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True or False: Everyone Has Parasites in Their Bodies

Stomach pain after eating? Need a natural parasite cleanse? Know the symptoms of parasites? They’re more common than you think. Find out how to rid yourself of parasites. You could be feeling relief from symptoms in just ten days with a parasite cleansing diet! Parasites can be a pain, but there is a way to get rid of them.

fresh garlic for a parasite cleanse

Sometimes the world of natural health can simply get overwhelming.

You read about candida, FODMAP for IBS or adrenal fatigue, and it’s easy to start to see yourself and your family in every single list of symptoms you’re presented with!

While the age of the Internet has probably done more to fuel hypochondriacs than any other time, it also helps many people learn more about home doctoring and how to take care of themselves. It’s a delicate balance! 

As a blogger, I tend to get into more conversations (and get more advice) from the KS community than I imagine most average Joes and Janes do. Everybody wants to help!

When I was fighting some candida symptoms a few people emphatically recommended I check out lists of symptoms of parasites in humans. I did, and I thought, “Hmmm, that does sound like what I’m dealing with.” If you’ve read KS the last few days, you’re familiar with my story of recognizing candida symptoms and treating candida naturally, but also that the rash has begun to come back lately.

When I read about symptoms of parasites, I was pleased to find out that TriLight Health offers a parasite cleanse called Worm Out, and we made tentative plans for me to try some out this spring.

RELATED: Pathogen Cleanse Fast & Intermittent Fasting.

This article was medically reviewed by Dr. Scott Soerries, M.D. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.

Part of the recommendation during a parasite cleanse is to eat “cleansing foods” and eat simply, and I figured Lent was a much better time for that than December! I purchased figs and made sure I had a stock of homemade crispy pumpkin seeds (no hurt feelings there, yum), since they were two foods pointed out at TriLight’s parasite cleanse recommendations.

In case you’re wondering – and now don’t try too hard to see yourself in this list, I don’t want to stress anyone out! – here are the:

Symptoms of Body Parasites in Humans

 
  • constipation
  • diarrhea
  • gas and bloating
  • irritable bowel syndrome
  • joint and muscle aches
  • anemia
  • cravings, especially sugar
  • allergies
  • skin conditions – mostly irritation/itching at nose, ears, eyes, anus – but also potentially rashes, hives, eczema
  • tumors
  • nervousness
  • sleep disorders
  • hyperactivity, anxiety
  • teeth grinding
  • chronic fatigue
  • fuzzy thinking
  • headaches
  • runny nose
  • blisters on lower lip inside mouth
  • loss of appetite
  • bad taste in the mouth
  • acne
  • fever
  • vomiting (may return several times a year)
  • may have trouble gaining weight, children especially
  • long-term presence may contribute to the development of food allergies
  • dark areas under eyes
  • yeast/candida infection, especially if it returns

Sources: 12

If you’re not sure you even need to consider doing a parasite cleanse, you can order your own test through DirectLabs to find out if you have worms. Tests don’t guess.

How Widespread Are Parasitic Infections?

Livestrong quotes the World Health Organization: over 3.5 million people worldwide are infected with parasites, BUT also states that Americans are not as susceptible as others because of our general sanitary environments.

In my conversations with TriLight Health about the issue, they say that ALL of us have parasites of some kind.

Parasites are apparently quite contagious, especially when people don’t have perfect hand-washing habits (what child doesn’t touch their mouths at inopportune times?).

Soooo…does that mean everyone who sees some of the symptoms of parasites on that list should do a parasite cleanse? Some would say yes, yearly. What do you think?

For me, I see just a few of the symptoms, especially that candida rash, gas, and teeth grinding. I kept thinking about my son’s mild eczema, chronic throat clearing a few years ago, chronic cough all last winter, and the fact that he grinds his teeth at night (I can hear it when I check on him and give him a kiss in the middle of the night) and can’t gain weight to keep his pants up. See how easy it is to think your family has just about every problem in the book?

I was going to have my son do the cleanse with me, but I chickened out. I just wasn’t sure and wanted to do it myself first.

How to Do a Natural Parasite Cleanse

I followed TriLight’s 3-step process and asked their staff questions for clarification, so I’m happy to be able to offer you a most comprehensive “how to” guide. Note: This is one form of a parasite cleanse. There are many options! After I tell you “my story” of how it went for me, I’ll detail some of the others out there that I know to be authentic. 

Step One: Weaken parasites

For about 10 days, take 2 garlic capsules with each meal, or 3 times a day. This helps to loosen the parasites’ hold on your body. There are other anti-parasitics that are possible, but they recommend garlic, so I went with that.

To do it again, I think I’d hit the little buggers even harder with a mixture of diatomaceous earth and bentonite clay. (Be careful not to inhale the diatomaceous earth while working with it!) The trouble is that this can constipate you, so you’ve really go to drink enough water and then maybe take a break at 7 or 8 days instead of the full 10.

Mix 1/4 tsp DE with 1 tsp. clay in 8 oz. water with a half of a lemon or lime, juiced (for flavor). Drink that down before bed each night. You can work up to 1/2 tsp. DE.

  • 1 lb. diatomaceous earth (food-grade ONLY) should be enough, but Amazon also has good reviews on a 2-lb. bag of another brand
  • bentonite clay from Redmond, my fav company in the world. I have seen where this is mined in Utah! It’s sold as a facial mask, but it IS food grade.

I wrote here about a modified fast my husband and I used to kick off a parasite cleanse.

Don’t Know Where to Start a Parasite Cleanse?

parasite diet printable shortcut guide

Embarking on a parasite cleanse can seem daunting – where does one even start?!

There are SO MANY options out there for how to approach a pathogen purge, but it doesn’t have to be complicated.

I made this simple for you by capturing the three most important steps to rid your body of parasites and put them together in a printable one-page guide.

Step Two: Flush parasites out

Worm Out for parasitic infectionThis is where the herbs come in. TriLight’s Worm Out formula includes Black Walnut, Pau d’Arco, thyme, burdock, wormwood, and cloves.

Take 1/2 teaspoon per 25 lbs. body weight every 3 hours. Or so. If you can only fit it in 2-3 times a day, that’s okay too. I took it straight – it tastes like dirt, but worse. You can put it in water to cut the taste, but then you have to drink more of the bad-tasting stuff of course.

Not recommended for breastfeeding or pregnant moms.

This herbal supplement from Body Ecology came highly recommended to me but I haven’t tried it yet – it contains natural herbs and botanicals like coriander, black walnut, cloves, and basil leaf to target a wide range of parasitic species.

Here’s another supplement that, again, came highly recommended. I have yet to try this ParaPro Formula from Organic Olivia.

At the same time on your parasite cleanse, continue to eat “cleansing foods,” meaning those that will help you avoid constipation and keep your bowels moving so that any parasites that are killed can exit the body via a natural way.

Interestingly enough, I started the parasite cleanse at the same time as we went grain-free for Lent, which usually increases my bowel movement frequency significantly. Instead, I was a bit constipated on the Worm Out and things changed the very day after I stopped the first 10-day regimen. Perhaps I needed to drink more water and eat more figs and prunes. ???

Other Formulas for a Parasite Cleanse (part 2)

If you just want something on Amazon, you might not get the right blend or potency, but there are a few that caught my eye:

  • This one seemed to have the most ingredients that matched Worm Out, but also many different ones.
  • This one from GoNutrients has some of the big ingredients too.
  • This one only lists wormwood and garlic but has a lot of social proof in the reviews.
  • Note that I did not test these formulas nor do I know anything about them; they just have similar ingredients to TriLight’s. 
from scratch roasted garlic hummus

Here’s what the head of TriLight shared when I asked more about the cleansing foods; I thought it was very helpful:

First let me say we are NOT saying you need to do a cleanse. We believe that should be supervised. What we are saying is do not be constipated when you start your parasite program. Be sure you’re having a few bowel movements a day by eating foods with fiber.

 

It is important to make sure that before you try to get rid of the parasites, they have a way to get out of the body. The most logical and easy way would be through the colon. If you are constipated and you try to cleanse, this could be painful and toxic. Cleansing foods are a good idea. Foods that contain sugars and carbs are going to certainly attract the parasites but so would unclean veggies and hands.

The list would include raw fruits with plenty of fiber, organic if possible, especially since during the cleanse you want as few toxins in your body as possible to minimize any headaches. Which ones? Just to mention a few: oranges, tangerines, papayas, prunes, figs, dates, apples, mangoes, kiwis, berries, etc. Prunes and apples will for sure do the job and if you have to eat fruit these two are the probably the best as we don’t want to eat a lot of sugars and give the wrong message to the parasites to stay!

Note from Katie: most other sources say to avoid high-sugar foods like dried fruit, so I’m wondering about prunes and figs…

Second, Vegetables. Full of fiber. Please remember that once you start the Worm Out this is the BEST category to stay in with your meals as it will keep the colon moving and with the least amount of sugars. Eat them in smoothies, salads, steam them, mix them with eggs, along with meats. Kale has become my favorite but broccoli, celery, lettuce, spinach, beets, Brussels sprouts, turnips, artichokes, parsnips, etc. This pizza hash would be a perfect breakfast!

Third, Whole Grain Breads have lots of fiber. This is only if you have to eat breads and only at the start. I wouldn’t recommend it, but it does have fiber. I find if I buy or make a loaf, I feel like I have to eat a whole loaf. All those carbs=sugar to the parasites. If you need a whole grain gluten-free bread, try this 7-minute GF flatbread. It’s amazing! You could even put fresh garlic with butter and Redmond’s salt on top…

Fourth, Nuts and Seeds. They are high in fat but they do have lots of fiber. Eat them raw, without all the fried oils and salts. Throw them on salads, mix them into the veggies. Almonds are the best by far, whole flax seeds, pine nuts, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds are great on salads, coconut if you want.

So eat your fiber – low-sugar fruits, leafy greens and salad, raw veggies, legumes, possibly whole grains, etc. Drink plenty of water.

Step Three: Strengthen the body to prevent re-infestation of parasites and worms

After 10 days on the Worm Out, you continue to eat lightly and take a high quality probiotic. I switch up my probiotics from time to time but one of my favorites is Just Thrive — check prices at Perfect Supplements (use the code KS10 to get 10% off) or Just Thrive’s site (use the code Katie15 for 15% off!). Just Thrive is well researched to make it through the stomach acid alive to get where it really needs to go — the intestines.

Since I was also taking probiotics with the garlic and the Worm Out, I spaced out the actual ingesting of them so that I wasn’t interfering with the garlic by covering it up with a probiotic right away and vice versa.

Keep off the junk food and drink plenty of water, and after 10 days on the probiotics, most people will need another 10 days of the Worm Out, then back to the probiotics.

I wondered how I was supposed to know how many sets of 10 days to complete…

How do You Know if the Parasites are Gone After a Cleanse?

The signs of parasites can be numerous but usually the one that convinced you to start the program has gone away after one set of ten days on the Worm Out formula and then ten days off, ten days back on for a total of 30 days of controlled dieting and cleansing. (so 40 days with the garlic too)

Watch Here About Parasite Cleansing for Maintenance

Can’t view the video? Watch it here on YouTube.

My Experience with a Natural Parasite Cleanse Protocol

garlic for a parasite cleanse

Taking garlic capsules for ten days is not a big deal at all; the hardest part is remembering to do it.

