
Parasites and parasitic infections
A natural treatment approach to parasites and parasitic infections.
Searching for an effective, natural solution to parasites? Our friendly functional medicine specialist can help. This page covers:
Understanding your condition
What is a gut parasite?
Affecting over 3.5 billion people worldwide each year, parasites are a leading cause of infections. While symptoms can range from none to serious illness and even death, these pesky organisms can be notoriously difficult to diagnose and are becoming increasingly resistant to conventional treatment.
Parasitic infections come in many forms, from lice in the hair and on the skin to common intestinal worms like pinworms. Other parasites, like the waterborne giardia or blastocystis hominis, can also wreak havoc on our health. Despite their prevalence, parasitic infections remain a significant global health challenge.
Parasites and parasitic infections
A natural treatment for intestinal parasites.
Fortunately, many of the most harmful parasites are uncommon in the United States. However, parasites still cause a range of illnesses, especially in indigenous communities, where infection rates are higher. Travelers often pick up parasites in climates and locations where they thrive, returning home feeling unwell.
Gentle, effective natural treatments can address parasitic infections. Our functional medicine specialist also treats the health issues caused by parasites, while helping to build resilience against future infection.

Common symptoms of parasites and parasitic infections.
Intestinal parasites live in the gastrointestinal tract and feed on nutrients before the body can absorb them. This can lead to a range of unpleasant symptoms, including:
- Itchy rectum or vagina
- Sleep disturbance
- Iron-deficiency anemia
- Fatigue and general weakness
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea, reflux, and/or vomiting
- Diarrhea or greasy stools
- Constipation
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Headaches and mood issues
- Musculoskeletal pain
- Skin irritation or rash
- Weight loss or altered appetite
- Fever
The symptoms are caused by the malabsorption of nutrients and the inflammation triggered by the parasites. The specific symptoms can vary depending on the type of parasite involved.
How do you know if you have a parasite?
If you suspect you have a parasite, you may experience a wide range of symptoms. These could include the ones listed above. Different parasites tend to cause different symptoms, with some leading to more obvious issues than others.
Parasites are living organisms that feed off their host, from the skin and hair to the gut. In the United States, the most common intestinal parasites typically fall into one of two groups: intestinal helminths (worms) and protozoa (parasites).
Intestinal helminths.
Helminths, or parasitic worms, often don’t cause obvious digestive symptoms. That’s why they can quietly live in the gut for a long time. By consuming the host’s nutrients, they typically contribute to serious chronic health issues that don’t seem parasite-related. It’s usually only when a perceptive healthcare provider orders a parasite test that the underlying cause is uncovered.
Most people are familiar with treating this type of worm infection with an over-the-counter “deworming” medication. Parasitic worms and their eggs can range from microscopic to over 3 feet long, including a variety of species.
- Pinworms are the most common intestinal worm infection in the United States. These tiny, white parasites measure about 1/4 to 1/2 inch long.
- The whipworm, scientifically known as Trichuris trichiura, is a common roundworm parasite found in the United States. This soil-transmitted helminth infects the large intestine.
- Hookworms, also known as ancylostomiasis, are round, curved worms that live in the small intestine and attach to the intestinal wall. These parasitic worms can cause serious health issues if left untreated.
Protozoan.
The protozoan parasites, on the other hand, often trigger acute gastrointestinal issues like vomiting, bloating, cramps, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. As a result, these symptoms are generally more noticeable and easier to detect. Some examples of protozoan parasites include:
- Giardia duodenalis: a flagellated parasitic protozoan microorganism, causes the illness known as giardiasis. This microscopic parasite commonly spreads through contaminated surfaces, soil, food, or water – including drinking water and swimming areas polluted by the cysts in the feces of infected humans or animals.
- Cryptosporidium: a leading cause of parasitic disease in the United States. This microscopic parasite spreads through contaminated food and water, and often infects children in northern states during the summer months.
