Humans have always fought parasitic infections. The first documented case of parasite infection found by archaeologists was dated around 1500 BC in Egypt. (1)
The need for parasite detox is not new. But now, modern research for natural ways to cleanse parasites is expanding rapidly.
Parasites have somehow developed protective mechanisms to withstand their host’s body to eradicate them, and they are becoming increasingly resistant to drug therapies alone. This leaves many people looking for other avenues to help remove parasites from their bodies. (2)
Nature has provided people with ways to keep the body healthy with food. But there are even more concentrated substances from plants that have potent constituents to help increase your overall health. (3)
Essential oils are becoming a top field of study for the positive effects they have on the human body. And there are essential oils that help with parasites.
Some of the best oils identified for parasites are:
- Black Cumin
- Chamomile
- Cinnamon
- Clove
- Fennel
- Frankincense
- Ginger
- Myrrh
- Oregano
- Tansy
- Tea Tree Oil
- Thyme
Each one could work for a parasite detox protocol as well as for optimum health (explained more below).
1. Black Cumin
Black cumin, more commonly known as black seed oil, has a wide array of benefits. It has anti-inflammatory properties and valuable nutrients. It also might be particularly useful in a parasite detox. (4)
Black seed oil seemed to have activity against all stages of parasites since it reduced the ability of the female parasites to lay eggs. It also caused the adult worms oxidative stress. This may damage the adult worm and make it more susceptible to the host’s immune system. (5)
2. Chamomile
Chamomile is one of the oldest natural remedies, used for digestive issues, and insomnia, and to calm muscle spasms. The essential oil of this versatile herb may also be an important addition to a parasite cleanse. (10)
Chamomile essential oil helps to prevent parasite eggs from hatching. In addition, it works to immobilize the adult parasites and may also be lethal to parasite larvae. This effect on the larvae seemed even stronger when used with other essential oils. (11,12)
Another potential benefit of chamomile oil is that it seems to inhibit biofilm. This can make parasites more vulnerable, adding to the effectiveness of the parasite cleanse.(13)
3. Cinnamon
Cinnamon is another well-known favorite spice used in sweet breads, meat rubs, and teas. In ancient times it was considered so valuable that it was used to trade for other goods. But, it can also be effective when eradicating parasites. (14)
Cinnamon essential oil can inhibit the larvae from moving to other parts of the body. Of the botanicals tested for this particular feature, cinnamon ranked the highest. (15)
Cinnamon oil may also help to kill the larvae by damaging the gut of the organisms leading to lesions in their digestive system. This is thought to be what prompted their death. (15)
Cinnamon essential oil may be another oil that can help to inhibit biofilm formation. (16)
4. Clove
Clove essential oil is made from the flowering buds of a tree in the Myrtle family of plants. It has been used as an antiseptic and an anesthetic in dentistry. It too shows signs of being useful as part of a parasite detox. (17)
Clove oil has been used in alternative medicine for parasite cleansing for centuries because of its usefulness in inhibiting the larvae of parasites. It also seems to be useful in cases of head lice. (18,19)
5. Fennel
Fennel is a root vegetable that is often used for indigestion. It has a strong licorice-like flavor. It may also be one of the top essential oils for helping humans with parasites. (21)
Fennel essential oil seems to work well against adult worms. However, it is even more effective against the eggs and their development. It is also another oil that can help to break up biofilm.(22, 23)
Fennel proved that it might be of benefit against drug-resistant candida. Since parasite infection can leave people vulnerable to other pathogens, clearing out other organisms along with the parasites can make a parasite detox even more effective. (23)
Pathogens also produce inflammatory mycotoxins, which can add even more stress to your body when fighting parasitic infections. In this case, fennel may be helpful in reducing the production of mycotoxins.(24)
6. Frankincense
Among essential oils, frankincense is a universal oil because of its wide range of health properties. It is sometimes referred to as “the king of essential oils.”(25)
Frankincense helps to lower inflammation and may be beneficial in reducing pain. It also could be a valuable part of a parasite cleanse.(26)
Frankincense helps to lower inflammation and may be beneficial in reducing pain. It also could be a valuable part of a parasite cleanse.(27)
7. Ginger
Ginger is a favorite spice used to flavor cookies, drinks, and savory dishes. It’s intense in flavor and is often used for stomach ailments. Ginger essential oil may also be significant for any parasite cleanse protocol. (28)
In a study, ginger was shown to be helpful in reducing the number of worms and eggs. It seemed to help whether they were in the intestines or the liver. It also may help minimize the damage of these organs from the parasites by bringing down the inflammation often induced by these organisms. (29)
Ginger may also be of benefit when fighting the types of parasites that produce diarrhea. In addition to its anti-parasitic signs, it can help protect the intestines from damage during this kind of infection. ( 30)
8. Myrrh
