5 Natural Ways to Deworm Yourself at Home

Intestinal parasites, or worms, are more common than you might think. It’s estimated that up to 1 in 4 people around the world have some type of intestinal worm infection. While some worm infections cause no symptoms, others can lead to itchy skin, abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, and nutrient deficiencies.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take from the comfort of your own home to deworm yourself and get rid of pesky intestinal parasites. Read on to learn how to naturally deworm at home.

Start with Your Diet

Dietary changes are the first line of defense when it comes to blasting out worms from your gut. There are certain foods that have natural vermicidal (worm-killing) compounds as well as foods you should eliminate that worms tend to thrive on.

Foods to eat more of:

• Garlic: Contains the compound allicin which has antimicrobial effects. Crushing or chopping garlic activates allicin.
• Onions: Contain sulfur compounds and flavonoids that have vermicidal effects.
• Pumpkin seeds: Contain amino acids that paralyze worms so they detach from the intestinal wall.

Foods to eliminate from your diet:

• Sugar and refined carbs: Worms feed on sugars to reproduce and flourish.
• Uncooked meat and seafood: These may contain worm larvae or eggs.

Take Anti-Parasitic Supplements and Herbs

There are many natural supplements and herbs with powerful antiparasitic properties you can take to kill intestinal worms. Some of the most effective include:

• Black walnut: Contains juglone, tannins, and iodine that worms dislike. Start slow as it can cause die-off symptoms.
• Wormwood: An artemisinin compound kills tapeworms and roundworms in adults and children.
• Cloves: The compounds eugenol, (E)-beta-caryophyllene, and methyl salicylate in cloves can flatten parasites.
• Oregano: A strong immunity booster with thymol and carvacrol to fight microbes. Use oil of oregano for best results.

Always check with your doctor before taking new herbs or supplements, especially if pregnant or breastfeeding.

Try a Natural Laxative Cleanse

Performing a flush of your digestive tract may help dislodge worms so they pass out of your body more easily. By creating an unfriendly environment, parasites will want to leave your body.

Some at-home cleanses include:

• Salt water flush: Dissolve 2 teaspoons of non-iodized salt in 1 liter of water and drink it first thing in the morning.
• Magnesium citrate: This osmotic laxative draws water into the intestines to stimulate bowel movements.
• Enemas: Use a solution of salt water, garlic, black walnut extract, or soapy water to enter the rectum and flush the colon.

For any cleanse, stay well-hydrated by drinking plenty of purified water and fluids containing electrolytes. Severe fluid loss can occur so listen to your body.

When to See a Doctor

Be sure to consult your doctor if symptoms persist beyond two weeks at home. A stool test may be ordered to determine which intestinal parasites are present and medication prescribed accordingly. Symptoms like dehydration, severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and inability to have a bowel movement also warrant medical evaluation.

The bottom line is you can go a long way in blasting out pesky worms by using foods, herbs, and natural cleaning techniques. But see your doctor if symptoms are severe or home deworming methods don’t seem to be working after 2 weeks. Staying diligent about your gut health will help keep those wriggly parasites away!