Last updated on 1 January 2026 by BLC Editorial Team
Gut Health with Parasite Cleanse
With Gut Health being such a common complaint in our Clinics, it’s good to be aware of Parasites’ facts and consider discussing a parasite cleanse with one of our Practitioners. Parasite infections are becoming more prevalent in well-developed countries for several reasons including increased travel, more imported foods, increased use of children’s daycare centres, owning more household pets, using more antibiotics and antacids and polluting water supplies(1)
Types of Parasites:
There are two types of Parasites, Protozoa and Helminths. The most common include(2):
Protozoa
- Blastocystis species
- Cryptosporidium spp.
- Dientamoeba fragilis
- Giardia spp
- Toxoplasma gondii
Helminths
- Threadworm
- Pinworm
- Roundworm
- Hookworm
- Whipworm
- Tapeworm
- Fluke
Parasite Sources:
Microscope Parasites and Parasitic eggs can come for a variety of different sources including:
- contaminated water and food
- undercooked meat
- poor hygiene (direct faecal-oral contact)
- contact with soil
- eating unwashed raw fruits and vegetables
Giardiasis is considered the most common protozoal infection in humans(3) and maybe infected from dogs. Simultaneously, birds also act as reservoirs and may be a source of giardia in untreated water(1), especially tank water.
Signs and symptoms of Digestive Issues
- recurring diarrhoea or constipation
- nausea and vomiting and loss of appetite
- abdominal cramping, indigestion and bloating
- foul-smelling gas
Other signs and symptoms(5)
- multiple food allergies
- itching around the anus, especially at night
- fatigue and weakness
- difficulty sleeping, including nightmares
- difficulty maintaining a healthy weight (over or underweight)
- itching on the soles of the feet, often accompanied by a rash
What is a Parasite Cleanse?
If left untreated, chronic Parasitic infections can be an unsuspected cause of the above types of symptoms – associated with increased intestinal permeability, irritable bowel syndrome, irregular bowel movements and malabsorption of nutrients.
Diet is an important strategy to support gut health overall and change the terrain so that Parasites do not thrive in the gastrointestinal environment. Diet alone will not eradicate infestations, so herbal medicine is prescribed by our Practitioners as part of the treatment plan for a Parasite cleanse. It is generally agreed that antibiotic use may best be reserved for cases that fail to respond to initial treatment with natural measures. (3)
Anthelmintic herbs help expel intestinal worms or Parasites, with many remedies since ancient Egyptian and Roman times when Parasite infections were highly prevalent. (6) Due to their naturally bitter properties, many formulations are in convenient tablet form rather than liquid to avoid strong tastes.
The Do and Don’t of a Parasite Cleanse:
Do:
- Get tested first to identify the infection.
- Retest after treatment (wait at least 10 days)
- Adjust your diet (removing sugar is a good start)
- Take a multi-pronged approach – don’t just eradicate
- Address nutrient deficiencies
- Get family members tested too.
Don’t:
- Self- prescribe medicines.
- Use Diectaemous earth
- Start with Antibiotic treatment.
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