Worm Out is a little more annoying, for a few reasons:

  • Liquid means you have to grab a spoon – I started just leaving the same one out on the counter with my bottle so we didn’t have a spoonless household. Silly, but true.
  • It tastes terrible, no joke. Just gotta be tough!
  • Every 3 hours was just unrealistic for me. I couldn’t keep it up. I lowered the bar and shot for 2-3 times a day, thinking that something is better than nothing.

As I mentioned, Worm Out did seem to constipate me, but I don’t know that I was ideal on my “colon cleansing foods” and water intake especially. I have noticed that very stinky, stinky, gas has increased, but I can’t quite remember if it was during or after the Worm Out regimen. Aren’t you glad you read my thoughts online instead of in person now? :/

Probiotics for ten days was also easy, since that’s part of a routine that’s important to me and I’ve pretty much got it down so that I don’t miss a day.

Wish You Knew All the Answers to Keep Your Family Healthy?

How about a crash course?

I’d love to send you a 7-day “Quick Start Guide” email mini-course to give you Health Agency! When something goes wrong in your family, YOU can be the agent of healing and not allllllways have to call a doctor for every little thing.

Imagine this email series as a virtual chat over the backyard fence with your own neighbor, a wise older mom who’s raising 4 kids with intention, trying to avoid unnecessary medication and being kind to the earth.

Looking forward to connecting to help you learn EXACTLY what you need to know to stock your natural remedies “medicine cabinet,” deal with normal childhood ailments, and even the dreaded, “What’s that on my skin?” issue! 🙂

Some Quality Probiotics

Some of these I’ve used, some I’m planning to use, and some have been recommended by friends and professionals alike. It’s good to remember a few things about probiotics: 1. People should get different colonies of probiotics, so switching brands/strains every so often (6 weeks?) is good practice. 2. What works great for one person’s needs doesn’t always work for another.  I’ve personally tried:
  • Just Thrive Probiotics – this one can be taken during antibiotics and not be rendered ineffective, which almost all other probiotics are! It’s the top-recommended probiotic overall by Paleo Mom Sarah Ballantyne. 😮 (Be sure to use the code Katie15 for 15% off; also found on Amazon and from Perfect Supplements where you can use the coupon KS10 for 10% off!)
  • Seed Daily Synbiotic – the new player in the field but recommended by superstars like Chris Kresser for its unique probiotic/prebiotic synergy. Here’s my full review including a number of surprises for my thinking and a 15% off code!
  • Note: If you’re struggling with digestion, especially constipation, or you feel like you really need to populate your gut with healthy probiotics, I would recommend Saccharomyces Boulardii in addition to any other you choose (except any above which include this strain). Saccharomyces Boulardii is research-proven to get through the digestive tract without being killed, which is rare. 
  • Balance One probiotics with a unique time-release formula (use the code KITCHENS15 at either Balance One’s site or even Amazon to save 15% either place! Wow! Use the code at checkout on Amazon btw.)

For Little Ones (we use all of these):

  • Mary Ruth’s liquid probiotic is a liquid probiotic that doesn’t need to be refrigerated and tastes like…nothing! It’s my new favorite for administering to kids! (Use code KCRF15 for 15% off!)
  • WellBelly by WellFuture (9 strains of probiotics in apple and banana carrier – it’s a powder)
  • Buddies in my Belly probiotic powder (2 strains of probiotics + potato starch carrier and prebiotics) or chewable tablets
Recommended by experts I trust:

Other Options for a Natural Parasite Cleanse

Plenty of practitioners dig into parasites either as their main focus or as part of a healing program, since not much can get done in the body if parasites are prevalent. Here are some that I know are highly respected by a group of naturally minded practitioners I’m in:

Castor Oil for Parasite Cleansing

Dr. Marisol Teijeiro (the Queen of Thrones) suggests using these castor oil packs to help during a parasite cleanse. I didn’t actually know a whole lot about why or how this works, other than it can help with bowel movements. So I asked Dr. Marisol to explain to my readers how a castor oil pack can help rid the body of parasites. This is what she shared:

In India, and countries in the Caribbean and tropics, a weekly purgation is done with castor oil in order to prevent parasites. I’ve heard this cleansing practice described by so many of my patients:

 

“I remember every Sunday my mother would make my sisters and brothers and I take a tablespoon of castor oil, down the hatch!”

However, as a naturopathic doctor, I don’t necessarily recommend the oral consumption of castor oil as it has a laxative effect. Instead, a daily practice of the castor oil pack is a gentle yet effective tool to help with parasite cleansing.

Castor oil packs help to balance the microbiome via biofilm breakdown1 2 3, reduce inflammation4 and lower stress through compression of the pack5 6, all of which make the body a less hospitable environment for parasites to live in. They are an excellent complement to a parasite cleanse because they supply antioxidants that help us detox like glutathione7 and vitamin E8, and support healthy bowel movements to move parasites out of the body. In fact, castor oil packs have been shown to be as effective as conventional laxatives but without negative side effects9, and they improve smooth muscle function of the digestive tract10, allowing parasites to effectively pass in stools.

Dr. Marisol Teijeiro’s references are cited at the bottom of this post.

Did the Parasite Cleanse WORK?

When it came time last week to start a second round of Worm Out, I admit – I chickened out. My back-of-the-neck rash was not getting better at all, and might even be starting to get worse. I know that sometimes when curing something like this, there’s a “die off” sort of reaction that means I’m winning the battle, but the symptoms are going to get worse first, then better.

The tricky, mentally exhausting part about self-treating and natural health is the questions, the “not knowing.” What if all this is a bad sign, that my body doesn’t like these herbs, rather than a sign that I’m healing? I didn’t see any positive results from the Worm Out, and I started wondering: What if I don’t have parasites at all? Is it possible I could do more harm than good?

My contact at TriLight Health with all the good info shared this:

This a great question: We ALL have bacteria, parasites, and viruses in our body, it’s a matter of keeping them under control with strong immune systems and by having some choice of which bacteria we want to have that can be good for us in that – we’re going to be populated, but with what is the question. If we do not choose, life will choose for us and we have all kinds of illness labels to describe them!

I was encouraged by a recent reader comment on Facebook:

I switched to a healthier diet 2 yrs ago, my little boys ate everything in sight and were always hungry!!! This spring I did a parasite cleanse with them, and was amazed at how much their hunger was cut down!! They are 7, 5, & 3, growing boys, but I knew they still were eating too much. So that may be something to think about, along with yeast/candida (we did a cleanse for that too).

In retrospect…I wish I would have completed 10 more days. 🙁 That rash continued to plague me for FOUR more years, until my husband and I did a program for 13 weeks called Gut Thrive in 5. It includes a whole lot more intensity than this parasite cleanse, and it’s good for many different issues with the gut – including parasites, go figure.

It wasn’t even until a few months after that program finished, in the maintenance period, that I suddenly realized the rash was actually GONE.  And it didn’t come back. If only I had worked harder at the parasite cleanse in 2013, augh! Despite my own trepidation, I feel like if you have a hunch you need a cleanse, you should look into it. (Remember I’m not a doctor, nurse, or anyone who matters…make your own wise decisions.)

You can read about the beginning of Gut Thrive here and you can read about my experience killing parasites with Gut Thrive here. And it went well but as you’ll read at the end of that post I ended up testing my stool for a parasite and still had one in there. It doesn’t mean I didn’t do a good job it just underscores the idea that we all should test if you even at all suspect you have parasites because tests don’t guess. 

What do you think about a parasite cleanse? Have you ever had experience with parasites?

Other Natural Health Posts:

garlic and soup as part of a parasite cleanse

Dr. Marisol’s references:

1 Andrade IM1, Andrade KM2, Pisani MX1, Silva-Lovato CH1, de Souza RF1, Paranhos Hde F1. Trial of an experimental castor oil solution for cleaning dentures. Braz Dent J. 2014 Jan-Feb;25(1):43-7.

2 Badaró MM, Salles MM, Leite VMF, Arruda CNF, Oliveira VC, Nascimento CD, Souza RF, Paranhos HFO, Silva-Lovato CH. Clinical trial for evaluation of Ricinus communis and sodium hypochlorite as denture cleanser.J Appl Oral Sci. 2017 May-Jun; 25(3):324-334.

3 Salles MM, Badaró MM, Arruda CN, Leite VM, Silva CH, Watanabe E, Oliveira Vde C, Paranhos Hde F. Antimicrobial activity of complete denture cleanser solutions based on sodium hypochlorite and Ricinus communis – a randomized clinical study.J Appl Oral Sci. 2015 Nov-Dec; 23(6):637-42.

4 Vieira C et al. .Effect of ricinoleic acid in acute and subchronic experimental models of inflammation. Mediators Inflamm. 2000;9(5):223-8

5 Walker SC1, Trotter PD2Swaney WT2Marshall A3Mcglone FP4. C-tactile afferents: Cutaneous mediators of oxytocin release during affiliative tactile interactions? Neuropeptides. 2017 Aug;64:27-38. doi: 10.1016/j.npep.2017.01.001. Epub 2017 Jan 19.

6 Rolls ET et all. Representations of pleasant and painful touch in the human orbitofrontal and cingulate cortices. Cereb Cortex. 2003 Mar;13(3):308-17.

7 Holm TBrøgger-Jensen MRJohnson LKessel L. Glutathione preservation during storage of rat lenses in optisol-GS and castor oil. PLoS One. 2013 Nov 19;8(11):e79620. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0079620. eCollection 2013.

8 Marwat SK, Rehman F, Khan EA, Baloch MS, Sadiq M, Ullah I, Javaria S, Shaheen S. Review – Ricinus cmmunis – Ethnomedicinal uses and pharmacological activities.Pak J Pharm Sci. 2017 Sep;30(5):1815-1827.

9 Arslan GG, Eşer I. An examination of the effect of castor oil packs on constipation in the elderly. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2011 Feb;17(1):58-62. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2010.04.004. Epub 2010 May 18.

10 Sorin Tunaru,a Till F. Althoff,a Rolf M. Nüsing,b Martin Diener,c and Stefan Offermannsa,d,1 Castor oil induces laxation and uterus contraction via ricinoleic acid activating prostaglandin EP3 receptors. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2012 Jun 5; 109(23): 9179–9184. Published online 2012 May 21. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1201627109 PMID: 22615395

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Category: Natural Health

144 thoughts on “True or False: Everyone Has Parasites in Their Bodies”

  1. All the symptoms you mentioned can also be from a leaky gut that is not digesting food properly and from a diet that includes grains, especially wheat, bread and pasta you mentioned as “fiber rich foods”. Fiber is very difficult to digest and not the key to health as claimed. It puts a lot of strain on damaged intestines especially.

    Anyone struggling with autoimmunity or the symptoms listed should check out GAPS (Gut and Psychlology Syndrome) and Dr Natasha Campbell McBride’s lectures, blogs – all available for free online. The body has natural defenses against parasites. If your gut flora are healthy they will keep anything harmful from taking hold. It is when you have damaged gut flora that your intestines become permeable causing the symptoms listed, and when opportunistic pathogens fill a niche. Heal your gut and you will heal the parasites. We evolved with parasites in our environment, they can’t hurt us unless our gut is already damaged. Also most probiotics are not strong enough. A therapeutic strength probiotic is required, such as Biokult.

