Worms
Worms (helminths) are parasitic creatures that live in the body of a host (such as humans or animals) where they gain nutrients in order to survive. There are many different types of worms that can live inside humans, the most common in developed countries include tapeworms, roundworms and flukes. Each variety of worm has a particular life cycle but none will actually proliferate in their host, their eggs being passed out in the faeces in order to find another host in which to live. The Australian Society of Parasitology explains the life cycles of individual worms. The amount of worms in the initial infestation will depend on the amount of eggs ingested whilst larger infestations can occur with repeated exposure to contaminated foods etc. The types of worms most commonly encountered in the developed countries usually mature slowly in the gut and produce no symptoms at all but more severe or long term infestations can lead to symptoms which include anaemia, malnutrition and weight loss, stomach bloating, grinding the teeth, rectal prolapse, blood in the faeces, general fatigue, aches and pains, itching around the anus, coughing and breathlessness and a general feeling of being unwell. Worms are contracted in their tiny egg form, usually through contaminated food (such as raw or undercooked meat, fish or unwashed vegetables), contact with infected faeces, inhaled in dust, through water sources, through the skin and even through flies and mosquitoes. Although the idea of worms living within us may be unpleasant to many, some speculate (with increasing evidence) that the war against worms that began in the early twentieth century, may be related to the increase of allergies and other over active immune response conditions (such as Crohns disease and asthma) in developed countries. Introducing certain worms into the body can be used as a form of inoculation against such 'autoimmune' disorders. The thinking is that the worms tone down the general immune response of its host in order to remain unharmed in the gut. Various types of worms have been living inside us for thousands of years, perhaps making subtle changes to our immune response which may have made us less vulnerable to the many modern health conditions that are thought to be caused by an overexcited immune response. Healing objectives are, above all, to raise the general vitality of the body through good diet, keep the bowels clean by eating plenty of plant fibre in the form of fresh vegetables, keep the liver in good health and the bile flowing freely, rest and relaxation and to use appropriate herbs and natural healing techniques to reduce or eliminate worm infestation. Include plenty of raw garlic in the diet, at least 3 cloves daily. Many people manage to reduce or rid themselves of worms by avoiding refined carbohydrates and sugary foods as they seem to be the quickest and most preferred form of nutrition for many worms. Try a diet of lightly cooked vegetables, dark green leaves, a few lightly cooked grains such as brown rice, sprouted grains, fresh veg or fruit juices and nuts and seeds for a few weeks and avoid all processed foods, including meat and dairy foods. Fortunately, many plant foods contain worm and parasite killing substances. These include garlic, pomegranate, turmeric, pumpkin seeds, coriander seeds, cloves, ginger, fresh coconut and its oil, papaya, cucumber (particularly the seeds), watermelon (seeds again), carrots (raw), cayenne/chilli, peppercorns, horseradish, thyme, bitter melon, black radish and other radishes and onions. Devise a few different 'salad' recipes from several of the above ingredients and eat every day for a few weeks. For example.... grated raw carrot, grated raw coconut, a few pumpkin seeds, a pinch of chilli, ginger or turmeric and a pinch of black pepper with raw olive oil as a dressing. Go for taste combinations that appeal to you. Herbs that have anthelmintic (worm killing) properties include black walnut shells, cloves, elecampagne root, wormwood, centaury, gentian root, neem leaves, papaya seeds, grapefruit seeds, mullein, plantain leaf, holy thistle, myrrh, chapparal and vervain. Do not scratch your bottom if you suspect you have worms as they can get under the fingernails and be spread to others this way. Washing your clothes, towels and bedlinen regularly can help to limit or stop the spread of worm eggs. Good personal hygiene is obviously vital too.General characteristics
General characteristics
Diet and lifestyle
Diet and lifestyle
Useful herbs
Useful herbs
Natural healing
Natural healing
