Parasites Archives - Cilantro News

10 Best Essential Oils For Ticks

Pamela Nylander PhD — Fri, 23 Sep 2022 12:06:29 +0000

You will find the 10 best essential oils for repelling ticks on humans and dogs in this article.

What are essential oils?

Essential oils are natural compounds formed by aromatic plants that have a strong odor and evaporate easily^1,2.

All plant parts can produce essential oils, including leaves, flowers, seeds, and roots^1,2.

Essential oils are generally extracted by distillation².

Besides, they are known for their antimicrobial and medicinal properties².

In nature, essential oils play an important role in protecting plants against microbes, insects, and herbivores².

What are ticks?

Ticks are external parasites of animals and occasionally humans, which are accidental hosts^3,4.

They must ingest blood in between each development stage to induce molting^3,4.

Furthermore, adult female ticks feed on blood before producing eggs^3,4.

When ticks bite their host for a blood meal, they can transmit diseases such as Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis^3,5.

How do essential oils work?

A tick repellent is a substance that diverts a tick from its original destination, reducing tick bite exposure¹.

Essential oils repel ticks thanks to their strong odor and volatility⁶.

They obstruct the tick’s olfactory system, reducing its ability to detect attractant compounds⁶.

Ticks are attracted to odors that mammals give off, such as butyric acid, carbon dioxide, lactic acid, and ammonia^1,4,7.

Advantages of essential oils

Natural products, such as essential oils, are an excellent alternative to pesticides for humans and dogs⁸.

They are also safer for the environment than non-degradable compounds, such as DEET¹.

What are the 10 best essential oils for repelling ticks?

Here are the 10 best essential oils for repelling ticks on humans and dogs:

1. Cedar oil

The Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica) is a large conifer tree native to the Atlas Mountains, a mountain range in North Africa.

Atlas cedar oil, also known as atlas cedarwood oil, is rich in sesquiterpenes, primarily α-himachalenes⁹.

It has insecticidal, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-leukemic properties^9,10.

Cedar oil eliminates ticks

Cedar oil is one of the best essential oils for ticks.

A 1% dilution of this oil completely suppresses tick reproduction¹⁰.

A reduction in the number of eggs can be linked to the destruction of mature ticks.

2. Lemongrass oil

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) is a tropical plant native to Sri Lanka and South Asia¹¹.

The essential oil of lemongrass has a strong scent of citrus.

The primary compound identified in lemongrass is geranial¹⁰.

In addition to its acaricidal and larvicidal effects, lemongrass oil possesses a variety of therapeutic properties, including¹¹:

Antibacterial
Antifungal
Anti-inflammatory
Anti-protozoan
Antioxidant
Sedative and anxiolytic

Lemongrass oil eradicates ticks

Lemongrass oil is also amongst the best essential oils for ticks.

Research has reported that a 1% dilution of lemongrass oil entirely eradicated the reproduction of ticks¹⁰.

3. Palmarosa oil

Palmarosa (Cymbopogon martinii) is a grass native to India and Indochina.

The essential oil of this plant has a scent similar to roses.

Besides, palmarosa oil shows insecticidal and antifungal effects¹⁰.

The main component of this oil is component is geraniol¹⁰.

Palmarosa oil for ticks

A study revealed that a 5% dilution of palmarosa oil completely suppressed tick reproduction¹⁰.

4. Sweet wormwood oil

Sweet wormwood (Artemisia annua) is a plant native to China belonging to the Asteraceae family^12,13.

Research has shown that this medicinal herb has anti-malarial activities owing to its content of artemisinin^13,14.

Moreover, Artemisia annua essential oil has insecticidal, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor properties^15,16,17.

Sweet wormwood kills ticks

A study reported that Artemisia annua oil killed 100% of ticks at an 8% concentration¹⁴.

The primary compound present in sweet wormwood oil is artemisia ketone^15,17.

5. Eucalyptus oil

Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) is a tall, evergreen tree native to Australia.

The essential oil of eucalyptus is well known for its effects against respiratory bacteria and viruses, in addition to its antioxidant and anti-diabetic activity⁸.

Moreover, it demonstrates insecticidal and repellent action⁸.

Eucalyptus oil for ticks

A study reported that a 10% dilution of eucalyptus oil caused a 97% mortality of ticks¹⁸.

The major constituents of eucalyptol oil are menthol and menthone¹⁸.

6. Geranium oil

Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) is a flowering plant native to South Africa.

This plant is traditionally used for its anti-dysenteric, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer effects¹⁹.

Geranium oil eliminates ticks

Research has revealed that a 10% dilution of geranium essential oil reduces by 97% the reproductive efficiency of ticks¹⁰.

The main component found in the essential oil of geranium is citronellol¹⁰.

7. Juniper oil

Juniper (Juniperus communis) is a small evergreen conifer tree.

The essential oil of juniper has insecticidal, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antifungal, and anthelmintic effects¹⁰.

Juniper oil for ticks

A study indicated that a 10% concentration of juniper essential oil diminished tick reproductive efficiency by 96%¹⁰.

Furthermore, juniper is comparable to DEET (a synthetic acaricide) in its effectiveness in repelling ticks²⁰.

The primary constituent of juniper essential oil is linalool¹⁰.

8. Clove oil

Clove buds are the dried flower buds of clove (Syzygium aromaticum), a medium-sized tree native to Indonesia²¹.

Eugenol is the main compound in clove essential oil²².

Clove essential oil has a wide range of biological activities relevant to human health, including²²

Antimicrobial
Antioxidant
Insecticidal
Antiviral
Anti-inflammatory
Anti-cancer

Clove oil repels ticks

A study has shown that a 3% dilution of clove essential oil repelled 83% of ticks²³.

9. Ginger oil

Ginger is the rhizome of Zingiber officinale, a flowering plant native to India²⁴.

Since ancient times, it has been used as a spice and traditional remedy²⁴.

The ginger essential oil has therapeutic effects, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitussive, and anti-cancer properties²⁵.

Ginger oil for ticks

A study showed that a 10% dilution of ginger essential oil reduced tick reproductive efficiency by 94%¹⁰.

The predominant compound in ginger essential oil is zingiberene²⁶.

10. Turmeric oil

Turmeric is a flowering plant (Curcuma longa) native to tropical South Asia²⁷.

Its rhizome is widely used as a spice, especially in South Asian and Middle Eastern cuisine²⁷.

Furthermore, turmeric has a very long history of medicinal use in India²⁷.

Turmeric oil repels ticks

A study revealed that turmeric essential oil had a stronger repellent action against ticks than DEET, a synthetic acaricide²⁸.

Furthermore, dogs sprayed with turmeric essential oil had about five times fewer ticks than unsprayed dogs²⁸.

The main compound in turmeric oil is curcumin²⁷.

Warning

It is noteworthy that essential oils should neither be ingested nor applied directly on the skin or in the eyes.

Summary: 10 Best essential oils for ticks

Essential oils are natural compounds formed by aromatic plants.

In nature, essential oils play an important role in protecting plants against microbes, insects, and herbivores.

Essential oils repel ticks by diminishing their ability to detect attractant compounds that mammals give off, reducing tick bites.

The 10 best essential oils for repelling ticks on humans and dogs are the following:

Cedar oil
Lemongrass oil
Palmarosa oil
Sweet wormwood oil
Eucalyptus oil
Geranium oil
Juniper oil
Clove oil
Ginger oil
Turmeric oil

The post 10 Best Essential Oils For Ticks appeared first on Cilantro News.

DIY Homemade Tick Repellent Spray Recipe

Pamela Nylander PhD — Sun, 11 Sep 2022 07:59:07 +0000

You will find the recipe to make a DIY homemade tick repellent spray for humans and dogs in this article.

What is a tick?

A tick is a several millimeters long arachnid.

Arachnids are distinguished from insects by their four pairs of legs (instead of three) and two body segments (instead of three).

Ticks are external parasites of animals and humans¹.

They feed on their host’s blood before falling off to molt into a different development stage or lay eggs².

Can ticks transmit diseases?

When the tick bites its host, it may (through its saliva) transmit bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause diseases.

Tick-borne diseases in humans include^2,3:

Tick-borne encephalitis
Lyme borreliosis (Lyme disease)
Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever
Tick-borne lymphadenopathy

How do ticks locate their host?

Ticks move up on blades of grass or bushes and wait for a suitable host to pass by^1,4.

Being almost blind, they rely on their olfactory system to identify and locate hosts for a successful blood meal^5,6.

The odor of butyric acid, a component of sweat that mammals give off, stimulates the tick to drop onto and attach to a host^6,7.

Ticks that hunt also respond to stimuli, such as carbon dioxide, lactic acid, and ammonia^1,7.

What is a tick repellent?

A tick repellent is a natural or synthetic substance that causes a tick to go away from its initial target⁷.

It works by reducing the tick’s olfactory system⁵.

Tick repellents are either topical, such as sprays, or systemic, like oral remedies.

Topical tick repellent (spray)

Oral tick repellents work by influencing skin metabolism when they are excreted through the pores along with perspiration⁸.

On the other hand, topical tick repellents are applied to the skin or onto clothes⁷.