    1. Thanks Isabel – we don’t eat very many grains at all and hardly any wheat at our house, personally, and we go grain-free for at least 1.5 months every year to give our guts a rest. We’re on a pretty good probiotic too although not the same brand. 🙂 Katie

      1. Thanks for sharing your wonderful posts ❤️. My parasite infection began with extreme fatigue. I also noticed that my belly was pretty swollen. I felt like a bus had hit me, and my appetitive had come to a complete halt. So happy 😊 I’ve found “Noworm365” in Google and got the treatment. Decreased appetite was a red flag for me because I am always hungry.

    2. I had started a cleanse after doing one about a year prior that I had stopped because my stomach was huge that was a good thing either way made the issue worse by stopping. The cleanse I did this time I did mimosa pudica seed from microbe formulas as well as paraguard by zahler at 50 drops 20 more than the recommended 30. Added some honey salt lemon and cinnamon with warm water as well. I had an incredible urge to take a dump. After going no 2 my left side of my body went numb as I went into my warm shower I almost called for my dad. Confusion struck as well as weakness in legs and anger made the numbness worse. My chests left rib cage pushed out I pressed on it feels like fluid buildup of se sort. The hospital confirmed I was ok with an array of tests for heart and clots. I stopped the treatment being scared. Any recommendations as how to approach this better next time and how they affectede that way along with the chest thing. I know y’all aren’t doctors so don’t worry about that and as we know regular docs don’t know jack about this. Any recommendations would be appreciated.

      1. Hi Nick,

        Sounds like an awful experience. I noticed that you almost doubled the recommended dosage and added multiple layers of detox methods. Have you tried working with one method at the recommended dosage?

        In case it is helpful, I recently tried the Zuma Parasite Cleanse and I also used the recommended Fulvic Acid & Trace Minerals to help with the die off symptoms. It worked exceptionally well for me so I am sharing the info with you. I am not affiliated with them. Here’s the product(s) on their website
        https://www.zumanutrition.com/products/parasite-detox
        Wishing you the best!

        1. Hi Jennifer,
          Great advice you gave to Nick about just doing one method at a time. Wow, he did too many things all at once… He must have bombarded his body with a load of toxins all at once. And didn’t take anything to open up pathways. Whew, I’m actually doing a parasite detox right now. Zuma as well. Along with Zuma Fulvic Acid & Ocean Trace Minerals. I’m into my second month. I took a week break after the first month. I’m very happy so far with the results I’ve been seeing and feeling. You also said it worked exceptionally well for you, that’s great to hear!! I was wondering how long you stayed on both products for? Did you take a break at all? How are you doing/feeling as of today since the detox? I have no affiliation with Zuma either. Just trying to get my life back after being sick for so many years…
          Thanks you, Kristen

  2. i had my appendix out 6 months ago and after it i got better for a small bit, then my bowel (intestines) got really sick i lost 10kg in 5 weeks and doctors got worried i was not passing blood, i was constipated and had like washing machine feeling in bowel, also had like a histime in my right eye and sometimes my left eye like itchy, i was rushed for cameras up and down was they taught it was chrones, long story short i took the stuff before the camera to clean bowel i passed parasites/worms i took the pictures to hospital and house doctor laughed at me i got angry and showed my stomach fella he agreed 1000% all my tests came back clear from biopsys scans ct scans bactaria all clear health as a flee.. took 2 rounds of vermox which i taught and felt good cleared them, 7/8 weeks on bowel at me again same kinda symthems, im started to lose more weight again after eating as much as i can i still feel hungry, my intestines rumble like im hungry,gas and alot of movemnt as in im hungry and i have never ate im 90% sure there back again any idea how ill get rid of them for good? i have lost near 2 stone since i got them 6 months ago its awful i look thin now they are eating all my food never taught id have them but trust me i had and they can cause havock in your body im very tired and i run marathons and no energy to train seems there eating all what i eat i get the left overs any advice appricahed thanks 🙂

    1. Hi John, sounds like you’ve got a lot going on – I know my husband gets overly exhausted when he runs long distances too. I do think you want to keep in contact with your doctors in case something serious is going on – as for parasites, I think the only way to know for sure if they’re there is to do a cleanse. Some naturopaths and chiropractors know how to to muscle response testing and can tell you if it’s parasites – I hear from a friend, at least! 🙂 Katie

      1. Hi again all my tests came back clear for celiac and biopsys from the camera up and down all bloods clear everything clear, I had the parasites in July 2015 when I flushed them with a cleanse for vowel before camera just bowel is not great and afraid they are back started vermox for 3 days ago just finished, could be ibs my specialest said it’s ibs and my doctor thinks it that too but that’s cause they have no more answers for me I dunno seems different this time again to ibs I had before, it’s candida/parasites or ibs/anxiety

      2. OMG. You’re like SO many other health “coaches” out there. There is NO evidence at all to support “muscle testing”. NONE. At least Alan Christianson acknowledges this.

        Also phytates are not evil — they protect against colon and many other cancers.

        And sugars aren’t evil either. Have you ever heard of glycoproteins, or mucopolysaccharides? The come from SUGARS.

        As for parasites, as your title says, EVERYONE has them. Have you ever thought why? Because with a few exceptions, we’re supposed to have them. They help manage our gut just like good bacteria does, and good fungus does.

        You might want to google ‘helminth therapy’ and go from there. Unless of course you need those commissions from all the products you sell.

        Sigh…

        1. Hello, I have been doing muscle response testing for over 8 years. It has saved my life, literally! I can not tell you how many issues I have had and how lovely my life is now. My liver and kidneys did not work, neither were my bowels. My fight with parasites took years, even with muscle testing and lets not forget about my thyroid disease. I have been lowering my thyroid medications for years now. My dose of Synthroid was 175mcg and it is now down to 112mcg. As anyone with thyroid disease knows, you never go down on medication, they just cut out your thyroid and put you on medication for life.

          As to sugar, humans only burn carbs or fat. Diabetes is a disease directly related to carb burning so how can sugar not be bad? We literally have a disease from it! A cardiovascular disease.

  3. I had parasites and slight candida….I have been using the Lady Soma Candida Cleanse – I first took 6 pills right away – WORMS GONE. I noticed when I elimated alot of dead worms and those round like parasites…..they are also super gentle on my system. I didnt even use the whole Lady Soma bottle…i still have it in my drawer cause it cleared me up right away….

    1. I’ve read Parasites have to be illimentated over a 6week period because the eggs may still be around until then. Just a thought. I would like to use the lady soma cleanse because of your recommendation. Thank you

  4. I have suffered for over 5 years with fibromyalgia, cystic acne, asthma, migraines, degenerative disc disease/ back and neck agony, sleep disorders and neuropathic pain–to name a few. I did the Wormwood parasite cleanse and the oregano oil, and the black walnut cleanse. They did get some stuff out – but I needed something STRONGER! My friend (who did the detix) recommended the Lady Soma Detox. I thought it was just for weight loss, but she said it totally got rid of all her parasites. the After a few days of taking this stuff, I was already convinced that parasites were the largest part of these problems, if not the MAIN CULPRITS!!!

    I started having horrible gut cramping and nausea, as I began defecating 2x times a day– each time, with one or MORE, roundworms in the toilet bowl when I was done. The longest of these roundworms that have left my body, were 2 inches long Dear Lord, I see NOW how and why I have suffered so many ailments for so long!!! I expect that, in a month or two, or even three, when I am levelling off on ridding my body of these parasitic monsters…that I shall not only have a very slim belly, but vanishing health problems, by the grace of God! Will update in a few weeks. Defintely try this Lady Soma Detox for your parasites as well. Its strong!

  5. maureen wild

    I am planning on doing a cleanse for myself and my 15 year old daughter shortly. This site has helped a lot, especially the gory details as I don’t want to be feaked out by not knowing what to expect. Thank you so much for this information.

  6. I’m taking DE ( Diatameous Earth) and Mimosa Pudica. And I’m drinking ozonated water,. Then I go have my ND do UVI, that stands for ultra violet blood irradiation, followed by ozone IV’s all of these methods i noted are from mother nature I did all this to be on the safe side it is overkill, but I wanted a sure fire method

  7. The doctor told me this story that she had a patient that had dizziness, blurred vision, heart palpitations, nausea rash, weight loss, and tremors, gone all over the world seeking help she was very sick. She was tested for parasite it was negative. My doctor put her on parasite medication after 6 months the lady passed a nest of parasites she continued the parasite medication for 2 years just to be on the safe side. It was a natural parasite medication that did not disrupt the normal flora.

  8. Pingback: I rid my body of fibromyalgia several months ago

  9. I would think pumpkin seeds would be specifically mentioned as anti-parasitic under Seeds/Nuts and when you are talking about fruit to mention that the seeds of the papaya are anti-parasitic as well.

  10. Just be cautious…all those symptoms are also the symptoms of Celiac’s Disease, something to be taken quite seriously.

  11. thanks to this site, i started trilight’s wormout over a week ago. i’m on day 3 of the wormout formula (already did the garlic pills alone for 10 days). i’m not seeing any worms in stool, the only changes i’m noticing are that i’m going to the bathroom more often (4-5 times a day as opposed to 2-3 before i started the cleanse). i’m not as hungry as usual (which is a big deal for me-i’m always hungry!). but the two things that i was hoping it would help with is not showing any signs of improvement, better sleep and more energy during the day. i feel even more lethargic on the cleanse and at night, i’m waking 2-3 times before morning. are these “worsened signs” a good sign? i’m a pretty active person, and everything feels weak. hopefully i’ll have positive updates soon.

    1. Dr. Hulda Clark says the dying parasites give off uric acid and that it gets into the brain and disrupts sleep. She recommends orthinine supplement to help with sleep. (there is a Dr. Clark Store online to order products from) But I cannot take that due to the fact that it would cause a cold sore outbreak, so apparently taking melatonin is another alternative to help with the sleep while on a parasite cleanse. I have read elsewhere that you could safely take up to to 12mg a night if need be – I would think that would be fine on a temporary basis. Look for a time release melatonin by Natrol. It is excellent. I take the 5 mg one regularly for sleep. (they have a 10mg time-release one as well.) I have not yet done a parasite cleanse…still searching for the right one, but learning things along the way. I wish more people would mention brand names of cleanses and products to let us know what is working or didn’t work. I tried to mention actual names so it might be helpful, and I have appreciated the comments that have named actual products.

      1. Cellcore has Para 1, 2 & 3. Working with naturopathic wellness place (muscle test me weekly and adjust accordingly) and the critters are coming out. Cellcore has a program and it really works.

  12. Please do not tell all these people that the ingredients in worm out are safe for breast feeding mothers!!! Black Walnut, Pau d’Arco, burdock, and ESPECIALLY wormwood are very toxic for baby and breastfeeding mothers should not be taking them. I am doing a parasite cleanse and still breastfeeding my child and I have done countless hours of research finding what is safe and what is not. Please ladies do your research and look up the ingredients on the bottles and get actual medical advice from a lactation consultant before taking anything. DE is safe! does not enter the blood stream, will not make it’s way to your milk. I have spoke with my lactation consultant on what to take and what not to and you can do pumpkin and sunflower seeds coated in manuka honey and cinnamon with fresh ground cloves. Turmeric, garlic, Probiotics, Grapefruit seed, fenugreek, echinacea, vitamins, thyme, clove, cinnamon, honey, coconut oil, alkaline water, oregano oil, rhubarb extract, garlic… there are more than just these, but do a little research and don’t take one persons word for it just because she nursed wile using stated product. Talk with a ped or lactation consultant before starting any medicine, herbal or not!

