself. Usually, the imbalance is directly related to an overabundance of invasive parasites starving out all the good guys. 

With such a wide variety of parasites and their potential to affect over 50% of the population, it’s crucial to consider them if you’re experiencing unexplained symptoms. This isn’t medical advice, but rather a call to awareness. Recognizing the signs and understanding the possible impact of parasites can be the first step towards addressing any health concerns you may have.

How to Get Rid of Parasites

Okay, enough with the disgusting mental images and facts. By now you’re asking, “How do I cleanse my body of parasites?”

Dealing with parasites can be overwhelming, but don’t worry, there are ways to get rid of parasites. It’s important to remember, however, that everyone’s health situation is unique, so consulting with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment is always a good idea.

I’m often asked if ginger kills parasites. While ginger is a wonderful herb for many ailments, I use it almost every day, it alone isn’t enough for a parasite cleanse. There’s not one herb or tincture which can kill all parasites by itself, it takes a combination of herbs for effective treatment.

Three major herbs kill over 100 types of parasites: The trio of Black Walnut Hull, Wormwood, and Cloves is known to be particularly effective, targeting both adult parasites and their eggs.

• Black Walnut Hull, Wormwood, and Cloves. Taking all three of these together is the first wave of attack.
• Black Walnut hull and wormwood kill mature parasites while the Clove kills the eggs. 
• If you start them early on, chances are good you’ll be clear of parasites at the end of the cycle.

You can find these combined in one treatment at many health food stores or your favorite natural health store online. Below, I share our personal approach and what worked for us in our journey to becoming parasite-free.

How to Naturally Kill Parasites in Your Body

Before you begin a parasite cleanse of any kind, it’s important to eat easily digested, soft foods for a few days before you start. We went on broth for three days before we began our cleanse. Starting with soft, easily digested foods like broth helps prepare your body for a parasite cleanse.

• Garlic is a vital component of a parasite cleanse due to its ability to kill a variety of parasites. Regular consumption of garlic not only aids in prevention but also helps protect against parasites potentially lurking in our food.
• Avoid sugars while you have an infestation or are on a cleanse. Parasites thrive in a high-sugar environment. We don’t eat much sugar. Especially once we read The Case Against Sugar.
• Eat cultured and fermented foods like kefir and yogurt because of the natural probiotic nature and benefits of fermented foods.
• Taking a Bromelain nutritional supplement contributes to helping the body heal. Dr. Axe has an article on the benefits you can expect from bromelain.
• Coconut Oil is one of the most useful tools in our home. We even give it to our animals. The medium-chain saturated fats in coconut oil have incredible anti-fungal properties.
  • The recommended dose for Candida is 3 Tablespoons a day. 
  • You can read more about coconut oil in our dedicated posts.
• Oregano Oil is one of the most powerful antifungals in the world. The recommended amount for parasite infestation is 3 drops of Oregano Oil in a glass of water 2-3x daily.
• Colloidal Silver works against parasites by destroying the enzymes involved in supplying them with oxygen. It’s effective against viruses, fungal infections, and bacteria just to name a few of its amazing health benefits.
• Apple Cider Vinegar is one of the most versatile tools available to us. ACV vinegar helps to deal with parasites by creating an alkalized environment in the gut which they don’t like. One Tablespoon in a glass of water three times a day is the recommended dose to kill parasites.
• Ginger, rich in antioxidants and oils, is effective against many parasites and can be used in various forms. We use fresh ginger slices, dehydrated ginger slices, and ginger powder.
  • Use it to make ginger tea or add it to your food.
• You can make ginger tea and drink it as often as you like throughout the day.
  • If you use fresh or dehydrated ginger pieces to make your tea, add two quarter-size pieces to 6-8 ounces of boiling water, cover, and let steep for 15 minutes before drinking.
  • If you’re using ginger powder, add a teaspoon to 6-8 ounces of hot water, let sit for 5 minutes and drink when cool enough. We like to add a little raw, organic honey to ours.

How to Avoid the Risk of Parasite Infestation

How can we be part of the 50% of the population without a parasite problem? You know I don’t put much stock in numbers. I mean how can they know exactly what percentage when each person isn’t tested? That being said, I sure don’t want to have this experience again.

Any deficiency in the immune system makes a person more susceptible to an infestation. We all have stress. In our American society, it’s almost unavoidable.

Stress

Stress causes us to secrete higher levels of cortisol which is a suppressant to the immune system. Finding healthy ways to avoid, eliminate, or at least decrease our stress levels is a priority for a healthy lifestyle.

We do stretching, practice deep breathing, and meditate on God’s Word. We also walk and do light exercise. We have had to cut off unhealthy relationships and purposefully turn negative thoughts and energy into positive ones.

Now this sounds easy, but it’s not! It takes practice and acceptance of failure…lots of failure. Eventually, the mind and body realign and it becomes the natural way of dealing with things. It’s not as simple as turning over a new leaf.

Sleep

When you’re asleep, your body is at its busiest. It has a natural rhythm and likes to do certain jobs at a particular time in your sleep cycle. Make sure you get at least 7 hours of sleep each night. The best thing for your body is 8-9 hours. More than 9 or less than 7 creates stress on the body.

Taking a 15-20 minute power nap in the middle of the day will help keep your energy level up and help strengthen your immune system. Be careful though, if you nap longer than 15-20 minutes, your body will start working and you may feel bad when you wake up because you’ve interrupted a process.

