Some common types of parasitic worms found in man are flukes, tapeworms, hookworm, roundworms and other types of internal parasites.

If they are not quickly eliminated from the body, they can cause a lot of health problems like anemia, intestinal blockages,digestive disorders, it causes infection in pregnant women and frequent complications can occur in those with suppressed immune systems like those living with HIV or AIDS.

Signs and symptoms of intestinal worms

Signs and symptoms indicating the presence of worms in the body include unexplained weight loss, itching in the abdomen, abdominal cramps, pains and tenderness; bloating, fatigue, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, dysentery, rash or itching around the vulva or rectum, frequent hunger and passing out worms in your stool.

They can also cause cravings for a high amount of sugar; headaches, head sores, constant hunger pangs despite eating, desire to eat unnatural things, seizures and itchy buttocks.

It is possible for one to have worms for a long period of time (years) without having or feeling any of the above symptoms.

Causes/risk factors

There are causes or risk factors that make it easy for worms or their eggs to enter the body and some of them are:

• Eating raw or undercooked meat of an infected animal.
• Drinking contaminated water
• Consumption of contaminated soil; that is why it is important to thoroughly wash fruits and vegetables before consuming them.
• Coming in contact with contaminated feces
• Poor personal hygiene
• Poor sanitation around your home and environment

Children are at greater risk of having worms and they are more susceptible to intestinal infections because they play in soil that can be contaminated.

Older adults are at lower risk of having worms; the adults who have higher risks are those with a weakened or suppressed immune system.

It is estimated that 10% of people in developing countries have intestinal infections caused by worms; they get this mostly by drinking contaminated water and their environment are mostly dirty.

Once someone comes in contact with the contaminant; it enters into the body and heads straight to the intestines where they grow and reproduce.

There can reproduce and increase in size and become so many that they start interrupting normal metabolic functions; their waste products are toxic and can cause a lot of disruptions in cellular functions and metabolic activities. This is when the symptoms start to appear.

Natural ways to de-worm yourself

Deworming, also known as drenching is the process of removing intestinal worms and parasites from the body. Below are effective natural things that can expel worms and parasites from the body.

Papaya seeds: These seeds contain powerful compounds like caricin, Carpaine, and an enzyme called myrosin; these compounds kill parasites, contract the intestines, expel the toxins secreted by these parasites as waste products and reduce inflammation caused by the waste products of these worms.

You can eat fresh pawpaw seeds gotten from the fruits and you can also take dry pawpaw seeds with yogurt.

Cucumber seeds: These are effective in removing tapeworm from the digestive tract; this is due to their rich content of enzymes. Eat lots of these seeds daily until you get the desired result.

Pineapples: The bromelain contained in this fruit helps in expelling tapeworms from the body; it also expels the waste products and free radicals produced by these worms, it also starves these worms by reducing the amount of glucose available to them.

Cloves: The active compound in this herb is Eugenol; it is regarded as the most powerful germicide in the plant kingdom; it contains another compound called caryophyllene which is a strong antimicrobial agent.

These compounds kill parasites, along with their eggs and larvae.

Lemon juice and banana: Crush one banana and mix it with a tablespoon of lemon juice; banana is a natural laxative that can expel worms.

It also contains a good amount of oligosaccharides which contracts the intestines; lemon juice kills the parasites because of its antibacterial and antiprotozoal effects.

Ginger: This powerful herb kills parasites; it reduces their symptoms like cramps, pains, nausea, vomiting and bloating. It increases the production of stomach acid which kills these bad worms.

It prevents infection by parasites in the first place when taken regularly; it also warms the digestive system and eliminates mucus.

Pomegranates: This helps to clean the intestines and get rid of worms; take at least five glasses of pomegranate juice a day when you notice one or more of the signs.

Cayenne pepper: This hot spice kills parasites; molds and fungus when it comes in contact with them; it boosts the effectiveness of other herbs when combined with them.

Mix African cayenne, sprouted pumpkin seeds and ginger to expel intestinal worms.

Pumpkin seeds: These seeds contain cucurbitacins; this compound kills intestinal worms by destroying their nervous system, this affects their growth and makes them die fast.

These seeds contain other compounds that kill worms; take 15 or more seeds a day till you see improvement.

Black walnut: The green hulls of black walnut can kill many varieties of parasites; it has been used for centuries to expel varieties of worms.

It is effective against tapeworm and pinworms; it is also used to treat candida albicans which causes yeast infection and Plasmodium which causes malaria.

Take an alcohol tincture of this herb thrice daily.

Castor oil: This induce diarrhea and in the process, it flushes out all worms; take two tablespoons of castor oil daily on an empty stomach, this is more effective.

Check with a doctor before using this remedy because it can’t work on all worms. It makes cases of hookworm worse because hookworm attaches itself to the intestine and it digs deeper when the host is having diarrhea. This can lead to more pains.

Carom seeds: These seeds are rich in thymol; this compound inhibits the growth of intestinal worms.

Garlic: The active compound in garlic called Allicin can kill intestinal worms; take two cloves of garlic daily till you see improvement.

Neem: This is an effective natural remedy for all types of intestinal worms and parasites; it kills the parasites and eliminates the toxins they release in the body. Take neem tea twice daily to get rid of parasites.

Coconut oil: Caprylic acid contained in this oil has medium-chain fatty acids that can kill parasites. A teaspoon of coconut daily will help.

Carrots: The beta-carotene contained in carrots can destroy the eggs and larvae of intestinal worms; it also boosts the immune system and help the body fight off the parasite.

Eat carrots or drink carrots juice on an empty stomach every morning; don’t eat anything else until lunch. Do this for at least one week.

Oil of oregano: Contains carvacrol and thymol; these two compounds help treat parasitic infections.

Echinacea: This herb boosts immune functions and helps the body to kill parasites and foreign invaders; it helps in the production of white blood cells which kills and destroys these parasites.

Take Echinacea tea or you can take 500 mg of the capsule daily.

Turmeric: turmeric clears the body and keeps it clean from worms, parasites, and pathogens; Curcumin, its active ingredient disease-causing bacteria, and worms.

You can take turmeric tea or you can take 500 mg of the capsule daily.

Bearberry: Also known as Uva ursi; it contains a compound called Arbutin. It has a bactericidal effect and thereby rids the intestine of worms.

It kills them by disrupting their cell wall and inhibiting repair. Take 800 mg of the capsule and make sure you eat when you take it.

After de-worming, remember to take probiotics because some of these herbs knock out everything, including the good bacteria that are beneficial to the body.

Take lots of fermented foods, and organic unsweetened yogurt. Also, remember to rest and sleep well because the body repairs itself during this time. And remember to drink plenty water.

How to prevent getting worms

Below are effective ways to prevent intestinal worms and infections:

• Have a good personal hygiene
• Keep your home and surroundings clean
• Practice regular washing of hands especially after using the toilet and before eating; it is even advisable to wash your hands before preparing meals.
• Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating
• Wash and cook all meats thoroughly
• Avoid eating raw fish
• Wash and recook any food that falls on the floor
• Avoid coming in direct contact with soil because it may be contaminated.

Please make sure you see a doctor immediately:

• If you vomit daily or many times a day
• If you feel dehydrated despite drinking water
• If you are experiencing fatigue even when you don’t work
• If you have a high body temperature
• If you see blood or pus in your stool

Note that constant invasion by parasites and constant elimination of parasite is part of life; that is why we should make it a point of duty to de-worm ourselves regularly. This will help us to have at least few numbers of bad worms.