    1. Lilly,
      I am very thankful for your wisdom and openness to share it – some quick Google searches confirmed what you said, even though a naturopath gave me Pau D’Arco tea for candida even though I was nursing at the time too. !!! I have updated the post with this info – seriously, thanks again! 🙂 Katie

    2. Antheron Bailey

      Don’t use oregano oil while breastfeeding either, it is used to stop a milk supply! However it is effective at parasite/yeast cleansing, it should wait until moms are ready to wean.

  13. The woman’s FB post just scared me into buying 5 kits for our household. That’s a lot of money but our 3 boys and my husband are always hungry. Maybe this is the answer.

  14. This is fine if the worms/parasites are only in your gut, but in many people, whether they are aware of it or not, they are systemic (why would you get an itchy nose if they are in your gut?).

    Worms like Ascaris (the Romans called it the ‘Wandering Worm’), can leave the gut and find their way around the body. As larva, they are small enough, but sinewy and tough enough to burrow their way out of the gut and move through tissues and cavities in the body.

    They will often migrate from the gut if they feel threatened. That means that parasite cleanses can sometimes make things worse….

    Once they have left the gut you are in a whole new ball-game. Cleanses that may work in the gut don’t have the same effect systemically. I’ve thrown virtually everything natural at them I can think of, but they just shrug it off and carry on.

    Working with a health professional who understands this issue is the optimum situation, but I haven’t yet discovered a fail-safe way of dealing with them. My Chinese TCM doctor is trying to strengthen my body’s own defences so that it can overcome them. How successful that will be I haven’t a clue.

    I’m just starting my 6th month of treatment and the worms feel as active as ever. They are biting quite a lot so maybe they are getting uncomfortable. Only time will tell.

    I haven’t had any medical treatment as stool tests have come back ‘negative’, so I can’t get them to believe me. However, in some ways that’s no bad thing as drug treatment can be pretty tough on the body, and rapid die off could overwhelm the body’s cleansing systems. Slow and steady is best, but takes a lot longer. Just hope it works, as the biting, writhing, wriggling, tickling and slithering, especially at night and around full moon is enough to send a sane person doo-lally….

    1. Have you had any luck? I did 3 separate but back to back cleanses with not much luck. I am also on a restricted diet due to candida and gluten sensitivity, Amon other food issues. My holistic dr wanted me to take a chelation pill and beneficial yeast pill along with an antibiotic that kills this kind of stuff. I haven’t taken it all yet however I have been finding small white flat worm looking like things, sometimes with a spiral to them, in my NOSE!! I read that you should actually start eating sugars again before you do a cleanse so that they will migrate back to the stomach. Anyway, would love to know what is working for you! When I cleanse, I get excess mucus in my lungs and I have asthma and am having difficulties with it right now so I don’t really want to cleanse at this moment. Hopefully it will get under control soon so I can start.

      1. I had started a cleanse after doing one about a year prior that I had stopped because my stomach was huge that was a good thing either way but made the issue worse by stopping. The cleanse I did this time around I did mimosa pudica seed from microbe formulas as well as paraguard by zahler at 50 drops 20 more than the recommended 30. Added some honey salt lemon and cinnamon with warm water as well. I had an incredible urge to take a dump. After going no 2 my left side of my body went numb as I went into my warm shower I almost called for my dad. Confusion struck as well as weakness in legs and anger made the numbness worse. My chests left rib cage pushed out I pressed on it feels like fluid buildup of se sort. The hospital confirmed I was ok with an array of tests for heart problems and clots. I stopped the treatment being scared. Any recommendations as how to approach this better next time and how they affected me in that way along with the chest bulging. I know y’all aren’t doctors so don’t worry about that and as we know regular docs don’t know jack about this. Any recommendations would be appreciated.

        1. Just at a quick glance, ParaGuard by Zahler has a tincture of wormwood. Wormwood has a ketone called thujone that has neurotoxic effects at high concentrations. Perhaps taking more than the recommended dose is what caused those neurological symptoms, though I can’t be sure.

    2. Dear Ali,

      I am in the beginning stages of what you have suffered. I got my parasite from an international cruise to Belize, Honduras, and Mexico. Did you ever find a cure? Please share with me anything that resolved this for you. I truly wish you the very best

    3. Ask your MD for a prescription of 4 mg capsule Ivermectin… I know I’m going to get a lot of flack for saying that but when people want to KILL THEM (don’t be one of the stupid ones who went out & bought it at their local feed stores that is so embarrassingly stupid), & THEN order from Amazon a binder called MicroChitosan & that will drag all those little dead bodies out through your poop? AND THEN do yourself a favor and heal your “leaky gut”! That’ll be hard to do too, and so
      Etching that good old NON-GMO beef bones off of Amazon , & make yourself HOMEMADE BROTH… all that good fat will sink into your leaky gut holes and will heal them, & just do it as a good habit for the rest of your long Jesus blessed life ??

  15. You know, watery stools in fowl is a sign of worms…why wouldn’t your stools firm if worms were killed?

  16. I have to admit that reading about all of you passing worms has made me a bit nauseous. The very idea that I could (probably do) have worms is creeping me out. I’ve had nightmares about having worms. I want to do a cleanse, but I’m not sure I can handle anything coming out. But I don’t want them in me either. 🙁

      1. I have my whole family taking DE. Awhile back i caught tiny white warms squirming from my little girl’s bums and in their poo. So i did 1 week on for us, 1 week off, and this is our second week on. But today i have seen many of them in their poop. Live ones. Is this good or bad? I didn’t think I’d be seeing anymore by now. Does this mean it’s working or not working? Am i doing it wrong? My 4 year old since using the DE has now gone from only pooping twice a week to once a day. And my 2 year old poops like 4-7 times a day. Only the texture of her poop has been changing. What do you think? We eat relatively high fiber diets. The girls eat oatmeal with berries in it every morning and that’s what i put their DE in since they won’t drink it. We eat a good amount of fruits and veggies and beans too.

  17. I haven’t tried this but they say if you take the original brown listerene and soak your toes in it or your fingernails , it is suppose to clear up fungus under the nail

  18. Hi Katie,
    I’m new to your site but have appreciated the article and discussion here! I think my teenage daughter is struggling with parasites AND candida. I want to try the DE, but I am asthmatic…what precautions should I take? Also, my daughter is VERY picky eater…she has weird texture dislikes, doesn’t like meat, loves sugar and carbs. She does eat legumes so that is her main source of protein but she only like 3 fruits:/ She is a good vegetable eater but usually doesn’t crave these things. Any thoughts?

    1. KK,
      I wish I knew more, but I haven’t a clue about the medical questions or really anything beyond this post. I do know that the picky eating can be a sign of food sensitivities, which in your daughter may be manifesting as candida (or resulted in candida). If she thinks she might want to get rid of whatever candida symptoms she has, she’d have to be committed too – at that age, she’s going to eat her cravings when you’re not around, I would guess, so anything you do at home might not help! I just think you start by getting her on board for her own health – then work on the enjoyment of vegetables, serve in various ways, include bits of meat in soups with veggies just to introduce her palate to the idea. You may want to find a good naturopath or certified nutritional therapist to work with, and then you have a lot less guesswork and research on your end. I hope you find a positive solution for your daughter! 🙂 Katie

  19. I’ve been using Andreas Kalcker’s parasite cleanse (which is pretty involved), and I’m always getting out “rope worms”. I’ll be doing this cleanse monthly for at least a year, maybe a year and a half to hopefully clear out the infestation in all it’s stages. I feel better, but I still eat a lot more than I think my body needs. These guys are expensive to feed.

    1. Natalie, May I ask what the results of your cleanse were? I have read that rope worms are actually the lining of your intestines being shed. So I am curious to see how your hind sight was, after so many years.

      1. I would also like to know! ^ but if it was intestinal lining being shed there would probably be blood/it’d be pinkish, right?

  20. I have a question I am 17 and My father is single and raising 2 kids besides me and I am wondering how to start this process of getting rid of Parasites that are in my family’s body

  21. I absolutely agree with this. I think that everyone should be taking a parasite cleanse at least twice a year to stay on top of this pandemic. Theres even research that supports parasites can lead to cancers. Its really the root of all evil. I continue to take the full body detox cleanse RIDSET. Its a great product, works with ez. The things that it has done for me is invaluable. I suffered with many issues for many years. It restarted my body and im back to normal. Ive honestly never felt more healthy in my life. I would recommend a parasite such as this to anybody. My whole family takes this product 3 times a year to stay clean and healthy.

  22. interesting stuff! i have been taking a cleanse that has alot of the “critter killers” in it, all natural garlic wormwood cayenne a list of 25 ingrediants that has made me feel so much better. especially after meal time. i feel like i have complete control over how i feel for once

  23. I also had many of the symptoms referred to here, including discomfort and pain in the gallbladder area, toenail fungus, very dry and red eyes now and again, agitation, brain fog and depression.

    I took 2 rounds of Vermox for roundworm which worked pretty well. I felt a lot better afterwards.

    But it didn’t get them all. I still had pain around the gall bladder area, and a moving sensation there. I know worms can crawl up there.

    I started having carrot juice every day –made from 3 or 4 carrots, 1 orange, 1 apple and sometimes some raw cabbage juiced as well, topped off with a bit of clove powder. The clove is supposed to kill parasite eggs.

    After one week on this (sorry if this is disgusting, it still is for me even to think about it) –I started to pass more large, long roundworms in my stool (as I did after the Vermox) as well as white rice like things.

    I also passed two liver flukes, one surprisingly big, and some things that looked like pinworm (short white threads floating in the toilet bowl). I only had a little bit of itching now and again, so I was surprised at this.

    Eventually, after about 2 weeks on this juice–I passed something which I just couldn’t figure out–but I looked it up. It looked in size, shape and color like the head of a tapeworm.

    I am really surprised at all this. I eat a lot of cruciferous vegetables, fibre and garlic. I haven’t had sushi in 10 years and rarely eat pork. I have 2 pets but they are dewormed regularly.

    I have travelled to the Middle east and Latin America in the last 5 years. But I am pretty sure that I have had these parasites for a much longer time, and before I travelled there.

    I know feel completely different–more relaxed, less depressed. And interestingly –I no longer have cravings for sweets, bread or alcohol.

    I feared that I was drinking too much socially before.

    I went from having some beer or wine twice a week, to having some almost every night which was unusual for me.

    The amount I was having wasn’t a lot—but I found it scary that I “craved” having it. Same was true for bread (and bread like things like muffins etc.) but you don’t really think about it or get worried when you crave bread!

    Now I have no cravings at all and have almost completely cut out sweets, bread and alcohol–without even trying. I just don’t have the taste for them anymore.

    Now I only drink the carrot juice combination every other day. I never went orange by the way.

    Hope this is of help to someone. Try the juice. I can barely believe it myself.

    1. KL , can you list how much of carrost , etc you used in your juice to help with the parasites. thanks

  24. Natalie Vickery

    I appreciate the fact that you are seeking to improve your health and I commend you for that. My concern is that these parasite cleanses…while they do include herbs…are very harsh and can actually deplete someone to the point of becoming worse rather than better. People who sale these cleanses will tell you that it is the “die off” from the parasites or a “healing crisis”…but that is merely a sales tactic and an excuse for how ill you are becoming from taking such harsh herbs. Constipation can occur because these herbs are “drying” so in turn they often add “natural” laxatives which in turn cause stomach gripping.

