Do Parasite Cleanses Really Work? (2024)

A parasite cleanse is a combination of herbal supplements and dietary changes aimed at killing and eliminating harmful organisms living in your body.

People who diagnose themselves with a parasite may be missing another reason for their symptoms while those who do have a parasite may need more aggressive treatments than supplements and a new diet. Thus, it's important to talk with a healthcare provider about proper treatment before relying on a parasite cleanse.

This article discusses common ingredients found in parasite cleanses and research on their effectiveness. It also covers safety concerns and other treatment options.

What Is a Parasite Infection?

Anyone can get infected with a parasite. However, some people are more likely to experience an infection than others.

A parasite is an organism that lives in or on another organism and feeds off its host. Parasites are bad because they exploit their host. Some, but not all, kill their host.

Intestinal parasites are typically caused by one of two types of parasites: protozoa (single-celled organisms) or helminths (worms and larvae).

• The most common types of protozoa in the U.S. include Giardia and Cryptosporidium.
• The most common helminths are pinworms, hookworms, tapeworms, and roundworms.

Parasites can be picked up from several different sources:

• Pets, including dogs and cats
• Contaminated food
• Contaminated water
• Contaminated feces
  
• Infected blood
• Insects
  

Your risk of having a parasite is higher if you live in or visit an area where parasites are common or where human or animal waste is not treated properly.

Childcare and long-term care facilities are places where there's a greater risk of parasites. Children are at risk of picking up giardiasis, cryptosporidiosis, toxoplasmosis, pinworm, head lice, and scabies.

The risk is also higher if you don't use proper hygiene or you have an impaired immune system.

Taking stock of your personal risk factors can help you take steps to prevent future infections.

Symptoms of a Parasite Infection

The symptoms of a parasite infection will depend on the parasite and its location.

Intestinal parasite infections can cause:

• Diarrhea
• Gas
• Smelly, greasy poop that can float
• Vomiting
• Stomach cramps or pain
• Upset stomach or nausea
• Dehydration (loss of fluids)
• Fever
• Excess tiredness
• Lack of appetite

Parasite infections of the skin can cause:

• Swelling under the skin
• Pain
• Redness
• Itchiness

With some parasitic insects, like head lice, you may be able to see the parasite or feel it moving in your hair.

Although it's rare, some parasites can enter other parts of the body, infecting the lungs, bladder, eyes, ears, and nervous system, including the brain. In severe cases, they may cause chronic illness or death.

Benefits of Parasite Cleanse

Thinking you have symptoms of a parasite infection or even being worried about acquiring one may lead to you consider a parasite cleanse. It may be a popular fad diet online promoted online for treatment, but does it really work?

There's not a whole lot of good evidence to back up the benefits of a parasite cleanse, or any cleanse for that matter. Before making any major changes to your diet, talk to your healthcare provider. What's best for someone else may not be the same as what's best for you.

However, some cleanses don't follow a super restrictive diet plan and are based on good nutrition. Following a cleanse based on a balanced, healthy diet seems like a good way to get rid of possible bad stuff—and it's true. Following good nutrition can help support your body's natural detoxification and might make anyone feel better, regardless of whether they have a parasite or not.

Even taking certain supplements could help you feel better if you have a deficiency.

Herbs and Supplements in a Parasite Cleanse

Natural health practitioners recommend a range of different herbs and supplements for parasite cleanses. However, there's no good evidence for their use.

Certain herbs may have compounds that can be turned into plant-based drugs to treat parasites and cleanse the system of them.

But overall, there is limited research suggesting that herbs can help cleanse parasites if you're already infected. More research is needed to confirm that any natural remedies can get rid of a parasite effectively.

Berberine

This compound can be found in herbs such as the European barberry (Berberis vulgaris). Berberine may be able to decrease parasites.

Berberine's history in treating intestinal parasites goes back to ancient China, where it was also used to treat other diseases, like diabetes. Berberine has antiprotozoal properties, meaning it can kill or inhibit the growth of protozoa.

You can find berberine in herbs like goldenseal, goldthread, Oregon grape, phellodendron, and tree turmeric.

Berberine can cause interactions with other medications, herbs, and supplements. Talk to your healthcare provider before taking berberine to make sure it's right for you. Don't use berberine if you're taking cyclosporine.

Papaya Seeds

In one 2015 clinical trial, a group of school children in one county in Kenya ate porridge with ground papaya seeds in it for several months. Other groups were given porridge with an anti-parasitic medication added or plain porridge.

The group that ate papaya seed porridge had 63.9% fewer roundworm eggs in their stool after the test. The group that ate medicated porridge had 78.8% fewer eggs. The students who ate untreated porridge had higher egg counts overall.

Pumpkin Seeds

Pumpkin seeds are high in amino acids and fatty acids. In particular, they are rich in berberine, cucurbitine, and palmatine. All of these are amino acids known to damage certain parasites.

