Regehr Clark drew world attention to one specific fluke that she
maintains is the cause of all diseases. There are in fact over
3000 different parasites that have been loosely grouped into four
According to the World Health Organization, 3.5
billion people suffer from some type of parasitic infection. Not
all of these people live in third world countries; many in the
developed world have any number of parasitic infections, some of
which are so highly contagious that extremely casual contact with
something that has been handled by an infected person can infect
Since there are such a huge
variety of parasites and their characteristics vary greatly,
it is not possible to generalize too much; however some broad
statements are possible. The symptoms of parasitic infection
vary enormously, enough that anyone reading the list that follows
will quickly assume that he or she harbors some type of parasitic
infection. Therefore, it should be stated that the presence of
one or more of these symptoms does not lead ipso facto to the
conclusion that one is infected, merely that it might be worth
investigating the possibility of such an infection.
Symptoms of Parasitic Infection
Acute parasite infection is usually
characterized by greater or lesser abdominal distress and diarrhea,
often urgent and attended by burning sensations and tremendous
fluid loss. Only rarely is there any visible evidence of infection.
Moreover, many laboratories fail to detect the presence of parasites
even when presented with specimens from infected persons. It is
therefore sometimes necessary for the patient to determine whether
infection is likely and to self-administer some remedy since allopathic
medicine requires a diagnosis before prescriptions can be written.
Once a condition has moved from acute
to chronic, there may be alternating periods of constipation and
diarrhea, abdominal distention and bloating, intestinal cramping
followed by burning sensations and the sudden urge to eliminate.
Generally, there is malabsorption of nutrients, especially fatty
foods. Irritable bowel syndrome, blood sugar fluctuations, sudden
food cravings, and extreme emaciation or overweight are all possible
symptomsbut, as stated, not necessarily proof of parasitic
Itching is a possible clue to infection,
especially among children; however, the absence of itching does
not mean there is no infection. The itching tends to be worst where
there is moisture: nose, eyes, ears, and of course the anus. Skin
sensitivity is also common: rashes, eczema-like conditions, and
even serious eruptions.
Many parasites affect the nervous
system and give rise to sleep disorders, such as insomnia. In children,
hyperactivity is common, but adults may have symptoms ranging from
depression to anxiety. Some parasites affect the brain and memory.
In short, the part of the body affected depends on where the parasites
have invaded: blood, intestines, liver, pancreas, kidneys, brain,
etc. To make infection even more difficult to determine, add to
this scenario the fact that many, if not most, parasites migrate
so the symptoms could change depending on where the parasites are
at any given time.
How Parasite Infections are
It is extremely easy to contract
a parasite infection. Contaminated water is one source of infection.
Improperly washed or undercooked food is a common means of infection.
Transmission from pets is another. Contact with another infected
person is also a common route of infection. Travel can escalate
the risks. Antibiotics pose another problem because they interfere
with normal intestinal flora, some which tend to control certain
types of infection.
Since there are many types of parasites,
each with its own particular life cycle and pattern, a few generalizations
may simplify the rationale behind the different treatment strategies.
one needs to understand that the parasite is a creature that
depends on a host for survival, ergo its name. It leeches nutrients
that the host needs in order to be healthy.
the parasite invades a bodily structure and inflicts damage
to that structure so healing requires both the elimination
of the parasite and the regeneration or
rejuvenation of the affected organs.
One thing at a time. I spent many
years in tropical countries and came to realize that experts in
parasitology are more likely to hail from such countries than from
the big modern medical institutions that tend to underestimate
the importance of parasitic infection. Parasites lay eggs, thousands
of them each day. According to most investigators, the
eggs are destroyed by cloves and/or clove oil. Some eggs may be
weakened by hydrochloric acid in the stomach, but parasites are
clever and want to survive so they usually lay their eggs where
the chances of viability are greater. Therefore, the hydrochloric
acid is mainly effective against newly ingested eggs. Since one
can never be certain of destroying all the eggs, perseverance has
Many parasites hide in the folds
of the large intestine or under the membrane lining of the intestines.
When the eggs hatch, usually around the time of the full moon,
the lining sloughs off and exposes a sensitive area that gives
rise to acute pain and often the urge to eliminate. Some people
have observed the tissue when it is sloughed off.
I want to tell a clove story. I had
some cloves in a conventional spice jar. One day when I went to
use the cloves, I noticed that the red plastic lid was "melted." It
looked just as it might had it been exposed to extreme heat, but
the plastic was a bit sticky. I have since discovered that several
spices, good quality, fresh spices, have a similar capacity to
emulsify plastic. I am certain that it is the volatile oils in
the cloves that possess this unique trait.