    That whole laundry list of symptoms attributed to parasites could also be associated with poor digestion, poor diet, nutritional deficiencies, stress, etc. Some organisms are actually beneficial. If you think about bacteria it is imperative that we have a proper balance. If we start killing off all the bacteria (good and bad) we end up with problems such as dysbiosis. There is also evidence that some parasites may be beneficial in diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis, Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. We are so concerned with “killing” bacteria, viruses, parasite, fungi …that we forget that it is actually the immune system that does that job for us. We also forget that sometime these organisms live in harmony until we disrupt their balance.

    The logical move would be to seek out ways to nourish the body and build up the immune system in order to prevent these micro-organisms from taking hold. There are certainly instances for seeking treatment for parasites. However, it is my opinion that before resorting to such extreme measures as these cleanses we would do better to emphasize a healthy and nutritious diet, exercise, stress reduction, etc…the body will cleanse itself naturally and in most instances a healthy immune system will keep things in check.

    1. I have to agree with the Natalie,

      In my many years in the 3rd world, I actively had to battle many nasty organism. In the U.S., not so much. Most of the products currently in the market strike me as full of “woo” and less of actual effect. Many symptoms are more documented to be a result of diet and the industrialized environment .

      It is very true that the majority of a person’s biomass is not human DNA but, a plethora of micro organisms and yes, parasites.

      Yet until I see more peer reviewed articles on the detriment of american parasites I, personally, will focus on hygiene and diet.

    2. Chrohns is caused by destruction of gut flora and overgrowth The main culprit being antibiotics. Those studies using parasites for beneficial to crohms are just legal ploys. Fecal transplants without parasites cure crohns at 90%. Ibd is mainly an industry caused disease that westernized failing paradigms struggle with. The fact that some parasites prevent ibd while many cause ibd explains why so many docs routinly find nothing wrong with people in pain and label them as mentally ill and a drug addict. That is exactly what is wrong and why chronic disease is not cured.

    3. But bad diet and stress can encourage parasitic growth. For someone with leaky gut, parasites and candida, improving the diet is not enough, in and of itself, to correct the problem. Once the digestive system is badly impaired, the nutrition is not being absorbed, for the most part. A parasite cleanse is just a starting point of digestive system health. As for the herbs being harsh, some of them are, and it is good to research the ingredients and follow dosage recommendations. For instance, goldenseal is very powerful, not recommended for children and should be used for a limited time period. Other elements of digestive health include encouraging the growth of healthy flora, especially by achieving a proper ph level and good diet is the most important part of that.

    4. This is good advice … you can lead a horse to water but it’s up to them to drink it…. just everyone needs to do their own research, I know for myself that the cleanse I’ve been doing I e taken at my own pace & under a good homeopathy doctors advice … so far it has helped w a lot of what may turn out to be asthma at all, it’s helped that much! That’s wonderful for me but your tight it’s not a cake walk and that’s why I say do it at your own pace snd pray for wisdom…. It’s helped TREMENDOUSLY also w rheumatoid arthritis pain praise God, helped w headaches, helped my body not be in a state of depletion of nutrition from my food because those critters will take that away from your body . I for one will always want to take care of my body naturally if I can rather than those “3” min long commercials of all those synthetic medications that have more bad side effects than ? hopeful good effects . Just pray and ask Him for Wisdom. ? prayer works ?

  25. Angie your husband has a systemic fungal infection. I’ve been there. Until he rids his body of most of it he will continue to have nail fungus. I was on oral RX’s for nail fungus but until I changed my diet along with taking the RX it would not stay gone…have him check out the phase I diet or knowthecause.com for hope help and answers. I bet he’ll have health issues go away that will amaze you! Good luck and stay with the new lifestyle. IT IS WORTH IT.

      1. My daughter who is 6 yrs old needs to do a parasite cleasnse. Her dr recommended it because of several symptoms she has. She wants to put her on an antibiotic. I would like a more natural approach. How do you get your child to take the diatomaceous earth? Do you put it in a smoothie? The Trilight Herbs sound promising, but I’m not sure I could get my daughter to take it if it tastes so bad. Also, she already struggles with constipation. Thanks for your help and your informative blog!

        1. Melissa,
          I have to say the requisite “I’m not a health care professional…”

          Ok. Now that that’s out of the way, I’m trying to wrap my brain around a dr. who both recommends a parasite cleanse and abx at the same time. Different…!

          The DE is really mild, hardly tastes like anything. So it disappears into any juice, yogurt, smoothie, etc. Do check with your doc on that one, though, it is potent. I wonder if cutting grains would help the constipation AND be a help against the parasites as they’d have less sugar to eat? Every time I go grain-free, any signs of constipation evaporate. It’s a very big difference! That would also give you an idea if there’s a gluten sensitivity going on that might be presenting itself like a parasite issue (dairy could be another culprit with similar symptoms).

          My kids take TLH herbs with no problem, although now I’m remembering that the worm out was pretty bad! I wonder if it would be better in a swig of juice – I never tried mixing it with anything. It will all come down to some experimentation and cajoling perhaps to fit your individual child, but I sure hope the symptoms are alleviated somehow!
          🙂 Katie

        2. I’d sincerely put her on some very light vip of water or Gatorade w a little bit of Miralax… I know I know it’s not natural but if you have a child that’s consyipsyed then help her w thst for a few days & then get her off of dairy & gluten, snd mo fast food – get done good brand pharmaceutical prebiotics & probiotics amd NOW start w a gentle cleanse thst you do w her do you can feel what she’s feeling while your doing it. Look for children’s cleanses & you do what she’s taking e end of its for children , you just can’t tell what’s going to happen w even “children’s “ strength . And pray over all, everything y’all take before you take it… God is good , He will give you wisdom, He loves you snd your child ?♥️?

  26. Last night my boyfriend pulled a 8 inch ling round worm out of me. Im an organic gluten free vegan. No symptoms. Crazy!!!

    1. Try the carrot juice recipe in post on this site’s comment.
      Juice together
      Several carrots, 1 orange, 1 apple, Add some Clove powder.
      Also used sometimes – cabbage juice. The man drank this daily over a two week period. Then every other day ongoing.
      You could eat fresh garlic clove in am, a bit of good unheated Honey, a cup of Lemon juice beverage daily as well as good yogurt, Nut Butters and fresh low acid fruits & Veggies. Females need 30 gms Protien daily – Nut Butters good source of oils and Protiens. Drink water, less coffee, tanic acid teas, sugary stuff, alcohol or smoking. Moderate exercise, topiccal applications of Thieves Oil in an unscented bby. cream $ store item. Use on scalp overnight & wash out with clear water. Bathe with a bit of sea salt 1/4 cup to 3/4 cup depending on level of water used in the tub. Use Borax and Lysol laudry additive in laundry machine. Kiffer, some fermented foods, kayle, parsley, tyme & tumeric spice, sprouted grains, air-fried foods, eat smaller, more frequent meals say 2 hrs apart in a 12 hr. period. Fast on bone broths or ordinary broths,, moderately use lighter juices, no breads, crackers or pastas, 6-8 cups water including other fluids, water and make it a 24 hr. day of quieter spiritual retreat from stress of all sorts !
      PS Your boyfriend should also follow this plan as likely he’s infected or acting as a carrier. God speed in both of your recovery and maintenance free of problems like this.
      pets need to be free as well. Stay away from mouldy homes, infected animals including birds, old cupborads, carpeting, black mould & industrial sites, heavier traffic locals, restaurant foods highly seasoned, and watch what you both allow as contacts both visual or otherwise. Be simple, prudent and gain a Spiritualnpath that draws you towards Heavenly Wisdom and solutions for a healthier lifestyle overall.

    2. Your kidding ? From the butt!?? Did it not break in two ?? I’m literally afraid of that happening , ?. I’m going to get a MRI w constrast of my head/neck… there’s a worm in my head & I can feel it crawl around my face and it sleeps on top of my brain and wakes up and moves in the mornings…. ?. Found a “Infectious Disease Dr” in Austin thst I’m going to . ?

  27. Me, my husband, 9 yr old and my 5 yr old boy especially has a lot of symptoms if having a parasite. I have been reading so much stuff on what to do, like today I was excited to but black walnut thinking we could all use that, but then read u need to use wormwood, garlic ect for it to work. I also bought a cleanse last week but its not a parasite cleanse. I have never had one before or my kids, but am confused at everything out there and all the different prices. Has anyone done a parasite cleanse for their children too, & could recommend a product/brand that they believe works that is not to expensive? Thanks!

    1. Dez,
      I got a little behind on comments there, sorry about that – I’m giving my 5yo daughter food-grade diatomaceous earth right now, starting with 1/8 tsp/day and working up to 1/4. It’s one easy thing to do that doesn’t need a zillion other things! A friend just told me about it a few weeks ago and I thought, I can do that. I couldn’t imagine putting her on a full diet/cleanse without knowing with 100% certainty that it was what she needed! You can get DE at Amazon, but triple check that it’s food grade. Good luck! 🙂 Katie

      1. katie are you aware of how diatomaceous earth supposedly works? most think by shedding up worms. don’t get it in your eyes or breath it. that’s what i’ve heard. i have considered it but the the thought of it being like fine glass gives me pause.

        on the part 2 of the parasite cleanse i’d say do it. i believe the idea is to wipe out what wasn’t vulnerable before…for example worms in a different life cycle. kind of like putting out a fire until the flames are gone bu the embers are still hot.

        1. Chris,
          It was my understanding that DE would cut the insides of an insect, not so much a human. I think probably we eat food-grade DE often in whole grains that are sprinkled with it for pest control in storage (but don’t quote me on that). Thanks for the comment – 🙂 Katie

      2. Hi 🙂 A quick question: how do you get your 5 year old to take the DE? How much and how often? Thanks 🙂

  28. This is an old post but I feel like I should chime in. Recently I was doing a lot of reading on this and then Dr. Oz ran a show on parasites and said that 90% of animal owners have intestinal parasites and don’t even know it. I took it as a sign and chose to go for it :-/ As of right now I am on day 3 of my cleanse, and im feeling it. I’ve had a headache for 2 days, constipated aggrivated, brain fog and I have zero appetite for anything. My first reaction to these symptoms was to abort mission and resume my life as before but from what I am reading these are the symptoms of mass die off. My question is, has anyone else experienced this? Im going to push through to see what happens because i am seeing ‘results’ (without getting too gross) I am only taking half of what is required for my weight because I did not know what this was going to do to my body. Thanks for any help. Alicia

    1. That sound like normal detox effects, you should probably up your water, and in my high dose iodine forum, people address detox by taking extra vitamin C, and ‘salt loading’ , which I have found helpful myself, and might be worth a try:

      Salt Loading

      1/4 teaspoon* unrefined salt dissolved in 1/2 cup warm water, then followed immediately with 12-16 oz pure water.

      Repeat in 30-45 minutes if needed. May repeat again until copious urination begins.

      Observe subjective response (usually within several hours).