The amino acid content may be enough to kill intestinal parasites like tapeworms and roundworms. Pumpkin also contains nutrients that have antifungal and antimicrobial properties.

Wormwood

Wormwood has long been used in herbal medicine to treat a number of gastrointestinal ailments. While there is some evidence of its ability to fight off protozoa and helminths, most of the studies have been done on animals and can't be applied to humans.

Many medications are made from compounds in the sweet wormwood plant. Still, more research is needed before it's clear that the plant itself is a reliable way to treat infections.

Propolis

Propolis is a resin-like material made by bees that has long been believed to have medicinal properties.

A 2021 review of studies called the anti-parasitic properties of propolis "promising," especially against certain kinds of protozoa parasites and parasitic worms.

Probiotics

A 2018 paper concluded that probiotics can help decrease the risk of getting a parasite. The authors also noted that probiotics may be helpful as a complementary therapy for people who have gastrointestinal parasites.

Probiotics are microorganisms that can help support the natural community of bacteria in your digestive system.

Vitamins and Minerals

There is evidence that a diet rich in vitamin A and the minerals selenium and zinc may improve your body's natural defense against parasite infection.

Vitamin A has many other beneficial properties. It helps keep your teeth, bones, soft tissue, mucous membranes and skin healthy. It also helps with eyesight, especially in low light.

Selenium and zinc are important micronutrients that help boost the immune system.

Parasite Cleanse Diet Changes

Naturalmedicine experts say stomach acid may help to protect you from parasites in food. They recommend that you:

• Avoid coffee, sugar, alcohol, and refined grains.
• Include more garlic in your meals.
• Increase the amount of carrots, sweet potatoes, and squash you eat. These foods are high in beta-carotene, which turns into vitamin A in your body. Vitamin A helps your body resist parasitic worms and larvae.
• Rebuild "good" bacteria in your gut with probiotic-rich foods such as yogurt.
• Eat foods rich in vitamin C and B vitamins.
• Avoid raw meat or fish.

Some natural medicine providers also suggest a gut cleanse or detox. This involves pairing a high-fiber diet with supplements to clear out your intestines. These supplements include psyllium, beetroot, and flaxseeds.

Safety Concerns With a Parasitic Cleanse

Using a parasite cleanse without first talking to your healthcare provider can be unsafe.

If you do have a parasite, the cleanse alone may not be enough to eliminate it. A parasitic infection that goes untreated (or that is insufficiently treated) may have serious long-term consequences, such as:

• Malnutrition
• Headaches
• Blindness
• Seizures
• Chronic pain and fatigue
• Organ dysfunction
• Death
• Amputations
• Birth anomalies
• Heart conditions

Taking herbs and supplements may seem like you're following a healthier diet. However, herbs and supplements that may be part of parasite cleanses do not have to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This means they haven't been tested for safety, purity, or effectiveness.

Some products contain illegal and potentially harmful ingredients. Do your research on the product before making a purchase.

Dietary supplements may cause uncomfortable side effects, such as:

• Headaches
• Liver and other organ damage
• Reduced bone strength
• Birth defects
• Nausea and vomiting
• Reduced effectiveness of or interactions with medications or other supplements you might be taking
  

Consult a healthcare provider before adding any herbal supplements to your diet, including the ones found in parasite cleanses.

When to See a Healthcare Provider

If you've been traveling in a place where parasites are common and you have symptoms of infection, it's possible (though unlikely) that you might have a parasitic infection. If you have symptoms, see a healthcare provider right away.

Healthcare providers may order tests (including stool tests) to identify the parasite. They'll also prescribe treatments and explain how to keep the problem from coming back.

If you're still interested in remedies that are part of parasite cleanses, talk to your healthcare provider about what's best for you.

After treatment, you may need a fecal test to be sure the parasites are gone.

Other Treatments for Parasite Infections

Antiparasitic drugs are drugs that manage and treat infections by parasites. This class of drugs can be further divided into antiprotozoals (for protozoan infection), anthelmintics (for helminth infection), and ectoparasiticides (for ectoparasitic infection).

Which treatment the healthcare provider recommends depends on the type of parasitic infection. The results of tests like stool tests help guide healthcare providers in making a decision.

Some antiparasitic drugs like ivermectin come in different forms. For example, ivermectin in tablet form can be used to treat some parasitic worms, while topical formulations like creams are used for head lice and certain skin conditions.

Summary

If you're thinking about adding a natural remedy or parasite cleanse to your treatment plan, be aware that the research supporting their use is thin.

The extracts of berberine and wormwood may be useful. Pumpkin seeds and papaya seeds have also reduced parasite numbers in humans. A healthy diet including vitamin A, selenium, zinc, and probiotics may help you build up your immune defenses.

Talk to your healthcare provider before adding any herbs or supplements to your diet. In some cases, medical treatment may be necessary for parasitic infection.