How to Do a Parasite Cleanse – Is it safe?

If you check social media, you will probably see influencers talking about Parasite Cleanses saying that it helps with bloating, tiredness, weight gain, and brain fog. Some of these influencers say that DIY Parasite Cleanses can help you get rid of hidden parasites that are harming your body.

In developed countries, people usually do not have parasites. Many of these over-the-counter parasite cleanses do not work. They can even end up doing more harm than good.

There are a number of Parasite Cleanses. Some of them include a mixture of specific herbs and supplements with a diet that supposedly gets rid of parasites. Common ingredients include wormwood, black walnut hull, and cloves, and they really strong laxatives.

Just because these cleanses are being marketed as being natural and harmless, does not mean that they are safe. In fact, a lot of the cleanses are not even regulated, tested, or proven to work.

What is a parasite cleanse?

Parasite cleanses are things like teas or supplements that claim to remove “parasites” from the body. The cleanse usually contains strong laxatives and are based on things like wormwood, black walnut hull, and diatomaceous earth.

It may seem fine to do a cleanse like this because they are labeled as natural. However, natural does not mean a product is safe. There are no clinical studies proving that most parasite cleanse products do anything to their consumers.

Common Symptoms of Parasitic Infections

When people are infected by some type of parasite, there are usually some specific and persistent symptoms that show up. If you are just generally uncomfortable, there are not true parasitic infections present. Global health data estimates that more than 3.5 billion infections by intestinal parasites happen every year due to poor sanitary conditions.

Example symptoms are:

• Long-term diarrhea
• Sudden weight changes
• Steady stomach pains
• Anemia
• Nausea or throwing up
• Tiredness due to lack of nutrients

Bloating and some gas are not reliable signs that you need a Parasite Cleanse.

What Is a Worm or Parasite Cleanse?

A parasite or worm cleanse is a generic term for an herbal regimen to kill or get rid of intestinal worms. This is often mixed up with medical treatments for parasites, which is a completely different thing.

Real treatments are:

• Given by a medical doctor
• Are for specific parasites
• Are clinically proven

On the other hand, DIY parasite cleanse programs are completely untested and rely on personal testimonies.

Why Are People Turning to Parasite Cleanses?

There are several reasons more people are doing Parasite Cleanses:

• Social Media Posts
• Suspicion of Traditional Medicine
• Wanting a Simple Fix
• Greater Attention on Gut Health
• Misunderstanding Digestion Symptoms

Digestive issues can be caused by a number of things. Most issues are caused by diet, stress, IBS, food intolerance, and other ailments. These issues are most likely not caused by parasites.

Do Parasite Cleanses Work?

The direct answer is no. Most parasite cleanse items do not scientifically prove that they remove parasites.

Research shows that:

• The parasites cleanse herbs do not have standard dosages
• When people experience “die-off symptoms,” they are most likely dehydrated or have imbalances in their electrolytes
• You need specific medicine to remove parasites, not “detoxes”

After the cleanse, a lot of people confuse mucus, leftover fiber, or bits of the intestinal lining that the cleanse is supposed to get rid of.

Are Parasite Cleanses Safe?

There are a lot of Parasite Cleanses that can be done, and they can cause a lot of side effects, especially if they are done for a long time.

Some of the potential side effects are:

• Liver damage from herbs
• Gut issues
• Dehydration from the cleanse
• Missing an actual diagnosis

There are many adverse effects caused by simply using herbal supplements. They tend to be caused by using too much, or interacting with other supplements. They have been reported by 20% of herbal supplement users.

How to Know If You Actually Have a Parasite

There are many things to consider and a variety of steps needed to cleanse parasites. First, you must receive a proper diagnosis.

A doctor may consider the following when diagnosing parasites:

• A stool exam
• A blood exam
• A medical history, including recent travels
• An x-ray (only if symptoms are severe)

If you rely only on the information given on the internet, you may become anxious and/or consider excessive self-cleansing.

Safer Alternatives to Over-the-Counter Cleanses

There is a wide variety of approaches to cleansing parasites More responsible non-diy options include:

• Improved gut health
• Increased water intake
• Reduced Stress (major impact on digestion)
• Proper treatment of IBS and/or food intolerances

Prior to taking any antiparasitic agents, you must receive testing.

After being diagnosed with a parasite, the standard course of treatment is prescription medication.

The Role of Ivermectin in Parasite Treatment

Worldwide, Ivermectin 12 mg tablet is used as a first line prescription medication to treat specific cases of parasitic infections. This is because it is a proven medication. It works by causing the parasite to become paralyzed, which allows the body to easily eliminate it.

Here are some important points to note:

• Ivermectin is not a cleanse
• Ivermectin is only used on certain parasites and no others
• A physician must monitor your use of Ivermectin
• Ivermectin is only given after a diagnosis is confirmed

There are some areas of the world that have seen parasitic disease rates drop by more than 80% because of Ivermectin. This shows the impact that evidence-based treatment can have as opposed to commercial cleanses.

Final thoughts

While a Parasite Cleanse is enticing, it’s likely that many of the claims surrounding it are misleading. If the solution is a ‘detox protocol’, it cannot be a solution at all, as a detox protocol lacks any real focus, and is certainly unscientific.

When diagnosed with a parasite, the only real solution is treating that specific parasite with a medically appropriate course. If you’re having digestive issues, or any issues, don’t take the jump and do a Parasite Cleanse. In the end, it’s science, lifestyle measures, and medical interventions that provide true gut health.