      *Iodine Investigation Project participants have found 1/2 teaspoon salt dissolved in water works faster than the 1/4 teaspoon dosage.

      http://iodinehealth.wordpress.com/bromide-salt-loading/

  29. There is a yahoo group dedicated to DE discussion, which I joined before I decided to start taking it. People there can answer questions, relate experiences, etc: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/thegoldensecret/

  30. This is all so fascinating. For those considering buying a big package of DE, we used it to get rid of a flea infestation (our dog got them from the in-laws dog once). We sprinkled it liberally on the ground and on our deck where the dog hang our during the day, and even rubbed it into her fur. Then with very careful daily vaccuming of the hardwood floors inside (and lots of rigorous laundry and other cleaning), we got rid of the problem in just a couple of weeks, without dangerous chemicals (we had small children at the time). But it should not be used where it can be breathed in–bad for the lungs. I guess our dog might have breathed some, since she was the one around it the most, but she never seemed irritated or showed it was bothering her. ANYWAY, I know that’s off-topic, but thought those of you with pets AND worries about parasites might like to know the dual use.

    1. My husband also has some DE he got at the garden center for use around the house, for ants, etc, but that is not the same stuff as you would use for internal use. Some farmers use DE for deworming their animals, it is possible that that is considered food grade also, and would probably be available at a feed store or somewhere like that, but be sure you have the right grade product before you eat any of it.

      1. Yes, I know there is food grade and “pool” grade, but I had bought the food grade thinking it might be safer for the family to be around, so that’s what I used on the fleas. : )

    2. You know I hope thst will be very uncomfortable for your dogs skin , I believe you have to vacuum it off of wash it off after maybe a day, don’t just leave it on your dogs skin lime thst

  31. I got this stuff, off of Amazon. Food Grade is very important, and this one was recommended on a few forums: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0039UX8ZC/ref=pe_175190_21431760_M3T1_ST1_dp_1

    1. I transferred it to plastic buckets for storage and easy access, you don’t want to breathe too much of the dust if you can help it, and I am filling a 2 cup canning jar to keep by my supplements. I thought it looked like a lot of DE, but I am through my second jar now, and I will always have this stuff on hand now!

  32. @MaryBeth

    I’d like to know what brand of DE and where you bought if it you can say that, please?

  33. I used to think that these people going on about parasites were being a little shrill, but then about 6 weeks ago, I started on DE – for general benefits, thinking surely the parasite thing would not apply to me. I started out on probably 2 tsp a day, in the morning, in water. After about 4 weeks, I upped it to 2 scoops, about 1.5-2 TBSP, and promptly started passing creepy critters. Whoa! The first few instances were just mucous encased blobs of bugs, that came out when I sat down to pee, so was not expecting anything out the other end. In one case, it was an actual worm, a few inches long, that ‘came to’ and headed down the drain! Very startling, but better than the alternative of these things staying inside! I am a firm believer now, and will be doing this for 90 days, to try to catch all cycles. It was also a full moon when I increased my dose, so that may have had something to do with the increase in results, as some sources claim.

    1. WOW! So DE really works? And you had multiple types of parasites? And some were in your urinary tract? Oh my, pinworms might not be the worse of my family’s troubles then :/

      1. No, not in my urinary tract (well, not the ones I saw), they just were clearly visible because they were the only thing that came out from the back end, when I was not expecting anything at all at the moment..

        1. I saw several distinct varieties – a few times clumps of things that looked like flukes, little brownish things with spidery legs, and several of the round worms, some in pieces, and some things that looked almost like segmented worms, or egg things, or something. After a few weeks of those clearly visible, usually mucous encased expulsions, the rest seems to be just bits embedded in stool, but I am a firm believer in DE, and parasites. I would like to try the Humaworm stuff, but their online store errors out on paypal, and they don’t seem very responsive – but that seems to be the best thing out there, for herbals.

          1. I see. Wow. I’ve ordered the pinworm/roundworm medication and a black walnut combo with cloves, P’au D’arco and other herbs. I’m going to take that all at the same time and then repeat the pinworm/roundworm after a couple weeks. I am definitely going to buy more DE. I already use it for my chickens but never thought of giving it to my family…

            1. Are you ordering from Humaworm? I got nervous when their web store did not work, repeatedly, because I like to use online ordering and paypal, and the fact that they did not seem concerned about that made me think they might be a little shady, but all of the glowing reviews on curezone.com make it pretty clear that they have the best out there, they are just mostly older comments. Did you phone in an order? I have added herb pharm Intestinal Tract Defense tincture compound, which has black walnut, wormwood, cloves, and a few more, the common components, and do the DE in the morning and the drops at night, and will keep this up for a while. I think attack on multiple fronts is good, and over enough time to catch all the cycles. I would love to get some good, current feedback about Humaworm.

        2. Mary Beth, I know what you are talking about. I have been on an anti parasitic regimate called Purify by The Tree Life. Several times I sat down on the pot to do #1 and all of a sudden i felt something slip out the back end. I have been on the regimant now for 2 months and things happen in waves. Nothing for weeks and than things slid out the back end again when only sitting down to go #1. Very strange. I had a Ion foot cleanse treatment done once and they told me I had parasites. I had no clue until i started to eat punkin seed, than things started to slid out. So i looked on the internet and have been treating with Purify ever sense.

          1. That looks like an interesting product, are you doing the liquid or the capsules? Might be worth working in a round of that stuff periodically..

  34. I lived in Mexico for several years, and it was normal to de-parasite oneself 3 times a year. You could get a medicine at the drugstore to do it, or there were herbal remedies to take care of it. So I used to do it regularly…unfortunately, I haven’t in a while.

    Colon hydrotherapy is also a great way to clean things out.

    1. DeeDee Mom Divorced

      Holly, March 30, 2013. Commented long time ago. So wondering if you still read and comment on this wonderful blog?? Hope you do.

      I grew up in Spain many years ago. In my late 60s now.
      It was normal for the children to be given herbs or enemas for parasites.

      I wish I knew what herbal remedies was given. Know the oil and the enema was given.

      So, you are correct. Colon hydro therapy is a great way to cleanse. Either getting colonics or enemas at home.

      I never remember a colonic given when growing up. First one I remember I was in my 40s and I had a few done.

      When growing up, when parasites were believed to be present, we all were given an enema. Actually a series of enemas was given.

      I cannot remember what was used in the enema solution for the parasite cleansing. Since I am the oldest of all my siblings by 7 years, I do remember many times a mild warm soapy water enema solution was made in a large bowl or pan. And the enema was given to the child.

  35. I realized I had parasites after doing a coffee enema followed by Redmond clay last year. That was a… surprising experience. I did Dr. Christopher’s parasite cleanse, but honestly, the only time I definitely saw them pass was when I would do the enema and clay. I’ve wondered if my kids have them (they don’t have any major symptoms, just some on that list), but haven’t tried any cleanses with them.

    This article talks about the possible benefits of parasites: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390443686004577633400584241864.html

    1. Ann, I also do coffee enemas. For liver detoxing. Feel great after being given an enema.
      Fortunately, never noticed them after getting a coffee enema.

      I read in book Prescription For Nutritional Healing one of the best enemas for parasites is a garlic enema. Read in that book for instructions. Easy to prepare and administer.

      When one of my three show signs of parasites I do few of the things listed on here and give a garlic enema to all three. I also get a enema as well. The enemy is given five nights in a row.

      Very important to treat everyone in the home.
      My ex did not believe in natural healing. He even laughed at the idea we all have parasites and they come out at night. Especially full moon cycles. God forbid if I dare mentioned a enema!

      Very important to clean , clean and more cleaning. Teach the kids to wash hands and keep fingers out of nose, mouth!

      The enema is a great natural home remedy. Nothing to be shy of or embarrassed about.

      I administer the enema with a 6 or 8 oz reusable rubber enema bulb for the kids.

      The red rubber enema bag for my coffee, or other enemas.

      Before doing any home cleanse or giving/getting a enema , consult your medical professional first. Ask your doctor if ok to do a cleanse. Not giving medical advice. Just what I personally have done in my home.

      1. I cannot believe people do coffee enemas… one turned my teeth a terrible yellow- wish someone would’ve told me !

  36. I honestly don’t know how I feel about this post. If 50% of Americans have parasites. And I’m pretty sure 100% of Americans have at least 1 of those symptoms. Then it’s more than likely I have parasites.

    I eat meat and I don’t really detox. Is there a way to like xray myself for parasites? It’s kinda scary to think I had parasites living in me for my entire life.

    1. Katie Kimball @ Kitchen Stewardship

      Jess,
      You know, I kind of feel the same way! There might be some tests for parasites, but I don’t know anything about them – I think I’d look at it this way:
      1. There’s some research that says some parasites might be good, especially beneficial for reducing allergies.
      2. So – if the symptoms aren’t something you’re actively trying to eliminate anyway, just let it ride…
      3. …but remember the parasite idea if you ever have a health issue/crisis you can’t figure out.

      Maybe??? This is why the internet can make us all hypochondriacs though! 😉
      Katie

  37. I had parasites when I was a kid and my mum used to give me all sorts of OTC medications to get rid of them. I later had hook worm infestation, which refused to go away even after taking several different OTC and prescription medications untill I started doing natural cleanse and eating right.

  38. My only definite experience with parasites was having pinworms twice in my childhood. Misery!!! I remember taking awful-tasting medicine, but I don’t think it was as natural as this. I’m very grateful that my son got through 3 1/2 years in a childcare center without picking up pinworms!

    About the constipation when you were trying to eat high fiber: Were you also eating meat? For me, meat, especially chicken, is one of the most constipating foods. Maybe it’s time to break out some of your famous bean recipes?

  39. Ok, so I’m just here for the lively conversation. : )

    Two things: First, Cheryl’s tale made me remember reading a book that was taking place in the olden days (rural South, early 1900’s) and the narrator talked about the mother having to pull down all the kids’ pants at night and pick off the worms for weeks until they were all gone.

    So, um, I guess there might be more than one “natural” way to get rid of those. ; ) Unless that was all just a figment of the author’s imagination.

    Second–I heard something on the radio (NPR methinks?) about a guy who had terrible allergies, don’t remember what kind, and he was an educated, middle class American, and he heard that third-world countries don’t have things like allergies–because everybody has parasites. It seems somehow the parasites release something into their host that tells the body not to have a reaction to them, and that same thing also suppresses allergic reactions! This guy was so desperate for answers to his allergies (they were extremely severe and were really affecting his life) that he purposefully went to Africa to a place where he knew they had parasites, went to villages and asked where the latrines (you know, poo pits) were, and then proceeded to walk around barefoot in them. He did this in several places, and sometime thereafter his allergies went away. And he came back to America, happy and content, and we assume riddled with parasites.

    I have really bad food allergies (most raw fruits, veggies and nuts–no fun) so I confess when I heard this story my interest was piqued. But I am nowhere near desperate enough to consider it for myself. (shudder)

    I think you should finish, and let us know how it goes! You have to keep up your reputation as the human guinea pig of the healthy blogger community.

    1. Blessed, our family went on GAPS last Fall and my daughter, who’s fruit, veggie, and nut allergies got more extensive each year (even lettuce caused a reaction, she couldn’t eat any produce raw and never nuts), was able to eat anything after a few weeks on the Intro diet! It was amazing, a miracle, to have this reversal. We currently are struggling with starting up again and wishing we’d never stopped our GAPS journey. It wasn’t difficult doing the diet, just difficult starting again and giving up all the starches, or should I say Sugars!

      I’m glad this guy who traveled to Africa experienced relief even as I am sad he put his body in such a compromised position and mad that he brought those critters closer to my home!