Myrrh and frankincense together have been used for spiritual purposes, but myrrh also has a hygienic function because of its antimicrobial properties. Myrrh may increase nitric oxide, which can help to inhibit the parasites and aid in expelling them. (31, 32)
Parasitic infection can have some negative influences on the epigenetics of the host. This can lead to an increase in proinflammatory cytokines. (33)
Myrrh can even help to change the gene expression regarding the cytokines. It also appeared to support the host’s system in recognizing the newly hatched worms, which enabled the host to defend itself from the infection. (33)
9. Oregano
This strong-smelling essential oil has a long history of use in natural medicine. Oregano can kill parasites by preventing these organisms from producing biofilm. (34)
Once the biofilm is reduced, the immune system can then recognize and eliminate them. Oregano oil also reduces the pathogen’s ability to stick to red blood cells. It may also suppress the number of toxins parasites are able to produce. (35)
Oregano oil can be a beneficial essential oil for parasites when taken daily for a few weeks. It may also help to improve the intestinal issues that often accompany parasite infection. (36)
Lyme can be a severe infection to treat, and Lyme and parasite infection can often occur together. Parasites can carry Lyme inside them, resulting in more than one type of infection. A constituent in oregano oil called carvacrol helps to work against Lyme’s ability to multiply. (37)
10 Tansy
Tansy is a perennial herb with small, tight flowers. Historical records suggest that it was first used by the ancient Greeks for several ailments, including as a parasite cleanse for intestinal worms. Science is now starting to confirm that tansy essential oil may be helpful for parasites.(38, 39)
Parasite detox is often focused on internal parasites that have infected the digestive tract. This is, of course, a critical part of the body to parasite cleanse. But first, parasites attack the skin. They then infect the rest of the body through the blood and are a significant cause of disease worldwide.(40)
Tansy may be one of the top essential oils for this type of parasite, Leishmania. Tansy substantially reduces their growth and increases their mortality rate. It also appears to suppress the larvae. This potent essential oil helps the host’s macrophages to attack the parasites. These multiple benefits may make tansy a great essential oil for deworming humans.(40)
A small side note: feverfew is closely related to tansy and was quite often studied in the same way tansy has been. It may have the same benefits as parasite detox. (41)
11. Tea Tree Oil
This essential oil originates from Australia. Traditionally, it is used to disinfect wounds. It has a potent antiseptic-type smell and may be an essential part of any parasite detox protocol.(42)
Tea tree oil seems to have a lethal effect on parasite larvae by helping block the enzymes the parasites release to change their environment. These enzymes help the parasite but damage the host. Returning these enzymes to normal levels can help expel those unwanted visitors. (43)
Researchers have found tea tree oil seems to work well against parasites or mites that infect the skin, even when they are resistant to other treatments. It is also among a group of essential oils that may work against lice and their eggs. (44, 45)
Since a vital part of an effective parasite cleanse protocol is to break down biofilm, tea tree oil may help to disrupt biofilm as well as improve the immune system response to parasites. It could be valuable not only in treatment but also in prevention. (46, 47)
As great as this oil may be for humans, it can be toxic to pets. Check with a vet before using any essential oil with pets.
12. Thyme
Thyme has some of the same constituents as oregano. Because of that, it might be one of the most helpful essential oils for deworming humans. Like myrrh, thyme may help to increase nitric oxide to inhibit parasites within the body. (48)
Thyme oil can also damage the internal structures of the parasites, which helps to kill them while also helping reduce the number of larvae. Reducing the larvae may aid in combating reinfection. (49)
Thyme oil has also been shown to be effective against head lice. It seems to help against the adult organism as well as the eggs. (50)
Better Together
All of these essential oils have these common characteristics:
- Contain antibacterial effects
- Contain anti-inflammatory properties
- Inhibit egg development
- Lessen fungal infections
- Reduce and disrupt biofilm formation
- Reduce larvae or adult parasitic activity
Essential oils are unique because they are more beneficial when used together since they can have an exponentially higher efficacy when combined.
Blending two or more oils during a parasite cleanse can offer you better parasite detox than using a single oil. One may have a stronger effect on biofilm, and another may inhibit the parasites more.
Therefore, mixing them can maximize their potency. For example, ginger may have substantial activity against parasites, but the results are better when combined with cinnamon. (51)
Using essential oils for parasites may also help you avoid additional die-off symptoms as they are clearing out of your body.
For example, parasites tend to create inflammation. Reducing the inflammation as they are clearing out may help overcome their parasite infection more rapidly. Disrupting biofilm helps to create an environment where they can no longer thrive so their immune system can start to fight these parasites. (52)
Essential oils may provide added benefits and could enhance other parasite cleanse protocols. It can be an extra layer of defense to augment other parasite detox protocols.