For parasite cleansing, it is necessary
to use fresh cloves that have not been irradiated. Most spices
are irradiated with 35,000 the amount of radiation permitted in
a chest x-ray. This is ostensibly done to eradicate bacteria, but
spices are generally excellent bactericides so the irradiation
is merely a way of destroying the precious properties of spices.
Non-irradiated spices are available from most high-end health foods
stores, and we, of course, carry these spices.
Cloves are among the most antibacterial
spices known, but as we all know, a few cloves go a long way. Those
with some familiarity with herbal medicine know that clove oil
is also used to numb pain due to dental infection; but few know
that part of the reason clove oil works so well is that it alleviates
the infection. Cloves are antiseptic, bactericidal, and antiparasitic.
The Second Strategy
After addressing the eggs, one can
deal with the parasites that managed to hatch. There are various
opinions here as to what works. Hulda Clark and Hanna Kroeger used
wormwood, Artemesia absinthium, in a powdered form and the green
hulls of black walnuts in
a tincture. These are traditional Western herbs for parasites,
and a recent study at the University of Washington suggests that
a different species of wormwood, Artemisia
annua, a famed anti-malarial herb that is also in many parasitic
formulas, has significant anti-cancer
properties as well. It is this artemisia that we use in our
Chinese medicine relies on bitter
herbs to stimulate the liver to produce more bile. One theory is
that it is the bile that kills intestinal parasites, not the toxic
properties of the herbs. It is important to bring this out since
wormwood is toxic, not perhaps in small doses, but to gain some
idea of its addictive and toxic properties, one need merely look
at the absinthe habits of the nineteenth century.
gets its name from the German "wermut" or Anglo Saxon "wermod" or
wormwood, presumably because absinthe was used as a flavoring
in some recipes for this famed aperatif. I feel quite certain
that some of the traditions of consuming such beverages stemmed
from the monasteries that made the wines and liquors and that
also housed the vast libraries of books on botanical medicine.
There is a cultural tradition of dealing with some of the risks
of parasitic infection that is seen in some of the rituals from
While Artemisia annua is
safe, Artemisia absinthium should
be used cautiously. It may anesthetize a worm enough that it looses
its grip on the intestines so that it can be eliminated. This said,
some species of wormwood have other properties that justify their
use in antiparasitic protocol. For instance, Artemisia
annua, popularly known as Sweet Annie, reduces stomach pain
and helps to relieve the anemia that often attends parasitization
of red blood cells.
Intestinal Flora, Foods, and
For a web page, this has become quite
long, but it would be irresponsible to omit some further recommendations.
Since parasites thrive in the absence of proper intestinal flora,
it is wise to repopulate the body with intestinal flora.
Chlorinated water and diarrhea cause destruction and loss of friendly
flora so every effort should be made to rebuild the flora. Turmeric
greatly assists this work as do supplements of acidophilus, bifidus,
bulgaricus, and other friendly organisms.
Use of green juices, aloe juice,
and a diet high in greens also helps as does supplemental garlic
and asafoetida (in capsules or food.) In addition, one can nibble
on pumpkin seeds and eat fresh pineapple and calmyrna figs. Coconut
also has antiparasitic properties. According to some sources, sesame
oil is somewhat antiparasitic, and black cumin seed, Nigella sativa,
has significant anti-parasitic properties. Many recommend drinking
sesame oil, a teaspoon or so at a time throughout the day. I personally
would add clove oil and/or fennel seed oil to the sesame oil. Fennel
seed tea, three cups per day, can be used, especially towards the
end of the cleanse. Some authorities believe that fennel intoxicates
parasites, making them less protective and easier to annihilate.
Recipe for pumpkin seed,
sesame, astragalus nutbutter
In my experience, no one succeeds
in ridding the body of parasites in the five days Hulda Clark suggests
is possible. I am convinced of this because there are so many hiding
places in the body, especially the intestines. I do not deny that
one can become significantly better in a short time. I merely doubt
that thorough elimination is possible in a short time. I know specialists
in India who required four years to complete treatment. This said,
somewhere between the miraculous five-day cure and the discouraging
four-year one, there might be a middle ground.
Ayurvedic parasite protocols
When using parasite formulas, I would suggest
hitting hard on the days leading up to the full moon and just thereafter
and going a bit easier on the last and first quarters of the moon.
I would do this consistently for at least three months or until
all symptoms disappear. Once the body is rid of parasites, it has
to be understood that it needs to recuperate from the insult. Therefore
a program of regeneration of
the affected organs should follow.
Dealing with tissue damage,
toxins, and infections associated with parasites
In the meantime, I would suggest that while undergoing
the parasite purge that one eat less and put ones pets and other
family members on a similar regime so that everyone is on a clean
footing when the job is done.
Excellent (and disturbing)
photograph of pinworm