      1. Cheryl, thank you so much for telling me about your family’s health journey–because I have been trying to figure out what to do about my blood sugar issues (have been struggling with hypoglycemia for years, and no Dr. ever believes me because supposedly this condition cannot exist on its own, but only as a side effect of something else, but I seem healthy enough to a Dr, so none have ever helped me) and all signs seem to point to GAPS–so much that it does not seem like a coincidence, but God telling me the means through which He intends to heal me. So now you tell me that it almost miraculously healed your daughter of her food allergies–and this is like the final confirmation I needed.

        I was so happy for Katie’s bone broth segment recently, and have been devouring everything I can find written on the topic–for me that’s the first step into the diet. After her candida post I also wonder if THAT is an issue for me, and so that’s one more reason to try a GAPS diet. I confess, though, I know I won’t be starting really soon–I gave up sugar for Lent and while in years past that was such a good thing (for body and spirit) this year I became depressed at the same time, and so ended up finding myself eating way too many carbs of other kinds in a kind of mental compensation. So I want to eat my dark chocolate now and get my fill before I go there again–this time, going without sugar and flours and whatever else you have to give up on GAPS. : ) I know in my head it will be good, but my spirit just recently started to see the sunshine again, and I don’t want to head anywhere like that again right away.

        And, yes, I know–depression is also linked to all the things going wrong in my body that GAPS would be good for. I’m giving myself a couple more weeks before I get all firm with myself.

        At least I don’t think parasites are part of the evil equation! Oh, and I happened to see a follow-up on that guy (was it in an article linked to this post?) and he ended up having terrible headaches and something else happen as a result of the parasites, so got rid of them and I assume has the allergies again–didn’t say that part. So ultimately he decided the “cure” was worse than the illness.

        1. Actually, that guy has a business selling the hookworms, they call it Helminthic therapy, and these worms are different in that they can’t reproduce inside humans. They mention the possibility of detox side effects, which he says were uncomfortable for him, but he persisted because he felt it was worth it, and was feeling hugely better at about a year: https://sites.google.com/site/bbwormfarm/post/adviceforbeginners

          1. Ah, this may be what you read about, that page discusses the development of the therapy, and one of the pioneers had tried too many, so backed off and started again:
            Dosage: I had 25 hookworms initially, Lyn had 10. Michelle 75 and 100 made Jasper feel quite sick (he killed them off and started gain at a lower dose). Most of the worlds population are infected by 25-50 worms. Having too many worms will leach out too many nutrients and can cause anaemia.

          2. Selling hookworms to people makes me furious!

            I have been sick nearly all my life. I have spent years eating organic whenever possible, taking expensive supplements, using only coconut-olive-avocado oils, seeking natural treatments, and doing the best I could to improve my health — only to see it get worse and worse, in spite of all my efforts. For the last couple of years, I have been losing strength, memory, comprehension, coordination, skills, and gaining pain — and losing hope. I have yearned for death at times because life was becoming so painful and I had lost interest in living. (At times my husband has done the same due to his poor health issues and pain.) I can’t tell you how many times I’ve called out to God for an answer. It feels like it’s been a very, very, very long wait. However, I believe in the saying: God is never late, BUT He is never early either. 🙂

            I just started Diatomaceous Earth 2 weeks ago and I have hope for the first time in years. I posted about it on another site and I will cut and paste my post here. Here is my story:

            PLEASE COMPARE THIS (DE) TO PHARMACEUTICAL PARASITICS, which are harsh, expensive, damaging to organs, some “specialize” in which parasites they kill, some are often ineffective, and parasites become immune to them:

            DE on the other hand is VERY inexpensive and has many health benefits. In addition to killing numerous parasites and viruses in humans and pets, it lowers blood pressure, strengthens bones, teeth, gums and connective tissues, lowers cholesterol, improves hair and nails, cleanses the colon (although it is constipating during the adjustment phase – you must drink lots of water), lowers blood sugar, has shown cognitive improvement in Alzheimer’s patients, and more. I don’t understand it scientifically but I understand is somewhat of a magnet, picking things up (mammals and DE have the opposite charge as parasites and viruses), and additionally have somewhat of a microscopic blade that can slice up parasites and cause them to dehydrate.

            Please don’t rely on my explanations. Google it, do your research, and then go for it! Many places online sell it. It has to be FOOD GRADE to be safe – for you and your pet. (The type that is not food grade is made for cleaning swimming pools – you don’t want it.) For those of you who need examples: I Googled all kinds of things before I weighed out my decision to try DE; things like: Diatomaceous Earth+parasites, Diatomaceous Earth+Lupus (and other individual autoimmune diseases – just insert your own health issue), Diatomaceous Earth+report, Diatomaceous Earth+silica, Diatomaceous Earth+health benefits, Diatomaceous Earth+dangers, Diatomaceous Earth+human consumption. Autoimmunity+Giardia, Autoimmunity+Helminths (and other parasites), Autoimmunity+findings, Autoimmunity+report. Buy+Food+Grade+Diatomaceous+Earth. (No I don’t actually use the plus signs when Googling, I just hoped it would be less confusing).

            Warning: from here on, it gets graphic. Consider going to do your research now and closing this post.

            After hearing about it online, I initially ordered some to help me with autoimmune symptoms (lupus/connective tissues, fibromyalgia/chronic fatigue/pain, arthritis/inflammation, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, alopecia/hair falling out, osteopenia and fingernails like paper, high blood pressure, etc). I did not get it for the benefit of killing parasites – after all – OTHER PEOPLE – PEOPLE IN THIRD WORLD COUNTRIES HAVE PARASITES – CERTAINLY NOT ME! Yuck! I live in America. 🙂

            However — after taking it for 3 days and having a movement …….I looked. EEK! GAG! My toilet bowl resembled a miniature Sci-Fi horror movie! (I didn’t know God had made such a wide variety – especially in America! ; )

            Sick to my stomach, I immediately did more research. I dug in and found a very wide variety of differing opinions. Gross – but so interesting! The most fascinating for me: I found several articles by physicians who state parasites are what cause autoimmune diseases. AND I believe them! I’ve lived it. (My interpretation is that parasite takeovers cause the immune system to go berserk, it doesn’t know how to rid and clean the system from them and all the chemicals they send out. The first area of attack is usually the thyroid. Then the host gets one more autoimmune disease after another.) Another article talked about flukes, that can live up to 30 years, causing liver, gallbladder and pancreas problems that can lead to sludge, stones, inflammatory disease, and cancer (and of course diabetes). Other doctors said nobody knows yet what causes autoimmunity. Some people said their doctor told them they couldn’t have parasites – go home – don’t worry about it. Oh, and another guy said he was tested for parasites and the results were negative. So he waited a couple weeks and turned in a sample where he could see different critters, on top and on the side. The results came back negative again. They said, we tested you for the 4 most common parasites and you do not have any of these four. Additionally, there were 2 separate videos I came across that claim to be actual surgeries and showed 1 with a worm in a persons brain and 1 with a worm in a human heart — I did not – could not – watch them! So I cannot vouch for them.

            Natural News, online, explains DE simply but well: The sharp points found on fossilized diatom exoskeletons create a safe and non-toxic strong abrasive that scrubs intestinal walls and cuts up any parasites present in the digestive tract. Additionally, as it passes the digestive tract, it attracts and absorbs pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and fungi. It also absorbs and removes pesticides, heavy metals, and drug residues.

            Other sites add even more to the list of DE health, pet, and garden benefits. And of course, one or two try to discredit it’s benefit completely. But a thousand times more sites say it’s been a miracle for them.

            I read it’s safe to take with most prescriptions; however, it should NOT be taken with Warfarin or during pregnancy (although some say it’s okay – I just wouldn’t) and you have to be careful not to breath the dust. It’s a naturally occurring product, mostly silica – which most people are deficient in, and it’s taken on an empty stomach. It’s a fine white-ish powder that doesn’t have an odor or melt when you mix it in water or juice; yes, chalky but has no real flavor. (It’s really not a big deal to take.) I plan to take a reasonably-sized dose of it, oh probably 1 T. once a day, for the rest of my life, for maintenance (hard to say now exactly how much I’ll take for my forever dose, since I am only finishing up on week 2 and only take 1/2 t. twice a day and see daily changes). I started out using just 1/4 t. per day and saw “the magic happen.” 🙂

            Since DE is not a chemical and kills parasites “mechanically” and not chemically, the “creatures” do not get immune to it like regular pesticide medication.

            For those who try this, please don’t listen to others who tell you to start off taking an unreasonable amount. ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE AUTOIMMUNE ISSUES! If you have many parasites, you will get “die-off.” And when they die off, you may feel very ill (unlike the author who writes that it gives her energy – that’s WAY down the road for me!). The organs affected may ache (my kidneys and liver are very, very sore but they were worse before I started and each day, they feel a little better). I was very sick to my stomach and gassy/explosive the first week due to a sick gallbladder/GB, but my GB area didn’t hurt today for the first time in months.

            If you have any illness, especially autoimmune, why not try 1/4 t. for the first day. If you feel okay, bump it up to 1/4 t. twice a day, etc. When you get really bad die off – you can cut back for a day or so or even stay there. It’s not a competition. 🙂

            For me, it’s clear: DE or suffering and death…..

            By the way, you may also feel intermittent squiggles and wiggles out of nowhere. Try to remember that it’s progress. You’ll feel even fewer tomorrow. (Parasite extermination is not for the faint of heart.) Instead of getting grossed out, I just keep telling myself that I’m finally getting my revenge. And I now have hope to look toward the future instead of feeling only dread for it; feeling like I didn’t have enough strength to go on!

            1. Thanks for this comment – I appreciate that you took the time to basically write out a well-reasoned essay here, haha.

              As gross as it is, I’ve been finding evidence of parasites after.. er, passing waste, for quite a while. Probably months, to be honest. Each time I convinced myself it was probably just remnants of onions or something that didn’t fully digest (this is what denial looks like, apparently).

              I always considered the possibility that it could be parasites, but shrugged it off as I was always too reluctant to accept that. Today, though, I couldn’t ignore it – haven’t eaten anything that might resemble what I saw; the truth is obvious.

              It’s strange how far my ego will go to avoid the conclusion that I have parasites, but.. welp, that’s that. So my overall point here is that, thanks to your comment, diatomaceous earth is what I’m gonna go for, instead of some overly expensive, heavily marketed fix advertised elsewhere (the other option I was considering was http://parasitecleanse.com/purify.htm).

              As far as symptoms go, main one is a total lack of appetite and inability to gain weight even when I force myself to eat regularly. Could be attributed to something else of course, and I understand the dangerous nature of self-diagnosis. Willing to give a DE routine a go though – visual confirmation of parasites leaves me with no choice but to get rid of these things somehow.

              “Instead of getting grossed out, I just keep telling myself that I’m finally getting my revenge.” While I’ll go for this mindset as well, I’ll admit I’m still grossed out, just in a focused, parasite-murdery kind of way.

              TL;DR: my ego hates to accept the idea of having parasites despite visual proof; going for food-grade DE to kill ’em off. Again, thanks to Jazmin for the well-reasoned comment 🙂

            2. I’m so happy to hear your success using DE. I have had a thyroid and adrenal gland problem and now what I think is Candida. The last t years have been absolutely hell. I lost my girlfriend, I became very anti social because of all the unexplained symptoms (depression,insomnia,irritability, joint pain,the list goes on). I tried DE about three weeks ago, and felt great after finally passing a stool. Today I continue to take DE along with colon hydrotherapy. For me, that was a big step. I was already nervous and anxious, talk about feeling uncomfortable. Anyway, I would advice trying it for the times the DE makes you constipated.