Oral versus topical repellents

Oral remedies for ticks have a long-lasting effect and can sometimes treat tick-borne diseases.

They are helpful when you are repeatedly exposed to ticks.

However, oral remedies have to be taken regularly for several days or weeks.

On the other hand, topical repellents based on essential oils have a short duration of action⁹.

Yet, tick repellent sprays are a good solution for a walk in the woods or other risk areas.

Synthetic versus natural tick repellents

Tick repellents can be classified into two categories: synthetic and natural products⁷.

Synthetic tick repellent sprays typically contain insecticides, such as^2,7:

DEET
PMD
IR3535
Picaridin

On the other hand, natural tick repellents sprays based on essential oils are safer for humans and dogs⁷.

They also provide an ecological advantage compared to non-degradable products such as DEET⁷.

Moreover, natural tick repellents have similar efficacy to synthetic products⁷.

What is the best oil to repel ticks?

The best essential oils to repel ticks are the following:

Cedar oil
Lemongrass oil
Palmarosa oil

Cedar wood essential oil for ticks.

Cedar oil, lemongrass oil, and palmarosa oil have been shown to completely suppress tick reproduction.

DIY homemade tick repellent spray recipe

Here is the recipe to make a DIY homemade tick repellent spray for humans and dogs.

Utensils

Amber glass empty spray bottle (16 oz)
Measuring cup
Small funnel (optional)

Ingredients

8 oz of water
8 oz of white vinegar
20 drops of cedar oil
20 drops of lemongrass oil
20 drops of palmarosa oil

Recipe

1. Start by filling the measuring cup with 8 oz of water.

2. Add 8 oz of white vinegar and stir.

3. Add 20 drops of each anti-ticks essential oils and stir.

4. Poor the mix into a 16 oz spray bottle.

And voilà! Your DIY homemade tick repellent spray is ready for use.

How to apply a DIY homemade tick repellent spray

For humans

Topical repellents require total coverage of all exposed skin. Wear long sleeves and tuck your trousers into your socks.
Shake the spray bottle to mix up all the ingredients.
Hold the bottle 6 inches away from the target area.
Spray for two to three seconds on your clothes.

Avoid spraying on the skin. Essential oils can cause allergic reactions upon oxidation when used directly on the skin⁹.

For dogs

Shake the spray bottle to mix up all the ingredients.
Hold the bottle 6 inches away from the target area.
Spray for two to three seconds on your dog’s coat.

Avoid spraying on your dog’s skin, eyes, or mouth.

Summary: DIY Homemade tick repellent spray recipe

Ticks are external parasites of animals and humans.

They may transmit diseases, such as tick-borne encephalitis or Lyme disease.

Natural tick repellent sprays cause ticks to go away from their initial target, preventing tick bites.

They work by reducing the tick’s olfactory system.

This article gave you the recipe to make a DIY homemade tick repellent spray for humans and dogs based on essential oils, including cedar oil.

The post DIY Homemade Tick Repellent Spray Recipe appeared first on Cilantro News.

3 Best Natural Home Remedies For Ticks

Pamela Nylander PhD — Mon, 29 Aug 2022 05:04:22 +0000

You will find the 3 best natural home remedies for ticks on humans, cats, and dogs in this article.

What are ticks?

Ticks are several millimeters long arthropods belonging to the class Arachnida that also includes spiders, scorpions, and mites.

They are present worldwide and can be found in various habitats, from the driest to the most humid¹.

Ticks are external parasites of animals and humans².

They feed on their host’s blood before falling off to molt into a different development stage or lay eggs¹.

What symptoms do ticks cause?

When ticks bite their host, they secrete cement-like saliva that keeps them attached to the skin¹.

This saliva can cause allergic reactions or paralysis in some individuals¹.

It can also transmit bacteria, viruses, and parasites to the host¹.

Tick-borne diseases in humans include^1,3:

Lyme borreliosis (Lyme disease)
Tick-borne encephalitis
Babesiosis
Anaplasmosis

Percentage of disease transmission

Ticks carrying infectious agents may not necessarily transmit them to humans following a tick bite.

A French study revealed that the risk of transmission from Ixodes, one of the main types of ticks, is inferior to 3%¹.

Furthermore, a Swedish study reported that only 2% of the individuals bitten by ticks carrying Borrelia bacteria were diagnosed with Lyme disease³.

What are tick repellents?

Ticks move up on blades of grass and wait for a suitable host to pass by².

The odor of butyric acid, a component of sweat that mammals give off, stimulates the tick to drop onto and attach to a host.

Tick repellents are substances whose odor reduce the tick’s olfactory system⁴.

Topical versus oral tick repellents

Topical tick repellents, such as sprays, are often perceived as unpleasant by humans or animals⁵.

Also, essential oils used for natural tick sprays have a short duration of action and can cause allergic reactions upon oxidation when used directly on the skin⁶.

As such, topical repellents require total coverage of all exposed skin.

On the other hand, oral natural home remedies for ticks influence the skin metabolism and are therefore more sustainable⁵.

3 Best Natural Home Remedies For Ticks On Humans, Cats, and Dogs

Here are the 3 best natural home remedies for ticks on humans, cats, and dogs to be taken internally.

They prevent tick bites and prompt ticks to fall off if you have already been bitten.

1. Brewer’s yeast

Brewer’s yeast is a microorganism used for the fermentation of beer.

It is made from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a type of single-celled fungus.

Brewer’s yeast is also used as a dietary supplement given its probiotic properties and high B vitamins and minerals content.

Vitamin B1 repels ticks

Vitamin B1 (thiamine) in brewer’s yeast acts as a tick repellent.

Studies have shown that oral thiamine is excreted through the pores along with perspiration and repels insects and arachnids, including ticks⁵, mosquitoes⁶, and fleas⁷.

Therefore, brewer’s yeast, as a natural source of vitamin B1, represents one of the best natural home remedies for ticks without side effects.

Dosage of brewer’s yeast

Humans: 10 mg/day⁷

Cats and dogs: 170 mg/day per kg⁵

2. Anti-parasitic herbal tincture

A blend of medicinal herbs well known for killing parasites is a tincture called “Green Black Walnut Wormwood Complex”.

It consists of the following herb extracts:

Green walnut (Juglans nigra) hulls
Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium)
Cloves (Syzygium aromaticum)

Walnut hulls eliminate tick larvae

The walnut hull is the green or black outer walnut husk covering.

A laboratory study has revealed that walnut (Juglans nigra) hull extract killed tick larvae⁸.

The green walnut hull contains methyl palmitate, a plant-borne fatty acid ester with strong acaricidal activity⁸.

Moreover, researchers have found that black walnut could treat some tick-transmitted diseases, such as Lyme disease⁹ and cat-scratch disease¹⁰.

Wormwood kills adult ticks, larvae, and eggs

Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) is a shrubby plant native to Eurasia and North Africa.

Research has reported that wormwood eliminated adult ticks, larvae, and eggs^11,12.

The main active constituents of wormwood include artemisinin, linalool, and camphor¹³.

Clove eradicates adult ticks, larvae, and eggs

Cloves are the aromatic flower buds of the tree Syzygium aromaticum native to Indonesia.

Studies have shown that clove essential oil eliminates ticks (adults, larvae, and eggs)^14,15,16.

The bioactive substance is eugenol, an aromatic compound representing up to 95% of the oil’s content^14,16.

Eugenol blocks nerve impulses of arthropods, resulting in paralysis of the tick¹⁶.

In addition, research has reported that clove eliminated tick-borne diseases such as babesiosis¹⁷.

Dosage of the herbal tincture

Humans: take the dosage recommended on the label of the dropper bottle mixed with water.

Big dogs: take half of the dosage recommended on the label of the dropper bottle mixed with water daily.

Cats and small dogs: take 1/4 of the dosage recommended on the label of the dropper bottle.

3. Neem seed oil

Neem (Azadirachta indica) is a hardy tree native to India and Africa that grows in deserts and harsh climates¹⁸.

Does neem seed oil kill ticks?

Researchers have found that neem seed oil has activity against adult ticks, larvae, and eggs^18,19,20.

The main active ingredient of this natural home remedy is azadirachtin, a compound that disrupts the development of arthropods^19,21.

Besides, neem seed oil has antifungal and antibacterial effects, making it potentially beneficial for tick-borne disease treatment¹⁸.

Dosage of neem seed oil

Humans: take five drops of neem seed oil mixed with water daily.

Big dogs: take three drops of neem seed oil mixed with water daily.

Cats and small dogs: take one drop of neem oil mixed with water daily.

Side effects of home remedies for ticks

It is noteworthy that neem seed oil has anti-fertility and abortive effects^22,23.

Men and women should therefore not take this oil when trying to conceive.

Summary: 3 Best natural home remedies for ticks

Ticks are small external parasites that can bite animals and humans.

Their saliva may transmit diseases, such as Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis, to their host.

Oral natural home remedies for ticks prevent ticks from falling off on mammals due to their repellent properties.

They also prompt ticks to detach from their host.