- Blastocystis hominis: a microscopic parasite that commonly inhabits the human gastrointestinal tract. It is the most frequently reported parasite in people. This parasite is usually transmitted through contaminated food or water, or by direct contact with infected human or animal feces.
- Dientamoeba fragilis: the protozoan dientamoeba is a common inhabitant of the gastrointestinal tract. When first discovered over a century ago, it was described as a “harmless commensal.” However, more recent research has recognized dientamoeba as a pathogen that can cause symptoms like abdominal pain and diarrhea.
What causes parasites?
Infections typically spread through direct or indirect contact with infected fecal matter. This can happen by ingesting the parasite’s eggs or even trace amounts of fecal matter on surfaces, in contaminated food and drinks, or while swimming in infected waters.
Some common risk factors that can increase exposure to intestinal parasites include:
- Poor sanitation – Inadequate plumbing, waste disposal, and access to clean water and soap
- Subpar personal hygiene – Improper handwashing, nail-biting, thumb-sucking, and walking barefoot
- Consuming undercooked foods – Especially raw fish and meat
- Direct contact with infected individuals – Through exposure to fecal matter, caring for young children, intimate care, and sexual activity
- Contaminated food preparation – Undercooked meats or foods washed with dirty water handled by someone with poor hygiene
- Drinking or swimming in contaminated water – A common source of Giardia infections
- Exposure to infected animals – Parasites can transfer from pets, insects, and other animals
- Weakened immune system – Those with compromised health, especially the young and older people, are at higher risk
- Microbiome imbalances – Gut dysbiosis or low diversity can allow parasites to thrive
The key is maintaining good sanitation, hygiene, and food safety practices, while also supporting overall health and immunity. Addressing these risk factors is crucial for preventing intestinal parasitic infections.
Parasite treatment – the conventional approach.
Parasites can secretly inhabit the human body for months or even years without causing any noticeable symptoms or being detected. However, when people do start experiencing symptoms, they often seek help from their doctor for conventional medical treatments. The most common approaches for addressing intestinal parasites include:
- Anthelmintics: Over-the-counter anti-worm medications like Mebendazole are becoming less effective due to growing drug resistance. Unfortunately, parasitic infestations often return after treatment.
- Antibiotics & Antiprotozoals: Metronidazole is a common antibiotic and antiprotozoal drug prescribed in the United States to treat giardiasis, blastocystis, and trichomoniasis. While effective, antibiotic resistance is an increasing challenge. Plus, the side effects of antibiotic treatment can be unpleasant – things like nausea, vomiting, cramps, bowel changes, and headaches.
Unfortunately, these medications often fail to fully eliminate parasites and cysts. Worse, they can disrupt the delicate balance of the gut microbiome, leaving people even more vulnerable to reinfection, inflammation and other digestive health issues. This is why many are now turning to natural remedies and functional medicine approaches to tackle intestinal worms and parasites more effectively.
The BionwoRx functional medicine approach.
Natural treatment for parasites.
Our parasite specialist uses a functional medicine approach to identify and treat your parasitic infection. They’ll recommend natural remedies to address the issue, while also boosting your body’s resilience to prevent future reinfection.
This journey begins with a parasite specialist identifying the parasite through testing, while assessing your overall health and addressing any underlying imbalances contributing to poor health. Your personalized plan may include:
Some parasites are notoriously difficult to detect. For example, stool tests for giardia often give false negatives, as the parasite is irregularly present in stool. Multiple samples may be needed for diagnosis. Alternative tests like enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and direct fluorescent antibody are more sensitive than direct microscopy.
Wholefood diet.
Eating a diet rich in whole, nutrient-dense foods is the best way to support a healthy gut and resilient immune system to fend off future pathogens. Avoid processed, high-sugar, and high-risk foods like undercooked pork and sushi.
Garlic and ginger.
Many medicinal plants and spices contain compounds that can inhibit parasitic enzymes, nucleic acids, and protein synthesis, helping to eradicate parasites.
