Is a Parasite Cleanse In Your Future?

If you have an animal in your home or on your farm, you know they can often be infected with parasites of some sort.

It’s why we give dogs and cats “worm meds” and why Ivermectin (AKA horse-paste) is given to farm animals so frequently.

Parasites are often overlooked as a potential health threat.

And yet, I’m here to tell you they are affecting millions, if not billions of people.

As you might suspect, people who don’t have access to clean drinking water and live in substandard conditions of hygiene are overwhelmingly affected by parasites.

Interestingly, though, people who live in developed countries (like the U.S.) can also have parasites.

The difference here is that people in developed nations don’t think “oh, I’m not feeling well, maybe it’s a parasite,” because we don’t often think about them as being a part of our health issues.

I’m writing this article to show you that it’s entirely possible for your health issues to be caused by parasites.

My guess is that far more people deal with parasites than most would imagine; therefore, this article will explore the subject in some detail.

Where Parasites Come From

Most people don’t believe that parasites might be the reason behind their constant bloating, weird skin issues, and random fatigue.

The idea that a “worm” could negatively impact their health might make them laugh.

After all, “we live in the U.S.,” they think…

“I’m not drinking from rivers or eating street food in the jungle, so how could I get sick?”

But parasites are not just a “somewhere else” problem. They’re here. And a lot more common than we think.

Surprisingly, you don’t need to travel abroad or eat raw meat to get a parasite. In fact, according to the CDC, millions of people in the U.S. carry parasites without even knowing it.

You can pick them up from:

• Eating undercooked meat (sushi counts too)
  

• Drinking unfiltered water from lakes or streams
  

• Walking barefoot in contaminated soil (this is a big one)
  

• Your pets (especially dogs or cats that go outside)
  

• Public pools, daycares, or just not washing your hands well enough
  
  

One of the most common parasites, Giardia, is found in untreated water across the U.S. and causes diarrhea, cramps, and fatigue—but it can also show up subtly, or not at all. 

The Weird Thing About Parasites: You Might Not Feel Sick

This is where it gets tricky. Many parasites don’t cause obvious symptoms at first. They’re sneaky. Some people carry them for months or even years, only noticing vague issues like:

• Gas and bloating
  

• Food sensitivities
  

• Itchy skin or rashes
  

• Brain fog or low energy
  

• Trouble gaining or losing weight
  
  

These are the kinds of things doctors might brush off as IBS, stress, or just “getting older.”

But sometimes it may be something else living inside of you, causing the issues. 

Some parasites mess with nutrient absorption, leaving you low in iron or B12, no matter how well you eat. Others disrupt the gut lining and create inflammation that throws off your immune system. There’s even some research suggesting a link between chronic parasitic infections and autoimmune issues like arthritis or eczema (NIH).

Discovering parasites is not always an easy task.

For instance, the classic stool test at your local lab often misses things.

Parasites don’t always show up in a single sample.

That’s why functional medicine practitioners, such as myself, often run multi-day stool tests or use advanced DNA-based testing, like the GI-MAP or Genova Diagnostics panels.

These tests can detect low levels of parasites, bacteria, and yeast that traditional laboratories might overlook.

Some people also notice a change during a parasite cleanse—when the body starts pushing them out, symptoms can spike, and things like mucus, unusual stool changes, or even worms (yes, actual worms) may appear.

What Parasites Do to Your Body (Spoiler: It’s Not Great)

It should go without saying that another organism living inside of you might not be great for your health.

Some steal your nutrients. Others damage your gut lining or throw off your hormones. Some even release neurotoxins that affect your mood and brain function.

Left unchecked, they can contribute to:

• Nutrient deficiencies (especially iron and B vitamins)
  

• Chronic fatigue
  

• Skin issues like hives, eczema, or “mystery” rashes
  

• Digestive chaos
  

• Immune system burnout
  

In other words, they’re like uninvited house guests who eat your food, trash your place, and make you feel crazy—all while hiding in the walls.

Quite ordinary—and incredibly underdiagnosed. Here are the ones functional and conventional labs most often find:

1. Giardia lamblia – Common in contaminated water and daycare centers; causes bloating, gas, diarrhea, fatigue
   

2. Blastocystis hominis – Controversial, but linked with IBS-like symptoms in some people
   

3. Dientamoeba fragilis – Often overlooked; associated with chronic digestive issues, fatigue, and mood changes.
   

4. Entamoeba histolytica – More common in travelers but still found in the U.S.; can cause colitis, liver issues, or asymptomatic infections.
   

5. Pinworm (Enterobius vermicularis) – Extremely common in kids; causes anal itching, restlessness, and disrupted sleep.
   

6. Roundworm (Ascaris lumbricoides) – Transmitted via contaminated soil or food; can live in the intestines for years.
   

7. Hookworm (Ancylostoma duodenale or Necator americanus) – Enters through the skin (like walking barefoot); causes anemia, fatigue, and gut issues.
   

8. Tapeworms (Taenia spp.) – Contracted from undercooked meat or fish; can be asymptomatic or cause GI distress.
   

9. Toxoplasma gondii – Often from cats or undercooked meat; dangerous in pregnancy, possibly linked to long-term neurological effects
   

10. Cryptosporidium – Found in contaminated water (pools, lakes); causes diarrhea and cramping, especially in immunocompromised people
    
    

Getting Rid of Parasites With a Parasite Cleanse (Do Cleanses Actually Work?)

Like many things in the integrative and functional medicine world, people often throw around unfounded claims about parasite cleanses being a silver bullet for all kinds of health issues.

The truth is that a parasite cleanse will usually help neutralize a parasite infection, but you will likely feel worse before you feel better.

These protocols are designed to flush parasites out of your body using natural or pharmaceutical methods.

There are two main approaches:

1. The Functional/Herbal Route

Many people start with herbs. Some of the most common include:

• Black walnut hull: traditional worm-fighter
  

• Wormwood: a powerful anti-parasitic used in malaria treatment
  

• Clove: helps kill parasite eggs
  

• Mimosa pudica: creates a sticky gel that traps and expels parasites
  

You’ll often find these bundled together in supplement protocols from brands like CellCore or Microbe Formulas. These usually run in cycles—10 days on, 5 days off—to kill off parasites in different life stages and give your body time to detox.

People often combine these herbs with binders (like activated charcoal or bentonite clay) to soak up toxins as parasites die off. You might also see recommendations for digestive bitters, probiotics, or liver support (hello, milk thistle) to help your body bounce back.

2. The Conventional Route

If you test positive for a parasite, your doctor may prescribe medications such as Albendazole, Metronidazole, or Praziquantel.

These can be super effective and work fast—but they don’t usually address gut healing, and they may come with side effects.

Some people do both: a short pharmaceutical treatment followed by a longer functional cleanse to ensure nothing is left behind and the gut is restored.

One nice thing is that if you take a natural, herbal-based parasite cleanse, it’s not likely to cause you any harm. So, if you haven't tested for a parasite and suspect you may have one, performing a cleanse can be done without a prescription and without fear of harm (though the herbs in the cleanse can cause some intense stomach cramps and diarrhea).

The Bottom Line

If you’ve been dealing with vague but persistent health issues—bloating, fatigue, brain fog, skin flare-ups it might be time to consider what’s living in your gut.

Parasites aren’t just a third-world issue. They’re here, and they’re stealthy.

You don’t need to panic or start swallowing herbs tomorrow.

But it’s worth asking a practitioner to dig deeper, especially if you’ve tried everything else and still feel "off."

Sometimes the answer isn’t another diet tweak or supplement. Sometimes, it’s just a parasite that needs to be shown the door.