Colon Cleanse

Keeping a healthy, clean colon is vital to your overall health and especially to eliminating toxins and parasites from the body.  Drinking plenty of water, enemas, eating a high-fiber diet, and proper exercise will help keep you going.

Did you know a healthy, clean colon will have a bowel movement every time you eat? Just like a baby. Shocked? It’s true. A healthy adult should have at least one large bowel movement every day.

To be among those less likely to face parasite issues, focus on strengthening your immune system, managing stress effectively, ensuring ample sleep, and maintaining a healthy colon. Employing methods like stretching, deep breathing, meditation, and light exercise can significantly reduce stress. Prioritizing 7-9 hours of sleep each night is crucial for the body’s healing and maintenance processes.

Additionally, keeping your colon healthy through hydration, a high-fiber diet, and regular exercise is key to eliminating toxins and potential parasites. Remember, it’s a continuous journey requiring persistence and patience, but well worth the effort for overall health.

Is There a Test For Parasites?

Testing for parasites is not exact. I have friends who were tested for parasites and the doctor told them they were clear. They went ahead and did a parasite cleanse and discovered they were infested. The doctor confirmed their “findings”. 

You may want to be tested, in which case, you can decide or discuss with your doctor whether or not to do a parasite cleanse. They have chemical treatments for parasitic infections but we don’t use any medications unless there is no other option. We haven’t experienced a time of no other option in our health journey yet.

Regarding testing for parasites, it’s essential to remember that individual choice plays a significant role in how we approach our health. While some tests may not always detect parasites, it’s up to each person to decide the best course of action based on their circumstances and experiences. If you’re considering a parasite cleanse, it’s important to weigh your options. In our health journey, we’ve focused on natural methods, but each person’s path can differ based on their unique health needs and experiences.

How We Got Rid of Parasites

In addition to using garlic, ginger, ACV, coconut oil, fermented foods, and colon cleansing, we ordered a parasite cleanse from Nature’s Sunshine. We took one round and two weeks later we did a second round. After the first round, all our symptoms were gone, but we felt it necessary to do a second round because we felt we had a bad infestation.

During our experience with Nature’s Sunshine products for the parasite cleanse, we paid close attention to our symptoms and any changes in our health. Monitoring these signs was crucial in determining the effectiveness of the cleanse and whether a second round was necessary. It was this mindfulness and responsiveness to our body’s signals that guided us through the process.

After completing the cleanse, now five months later (at the time this article was written), we’re relieved to find ourselves free from the previous health problems. We’ve learned the importance of being proactive about our health concerning parasites. Moving forward, we plan to undertake a parasite cleanse whenever we notice similar symptoms and will continue to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle to support our overall well-being. I’m not offering you medical advice, I’m sharing our experience and what we’ve learned.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Parasites and Health

• What are common symptoms that might indicate a parasite infestation?
  • Symptoms can vary but often include digestive issues, skin irritations, allergies, fatigue, and more. It’s like your body sending you signals that something’s amiss.

• How can humans contract parasites?
  • Parasites can enter our bodies through various means like contaminated food or water, insect bites, or even walking barefoot in infested areas. It’s like those uninvited pests in your garden finding a way in.

• What are the effects of parasites on the body?
  • They can cause a range of health issues by consuming your nutrients and releasing toxins. You can read about this in the article.

• What natural remedies can help eliminate parasites?
  • Natural remedies include garlic, apple cider vinegar, coconut oil, and certain herbs. You’ll find details in the article.

• How can you prevent parasite infestation?
• Maintaining a strong immune system, practicing good hygiene, and being mindful of your environment can help avoid a real infestation but there’s no way to prevent them from getting into your body.

• Can you test for parasites?
  • Testing for parasites can be tricky, and not all tests are conclusive.

Wrap UP

Dealing with the complex issue of parasites involves a deep understanding of their potential impact on our health. Our journey began with recognizing the subtle yet significant symptoms, leading us to explore various natural remedies. Incorporating garlic, ginger, apple cider vinegar, coconut oil, and fermented foods into our regimen, we aimed to create an environment less hospitable for parasites. Additionally, the use of colon cleansing techniques helped in detoxifying and preparing our bodies for a more effective cleanse.

Opting for a structured approach, we chose Nature’s Sunshine products for our parasite cleanse. The decision to undergo two rounds of this cleanse was based on careful observation of our symptoms and the severity of our condition. This step was crucial in ensuring the complete eradication of parasites from our system.

Our experience underscored the importance of being proactive and attentive to our body’s signals. Post-cleanse, we’ve committed to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a nutrient-rich diet to prevent future infestations. This journey has been a powerful reminder of the importance of individualized health strategies and the efficacy of natural treatments in maintaining long-term health and well-being.

As you navigate your own health journey, remember the importance of listening to your body and considering natural approaches to wellness. If you suspect parasites might be impacting your health, explore these natural remedies and lifestyle changes. Here’s to a happy, healthy body!

As always, we’re here to help.

Resources for you:

6 Unbelievable Health Benefits of Bromelain

How Much Sleep Do You Need?

Sleep Improves Weight, Mood, and Energy

Nature’s Sunshine Paracleanse

Parasites in Humans

CDC on Parasites

The Case Against Sugar