Herbs.
Herbs like wormwood, black walnut, oregano oil, grape seed extract, clove, and goldenseal have been found beneficial for targeting different parasites. The herbal formula used depends on the specific parasite.
Papaya seeds.
Air-dried papaya seeds have proven effective against intestinal parasites with minimal side effects.
Dietary fiber and water.
Drinking 2 liters of water per day aids the body’s natural waste removal to support parasite eradication.
Zinc.
Low zinc levels increase susceptibility to parasitic infestations, which can also trigger low zinc levels. Zinc supplementation may be recommended along with dietary sources.
Vitamin A.
Vitamin A supplementation paired with zinc has been effective against giardia.
Probiotics.
Restoring gut flora with probiotics like Saccharomyces boulardii and Lactobacillus acidophilus, as well as fermented foods, can reduce inflammation and prevent reinfection after a parasitic infestation.
We’ll work together to get you in the best shape possible. Your personalized treatment plan will optimize your immune health and gut microbiome, helping you become more resilient to future infections so you can feel happy and healthy.
FAQs.
How do you know if you have a parasite?
If you’ve recently returned from a holiday and experienced gastrointestinal symptoms, you may have picked up an intestinal parasite. These pesky critters can make their presence known through a variety of unpleasant symptoms, including:
- Itchy rectum or vagina, especially at night
- Sleep disturbances
- Iron-deficiency anemia
- Fatigue, malaise, and general weakness
- Abdominal pain
- Bloating
- Nausea, reflux, and/or vomiting
- Diarrhea or greasy stools
- Constipation
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Headaches and mood issues
- Musculoskeletal pain
- Skin irritation or unexplained rash
- Weight loss or altered appetite
- Fever
- Foul-smelling gas and bowel movements
Our functional medicine parasite specialist can help identify if a parasite is present and determine the specific type. It’s important to rule out other potential causes of these symptoms to avoid more serious health issues.
Can the immune system kill parasites?
Parasites have co-evolved with us for as long as we’ve walked the earth. Over time, they’ve learned to evade our immune system to some degree. While the immune system may detect and eliminate certain parasites, others may go unnoticed. And even when the immune system keeps a parasite in check, a robust, healthy immune system is key.
A diverse, thriving microbiome is essential for a strong immune system. Eating a diet rich in whole, unprocessed plant foods and limiting foods parasites love – like sugar, processed items, and alcohol – can really help.
Additionally, taking Vitamin C and zinc supplements can support your immune system and improve your resilience to infection. With the right diet and supplements, you can bolster your body’s natural defenses.
Can a colon cleanse get rid of parasites?
An effective colon cleanse may include targeted herbal treatments designed to address a specific parasite infection. However, taking the wrong herb or product could disrupt the gut microbiome, allowing parasites to multiply and potentially cause other digestive problems.
Our functional medicine parasite specialist can help identify the specific parasite and provide a customized treatment program. This not only aims to eradicate the parasite, but also address any health issues it may have caused.
Can parasites cause acid reflux?
Certain parasites, like the H.pylori bacteria, are linked to conditions like acid reflux, gastritis, and stomach ulcers. Our functional medicine expert can perform specialized testing to identify any parasitic infections and recommend effective natural treatment options. Determining the specific parasite causing the issue is crucial for providing the right treatment. Our natural parasite protocols also address any related conditions, like acid reflux. For more details, check out our page on acid reflux.
How to get rid of parasites naturally?
The specific parasite you’re dealing with determines the best treatment approach. Targeted therapies are essential for effectively addressing each type of parasite.
Some gentle, broad-spectrum herbal options that can help include garlic, ginger, dried papaya seeds, zinc, vitamin A, and certain probiotics.
For the most effective and natural parasite treatment, it’s best to consult our functional medicine specialist. She can provide customized testing and a natural cleanse plan using targeted herbs, dietary changes, and lifestyle adjustments to address the parasite and any related conditions, such as digestive issues.