Here are the 3 best natural home remedies for ticks on humans, cats, and dogs:

Brewer’s yeast
Black green walnut wormwood complex
Neem seed oil

The post 3 Best Natural Home Remedies For Ticks appeared first on Cilantro News.

Do Papaya Seeds Kill Parasites?

Pamela Nylander PhD — Fri, 22 Jul 2022 13:26:32 +0000

Do papaya seeds kill parasites? Find out what science says about it in this article.

What are papaya seeds?

The papaya fruit (Carica papaya) is a succulent and slightly sweet fruit of a small tree cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions^1,2.

The fruit’s central cavity contains hundreds of black seeds surrounded by mucilage.

Moreover, the seeds are edible and widely consumed by humans and animals in the tropics³.

Health benefits of papaya seeds

Papaya seeds have multiple health benefits, including^1,4,5,6,7:

Anticancer effects
Antibacterial activity
Antifungal properties
Liver protective effects
Anti-inflammatory activity
Anti-ulcer properties
Cardio-protective effects
Anti-diabetic activity

What are intestinal parasites?

Intestinal parasites are organisms that live in the intestine of humans and animals.

They harm their hosts in numerous ways, including depriving them of key nutrients and releasing toxins into their bodies.

The most common human intestinal parasites are worms and protozoa⁸.

How do people get infected with parasites?

People get infected with parasites:

By drinking contaminated water
Through the consumption of contaminated food
By touching contaminated soil, water, feces, or blood
In the mother’s womb through the umbilical cord ^9,10,11

Do papaya seeds kill parasites?

Do papaya seeds kill parasites? Here is what science says about it.

Papaya seeds kill Ascaris in humans

Ascaris lumbricoides is a large intestinal roundworm.

It is the most common parasitic worm in humans.

Ascaris male and female worms

A study involving 326 children showed that daily maize porridge fortified with papaya seeds reduced Ascaris lumbricoides egg count by 63,9% after two months⁶.

A reduction of parasitic eggs is linked to the destruction of mature worms¹².

By contrast, maize porridge alone did not reduce the number of Ascaris eggs. On the contrary, it slightly increased it⁶.

Papaya seeds and honey kill parasites in humans

A study comprising 60 children with intestinal parasites reported that dried papaya seeds and honey killed various parasites in addition to Ascaris (Ascaris lumbricoides)³.

Honey alone also eliminated parasites as it has anti-parasitic properties, however, at a much smaller scale.

Papaya seeds and honey killed the following parasites³:

1. Amebas (protozoa)

Entamoeba histolytica is a parasitic ameba found in tropical climates.

Amebas are single-celled micro-organisms that move and eat using pseudopods.

Entamoeba histolytica in the blood.

Entamoeba histolytica can infect the large intestine in humans, causing amebic dysentery (amebiasis).

2. Hookworms

Necator americanus is a species of hookworm found in temperate and tropical climates.

Hookworm

It is a parasitic roundworm that lives in the human intestine.

3. Strongyloides

Strongyloides stercoralis are tiny parasitic roundworms.

Strongyloides stercoralis

They live deeply inserted in the mucosa of the human small intestine.

4. Whipworms

Trichuris trichiura is a parasitic roundworm that looks like a whip at its posterior end.

Trichuris trichiura

It infects the human large intestine.

5. Giardia (protozoa)

Giardia lamblia is a flagellated protozoan parasite.

Giardia lamblia (Giardia intestinalis)

It colonizes the human small intestine causing a diarrheal disease known as giardiasis.

6. Tapeworms

Taenia saginata is a tapeworm (a flat ribbon-like worm) that infects the intestine of humans and cattle.

Taenia saginata

Humans get contaminated by eating undercooked beef.

Papaya seeds kill parasites in animals

Research has revealed that papaya seeds also kill parasites in animals.

These parasites include^{2,12,13,14,15,16,17}:

Ascaridia
Cooperia
Eimeria
Haemochus contortus
Heterakis
Ichthyophthirius multifiliis
Oesophagostomum
Syngamus
Trichostrongylus
Trypanosoma cruzi

The mechanism of action

A study reported that benzyl isothiocyanate, a sulfur-containing-chemical found in papaya seeds, is the main bioactive principle that kills parasitic worms^4,5,12,18.

Papaya seeds also contain papain, a protein-digesting enzyme with a similar digestive action to the human enzyme pepsin^7,12.

Researchers believe that benzyl isothiocyanate paralyzes parasites and reduces their energy metabolism, while papain destroys their cuticles or membranes^5,7,12.

Furthermore, fatty acids in the papaya seeds also reduce the number of intestinal parasites^2,7.

How long does it take for papaya seeds to kill parasites?

A study compared the activity of papaya and pumpkin seeds against adult worms¹.

It showed that papaya seeds were faster in inducing paralysis of the worms and killing the parasites than pumpkin seeds¹.

Treatment	Time for paralysis [minutes]	Time for death [minutes]
Pumpkin seeds	1.93	4.90
Papaya seeds	1.88	3.45
Albendazole (Reference drug)	1.15	3.23

How many papaya seeds does it take to get rid of parasites?

A study showed that 4 g of blended papaya seeds mixed with honey cleared 70-100% of protozoa and worms within seven days in children³.

How to eat papaya seeds for parasites

Here is how to eat papaya seeds for parasites:

Air dry the papaya seeds
Machine-blend the seeds
Mix 4 g of the powder with 20 ml of honey or 300 ml of porridge
Take the mixture daily for three weeks

Side effects

Papaya seeds can cause transient side effects, such as nausea or loose stools³.

These side effects are due to the release of toxins in your body when the parasites die off. However, they disappear over time.

It is noteworthy that papaya seeds have abortive and anti-fertility effects in women and men due to benzyl isothiocyanate^1,4,5.

Summary: Do papaya seeds kill parasites?

Papaya seeds are black and shiny seeds present in the central cavity of the papaya fruit.

They are edible and have numerous health benefits.

Do they kill parasites?

Research has reported that papaya seeds kill multiple parasites both in humans and animals.

However, women and men should not consume them when trying to conceive, as they have contraceptive effects.

The post Do Papaya Seeds Kill Parasites? appeared first on Cilantro News.

Do Liver Flukes Cause Cancer?

Pamela Nylander PhD — Mon, 11 Apr 2022 12:14:27 +0000

Do liver flukes cause cancer?

If yes, what kind of cancers do they induce and what type of liver flukes are carcinogens?

You will find the answers in this article.

What is a liver fluke?

The liver fluke is a type of flatworm (trematode) that lives in the bile ducts, gallbladder, and liver of humans and some other mammals.

It causes lesions in these organs, resulting in parasitic disease.

Furthermore, the liver fluke has a complex life cycle that involves at least two hosts: an intermediate host (a snail) and a final host (a vertebrate).

What are the different types of human liver flukes?

There are two families of liver flukes: the Opisthorchiidae and the Fasciolidae, characterized by different life cycles and pathogeneses¹.

Do liver flukes cause bile duct cancer?

When liver flukes infect humans, they migrate from the duodenum to the liver before settling in the biliary ducts^1,2,3.

Long-lived flukes cause obstruction and chronic inflammation of the bile duct system, known as cholangitis³.

In heavy infections, this inflammation develops into a cancer of the biliary tract, known as cholangiocarcinoma^2,3,4.

Which liver flukes cause bile duct cancer?

The following liver flukes can induce cholangiocarcinoma:

Opisthorchis viverrini^3,4,5
Clonorchis sinensis^3,5,6
Opisthorchis felineus^3,7

Clonorchis sinensis and Opisthorchis viverrini are classified as Group 1 carcinogens by WHO^8,9.

By contrast, Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica have not been reported to cause cholangiocarcinoma.

Do liver flukes cause liver cancer?

Researchers have presented the case of a woman who suffered from multiple liver tumors caused by Fasciola hepatica¹³.

They did, however, not mention if the tumors were malignant or not.

Also, a study revealed that, in addition to inducing bile duct cancer, Opisthorchis viverrini may also cause liver cancer, including¹⁰

Hepatocellular carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma

Furthermore, Clonorchis sinensis has been shown to cause hepatocellular carcinoma^11,12.

Do liver flukes cause pancreatic cancer?

Clonorchis sinensis has been shown to induce adenoma-carcinoma of the pancreas⁴.

What is ectopic fascioliasis?

Fasciola‘s migration out of the intestine and up into the liver is not always successful².

Sometimes, the parasite gets lost and ends up in other organs, such as the^{2,17,18,19,20}:

Intestine
Lungs
Heart
Brain
Muscles
Eyes
Ovaries
Lymph nodes
Colon

A Fasciola infection that occurs outside the hepatobiliary system is known as ectopic fascioliasis^2,14.

Does ectopic fascioliasis cause breast and colon cancer?

Researchers have reported the cases of patients suffering from breast^14,15 and colon¹⁶ cancer who also had liver lesions caused by Fasciola hepatica.

They did, unfortunately, not try to identify a causal link between both diseases and a potential case of ectopic fascioliasis.

Can liver flukes cause cancer outside the hepatobiliary system?

Fasciola parasites have been described as the less harmful types of liver flukes.

