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Worms (Parasites) - Natural Home Remedies

Worms are parasites that live in the gastrointestinal tract. The most common types of worms are roundworms (including ascarids, hookworms, pinworms, and threadworms) and tapeworms. Roundworms are contagious intestinal parasites that are shaped like earthworms but smaller in size. They can easily be seen with the naked eye. Pinworms are white, threadlike worms about one-third inch long. Tapeworms vary in length from an inch up to thirty feet and can survive for up to twenty-five years in the body. In the United States, pinworm infestation in young children is by far the most prevalent parasitic worm problem.

Depending on the type of worm involved and the severity of the infestation, there may be a variety of symptoms. In some cases, there may be no perceptible symptoms at all. In some cases, worms may be seen in the stool.

Pinworms can cause severe anal itching (especially at night, as the worms tend to migrate outside the anus to lay their eggs), insomnia, and restlessness. Hookworms can cause itching on the soles of the feet, and in some cases, bloody sputum, fever, rash, and loss of appetite. Thread­worms can cause coughing or bronchitis, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and gas, preceded by tiny red abrasions that sometimes itch. Small tapeworms can cause weight and ap­petite loss, abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Large tapeworms can cause similar symptoms, but usually without weight loss. Ascariasis, caused by ascarids, is characterized by bloating, stomach pain, vomiting, and difficulty breathing. Trichinosis is a disease caused by a microscopic roundworm that, if left untreated, can lead to muscle damage and cardiac or neurologic complications.

Worm infestations can range from mild to severe, even life threatening, particularly in children. They result in poor absorption of essential nutrients, and in some cases, loss of blood from the gastrointestinal tract. They can therefore lead to such deficiency-related disorders as anemia and growth problems. Malabsorption resulting from parasitic infection makes one susceptible to many diseases because it results in diminished immune function.

Worms can be contracted through a variety of mechanisms, including improper disposal of human or animal waste, walking barefoot on contaminated soil, and ingestion of eggs or larvae from uncooked or partially cooked meat. In some cases, eggs may become airborne and be inhaled.

Parasites are more common than most people suppose, and they can be behind many illnesses, including colon disorders. They are more common in children than in adults. They are also common in people with AIDS, chronic fatigue syndrome, candidiasis, and many other disorders. Unfortunately, physicians often do not check for worm infestation.

The following are the routes through which different types of worms can enter the body:-

• Ascarids: Through the soil; or in contaminated raw or undercooked food.
• Hookworms and thread worms: Through the feet or drinking water.
• Pinworms: Eggs can be transferred by touch from an infected individual that has eggs on the fingers from scratching the affected area.
• Tapeworms: In raw or undercooked beef, fish, or pork, or through inadvertently swallowing infested fleas or lice that live on pets.

Natural herbal home remedies of Worms / Parasites Treatment

• Fry 5-10 seeds of bitter gourd ( Karela ) in a little ghee. Take 2-3 times a day.
• Aloe vera juice, taken twice daily as directed on the product label, has an alkalinizing and anti-inflammatory effect.
• 1 cup of grated Carrot eaten in the morning 1 hour before breakfast for 4-5 days.
• For pinworms, eat bitter melon (bitter gourd, karela ).
• Calendula ointment or witch hazel can be used to help relieve anal itching and irritation.
• Eat cranberries or papayas (paw paw) frequently. Fasting on raw pineapples for three days kills tapeworm. Cranberries, papaya and fresh pineapple contain enzymes that are anti-parasitic.
• Grapefruit seed extract is very effective for destroying parasites. It can be taken internally and is also good for washing vegetables before eating (mix 10 drops of extract in 2 quarts of water) to remove any bacteria or parasites.
• Use cloves with every meal. It will help kill the eggs from parasites in the intestinal tract.
• Drink 2 tsp of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water to prevent worms.

Note:- Herbal Remedies work best on an empty stomach.

Diet in Worms / Parasites

• Eat a high-fiber diet consisting primarily of raw vegetables and whole grains.
• Eat pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, and figs (or drink fig juice) on an empty stomach three times per day.
• Drink only filtered or bottled steam-distilled water.
• Drink plenty of papaya juice.
• For pinworms, eat bitter melon, a cucumber-shaped vegetable found in Asian markets. This is effective against pinworms and is a good immune system strengthener. Eat one or two melons a day for seven to ten days. Do this again after two months to ensure that the infestation has not returned.