Parasites are organisms that live inside of other living creatures and feed off of them. They can range in size from microscopic organisms to large worms. While some parasites can cause serious illnesses in humans, many others have indirect or undetectable effects. It is important to be aware of the potential risks posed by parasites and to know how to protect yourself from infection.

Types of Parasites

The most common parasites that affect humans include protozoa, helminths, and arthropods. Protozoa are single-celled organisms that can range in size from a few micrometers (µm) to several millimeters. Helminths are multicellular organisms such as roundworms and flatworms; these can range in size from a few millimeters to several meters long. Arthropods are organisms with an exoskeleton such as fleas, ticks, and lice; these vary greatly in size depending on the species.

How Do You Get Parasites?

The most common way for humans to become infected with parasites is through contact with contaminated food or water sources or through contact with infected animals or people. Pets - dogs, cats, birds, amphibians - are common sources of parasites. Poor sanitation practices, inadequate food safety regulations, and poor hygiene habits can cause one to have parasites. Eating raw or undercooked fish or meat is another common source of parasites. Going in a swimming pool can also put you at risk for infection.

How Do You Know if You Have Parasites?

Parasite symptoms can vary depending on the type and where it is located in the body. Sites of infection include the digestive tract, liver, spleen, lungs, adrenals, and thyroid gland. Common symptoms of infection include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, fatigue, and weight loss. Some parasitic infections can also cause skin rashes, itching, sores, insomnia, bed wetting, and teeth grinding. In more long-term cases, anemia, dehydration, malnutrition, and even organ damage can occur. Certain parasites can also lead to neurological symptoms such as seizures or confusion.

There are several ways to diagnosis parasites:

Stool test: The most common way to diagnose a parasite infection is through a stool test. This involves collecting a sample of your feces and sending it to a laboratory for analysis. However stool tests frequently give false negatives and don’t test for eggs, which are significant …some parasites can lay up to 2,000 eggs/day!
Blood test: In some cases, a blood test may be used to diagnose a parasitic infection. This is especially true for parasites that are known to invade the bloodstream, such as malaria.
Frequency test: An experienced frequency medicine practitioner can detect parasites using muscle testing among other resonance tools. Such tools that utilize frequency as a detection method and can indicate the presence of even small imbalances caused by parasites that may go undetected in stool or blood tests.

Natural Treatment & Prevention of Parasites

There are many herbs that are highly effective in treating parasites. However, it's important to note that herbal remedies are not medical advice if you have a serious parasitic infection. Always consult with a healthcare professional before using herbs for any health condition. This includes licensed holistic and natural medicine practitioners who can identify the type of infection and prescribe specific herbs accordingly.

Herbs that are commonly used to treat parasites:

Wormwood: Often used to treat intestinal parasites, particularly roundworms and pinworms
Black walnut: Used to treat various types of parasites, including tapeworms, pinworms, and ringworms
Clove: Has antiparasitic properties and are often used to treat parasites such as giardia and tapeworms
Mimosa púdica: Often used to treat intestinal parasites, particularly roundworms and pinworms
Morinda: Used to treat all types of parasites, along with bacteria and yeast
Goldenseal: Also known as Berberine, is a powerful antimicrobial herb that is often used to treat a variety of infections, as well as parasitic infections
Neem: A powerful antimicrobial herb commonly used to treat parasitic infections
Cats Claw: Used to treat toxoplasma infection

The use of herbal remedies should be prescribed by a licensed practitioner and followed precisely for the best effects. However, formulas that use blends with different anti-parasitic herbs, such as ParaGuard (Zahler) or Parastonil (Apex Energetics) are effective against broad spectrum parasites. Taking a supplement such as these for 1-2 months, several times a year routinely, can provide good general parasite protection. Confirm use with medical professional.

You can prevent parasitic infections by practicing good hygiene habits such as washing your hands after going outside or using the bathroom and before handling food. It's also important to make sure that any food you eat is cooked thoroughly so that any parasites present are killed off during the cooking process. If you're traveling abroad it's also a good idea to avoid drinking untreated water sources; instead opt for bottled water whenever possible as this will help reduce your risk of becoming infected with a parasite while traveling abroad.

Sara Schaefer, PhD is a nutritional research scientist, holistic health advocate and practitioner, and founder of Roots of Wellness.