However, if they could cause cancer, it would explain why some patients had breast, or colon, cancer in addition to Fasciola hepatica liver lesions.

Moreover, if Fasciola parasites can migrate to other organs than Opisthorchis or Clonorchisn that are carcinogens could possibly also do so.

Yet, at the current state of research, it has not been shown that liver flukes cause other cancers than hepatobiliary or pancreatic cancer.

Anti-liver flukes drugs have anti-cancer properties

Albendazole and mebendazole are two drugs used to treat parasites, including liver flukes^21,22,23.

These drugs are active against several types of cancers, such as²⁴

Liver cancer
Lung cancer
Ovary cancer
Colorectal cancer
Breast cancer
Head and neck cancer
Melanoma

It suggests a potential role of liver flukes in these cancers.

Summary

Amongst the different types of liver flukes, Clonorchis sinensis, Opisthorchis viverrini, and Opisthorchis felineus, are the most aggressive ones, as they can cause bile duct, hepatocellular, and pancreatic carcinoma.

On the other hand, Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica can induce lesions and tumors in the liver but have not been reported to cause carcinoma.

At the current state of research, a direct causal link between liver flukes and cancers outside of the hepatobiliary and hepatopancreatic systems has not been demonstrated.

However, the fact that:

Liver flukes can migrate to other organs
Several patients with breast or colon cancer also had fascioliasis
Drugs for liver flukes have anti-cancer effects

suggests that liver flukes may cause cancers other than hepatobiliary or hepatopancreatic cancers.

Nevertheless, further research is needed to confirm or rule out this hypothesis.

The post Do Liver Flukes Cause Cancer? appeared first on Cilantro News.

7 Foods To Avoid With Parasites

Pamela Nylander PhD — Sun, 20 Mar 2022 09:16:35 +0000

You will find 7 foods to avoid when you are infected with parasites in this article.

What are intestinal parasites?

Intestinal parasites are organisms that live in the intestines of humans and animals.

They harm their host in numerous ways, including depriving it of key nutrients and releasing toxins into its body.

How do people get infected with parasites?

People get infected with parasites:

In the mother’s womb through the umbilical cord^1,2,3
Through the consumption of contaminated food
By drinking contaminated water
By touching contaminated soil, water, feces, or blood

7 Foods to avoid with parasites

Here is a list of the 7 foods to avoid when you are infected with parasites:

1. Sugar

Regular sugar refers to sucrose, a disaccharide that consists of glucose and fructose⁴.

Sugar is essential for parasites

Studies have reported that glucose is essential for the viability of some parasites^5,6.

For example, Trypanosoma brucei and Plasmodium falciparum, two protozoa, live in glucose-rich blood and rely upon glucose metabolism exclusively^5,6.

Parasites use sugar to fool your immune system

Another study revealed that the larvae and eggs of the blood fluke Schistosoma mansoni release sugar to attract the immune system, enabling them to go undetected⁷.

A similar study showed that the protozoan Trypanosoma brucei evades its host’s immune system by repeatedly releasing different sugars on its surface⁸.

Sugar prevents the digestion of parasites

β-galactosidase is a digestive enzyme that breaks down sugars, such as lactose⁹.

Research demonstrated that β-galactosidase digests the sugar-containing protecting structure of Alveolar echinococcosis larvae, leading to parasite abortion¹⁰.

When you eat sugar, your digestive system may not be able to produce enough β-galactosidase to digest both the sugar and the parasites.

Can you eat fruits if you have parasites?

Fruits contain simple sugars, such as glucose, fructose, sucrose¹¹.

However, they don’t belong to the list of foods to avoid with parasites.

They are rich in vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals that make them beneficial to health¹².

For example, studies have shown that berries, pomegranate, and figs have anti-parasitic properties^13,14.

Can you eat honey if you have parasites?

Honey contains fructose and glucose¹⁵.

However, just like fruits, it doesn’t belong to the list of foods to avoid with parasites.

On the contrary, honey has anti-parasitic attributes^16,17,18.

It is, namely, rich in vitamins and minerals¹⁵.

Researchers have reported that honey’s anti-parasitic effects are attributed to compounds, such as glycoproteins, glycopeptides, and methylglyoxal^17,18.

2. Dairy products

Dairy products are food products that contain milk. They include yogurt, cheese, and butter.

They all contain lactose, a sugar composed of galactose and glucose¹⁹.

As explained above, parasites thrive on sugar. Therefore, dairy products belong to the list of foods to avoid when infected with parasites.

3. Ultra-processed foods

Ultra-processed foods are industrial foods that typically contain 5 or more ingredients²⁰.

Some of these ingredients are substances you wouldn’t use in culinary preparations at home. They include²⁰:

Hydrolyzed protein
Modified starches
Hydrogenated or interesterified oils
Colorants
Flavorings
Non-sugar sweeteners

These foods are low in vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals.

Moreover, they are difficult to digest and therefore tend to increase putrefaction in your digestive system.

Intestinal parasites thrive in this type of environment.

4. Gluten-containing foods

Gluten is a substance that consists of two proteins (prolamin and glutenin) naturally found in some cereal grains.

When prolamin and glutenin mix with water, they almost immediately bind and form a sticky network that has a glue-like consistency.

This substance is viscoelastic and poorly soluble in water.

In the digestive system, gluten sticks to the intestinal walls, preventing the proper breakdown of foods and parasites.

5. Meat

We recommend diminishing the consumption of meat when you are infected with parasites.

The digestive system can take up to 2 days to fully digest meat, whereas it can breakdown fruits and vegetables in less than a day.

By slowing down your digestion and promoting putrefaction, meat increases parasite proliferation.

Furthermore, avoid eating raw meat as it may contain alive parasites and eggs.

As such, avoid the following dishes:

Steak tartare
Beef carpaccio
Beef tataki
Kibbeh nayeh

6. Fish

The digestive system can also take up to 2 days to fully digest fish, promoting putrefaction and parasite multiplication.

Therefore, we recommend reducing the consumption of fish.

Moreover, avoid eating raw fish, as it can also be contaminated with alive parasites and eggs.

Hence, avoid the following dishes:

Sushi, maki, and sashimi
Ceviche
Salmon tartare
Tuna tataki
Gravlax
Tuna or salmon tiradito

7. Watercress

Watercress is an aquatic flowering plant native to Europe and Asia.

People eat this leafy green vegetable, among others, in salads, sandwiches, and soups.

Wild watercress can be contaminated with liver flukes (Fasciola hepatica) if grown in sheep-raising areas^21,22,23,24.

As a result, it is better to avoid eating uncooked freshwater food, such as watercress, due to parasitic contamination.

Summary: Foods to avoid with parasites

Intestinal parasites are organisms that live in your intestines, causing you harm.

Sources of infection include an infected mother or contaminated food, water, matter.

The list of the 7 foods to avoid when you are infected with parasites is as follows:

Sugar (apart from fruits and honey)
Dairy products
Ultra-processed foods
Gluten-containing foods
Meat
Fish
Watercress

The post 7 Foods To Avoid With Parasites appeared first on Cilantro News.

Pumpkin Seeds For Intestinal Parasites

Pamela Nylander PhD — Wed, 02 Mar 2022 15:15:56 +0000

We often hear that pumpkin seeds can be used for intestinal parasites, but what is the reality of the situation?

Here is what science says about it.

What are intestinal parasites?

Intestinal parasites are organisms that live in the intestines of humans or animals, causing them harm.

They feed off their hosts and release toxins, such as metabolic waste, into their body.

Globally, intestinal parasite infections are one of the main causes of human disease and mortality¹.

WHO estimates that nothing but amoebic infections cause 40-100 thousand deaths annually².

What are common intestinal parasites?

The most common human intestinal parasites are worms and protozoa in developing countries and protozoa in developed countries².

Worms (helminths)

Worms (helminths) include²:

Nematodes (roundworms)
- e.g., Ascaris, pinworms, and hookworms
Cestodes (tapeworms)
- e.g., Taenia and Echinococcus
Trematodes (flatworms)
- e.g., liver flukes and blood flukes

Roundworms are known to infect 3.5 billion people every year³.

The most significant human intestinal worms are^1,2:

Ascaris lumbricoides
Trichiuris trichiura

Protozoa

The most common intestinal protozoan parasites in humans are^1,2:

Giardia lamblia
Entamoeba histolytica

What are the symptoms of intestinal parasites?

Intestinal parasites can cause symptoms such as^1,4:

Diarrhea
Abdominal pain
Nausea and vomiting
Bloating
Weight loss
Constipation
Dyspepsia
Irritation
Sleep disturbances

What are the causes of intestinal parasites?

Intestinal parasitic infection is often associated with drinking stagnant water in tropical countries.

Although some parasites are more common in tropical climates, others are found in temperate zones.

Parasites and their eggs are present in the water we drink and the food we eat, especially in:

Raw vegetables and fruits
Undercooked meat and fish (e.g., sushi).

What are pumpkin seeds?

Pumpkin seeds are the edible seeds found in orange winter squashes.

Shelled pumpkin seeds (seeds with a white outer husk) are known as pumpkin kernels.

