Top Herbs for Parasites
Best Herbs (and others) for Parasite Elimination
How do you kill parasites in your body? By using three simple herbs: Wormwood, Green Black Walnut Hulls, and Fresh Cloves. These three anthelmintic herbs are the overall best herbs for parasites.
Anthelmintic herbs are what kills parasites in the body a natural way. They are defined as "medicines used to destroy parasitic worms." These three anti parasitic herbs are the best herbs for killing parasites, especially when used together.
1. Wormwood (Artemisia absinthum)
It is a plant that has been used medicinally for centuries, and in ancient Greece, wormwood was most commonly used for the expulsion of worms – hence the name wormwood. Today, the primary use of wormwood remains the same—it is one of nature’s most powerful vermifuge herbs for killing and removing parasites from the body.
A study published in the Journal of Helminthology showed that wormwood induces paralysis and death in parasites as effectively as some of the leading anti-parasitic medications. Wormwood’s effectiveness in eliminating malaria—a fever caused by a protozoan parasite—is also well-documented.
Wormwood’s ability to kill parasites is largely attributed to α-Thujone, a bioactive compound in the plant that has been shown to have powerful anthelmintic (anti-parasitic) properties. It is especially effective at killing helminths (worms). The potent natural parasite cleanse properties of thujone make wormwood one of the best herbal remedies for parasite removal.
2. Black walnuts (Juglans nigra)
They grow abundantly across the United States, and they are the second most cultivated walnut in North America, after English walnuts. The walnut has 3 main parts: the kernel, a dry outer covering called a hull, and a hard shell. While you can eat the kernel raw or press it for oil, the fresh green hulls actually contain antioxidants that are used in extracts and supplements for medicinal purposes.
The fresh green hulls of black walnuts have many medicinal uses and are one of the best herbs for parasites. Many cultures have used Black Walnut hulls to support a healthy intestinal environment and have eaten the nuts for their rich Omega 3 essential fatty acid content, vitamin C and flavor. The astringency from the tannins in the hulls and leaves have led herbalists over the years to include Black Walnut in topical applications for the skin. Perhaps the most common use, however, is for detoxification and killing intestinal parasites.
The green hulls of black walnuts are a natural antiparasitic remedy, as they contain a brown pigment called Juglone that acts strongly against parasites. Juglone exerts its effect by inhibiting certain enzymes needed for metabolic function. It’s highly toxic to many insect herbivores and is often used by organic gardeners as a natural pesticide. According to the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, black walnut is effective anthelmintic herb against ringworm, tapeworm, pin or thread worm, and other parasites of the intestine.
3. Cloves
Many people are familiar with cloves as a culinary spice, but not as many people are aware of the impressive health benefits and medicinal uses of cloves. Cloves are actually flower buds of the clove tree (Syzygium aromaticum), an evergreen tree native to the Maluku Islands of Indonesia. Animal studies suggest that the compounds found in cloves could have a number of health benefits, including supporting liver health and helping to stabilize blood sugar levels.
Cloves have a number of uses and are one of the top herbs for parasite cleansing. Most commonly cloves are used as a culinary spice, however there are many medicinal uses for cloves as well. Cloves are commonly applied directly to the gums for toothache, pain control during dental work, and other dental-related issues. They are also commonly used in the treatment of parasitic worm infections because of their natural antiparasitic properties.
Cloves are a great natural anti parasitic herb as they contain a powerful chemical compound in their oil known as Eugenol. Eugenol is responsible for many of cloves medicinal benefit, and it is also well-known for its anti-parasitic properties. Studies have shown that cloves may also be an effective treatment for Schistosomiasis, one of the most prevalent helminthic infections worldwide, with an estimated number of 391 to 587 million active infections in 78 countries.
4. Neem
Neem is a fast-growing evergreen tree native to the Indian subcontinent, scientifically known as Azadirachta indica. It is known as the "village pharmacy" due to its extensive medicinal properties, with various parts of the tree (leaves, seeds, bark, and flowers) used in traditional medicine like Ayurveda to treat ailments ranging from skin conditions and infections to dental problems and digestive issues. Neem oil and extracts are also used in products like pesticides, toothpaste, and cosmetics. Neem is best used for the adult stage of parasites.
Berberine
It is a yellow-colored, bitter-tasting natural plant compound (an alkaloid) with a long history of use in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine for a variety of conditions, including infections, diarrhea, and inflammatory disorders. It is found in plants such as goldenseal, barberry, and Oregon grape. Best used for the adult stage of parasites.
Other sources of antiparasitics:
Oregano
Oregano contains powerful antimicrobial compounds. It has been known to show diverse activity against viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi. Oregano oil is specifically effective on bacteria such as MRSA which have become resistant to treatments, and is a great natural herb for killing parasites and unwanted microbes.
Papaya seeds
Papaya seeds have traditional and some scientific backing as a natural remedy for intestinal parasites:
The seeds contain compounds such as papain, alkaloids (like carpaine), tannins, and benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC), which have anthelmintic (anti-worm) and anti-amoebic properties.
A notable 2007 study in Nigeria found that 71.4% of children given an elixir of air-dried papaya seeds and honey had their stools cleared of parasites, compared with a very low percentage in the honey-only group. Another trial in Kenya showed a significant reduction in roundworm egg counts when children consumed papaya seed-fortified porridge.
The fiber in the seeds helps push matter through the digestive tract, while the active compounds may disrupt and paralyze the parasites, making the intestinal environment less hospitable to them.
Pumpkin seeds
While these may be more easily classified as a “seed” than an herb, pumpkin seeds are known to help with roundworm infections in the intestinal tract. They are able to kill parasite eggs as they contain a natural fat which is toxic to them. These seeds have the ability to paralyze worms to get them dropping off the intestinal walls.
Such an anti-parasitic activity of pumpkin seeds makes them powerful herbs for killing parasites. Additionally, pumpkin seeds are excellent sources of vitamin B and Zinc helping the immune system to work optimally.
Fennel seed
Fennel seed is traditionally used as a medicinal herb for digestion, appetite and diuretic purposes. It is also known to relieves symptoms like stomach cramps, bloating, nausea and gas caused by parasites. Herbal teas prepared out of fennel seed can be used to treat stomach spasms caused by infections and other conditions affecting the gastrointestinal system. It can be used in combination with other herbs to kill parasites in a natural way.
Garlic
Garlic is one of the most effective herbs to clear the body of unwanted organisms. The cloves of garlic are known to slow and kill more than 60 fungus types and 20 bacteria varieties in addition to some of the most dangerous viruses. Garlic is also used traditionally to kill parasites and control fungal infections. It has antioxidant properties that protect the body against oxidation caused by parasites. Chopped or crushed garlic releases an active component called allicin which also strongly contributes to killing parasites.
Resources:
https://www.zumanutrition.com/blogs/health/top-7-herbs-that-kill-parasites
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7345338/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6719079/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5037735/
https://www.parasitetesting.com/Fennel-Seed
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10815019/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17472487/