    2. that’s interesting. i can see how a parasite might release something that suppresses your immune system so they don’t get kicked out. but it seems like this would be like taking prednisone. not really a cure… just deals with symptoms.

      what i read was just the opposite. parasites can cause food allergies and make you crave what they like.

      i suppose it’s like any other thing. you want the right amount of the good and little of the bad like gut bacteria.

      very interesting.

    3. I too have multiple food allergies. My doc said to avoid the allergens completely (no cheating) and that at least some of them will go away. Check out the book Wheat Belly. That was a real eye opener for allergies!

  40. My first real experience with human parasites came when my daughter was in daycare. She was only 3 yrs old and she would scratch at her butt frequently and at night in her bed she was restless and would call for me. She was very constipated during that time period and after the pediatrician suggested it, I got up the nerve to use a flashlight to check while she was sleeping during the night. Although barely visible, they looked like clothing fibers until I saw them move…crawling around her anus.

    Pediatricians see parasite infections a lot…also there is an OTC worm medicine at all the drug stores for Pinworms, so that tells you really how prevalant parasites are. However if you suggest to be tested yourself, the doctors laugh at you. I can assure you humans have worms after seeing the hundreds of dead one’s in the toilet after she took the worm medicine. Shudders….

    1. Yup, pinworms. So terrible. And extremely hard to get rid of. I’d definitely recommend the OTC medication too because these things are very hard to get rid of and I think the benefits of eradicating them are worth the “risks” of the OTC medication.

    2. Wow! This is so very informative. I noticed what looked like worms when changing the diaper of my now nearly 10-year-old daughter when she was a baby. I asked the doctor about it. She did no tests. This daughter consistently puts things in her mouth. I even read a journal entry from three years ago that reminded me about her eating a marble. She complained of a tummy ache for days and then it passed. I had no idea until then that she had done that. She has dark circles under her eyes. She is skinny and growing tall, but that girl can out-eat her dad at meal time. It’s frustrating that doctors will laugh at you and demean your concerns for your child’s well-being.
      Thanks for the suggestions!

  41. For parasites just use food grade diatomasious earth. 1 tablespoon a day for a month. and then reduce to half a tablespoon a day for mantanence and to keep from reinfection. Also candida is a fungal infection not a parasite.

    1. YES IT WORKS ON ANY PARASITE. THE CRYSTAL LIKE STRUCTURE OF THE DIATOMACEOUS CUTS THREW THE WAXY COATING ON THEM AND ABSORDS THEIR BODILY FLUIDS SO THEY DIE FROM DEHYDRATION. THIS ASLO WORKS GREAT ON ANTS. I ALSO USE IT IN MY ANIMAL FOODS, CATS, DOGS AND CHICKENS TO KEEP THEM FROM GETTING PARASITES. IF YOU WANT MORE INFORMATION JUST SEARCH DIATOMACEOUS EARTH AND PARASITES. THER IS A TON OF INFO ON IT.

      1. No, it can’t possibly work on every parasite. What about malaria, shcistosomiasis, chagras disease, cat scratch fever, etc? I assure you, the DE does not go into your bloodstream after these guys or you would be dead already. Why not try a little science instead of pseudoscience and rumor for a change? There are lots of know antiparasite treatments available, we’ve been using them for cattle and in 3rd world countries for years! They are cheap and effective! Look at Ivermectin, Valbazen, and Fenbendazole. They are sold as products for cattle, but Ivermectin for instance is used by Jimmy Carter’s foundation to treat river blindness, caused by a parasitic bloodstream worm. It is nearly 100% effective and is scientifically proven to work, unlike garlic and wormwood and other hocus-pocus woo.

        1. Rufus,
          I appreciate your response and will leave it intact, but I do think your tone is disrespectful. First, yes, those long chemical names are effective, but what are the side effects? Second, just because garlic and wormwood don’t have double blind studies proving their effectiveness doesn’t automatically mean they don’t work – and it certainly doesn’t make them magical. What company would pay for those studies? Garlic farmers? Sometimes we have to coexist with science while acknowledging that humanity, in all its glory, has not yet figured everything in the world out scientifically.

          Please season your responses with a little grace next time.
          Thanks, Katie

          1. Very well said! And very true. Farmers and scientists are actually very poor and do not have the money for these studies that everyone clings to as gospel truth! They are either busy doing their work or chasing after grants from government agencies or corporations. The panels that award these grants have their own ideological, financial and political agendas, so people who have unpopular or unprofitable ideas are ignored. Without being published in “peer reviewed journals” controlled by a small handful of editorial boards, they are automatically considered “pseudoscience” or invalid.

            How studies are even approved for peer reviewed journals is very political too. Look at the Global Warming Hoax being promoted by green business, Marxist anti-human ideologues, the political class and a minority of extremists. There is no 97% consensus of climate scientists, this is outright fraud, yet people are led to believe this fraudulent claim from major news – also controlled by a handful of corporations.

            Lay people have this idea that scientific academies are some holy alliance of objective rational truth that we can trust without question, and it is VERY far from the truth. The results of a study mean nothing and the fact that every news organization is printing an article with a headline describing what the results mean is completely useless.

            Please see my comments about leaky gut and the symptoms you mentioned. Parasites are not the main problem, it is the state of your digestive system and gut flora that needs to be addressed. When your gut is healed and healthy you don’t need to worry about parasitic infections. Most of the problems are in third world where people are starving, sanitation is only secondary to the health of our immune systems.

            1. Thanks for your comments concerning the parasite cleanse, but please leave your politics out of this. It is offensive and comes off as “preaching.” Not everyone see’s it the same as you do.

          2. Garlic, wormwood, black walnut and cloves do work. I found I should have done several months worth to kill everything. Didn’t get it all the first time. I was also on many other herbs(including cats claw, high strength love leaf , and raw apple cider vinegar every am. Did lemon water too.
            I have had things coming out I don’t want to mention. But the die-off is extreme.
            I believe I will need to do a cleanse probably 2-4 times a year and have changed my eating habits. Also all people in household need to be treated at same time, as well as any pets.
            Good luck.
            PS I have had Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, virus and bacterial infections for over 40 years.

  42. I too have done parasite cleanses. I’m a total believer! I don’t have any of the problems I have when that and the candida are under control. Hang in there and see it through to the end! I know it’s hard but it is so worth it!

    1. LIsa what Parasite cleanse did you do and what were the symptoms you had ? Did you have any pain and how long did the cleanse take how many times a day etc? Please give me details on it desperate and needing help..

  43. I don’t have much advice, but wanted to say how much I loved your comments about the internet bringing out the hypochondriac in us all. I’ve had a rash that has moved around on various parts of my face, sometimes better sometimes worse, for 16 or 17 years. I had the same experience you had when I asked my M.D about it. Giving up gluten seemed to help for a while. Later eliminating casein and soy helped, but it never completely went away. I went on a raw foods diet in my pre-children days and was so thin that my husband and mother freaked out, and I think any sort of cleansing regime would have to be my husband’s idea or he’d get all worried (my mother is 2000 miles away, so she would never have to know :)). So instead of cleansing or eliminating I’ve focused on keeping up with probiotics (mainly kombucha, kvass, and fermented veggies) for the long term. It hasn’t been a quick fix, but the rash is not so bad even when I eat cheese or tofu. Incidentally, none of the natural health practitioners I’ve gone to have suggested a candida diet, though I’ve always suspected it might help. They’ve all just said that the rash and my dark circles under the eye indicates that my body is trying to get rid of something toxic, and recommended support for my liver and digestion rather than cleansing or elimination diets.

    1. If you have a rash moving about in your face, it may be Demodex mites (human version). Use Castor Oil on face & neck, especially at and in hairline, lashes and brows for 2 weeks and I bet you’ll see incredible improvement. 98% of the human population has these mites but in some people, they over-multiply and create skin problems that look like acne, roseacea, candida etc. Before getting too grossed out, check out the following blogpost. Finding out about Demodex online ultimately saved my sanity although some of the methods of dealing with it included bleach baths and other absurd and dangerous treatments. That is why this reasonable blogpost helped so much.

      http://www.bodygoodiesonline.com/blog/2013/01/26/rosaea-acne-keratosis-pilaris-demodex-mite/

      The writer of the above article doesn’t like tea tree oil which kills them but her crud soap is awesome and so is the Dead Sea soap by Basin
      http://basin.com/dead-sea-mud-soap/

      If you use TTO put a few drops in Castor oil base. TTO is strong and it doesn’t take much to work.

  44. If you were consuming a lot of fruit, could that have played havoc with the candida part? Maybe more veggies and no fruit?

    I feel for what you’re going through/trying to figure out. It is encouring to read your in-the-battle posts vs just waiting to post a blog entry when you have the ultimate solution. I hope you will continue on with 10 more days to see how it goes; hoping it will help you!

  45. I have no experience with parasite cleanses but from my experience with fungal problems I’d say you need to be more STRICT on your candida diet…giving fungus a little to feed on keeps it alive and well and wanting more…I know it’s hard -believe me I’ve been there…BUT SO WORTH IT!

  46. We are planning on doing a parasite cleanse using herbs from humaworm dot com this spring. I’m excited even if I can’t do it being that I’m nursing. 🙁 Another time. But I am looking forward to everyone else having a positive change.

    1. Cheryl, if your family does a parasite cleanse but you don’t, you’ll end up re-infecting them. Can you find something that you can do while nursing?

      1. I just bought 50lbs of diatomaceous earth for $20 at Azure Standard. I’ll take that and use it on my apple and cherry trees for pest control. 🙂

        A hesitation that I have would be any excess detox or dead parasitic bodies being fed to my baby. Boy, should I give him dirt (d. earth), too? Feed him dirty snacks? lol Wouldn’t be the first time I let him eat dirt (he likes the garden).

        1. If you take Wormwood be sure to take IRON supplement with it to work it makes all the difference. It is also good to make a suppositories in freezer it hits them directly.

    2. Katie Kimball @ Kitchen Stewardship

      Cheryl,
      I am still nursing while doing this TriLight one – you could chat with them about its safety, but it was definitely one of the questions I asked. Weird tasting milk is the only potential problem. 🙂 Katie

      1. Thanks, Katie. The herbs at the other site are too strong for my little guy to take and he’d get them through my milk. I should’ve looked at other options.

  47. I suggest finishing out the full cycle if you can manage it; then if it hasn’t helped you will at least know you did everything you could and won’t be wondering about it later on. The second-guessing can drive a person crazy! Good luck. 🙂

  48. I think you should definitely finish the the regimen, especially since you didn’t consume the correct dosage with the first round. I believe that if your candida rash is coming back, you obviously have an issue that your previous candida diet did not fix entirely (perhaps you cut it too short?) I say, give it another 10 days and be more adamant about eating high fiber foods to clean yourself out, then finish it off with your candida diet until well after the rash goes away, just to be certain that you fixes the problem. Good luck! I hope it all works for you!

  49. Thank you, Katie, for your Natural Health theme this month. What a service you provided to so many of us!

    Again, I am drinking from my first batch of kombucha and yesterday I purchased an infuser to make continuous brew kombucha. I have all of the ingredients for water kefir too.

    I have chicken broth simmering on the stove to put in the pressure canner, a process I do about every 10-14 days.

    We are still at the beginning stages of seeing the fruits of this labor, but my family is on board and I’m a happy woman.

    THANK YOU again for sharing your knowledge.

    ~ Stacey

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