However, once the husk has been removed, they are green in color and known as pumpkin seeds.

Pepitas are huskless seeds from some pumpkin cultivars.

Pumpkin seeds for intestinal parasites

Studies have shown that pumpkin seeds display activity against a variety of parasitic worms.

The anti-parasitic agent in pumpkin kernels is cucurbitine, an amino acid⁵.

**1. Pumpkin seeds for Ascaridia galli parasites**

Ascaridia galli is a parasitic roundworm that mainly infects the intestines of birds (chickens) but can also cause human skin cancer^6,7.

A study has shown that pumpkin seeds extract eliminates Ascaridia galli parasites⁸.

Comparison with a common drug

Pumpkin seeds displayed a similar effect to fenbendazole, the drug routinely used to eradicate Ascaridia galli parasites⁸.

**2. Pumpkin seeds for Ascaris suum parasites**

Ascaris suum is a large roundworm that may infect pigs and humans⁹.

Ascaris male and female worms

It was found that pumpkin seeds extract kills Ascaris suum worms¹⁰.

**3. Pumpkin seeds for Fasciola gigantica parasites**

Fasciola gigantica is a type of liver fluke, a parasitic flatworm that infects the liver.

Fasciola gigantica worm (liver fluke)

It is very closely related to Fasciola hepatica, another liver fluke¹¹.

Researchers have shown that pumpkin seeds extract kills Fasciola gigantica worms¹².

**4. Pumpkin seeds for Hymenolepsis nana parasites**

Hymenolepis nana, the dwarf tapeworm, is a cosmopolitan parasite species common in temperate zones that infects humans, especially children¹³.

Research reported that pumpkin seeds extract reduces the number of adult worms and eggs¹⁴.

Comparison with a common drug

Pumpkin kernels were more effective in eliminating Hymenolepis nana than Praziquantel, the main drug used against this parasite¹⁴.

**5. Pumpkin seeds for Schistosoma parasites**

Schistosoma mansoni is a blood fluke, a parasitic flatworm that lives in blood vessels near the human intestine^15,16.

A study revealed that pumpkin seed oil eliminates Schistosoma mansoni worms and eggs¹⁷.

Coupled male and female Schistosoma worms (blood flukes)

Reports from China have claimed that cucurbitine, the active component in pumpkin seeds, prevents the growth of Schistosoma japonicum, a closely related blood fluke¹⁸.

They also revealed that cucurbitine damages the genital organs of Schistosoma japonicum, resulting in a decline in egg production¹⁸.

Comparison with a common drug

Praziquantel, the usual treatment for schistosomiasis, was more effective than Pumpkin seed oil¹⁷.

Nevertheless, Praziquantel has begun to lose efficacy in the emergent Schistosoma mansoni-resistant strains¹⁷.

**6. Pumpkin seeds for Taenia parasites**

Taenia is a genus of parasitic worms belonging to the cestode (tapeworm) class¹⁹.

Members of the genus have a ribbon-like body composed of a series of segments¹⁹.

Taenia solium worm

A study reported that, after eating peeled raw pumpkin seeds, 75% of infected patients expelled whole tapeworms⁵.

Observations showed that cucurbitine paralyzed the back-end segments of the worms^5,14.

The study also revealed that the effectiveness of the treatment was enhanced when pumpkin seeds were combined with areca nuts, eliminating 89% of the parasites^5,20.

Comparison with common drugs

In comparison, Praziquantel and Niclosamide, the two common drugs used to treat taeniasis, are 95% and 85% effective, respectively⁵.

However, Praziquantel can cause epileptic seizures and convulsions⁵.

**7. Pumpkin seeds for Trychostrongylus parasites**

Trichostrongylus is a species of parasitic roundworms that infects herbivores and humans²¹.

Research reported that a diet including pumpkin seeds cake generated a 52,9% reduction of fecal parasite eggs after 12 days²².

Pumpkin seeds prevent parasite eggs from hatching

It was revealed that pumpkin seed ethanol extract prevents Heligmosoides bakeri eggs from hatching³.

Heligmosoides bakeri is a parasitic roundworm of rodents used as a model for human intestinal parasites in laboratory research²³.

How long does it take for pumpkin seeds to kill parasites in humans?

It depends on the type of parasite and if the seeds are consumed on an empty stomach⁵.

A study demonstrated that it took about 14 hours for infected patients to expel whole Taenia worms following treatment with pumpkin seeds⁵.

They ate the seeds in the morning on an empty stomach⁵.

Additionally, they drank magnesium sulfate (a laxative) 40 min to 1 hour later as a purge⁵.

**How long does it take for pumpkin seeds to kill parasites in vitro?**

In test-tube experiments, it took about 6 and 8 hours to kill Fasciola gigantica¹² and Ascaris suum worms¹⁰, respectively.

Pumpkin seeds for parasites in cats and dogs

Pumpkin seeds may also treat parasitic worm infections in cats and dogs.

Studies have shown that pumpkin seeds have properties against numerous parasitic roundworms^3,22.

Furthermore, cats and dogs share many common parasites with humans.

They are hosts to many intestinal parasites that they can transmit to humans.

How much pumpkin seeds to kill parasites?

Dosage for a 137 lbs human adult: 4 oz.

Dosage for a 62 kg human adult: 120 g⁵.

Take the seeds in the morning on an empty stomach. Wait a few days and then repeat.

What are the side effects of pumpkin seeds?

If you eat too many pumpkin seeds, you may experience mild symptoms, such as nausea, dizziness, and, rarely, vomiting⁵.

However, these symptoms are transient and disappear over time.

They are known as die-off symptoms or a Herxheimer detox reaction.

Here is how to prevent a Herxheimer detox reaction or reduce it if you are already experiencing it.

Summary: Pumpkin seeds for intestinal parasites

Pumpkin seeds display amazing anti-parasitic activity.

Thanks to their high content of cucurbitine, they kill intestinal worms by paralyzing them before they get expelled.

Furthermore, pumpkin kernels prevent parasite eggs from hatching.

Pumpkin seeds can be used for intestinal parasites in humans, cats, and dogs.

They kill the following parasites:

Ascaridia galli
Ascaris suum
Fasciola gigantica (liver flukes)
Hymenolepsis nana
Schistosoma mansoni (blood flukes)
Taenia
Trychostrongylus

The post Pumpkin Seeds For Intestinal Parasites appeared first on Cilantro News.

13 Best Foods That Kill Parasites In Humans

Pamela Nylander PhD — Mon, 21 Feb 2022 07:39:10 +0000

You will find the 13 best foods that kill parasites in humans naturally in this article.

What is a parasite?

A parasite is an organism that lives on or inside another organism, causing it harm.

It feeds at the expense of its host, thus depriving it of many key nutrients necessary for its proper functioning.

Moreover, an internal parasite (endoparasite) can also harm its host by releasing toxins, such as metabolic wastes, into its body.

What are common human parasites?

Human parasites include protozoa and worms¹.

Parasitic worms (helminths) comprise different groups, such as²

Roundworms (nematodes)
- e.g., Ascaris, pinworms, and hookworms
Tapeworms (cestodes)
- e.g., Taenia and Echinococcus
Flatworms (trematodes)
- e.g., Liver flukes and blood flukes

Protozoa are one-celled animals found worldwide. All higher animals are infected with one or more species of protozoa³.

The most significant parasitic protozoa that infect humans globally are⁴:

Plasmodium
Trypanosoma
Leishmania

Where do human parasites live?

Internal parasites can colonize different parts of the human body, such as

The digestive system
Connective tissue
The circulatory or lymphatic system
Hollow organs (lungs or urogenital organs)

What are the symptoms of intestinal parasites?

The symptoms of parasitic intestinal infection in humans include^5,6:

Diarrhea
Abdominal pain
Nausea, vomiting
Bloating, gastrointestinal obstruction
Weight loss
Irritation
Insomnia
Blood loss, anemia

What are the causes of intestinal parasites?

The main causes of intestinal parasitic infection in humans are:

Eating contaminated food, such as undercooked meat or fish (sushi), raw vegetables or fruits
Drinking contaminated water
Touching contaminated soil, water, or feces
Transmission in the womb through the umbilical cord

13 Best foods that kill parasites in humans

Here are the 13 best foods that kill gut and skin parasites in humans naturally:

1. Flaxseed oil

Flaxseed oil is a yellowish oil obtained by pressing seeds of the flax plant (Linum usitatissimum).

It is high in omega-3 fatty acids, making it beneficial to health^7,8.

Studies have shown that flaxseed oil kills different parasites, including:

Fasciola hepatica⁹
Plasmodium falciparum^10,11
Strongylids and strongyloids¹²

2. Sauerkraut

Sauerkraut is a fermented food made by slicing raw cabbage, layering it with salt, and leaving it to ferment in an airtight container.

Once deprived of oxygen, probiotic lactic acid bacteria present on cabbage leaves intensively multiply. This process is known as lactic acid fermentation.

During this process, the probiotic bacteria convert sugar into lactic acid.

Unpasteurized sauerkraut kills parasites

The digestive system produces digestive enzymes, such as hydrochloric acid and pepsin, that break down food and kill intestinal viruses, bacteria, and parasites.

