A Parasitic infection is something no one likes living with, but sometimes, through contaminated water or food, parasites enter our bodies. While they do love outstaying their welcome, it isn’t all that hard to get rid of them through foods that kill parasites in human bodies. However, an infection does come with nasty symptoms, including abdominal pain that can be misinterpreted for something else.
The Most Common Types of Parasite Infections in Humans
There are several types of parasites, and most of them are invisible to the naked eye. Ectoparasites, helminths, and protozoa are the three most frequent forms of parasites in humans. Here are some more common parasite infections
Toxoplasmosis: Caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii, which can be acquired through ingestion of contaminated food or water, or exposure to infected cat feces.
Cryptosporidiosis: Caused by the protozoan Cryptosporidium, often transmitted through contaminated water.
Trichomoniasis: Caused by the protozoan Trichomonas vaginalis, usually transmitted through sexual contact.
Ascariasis: Caused by the roundworm Ascaris lumbricoides, commonly transmitted through ingestion of contaminated food or water.
Hookworm infection: Caused by hookworms (Necator americanus or Ancylostoma duodenale), which typically enter the body through the skin and migrate to the intestines.
Schistosomiasis: Caused by parasitic flatworms of the genus Schistosoma, which penetrate the skin during contact with contaminated water.
Tapeworm infections: Caused by various species of tapeworms (cestodes) such as Taenia solium (pork tapeworm) or Taenia saginata (beef tapeworm), usually acquired through ingestion of contaminated food.
Pinworm infection: Caused by the nematode Enterobius vermicularis, commonly affecting children and often spread through fecal-oral transmission.
Signs and Symptoms
Parasites can live in the intestines for years without causing symptoms. When they do, symptoms include the following:
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Nausea or vomiting
- Gas or bloating
- Rash or itching around the rectum
- Stomach pain or tenderness
- Feeling tired
- Weight loss
- Passing a worm in stool
During a parasite infection, you’d do well to cut down on sugar because besides food, worms love the glucose, that’s what keeps them healthy at the cost of you. Avoid sugar and increase foods that kill parasites. Of course, you need your medication as prescribed by a doctor. Here are 10 such foods that kill parasites in the human body.
1. Unripe Papaya & Papaya Seeds
Unripe papaya is an effective remedy for stomach worms. Papaya, along with its seeds, contains anti-amoebic and anthelmintic properties, aiding in the elimination of intestinal worms without causing any adverse effects. To reap its benefits, it is recommended to extract papaya juice and blend it with honey. This concoction should be consumed as the first thing in the morning. Consistent intake for a minimum of two days is advisable to observe noticeable effects.
2. European Barberry
The European barberry is an herb (Berberis Vulgaris) that contains a compound called berberine. Multiple studies have shown that berberine can reduce parasites. The anti-tapeworm properties of barberry berberine were first reported in 2014 in the Iranian Journal of Parasitology.
3. Pineapple
Bromelain, an enzyme found in abundance around the pineapple’s core, aids digestion and kills parasites. Pineapple juice has been shown to reduce the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which can otherwise cause inflammation in the colon.
Bromelain’s ability to break down protein meals makes it a useful tool in the fight against intestinal parasites since it can kill worms. Including pineapple in your diet on a regular basis helps strengthen your immune system, making it capable of warding off parasites and even eliminating them.
4. Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin seeds are regarded as a potent anti-parasitic food. Parasitic infections are often treated with pumpkin seeds due to the tetracyclic triterpenes they contain. Pumpkin seeds, conversely, are rich in cucurbitins, which can paralyze worms and make it harder for them to hide within the intestinal walls. This makes it easier for them to be expelled from the body during a bowel movement.
5. Cucumber seeds
The tapeworms in your digestive system might be expelled with the help of anti-parasitic foods like cucumber seeds. That’s why, even if you don’t have a parasite, it’s smart to eat cucumber seeds just in case. Cucumber has enzymes that are effective against tapeworms. Nonetheless, if you’re dealing with tapeworms, it’s advisable to see a medical expert who is a professional gastroenterologist.
6. Oregano Oil
Oil of oregano has been found effective against parasites or enteric parasites, Blastocystis hominis, Entamoeba hartmanni and Endolimax nana. Studies have also found oregano oil may act as a bioactive to reduce infection of Cryptosporidium parvum, a protozoan parasite that causes diarrhoea in children.
7. Garlic
Garlic has been proven to be an appetite-stimulant, an immunity booster, anti-inflammatory and a parasite killer. Sulfur molecules found abundantly in garlic have been shown to kill off harmful bacteria and prevent blood clots from forming. Since low stomach acid has been related to bacterial and yeast overgrowth in the gut, garlic’s ability to stimulate acid production is particularly useful. Studies have found garlic is a garlic is a convenient prophylactic and a promising agent for cryptosporidial infection.
8. Ginger
Like garlic, ginger can stimulate the formation of stomach acid, which helps neutralize parasites and prevent infections. In addition to helping with digestion, ginger also improves blood flow making it one of the many effective foods that kill parasites on this list. Ginger has been studied as an anti-parasitic for drug-resistance in parasite infections. It has an anti-protozoal effect against Toxoplasma gondii, Giardia lamblia, Blastocystis spp. and Trypanosoma spp.
9. Wormwood extract
An extract from the sweet wormwood shrub was found to be effective against adult tapeworms and their eggs in a mouse model. That is why the compounds found in the sweet wormwood plant are used to create various pharmaceuticals that even treat parasitic infections.
10. Probiotic foods
Studies have found how Probiotics could be useful as an adjunct treatment for people with GI parasites. The microorganisms present in probiotics can also help maintain a healthy balance of bacteria in the gut. However, it’s always better to see a gastroenterologist if you suspect you have parasites. Sacromyces Boulardi especially has been found by several studies to be an effective anti-parasitic agent and helpful in treatment of giardiasis.
11. Coconut
Both coconut flesh and coconut oil has been found to exhibit anti-parasitic activity. Coconut has antibacterial and antiviral properties that may help clear a pinworm and tapeworm infection. This treatment requires a two-step approach. Swallow a teaspoon of pure coconut oil each morning. Before sleeping, rub a small amount of coconut oil into the affected area.
12. Neem
Neem is well known for its antimicrobial properties. Neem paste has been found effective against intestinal worms and needs to be drunk mixed with water in the morning. This should be continued for a few days to observe the results. One study found how neem kernel dust when fed to larvae resulted in death in 2 days.
Intestinal parasites can be avoided by good hygienic practices. Wash all raw food before cooking. Avoid eating cut and chopped street food left in the open, and wash your hands before eating or after returning home. Avoid raw food and cook meat, especially pork thoroughly before consuming. Always drink filtered water and consult a doctor when you experience the first symptoms of possible parasite infection.