February is that time of year when the glitter from the festive season has finally settled, routines start creeping back in, and many of us think, “Right… time to be healthy again.” Detoxes, resets, and clean slates are back on the menu and for some people, that includes considering a parasite cleanse.

Now, no one likes the idea of parasites. Just the word is enough to make most of us squirm. Unfortunately, parasites are very real, and they’re not particularly picky about where they set up camp. Parasites are organisms that survive by feeding off a living host and yes, sometimes that host is us ^(1).

There are many types of parasitic worms that can infect humans, including tapeworms, whipworms, hookworms and threadworms. Infections often occur through contaminated food and water, something most of us are mindful of when travelling overseas, particularly in areas with poor sanitation. However, parasites aren’t only a “travel problem” they can also be picked up much closer to home ⁽²⁾.

The most commonly recognised worm in Australia is the threadworm, also known as pinworm. Threadworm eggs can be ingested and make themselves comfortable in the lower intestine. A classic symptom is an itchy bottom, particularly at night. This happens because the female worms travel out through the anus to lay eggs on the surrounding skin - delightful, we know! The tiny white, thread-like worms may even be visible, and the eggs can survive on bedding, towels and surfaces for up to two weeks, making reinfection easy ⁽³⁾.

Other intestinal worms, such as tapeworms and hookworms, don’t always cause obvious symptoms. Some people may experience abdominal pain, diarrhoea, unexplained weight loss, fatigue or a general feeling of being run down. Hookworm larvae can even penetrate the skin directly often through bare feet ⁽¹⁾.

Dog-related parasites are another consideration. Humans can be infected with dog tapeworms by accidentally ingesting eggs found on an infected dog’s coat, bedding or play areas. Walking barefoot on contaminated soil or sand can also expose you to dog hookworm larvae. Whipworm infection may occur when consuming produce grown in soil contaminated with whipworm eggs ⁽²⁾.

When it comes to natural parasite cleansing, many formulations contain Wormwood. Wormwood has traditionally been used to help paralyse intestinal worms, causing them to loosen their grip on the intestinal wall so they can be eliminated ⁽⁴⁾.

Other commonly used herbs include Black Walnut, which has a long history in traditional medicine for parasite support, clove, which contains eugenol known for its antimicrobial properties, and oregano oil, valued for its antiparasitic and antibacterial actions ⁽⁵⁾.

If you’re considering a proper detox and cleanse, professional guidance is key. Our Naturopath and Nutritionist both offer support in this area and include parasite cleansing as part of their broader detox programs. If you’d prefer a gentler starting point, you’re welcome to pop into the store and chat with our knowledgeable team about suitable parasite-support formulas or book a consultation for a personalised approach.

Because when it comes to detox, it’s best to evict uninvited guests properly. For more information about parasite cleanse, drop into Go Vita, Your Health Shop at 5 North Street, Batemans Bay. You can also call us on (02) 4472 9737. Don’t miss our weekly segment on 2EC radio, where Marianne and I chat about health and wellness with Kimmi Saker every Wednesday after 12.30pm.

References

1.        Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2023). Parasites – Intestinal Worms.

2. World Health Organization (WHO). (2022). Soil-transmitted helminth infections.
3. Health Direct Australia. (2024). Threadworms (pinworms).
4. Mayo Clinic. (2023). Wormwood: Uses and safety.
5. National Institutes of Health (NIH). (2022). Herbal medicine and antimicrobial properties.