Lactic acid resulting from fermentation increases the acidity in your stomach, enhancing food digestion and parasite destruction¹³.

Sauerkraut is also rich in kaempferol¹⁴, a flavonoid with antiparasitic properties^15,16,17,18.

3. Pumpkin seeds

Pumpkin seed is the edible seed of a cultivar of orange winter squash.

It has a white husk and is green in color after shelling.

Pumpkin seeds kill parasites

Pumpkin seeds help eliminate parasites, such as Taenia, from your body by paralyzing them before they get expelled^19,20.

They kill the following parasites:

Ascaridia galli^21,22
Ascaris suum²³
Fasciola gigantica²⁴
Haemonchus contortus^25,26
Hymenolepsis nana²⁷
Ostertagia²⁵
Schistosoma mansoni²⁸
Taenia^19,20
Trichostrongylus²⁵

Besides, pumpkin seeds prevent parasitic eggs from hatching^29,25,26.

The anti-parasitic component in pumpkin seeds has been identiﬁed as cucurbitine¹⁹.

4. Cayenne pepper

Cayenne pepper is the red-colored berry-fruit of a Capsicum annuum plant.

It is a moderately hot chili pepper used as a spice in cooking.

Chili peppers contain capsaicin, a compound responsible for their spicy and hot taste³⁰.

Does spicy food kill parasites?

Chili pepper plants produce capsaicin as a defense mechanism against predators, parasites, and microbes.

Capsaicin kills the protozoan parasite that causes Chagas disease³¹,

Trypanosoma cruzi

The concentration of capsaicin required to eliminate this parasite is 57 times lower than benznidazole, the drug commonly used for treating Chagas disease³¹.

5. Garlic

Garlic (Allium sativum) is a perennial flowering plant that grows from a bulb.

The bulb has a strong smell and comprises thin sheathing leaves that protect cloves.

Since ancient times, humans have used garlic cloves as a food flavoring and traditional medicine³².

The biological activity of garlic is mainly attributed to allicin and ajoene, sulfur compounds with anticancer effects^33,32.

Garlic kills parasites

Garlic is one of the best foods that kill parasites. It eliminates the following parasites:

Blastocystis³⁴
Cryptosporidium enteritis³⁵
Echinostoma caproni³⁶
Entamoeba histolytica³³
Fasciola gigantica³⁷
Giardia lamblia and intestinalis³³
Haemonchus contortus larvae^38,26
Hymenolepsis nana³³
Leishmania tarentolae³², major and mexicana³³
Plasmodium berghei and yoelii³³
Schistosoma mansoni³³
Trypanosoma brucei³², congolese and vivax³³
Trichomonas vaginalis³³

6. Figs

The fig is the edible fruit of a small tree (Ficus carica) in the Moraceae family.

It is native to the Mediterranean and western Asia.

Figs kill parasites

Fig fruits have anti-parasitic properties.

They contain, namely, ficin, a proteolytic enzyme that digests the cuticle and destroys the body of Ascarids³⁹.

Figs show activity against the following parasites:

Angiostrongylus cantonensis⁴⁰
Ascaris³⁹
Trichuris, including Trichuris muris^39,40

7. Ginger

Ginger is the rhizome of Zingiber officinale, a flowering plant in the Zingiberaceae family⁴¹.

Since ancient times, it has been used as a spice to flavor food and as a traditional remedy⁴¹.

The health benefits of ginger are mainly attributed to its phenolic compounds gingerols and shogaols⁴².

Ginger kills parasites

Ginger eliminates the following parasites:

Angiostrongylus cantonensins⁴³
Anisakis simplex⁴³
Ascaris lumbricoides⁴⁴
Blastocystis⁴³
Echinococcus granulosus⁴³
Fasciola giganta⁴⁵
Fasciola hepatica^46,47
Giardia lamblia⁴⁸
Hymenolepsis nana⁴³
Schistosoma mansoni⁴⁹
Toxocara canis⁴³
Toxoplasma gondii⁴³
Trichostrongylus axei⁵⁰
Trypanosoma brucei⁴³ and cruzi⁵¹

A study showed that ginger’s anti-parasitic activity against Fasciola giganta was more effective than triclabendazole, the drug commonly used⁴⁵.

8. Cinnamon

Cinnamon is a spice obtained from the inner bark of an evergreen aromatic tree (Cinnamomum).

In addition to being a food flavoring, cinnamon is also beneficial to human health^52,53.

Cinnamon aldehyde is the main bioactive compound found in cinnamon bark^53,52,54.

Cinnamon for parasites

Studies have shown that cinnamon kills the following parasites:

Giardia lamblia⁴⁸
Leishmania infantum⁵⁴

Cinnamon also gets rid of parasitic eggs.

9. Cloves

Cloves are the dried flower buds of clove (Syzygium aromaticum), an evergreen tree native to Indonesia⁵⁵.

This food kills the following parasites:

Babesia⁵⁶
Blastocystis⁵⁷
Entamoeba histolytics⁵⁸
Giardia lamblia⁵⁹ and intestinalis⁵⁸
Haemonchus contortus^25,38
Ostertagia²⁵
Plasmodium falciparum⁶⁰
Trichostrongylus²⁵
Trypanosoma cruzi⁵¹

Cloves contain eugenol

The main bioactive compound of cloves is eugenol, a phenol⁵⁵.

Besides, studies have shown that eugenol eliminates parasites, including:

Fasciola gigantica⁶⁰
Giardia lamblia⁶⁰
Haemonchus contortus⁶⁰
Schistosoma mansoni⁶⁰
Leishmania donovani⁶¹

Cloves are well known for eradicating parasitic eggs²⁵.

10. Turmeric

Turmeric is a flowering plant (Curcuma longa) in the Zingiberaceae family⁶².

Its rhizome is widely used to flavor food, especially in South Asian and Middle Eastern cuisine⁶².

Furthermore, turmeric has a very long history of medicinal use in India⁶².

Its main biologically active compound is curcumin ⁶².

Turmeric for parasites

Turmeric, or curcumin, kills the following parasites:

Acanthamoeba⁶³^,⁶⁴
Cryptosporidium parvum⁶⁵^,⁶⁶^,⁶⁷
Entamoeba histolytica⁶⁸^,⁶⁹
Fasciola gigantica⁷⁰
Giardia lamblia⁷¹^,⁷²
Leishmania⁷³^,⁷⁴
Plasmodium falciparum⁷⁵^,⁷⁶
Schistosoma mansoni⁷⁷^,⁷⁸
Toxoplasma gondii⁷⁹
Trichomonas vaginalis⁸⁰
Trypanosoma⁸¹^,⁸²

11. Kimchi

Kimchi is a traditional Korean dish made of salted and fermented vegetables and seasonings⁸³.

Its main ingredients are cruciferous vegetables, garlic, ginger, and chili pepper powder⁸³.

These functional foods make kimchi very beneficial to human health.

Kimchi for parasites

Homemade kimchi is also one of the best foods that kills parasites.

Just like sauerkraut, it contains probiotic lactic acid bacteria with anti-parasitic properties.

Moreover, garlic, ginger, and chili pepper also have anti-parasitic effects, as explained in the previous sections.

12. Berries

Berries are small, rounded, fleshy fruits that are often edible. They are generally brightly colored and have many seeds.

Berries include raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, cranberries, and blueberries⁸⁴.

Berries kill parasites

A study reported that berries eliminated the human intestinal parasite

Giardia duodenalis⁸⁵

Some of them were as effective as the currently used drug, metronidazole⁸⁵.

Berries are rich in polyphenols with anti-parasitic activity, such as gallic acid⁸⁵.

13. Pomegranate

Pomegranate is the fruit of a shrub (Punica granatum), a member of the Lythraceae family.

Pomegranate has anti-parasitic effects

Pomegranate is one of the best foods that kill parasites.

Its peel, namely, eliminates the following parasites:

Ascaris suum⁸⁶
Cryptosporidium parvum⁸⁷
Eimeria papillata⁸⁸
Giardia duodenalis and lamblia^85,89,90
Plasmodium falciparum⁹¹
Schistosoma mansoni⁹²

Pomegranate peel is high in polyphenols and tannins that have anti-parasitic effects^85,87,89,90.

Side effects of foods that kill parasites

Foods that kill parasites can cause side effects known as “die-off symptoms” or a “Herxheimer detox reaction”.

However, these symptoms disappear over time.

Here is how to prevent a Herxheimer detox reaction or how to reduce die-off symptoms, if you are already experiencing them.

Summary: 13 Best foods that kill parasites in humans

Humans catch parasites by consuming contaminated food, drinking contaminated water, or touching contaminated matter.

There are, however, multiple natural foods that kill intestinal and other types of parasites.

As such, by modifying your diet, it is possible to get rid of them and the symptoms they induce.

The 13 best foods that kill gut and skin parasites in humans naturally are:

Flaxseed oil
Sauerkraut
Pumpkin seeds
Cayenne pepper
Garlic
Figs
Ginger
Cinnamon
Cloves
Turmeric
Kimchi
Berries
Pomegranate

The post 13 Best Foods That Kill Parasites In Humans appeared first on Cilantro News.

