Intestinal worms are parasites that can infect your digestive tract and cause various symptoms, such as diarrhea, bloating, gas, stomach pain, weight loss, vomiting, fatigue, or worms in your stool. Intestinal worms can be contracted by eating contaminated food or water, coming into contact with infected animals or people, or living in unsanitary conditions.
There are different types of intestinal worms, such as pinworms, whipworms, tapeworms, liver flukes, and roundworms. Each type of worm has its own life cycle and mode of transmission. Some intestinal worms can be treated with over-the-counter or prescription medications, but they may also have side effects or complications.
Here are some of the natural home remedies that you can try to get rid of intestinal worms:
- Coconut: Coconut is a popular remedy for intestinal worms because it contains a substance called lauric acid, which can kill parasites. You can consume a tablespoon of crushed coconut in your breakfast and then drink a glass of warm milk mixed with two tablespoons of castor oil after three hours. Castor oil can help flush out the worms from your intestines. You can repeat this remedy for a week to get rid of all types of intestinal worms.
- Papaya seeds: Papaya seeds have anthelmintic and anti-amoebic properties, which means they can kill worms and amoebas. You can chew five to six fresh raw papaya seeds and swallow them with water or juice. Alternatively, you can grind the seeds into a fine powder and mix it with a glass of water or juice and drink it. You can do this once a day for seven days to get rid of intestinal worms.
- Pomegranate bark: Pomegranate bark contains alkaloids that are toxic to intestinal worms. You can obtain dried pomegranate bark from a reputable source and grind it into a fine powder. You can mix one to two teaspoons of the powder with a glass of warm water and drink it on an empty stomach in the morning. You can do this for a few days to get rid of intestinal worms.
- Wormwood: Wormwood is an herb that has been used for centuries to treat parasitic infections. It contains compounds that can paralyze and kill worms. You can make a tea by steeping one teaspoon of dried wormwood leaves in a cup of boiling water for 10 minutes. You can strain and drink the tea twice a day for three to five days to get rid of intestinal worms. However, you should not use wormwood if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have a seizure disorder.
- Garlic: Garlic is another powerful remedy for intestinal worms because it has antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and antiparasitic properties. It can also boost your immune system and help your body fight off infections. You can chew two to three cloves of peeled garlic and consume them daily on an empty stomach. If you have a sensitive stomach, you can also crush the garlic cloves and mix them with honey or milk and drink it.
- Pumpkin seeds: Pumpkin seeds are rich in cucurbitacin, which is a compound that can paralyze and expel worms from your intestines. You can eat a handful of raw or roasted pumpkin seeds daily or make a smoothie by blending them with water or milk and some honey. You can drink the smoothie once a day for a week to get rid of intestinal worms.
- Raw carrots: Raw carrots are high in fiber and beta-carotene, which can help improve your digestion and prevent worm infestation. You can eat two to three raw carrots every morning on an empty stomach or grate them and add some lemon juice and honey and eat it as a salad. You can do this for a week to get rid of intestinal worms.
- Tea tree oil: Tea tree oil is an essential oil that has antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiparasitic properties. It can help kill intestinal worms and prevent them from multiplying. You can mix 12 drops of tea tree oil with 30 ml of coconut oil and massage the blend gently into your belly for a few minutes. You can do this twice a day for a week to get rid of intestinal worms.
These are some of the natural home remedies that you can try to get rid of intestinal worms. However, you should remember that these remedies are not substitutes for medical treatment and may not work for everyone. You should always consult your doctor before trying any home remedy and follow their advice on how to prevent and treat intestinal worm infections.
The treatment for intestinal worms depends on the type of worm and the severity of the infection.
Some common medications that are used to treat intestinal worms are:
Albendazole: This medication can kill roundworms, whipworms, hookworms, and some tapeworms. It is usually taken for one to three days. It may cause mild abdominal pain or diarrhea. It is not recommended for pregnant women.
Ivermectin: This medication can kill roundworms, hookworms, and some other parasites. It is usually taken as a single dose. It may cause dizziness, nausea, or itching. It is not recommended for pregnant women or people with liver problems.
Mebendazole: This medication can kill roundworms, whipworms, hookworms, and pinworms. It is usually taken for one to three days. It may cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, or headache. It is not recommended for pregnant women or children under two years old.
Praziquantel: This medication can kill tapeworms and flukes. It is usually taken as a single dose. It may cause drowsiness, nausea, or abdominal cramps. It is not recommended for pregnant women or people with liver problems.
Pyrantel pamoate: This medication can kill roundworms and pinworms. It is usually taken as a single dose. It may cause nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. It is safe for pregnant women.
These medications work by paralyzing or killing the adult worms and causing them to detach from the gut and pass out of the body through the stool. However, some medications may not kill the eggs or larvae of the worms, which may remain in the body and cause reinfection. Therefore, it is important to follow the doctor’s instructions on how to take the medication and how to prevent reinfection.
Some ways to prevent intestinal worm infections are:
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before eating or preparing food and after using the toilet or handling animals.
Drink only boiled or filtered water and avoid ice cubes or tap water in areas where sanitation is poor.
Cook your food well and avoid raw or undercooked meat, fish, eggs, or dairy products.
Wash your fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating them and peel them if possible.
Avoid contact with soil that may be contaminated with animal feces or human waste.
Keep your nails short and clean and avoid biting them.
Deworm your pets regularly and keep them away from your food and utensils.
Wear shoes when walking outdoors and avoid walking barefoot in areas where soil may be infested with worms.
Intestinal worms are common but unpleasant infections that can affect your health and well-being. You can also try some natural home remedies to get rid of intestinal worms, such as coconut, papaya seeds, pomegranate bark, wormwood, garlic, pumpkin seeds, raw carrots, or tea tree oil. However, keep in mind that these remedies are not proven by scientific research and may not work for everyone. You should always consult your doctor before trying any home remedy, especially if you have a serious infection or a chronic medical condition.
If you have any symptoms of intestinal worms or suspect that you have been exposed to them, you should see a doctor as soon as possible for diagnosis and treatment.
Dr. Karuturi Subrahmanyam, MD, FRCP (London), FACP (USA)
Internal Medicine Specialist
Kify Hospital
Danavaipeta
Rajahmundry
Phone : 85000 23456