Toxin and Parasite Cleanse

Cleansing to remove toxins and parasites from the body are popular. By definition, all infectious agents in humans are parasites. By convention, though, parasitic disease refers to disease or symptoms caused by protozoa or helminths. They are usually transmitted by contaminated food or water. The practice of an herbal cleanse to remove parasites is considered unnecessary by conventional medicine but is common in alternative healing.

Parasites in North America

• It is commonly thought that parasites are rare in the developed world, but health practitioners are seeing increasing cases of intestinal parasites. Dr. Marcelle Pick notes in her article "Gastrointestinal Distress--Could it be intestinal parasite?" that what she had been diagnosing as irritable bowel syndrome was often actually intestinal parasites. She notes that imported food, salad bars, eating out, contaminated water and even juicing can lead to the problem. Symptoms of intestinal parasites mimic gastrointestinal distress in many cases.

Cleansing For Parasites

• Using herbs to cleanse for intestinal parasites should be done in consultation with a doctor, since many of the herbs used can be toxic, and because intestinal parasites are a serious condition. Also, much of the information is conflicting, and a doctor trained in herbal medicine will be able to tailor the cleanse to your needs.

  Herbs which are helpful for parasites include agrimony, which, according to herbalist Phyllis Balch, contains a substance that loosens parasites from the walls of the intestines, allowing them to be eliminated. Black walnut is safe for short-term use, but it is important to buy only the green hulls of black walnuts. Elecampane, or scabroot, is useful against intestinal parasites according to James Duke, author of The Green Pharmacy. Feverfew is also useful against parasites, as is garlic, which, combined with goldenseal, is even more effective. Again, according to Dr. James Duke, goldenseal can be toxic, so it is important to work with a doctor trained in herbal medicine. Finally, tansy and wormwood are effective against parasites but contain theorem, the substance which made absinthe banned and controversial. It should only be used in conjunction with a trained herbal doctor.

  Preparations may be bought which contain a combination of these herbs. Using the herbs at home is not recommended unless you are monitored by a doctor for dosage and length of usage.

Toxins in North America

• If we live in the modern world, we are exposed to toxins--pesticides in food, polluted air, alcohol, cigarettes, the list goes on. According to a news report on WPIX in Pittsburgh, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, tested 2,000 people and found 60 toxic substances in their blood. Again according to the news report on WPIX, the Environmental Working Group found an average of 200 industrial chemicals in umbilical cord blood in 10 babies born in U.S. hospitals in August and September of 2004. The liver, the largest internal organ, is responsible for breaking down toxins, among other functions. Cleansing your liver is the key to the toxin cleanse.

Toxin Cleanse

• A toxin cleanse should have three parts: a preparation, the actual cleanse day or week, and the sequel. The preparation should last one to two weeks, during which you eliminate alcohol, caffeine, as much sugar as possible, over-the-counter drugs, gluten, excess fats, and artificial sweeteners. During this time, also begin to eat green leafy vegetables or cruciferous (broccoli, cauliflower) vegetables at least once a day, as well as citrus fruits. You should also consume more egg yolks, garlic, and other sulfur rich foods. The cleanse day or week itself can be a juice fast, a variation of the Master Cleanse where you drink lemon, maple syrup and cayenne pepper for one week, or Dr. Gittleman's Cranberry Orange juice fast. The final portion of the cleanse is the sequel, where you do all the things your did for preparation, but also eat either half a cup of yogurt or sauerkraut and take a hydrochloric acid supplement.