How To Get Rid Of Liver Flukes Naturally

Pamela Nylander PhD — Mon, 11 Oct 2021 05:25:40 +0000

You will find how to get rid of liver flukes in humans naturally in this article.

What are liver flukes?

Liver flukes belong to a group of parasitic flatworms known as trematodes^3,4.

These parasites live principally in the liver of various mammals, including humans⁴.

They also colonize the bile ducts, gallbladder, and pancreas of their host^4,5 .

Liver flukes affect millions of people worldwide, causing severe health problems¹.

Historically, these parasites have been overlooked as far as human infections are concerned¹.

However, liver fluke infection is now considered a neglected disease^1,2.

Are there different types of liver flukes?

There are two families of human liver flukes¹^,6:

Fasciolidae, which comprise:

Fasciola hepatica
Fasciola gigantica

Opisthorchiidae, which include:

Clonorchis sinensis
Opisthorchis viverrini
Opisthorchis felineus

What damage do liver flukes do?

Liver flukes can mechanically obstruct your bile ducts, causing chronic inflammation (cholangitis)^2,7.

These parasites are classified as Type 1 carcinogens, as infection can lead to bile duct cancer (cholangiocarcinoma)^1,2,8,9.

Furthermore, chronic bile duct obstruction may also lead to pancreatitis^5,7,9,10.

What are the symptoms of liver fluke infection?

The main symptoms of liver fluke disease are chronic fatigue and abdominal complaints².

Nevertheless, these parasites can induce a variety of other symptoms in humans.

Also, find out *HOW TO KNOW IF YOU HAVE LIVER FLUKES*.

What is the treatment for liver flukes?

Is there a vaccine for liver flukes?

There is no vaccine against liver flukes available for humans^9,11.

What medicine kills liver flukes?

The classic treatment for liver flukes consists in taking an anthelmintic drug.

An anthelmintic drug is a medicine that expels parasitic worms from your body by either stunning or killing them^12,13.

Anthelmintic drugs for the treatment of liver flukes in humans include:

Triclabendazole^7,14,15
Albendazole^15,16
Mebendazole¹⁷
Praziquantel^18,19,20

Disadvantages of anthelmintic drugs

The downsides of anthelmintic drugs are that:

Praziquantel^{7,9,10,14,15,21,22}, albendazole⁹^,²¹, and mebendazole⁹ are ineffective against Fasciola species.
Praziquantel is also ineffective against the juvenile form of Opisthorchis viverrini²³.
Liver flukes show resistance to praziquantel¹⁸, triclabendazole^1,21,24 and albendazole^1,25
These drugs can cause moderate or serious adverse effects and toxicity^15,20,26.

Liver flukes and heavy metals

Studies have shown that heavy metals bio-accumulate in liver flukes²⁷.

Furthermore, levels of heavy metals found in liver flukes are higher than in their hosts^27,28.

Benefits of a heavy metal cleanse

Natural remedies that remove heavy metals (such as cadmium, thallium, and arsenic) from the human body have anti-liver fluke properties.

The possible underlying mechanism is that once freed from these heavy metals, the host’s immune system is more effective.

High concentrations of heavy metals have, namely, adverse effects on the immune system^28,30.

As such, the proliferation of parasites is likely due to an impaired host immune response in polluted conditions.

How to get rid of liver flukes naturally in humans

Some herbal medicines, foods, and nutritional supplements have shown anti-liver flukes properties in studies.

The benefit of these natural remedies is that they don’t cause any side effects and, as such, can be taken long-term.

If you wonder how to get rid of liver flukes naturally in humans, here is a list of the best remedies to do a cleanse:

1. Omega-3 fatty acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are among the strongest liver fluke killer remedies.

They, namely, increase glutathione levels³¹.

Glutathione, in turn, helps your body to get rid of heavy metals³².

Dietary supplements and foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids include:

Flaxseed oil

Flaxseed oil is an edible oil obtained by pressing flax seeds.

This oil is high in omega-3 fatty acids essential in the human diet^33,34.

Furthermore, flaxseed oil removes heavy metals from your body.

Studies have shown that dietary supplementation with flaxseed oil reduces the number of Fasciola hepatica worms and eggs thanks to its omega-3 fatty acids content³⁵.

This is because these fatty acids boost your immune response and target pathogens directly³⁵.

Spinach juice

Spinach leaves, like other green leafy vegetables, are a good source of alpha-linolenic acid³⁶.

Just like flaxseed oil, spinach juice has anti-fascioliasis properties thanks to its high omega-3 fatty acids content.

Moringa powder

Moringa oleifera is a fast-growing, small tree native to the Indian subcontinent³⁷.

Studies have shown that moringa seeds and leaves reduce the number of Fasciola hepatica worms and eggs^38,39,40.

Moringa seeds⁴¹ and leaves^41,42 are high in omega-3 fatty acids.

Moreover, the anti-fascioliasis effects of moringa might also be attributed to tannins, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and saponins^38,39,40.

2. Methyl donors

The methylation cycle is a process in your bodythat, among others, neutralizes heavy metals via the production of glutathione^43,44.

Furthermore, methyl donors are substances that can transfer a methyl group.

Methyl donors and co-factors of the methylation cycle need to be present in sufficient amounts to keep the cycle running.

Hence methyl donors and co-factors of the methylation cycle have anti-liver fluke properties.

They include^45,46,70,71

Methionine
Folate (not toxic folic acid)
Betaine/choline
Vitamin B2, B3, and B6
Zinc

3. Vitamins

The use of natural antioxidants, including minerals and vitamins as anthelmintic agents has recently begun to be studied⁴⁷.

Some of them show good anti-parasitic potential.

The possible underlying mechanism is that liver flukes need high levels of vitamins to survive and proliferate⁴⁸.

As a result, they deplete the host’s vitamin A⁴⁹, C⁵⁰, and E⁵¹, diminishing its immune response.

As such, dietary supplementation with high doses of these vitamins restores the host’s defense mechanisms and its ability to get rid of liver flukes.

Vitamin E

A study has shown that vitamin E, α-tocopherol, reduces the number of Fasciola hepatica worms³⁵.

Also, it decreases bile duct cancer (cholangiocarcinoma) caused by Opisthorchis viverrini liver flukes⁵¹.

Fresh spinach juice is a rich source of natural vitamin E^68,69.

Vitamin C

Research revealed that vitamin C kills liver fluke-induced bile duct cancer cells⁵².

Consequently, high doses of vitamin C can help you get rid of liver fluke disease.

4. Goldenseal (berberine)

Goldenseal, which scientific name is Hydrastis canadensis, is a perennial plant native to North America.

It is a rich source of isoquinoline alkaloids, including berberine and hydrastine.

Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) for the treatment of liver flukes.

A study has shown that berberine has protective effects against blood flukes, another type of flukes⁵³.

Thanks to its antioxidant properties, it increases glutathione levels⁵³.

The herbal medicine goldenseal or its extract berberine are both effective for the treatment of liver flukes.

5. Artemisinin

Artemisia annua and Artemisia ludoviciana are two flowering plants that belong to the Asteraceae family^54,55.

A study has shown that Artemisia annua kills Fasciola hepatica liver flukes⁵⁶.

It also helps to cleanse intestinal and blood flukes⁵⁶.

Artemisia annua to cleanse liver flukes.

Furthermore, research revealed that Artemisia ludoviciana (mexicana) has fasciolicidal effects^57,58.

The active component of both plants is artemisinin^56,57.

As a consequence, artemisinin can be used to get rid of liver flukes naturally.

6. Quercetin

Natural antioxidants found in plants such as polyphenols and terpenes have anti-liver fluke effects⁵⁹.

Quercetin is a plant flavonoid found in fruits and vegetables⁶⁰.

Research indicates that quercetin has anthelmintic activity against Opisthorchis felineus⁴⁷.

Also, leaves of the tropical plant bitter melon (momordica charantia) have anti-helminthic activity against Fasciola hepatica eggs thanks to their quercetin content⁶¹.

Bitter melon (Momordica charantia) to get rid of liver flukes.

The herbal medicine bitter melon or quercetin alone can be used for the treatment of liver fluke disease.

7. Turmeric root

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a flowering plant of the Zingiberaceae family^62,63.

The main active substances of turmeric root are curcumin and turmerone^63,64.

Studies have shown that curcumin eliminates Fasciola giganta⁶⁵.

Curcumin also prevents and decreases Opisthorchis viverrini-induced bile duct cancer^66,67.

Dosage

Choose one of the supplements mentioned above.
Take the smallest possible dosage.
Wait a few days to see how your body reacts.
Gradually, increase the amount.
Later, switch to another supplement.
Regularly take a break from the treatment to allow your body to evacuate the dead flukes and their toxins.

Liver flukes treatment and side effects

Dead liver flukes tend to remain blocked in your digestive tract if you don’t eat enough fiber.

Good sources of fiber are: plums/prunes or psyllium husk.

Dietary supplements for liver fluke infection may cause a Herxheimer reaction.

