Cat's Claw & Intestinal Worms

Intestinal worms can cause much discomfort and uncomfortable side effects. While there are medicinal treatments for getting rid of these nasty parasites, you can also try a natural remedy as a cure for your intestinal worm issue. Cat's claw is one possible herbal remedy for these problems.

Function

• Cat's claw is an herb that can be used as a natural remedy for particular ailments. It has inherent properties that include adaptogenic, anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor. The herb can be beneficial for stomach and intestinal problems as well as arthritis, diabetes, cancer, herpes, bursitis, allergies, lupus and chronic fatigue syndrome, according to the Natural Health and Longevity Resource Center.

Intestinal Worms

• Intestinal worms can affect not only animals but humans, as well. Protozoa and helminthes are two types of worms that can lay claim to the intestinal tract. The single-celled protozoa can reside inside the intestines and multiply. Helminthes, such as tapeworms and roundworms, cannot multiply once they are inside the body.

Symptoms

• If you pick up an intestinal worm you may experience such symptoms as nausea, bloating, diarrhea, gas, weight loss, fatigue, weakness or vomiting, and you may pass the worm out through a bowel movement. You can also have side effects including constipation, anemia, trouble sleeping, grinding of teeth, edginess, irritable bowel syndrome, aches in joints or muscles and allergies.

Cat's Claw Remedy

• Cat's claw helps to rid intestinal worms by cleansing the intestines. It can also be used in conjunction with most other herbs that are used to treat parasitic worms. However, pregnant women should not use cat's claw as it may have negative effects on the fetus. The herb cannot be used against giardia, because this type of parasite thrives in the environment that cat's claw creates in the internal tract.

Alternative Herbal Remedies

• If cat's claw is not readily available or appropriate to use on your intestinal worms, the Natural Health and Longevity Resource Center and Herbal Remedies Info suggest a few other natural treatments. Garlic---either in whole cloves or oral garlic supplements---can be employed to get rid of roundworms, giardia, trypanosome, plasmodium and leishmania. Mashed or juiced pumpkin seeds are a treatment for roundworms and tapeworms. After you consume about 25 ounces of seeds, it is recommended to use a laxative to get rid of the seeds in the intestines. Wormseed is an herb that can be used to fight roundworms, hookworms and tapeworms. Wormseed tea is a viable treatment option. Black walnut nut hulls are suitable for combating intestinal worms, especially tapeworms. This treatment can be taken in the form of an extract but it is not recommended for infants or children. Consult your doctor prior to use of any herbal remedies to ensure a safe application.