INTESTINAL PARASITES

PARASITES COME IN TWO MAIN VARIETIES: single-celled protozoa such as Giardia sp. and amoebas and worms such as tapeworms and hookworms. Whatever the type, they can cause intestinal distress, fatigue, hunger, cramps, nausea, flatulence, diarrhoea and other problems.
Usually people pick up parasites by consuming contaminated food or water. this is one reason why you're recommended to wash fruit and vegetables before you eat them, at home as well as when travelling in other countries. Some parasites are present in water and soil and enter the body by penetrating bare skin.

Take an infestation of parasites seriously because they can spread easily. A doctor's diagnosis is important. If you have nausea, fever and diarrhoea that persists for three or more days, or if such symptoms become severe, consult your doctor. Be sure you tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Many drugs for parasite infections, as well as many of the herbs recommended for them, have side effects for pregnant women.

Several herbs and foods have traditionally been used to treat parasites. They have fewer side effects than the drugs usually used, but they also take longer to work. In addition, little information is available about the dosage needed. If you plan to use herbs to treat parasites, do so under the guidance of a qualified health practitioner. Return for follow-up appointments to make sure you've gotten rid of the parasites. And if you're pregnant, don't take herbs unless you've first consulted a qualified health practitioner.

DRUG TREATMENT

Antiparasitic Drugs
Metronidazole (Flagyl), tinidazole (Fasigyn). Function: treat infestations of Giardia sp. or amoebas. Side effects: headache, loss of appetite,, vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach ache, metallic taste in the mouth, dizziness; abdominal distress, nausea, vomiting, flushing, rashes or headache when combined with alcohol.

Anti-Worm Drugs
Mebendazole (Vermox). Function: treats infestations of many parasites,
including threadworm, whipworms, hookworms, roundworms and Tricbiomonas vaginalis. Side effects: nausea, vomiting, occasional diarrhoea,
abdominal discomfort.

Albendazole (Eskazole). Function: treats infestations of a range of
parasites. Side effects: headache, dizziness, rash, fever, blood disorders,
abdominal discomfort.

Tiabendazole (Mintezol). Function: treats infestations of the worm Strongyloides stercoralis. Side effects: nausea, occasional diarrhoea, abdominal discomfort.

Ivermectin (Mectizan). Function: treats infestation of the worm Strongyloides stercoralis. Side effects: headache, fever, joint and bone pain, tender lymph nodes, itchy skin.

Niclosamide (Yomesan). Function: treats tapeworms. Side effects: nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, decreased appetite, diarrhoea, drowsiness, dizziness, headache, itchy skin rash.

Praziquantel (Biltricide). Function: treats worms of the Schistosoma genus. Side effects: headache, dizziness, abdominal discomfort, nausea.

Piperazine (Pripsen). Function: treats threadworm and roundworm. Side effects: nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, dizziness, drowsiness.

HERBAL REMEDIES

Oregon Graperoot (Mahonia aquifolium, Berberis aquifolium)
This herb contains berberine, which acts against the parasites Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia. One study in children showed that berberine was better at ridding them of Giardia than the drug Flagyl or a placebo (fake pill). Other berberine-containing herbs include goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), gold thread (Coptis chinensis) and barberry (Berberis vulgaris). Typical dosage: 1!/, to 3 teaspoons of tincture per day; or up to six 250- to 500-milligram capsules per day. Caution: do not use if you are pregnant.

Garlic (Allium sativum)_
This bulb is a veritable pharmacy all by itself. A traditional treatment for several types of parasites, garlic's power to kill roundworm, threadworm, tapeworm and hookworm has been confirmed by scientific studies. Typical dosage: 2 or 3 raw garlic cloves per day; or three 500- to 600­milligram capsules of powdered garlic per day (look for products that supply a daily dose of 4,000 to 5,000 micrograms of the active ingredient allicin). Caution: do not use if you have stomach irritation, if you will soon have surgery or if you take the blood thinner warfarin. If you're on insulin, check with your doctor, as garlic can lower blood-sugar levels.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
This common seasoning works against several parasites, including the anisakis worm, which occurs in raw fish - a good reason for serving pickled ginger with sushi. Typical dosage: up to eight 500- to 600-milligram capsules per day; or 1/2 to 1 teaspoon ground root per day; or 10 to 20 drops of tincture in water three times per day. (Studies have not yet established optimum dosages for expelling worms; this dosage is only a guideline.) Caution: do not take ginger continuously if you have gallbladder disease or are on blood-thinning medication.

Epazote (Chenopodium ambrosioides)
This herb, also called American wormseed, contains a chemical called ascaridole, which is chemically related to the artemisinin found in Chinese wormwood. So it's no surprise that this plant inhibits parasites, including worms. Typical dosage: 3 cups of tea per day (steep 1/2 teaspoon of dried herb in 1/4 litre of hot water for 10 to 15 minutes). Caution: when taken internally, the essential oil of this plant is extremely toxic and has caused fatalities. Some people are highly allergic to this plant.

Quassia (Picrasma excelsa)
The bark of this plant has a reputation among North American herbalists for treating Giardia. Montana herbalist Sunny Mavor, co­author of Kids, Herbs, and Health, heard a report of a man who resolved his giardia symptoms with 30 drops of quassia bark tincture three times per day for three weeks. Although this dose was effective, it irritated his stomach and made him nauseated. Typical dosage: up to 30 drops of tincture, three times per day.

Raw Pumpkin Seeds (Cucurbita pepo)
These seeds have antiparasitic action, though how they work isn't clear. They do contain zinc. When this mineral is in short supply, as it often is among older people, the stomach's production of hydrochloric acid drops. Insufficient stomach acidity also often occurs in patients with parasites. Pumpkin seeds may work best in conjunction with conventional drugs or to prevent recurrences. Typical dosage: not well defined for this use but, generally, several handfuls of raw pumpkin seeds every day for several weeks.

Long Pepper (Piper longum)
Also called Indian long pepper, this plant is a botanical cousin to black pepper. In India the fruits are a traditional remedy against intestinal distress. A study on humans with giardiasis found that an Ayurvedic remedy prepared from long pepper and another Indian herb called palash (Butea monosperma) resulted in the complete disappearance of the parasite in 23 out of 25 patients. To use this herb, contact a qualified practitioner, because the dosage is not well established.

THE CITRUS CURE
Grapefruit seed extract can be helpful in fighting both bacterial and parasitic infestations. It is made from the seed, pulp and inner rind of grapefruit. Test­tube studies show that it inhibits the growth of Giardia and amoebas. Dosage varies widely; follow the manufacturer's instructions.