Here Is How To Get Rid Of A Herxheimer Reaction Naturally.

Summary: How to get rid of liver flukes naturally

Anthelmintic drugs such as praziquantel, albendazole, mebendazole, and triclabendazole have disadvantages.

Their major drawbacks are inefficacy, resistance, side effects, and toxicity.

If you wonder how to get rid of liver flukes naturally in humans, several remedies can help you.

They work by boosting your immune system or attacking the parasites directly.

Here are the best natural remedies for the treatment of liver flukes in humans:

Omega-3 fatty acids
Methyl donors
Vitamin E and C
Artemisinin
Quercetin
Goldenseal (berberine)
Turmeric

The post How To Get Rid Of Liver Flukes Naturally appeared first on Cilantro News.

17 Symptoms Of Liver Flukes In Humans

Pamela Nylander PhD — Sat, 02 Oct 2021 07:23:05 +0000

Find out about 17 symptoms of liver flukes in humans in this article.

Also, discover how to know if you have these parasites.

Liver flukes affect more than 10% of the population¹.

These parasites can wreak havoc on your body with severe possible clinical consequences².

Yet, liver fluke infection remains a neglected disease¹.

What are liver flukes?

Liver flukes are a group of flatworms in the class Trematoda.

They occur in the bile ducts, gallbladder, and liver of various mammals, including humans³.

These parasites are also capable of moving along the blood circulation³.

The two main species of liver flukes are Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica¹.

Together with lung flukes and intestinal flukes, liver flukes form a group known as the “food-borne trematodes”¹.

Geographic distribution

Fasciola hepatica has a wide geographic distribution occurring in all continents except Antarctica and is present in temperate regions of the world¹.

Fasciola gigantica, on the other hand, occurs in more tropical areas of Africa and Asia¹.

What is the most widespread human disease caused by flukes?

Adult liver flukes settle in the bile ducts where they live for about 20 to 30 years².

They cause chronic inflammation of the bile duct system, known as cholangitis²^,⁴.

This inflammation, in turn, produces epithelial cell proliferation, fibrosis, and bile duct dilatation²^,⁵.

Most patients are asymptomatic, but individuals with heavy infection suffer from fatigue and nonspecific abdominal complaints².

The complications of liver fluke disease are gallstone formation and biliary tract cancer, known as cholangiocarcinoma²^,⁵^,⁶.

The function of the gallbladder

The gallbladder is a small pear-shaped hollow organ, which lies beneath the liver.

It receives and stores bile, produced by the liver, and releases it into the duodenum, where it helps in the digestion of fats.

Consequences of bile duct obstruction

When liver flukes mechanically obstruct your bile ducts^2,⁵, bile can no longer run normally from your liver into your gallbladder and duodenum.

Instead, it stagnates in your liver, resulting in a fatty liver.

Also, excess bile then circulates in your bloodstream, causing, sometimes, jaundice and changing the pH environment of other organs.

What are the symptoms of liver flukes in humans?

Although most liver fluke infections are asymptomatic²^,⁹^,¹⁰, here are some of the symptoms of this disease in humans:

Chronic fatigue²^,⁷^,⁸^,⁹
Vertigo¹⁰
Lack of concentration (brain fog), ADHD⁹
Diarrhea⁵^,⁸^,⁹, IBS (constipation/diarrhea)⁹, and flatulance⁸
Abdominal pain⁵^,⁹^,¹¹^,¹²
Instability, irritability, and delusional disorders¹⁰
Insomnia⁹^,¹⁰
Anxiety and depression⁹
Headache (cephalalgia)⁹^,¹⁰^,¹²
Bile duct stones and gallstones²^,¹³
Jaundice⁵ ^,12^,¹³^,¹⁴
Anorexia⁵ ^,8^,¹²^,¹⁵ and weight loss¹¹^,¹²^,¹⁵
Anemia⁵^,⁷^,¹⁰^,¹⁵
Fatty liver⁶
Esophagitis (GERD)⁹^,⁵
Nausea and vomiting⁵
Decreased libido⁹

What are the clinical signs of liver flukes in humans?

The clinical signs of liver flukes in humans include:

A rise in eosinophils (eosinophilia)⁵^,⁸^,¹⁰^,¹²^,¹⁵
An increase in liver enzymes¹⁵
(Low grade) fever⁸^,¹²
Bile duct dilatation²^,⁵

Characteristics of liver flukes

What are the different stages in the life cycle of the liver fluke?

Fasciola hepatica being a hermaphrodite, it reproduces by itself or with another adult fluke in the bile ducts or gallbladder of its definite host¹⁵.

The parasite then releases its eggs, which escape the host’s body via the feces¹⁵.

When the eggs are laid and come into contact with freshwater, they hatch and release free-swimming larvae, known as miracidia¹⁶.

The miracidia search for a snail and enter into the intermediate host for asexual reproduction¹⁶.

After asexual multiplication, tailed larvae, known as cercariae, emerge from the snail and swim through the water until they locate vegetation¹⁵.

The cercariae encyst on aquatic vegetation, such as watercress, becoming metacercariae, a resting type of larvae¹⁵^,¹⁷.

The metacercariae are ingested by their definite host through eating or drinking⁵^,¹⁵.

How many hosts will the liver fluke have during its life cycle?

At least two:

The intermediate host (the snail)
The final host (the mammal or the human)

How many metacercariae does one liver fluke produce?

Adult liver flukes lay between 8000 and 25 000 eggs per day¹⁵.

A single miracidium, in turn, can produce from 10 to 700 metacercariae¹⁵.

What do liver flukes look like?

Adult Fasciola hepatica liver flukes have a flat and leaf-shaped (oval) body³^,⁵.

Fasciola hepatica

They are hermaphrodites, having complete sets of both male and female reproductive systems³.

What do liver flukes feed on?

Liver flukes feed primarily on blood³^,¹⁵ but also on bile and liver tissue¹⁵.

They have, therefore, a red color, which turns brown when they die.

What size are liver flukes?

The three main types of liver flukes are the following size⁵^,⁹:

Species	Length (in)	Width (in)
*Fasciola hepatica*	1,2	0,6
*Fasciola giganta*	3	0,6
*Clonorchis sinensis*	1	0,2

Do liver flukes have suckers?

The liver fluke has two suckers⁵:

A large one on the ventral side that allows it to suction itself to the wall of the bile duct.
Another sucker, smaller and more anterior, which it may use to feed on the bile.

Can liver flukes be seen in stool?

When liver flukes are passed in the stool they look like red pieces of rolled up tomato skins.

When the flukes are freshly dead, these “rolled up tomato skins” can be seen, given that they are bright red. They are sometimes mistaken for blood.

However, when the flukes have been dead for a while, these “rolled up tomato skins” are light brown and may, therefore, not be visible in the stool.

Symptoms of liver flukes in humans

How do I know if I have liver flukes?

An easy way to know if you have liver flukes is to look at the color of your stool.

Stools from a healthy individual are brown.

The reason is that when the two pigments of bile, bilirubin, and biliverdin, are mixed with the intestinal content, they give the brown color of feces¹⁸.

On the contrary, if your stools are pale (beige, yellow, or green), it could be a sign of bile duct obstruction¹¹.

How do you get liver flukes?

You can get infected with liver flukes from:

Eating uncooked aquatic food, such as watercress⁵^,¹⁰^,¹²^,¹⁵^,¹⁹.
The consumption of raw vegetables and fruits⁵^,²⁰.
Drinking natural water¹⁰^,¹²^,¹⁵^,²⁰.
Eating raw or poorly cooked fish²^,⁸^,⁹^,¹³^,¹⁴^,¹⁵^,²¹.
Eating undercooked meat from herbivorous mammals (e.g. cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, and deer)¹^,⁵^,¹⁰^,¹² .

What are the symptoms of halzoun in humans?

Halzoun syndrome is a rare form of liver fluke disease that occurs in an unusual place, namely, the pharynx.

It is seen in the Middle East, in areas where people eat raw liver⁵.

In this case, the liver flukes attach themselves to the mucosa of the upper respiratory tract causing pharyngitis and, rarely, asphyxia⁵.

How To Get Rid Of Liver Flukes Naturally

Here Is How To Get Rid Of Liver Flukes Naturally.

Summary: Symptoms of liver flukes in humans

Liver flukes are a type of parasitic flatworm of the class Trematoda.

The vast majority of individuals infected with this worm are asymptomatic².

Nevertheless, heavily infected individuals may suffer from a wide range of symptoms.

The main symptoms of liver flukes in humans are chronic fatigue and abdominal complaints².

Other symptoms of liver flukes in humans include:

Chronic fatigue
Vertigo
Lack of concentration (brain fog), ADHD
Diarrhea, IBS (constipation/diarrhea), and flatulance
Abdominal pain
Instability, irritability, and delusional disorders
Insomnia
Anxiety and depression
Headache (cephalalgia)
Bile duct stones and gallstones
Jaundice
Anorexia and weight loss
Anemia
Fatty liver
Esophagitis (GERD)
Nausea and vomiting
Decreased libido

The post 17 Symptoms Of Liver Flukes In Humans appeared first on Cilantro News.