Home Remedies for Giardiasis

Some of the most effective home remedies for giardiasis include the use of garlic, long pepper, Oregon grape, grapefruit, beet juice, horseradish, goldenseal, wormwood, pumpkin seeds, coconut, onion, and birch, as well as behavioral remedies that include sanitation and intestinal flushes.

Giardiasis

For nearly 300 million people around the world, giardiasis continues to be a dangerous and irritating parasitic infection. The cause of the infection is a flagellate protozoan called Giardia lamblia, which resides in the intestinal tracts of many types of animals around the world, and can easily be passed to humans. Commonly known as beaver fever, since the infection is known to  be widespread in the beaver population, this parasitic infection results in weakened nutritional absorption in the gut, since the protozoans infect the cells of the duodenum. Only 1/3 of infections become symptomatic, manifesting in the form of nausea, vomiting, excessive gas, weakness, loss of appetite, and flatulence. These symptoms can persist for 1-2 months, which can be disastrous for nutritional health of an affected individual.

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The infection spreads to humans through contaminated drinking water and food, particularly for campers and hikers who drink from streams and lakes in the wild. Contact with infected animals is another culprit. While giardiasis is not fatal, a consistent lack of nutrients can negatively impact many of the body’s systems, as well as the digestive tract. Fortunately, even if the infection remains untreated, the body’s immune system normally takes care of it in short order. However, for serious infections or intense symptoms, there are some pharmaceutical solutions that have been developed. For those who prefer natural remedies, there are many naturally anti-parasitic herbs and foods that can be used to rapidly clear up the infection. Let’s take a closer look at some of the best home remedies for giardiasis.

Oregon Grape: The purple berries of the Oregon Grape evergreen shrub have been shown to be very effective in treating a Giardia infection. In particular, there is a powerful alkaloid found in the fruit, called berberine, which directly impacts and inhibits giardiasis from spreading. This is one of the quickest remedies for the infection, although if you suffer from any other major gastrointestinal issues, Oregon Grape may not be a wise choice.

Home Remedies for Giardiasis

Long Pepper: This particular type of pepper, scientifically known as Piper longum, is very effective at eliminating these parasites from the digestive tracts. This long pepper is also known to stimulate the immune system, which can then eliminate the protozoans naturally.

Beet Juice: Beets are powerful health foods that many people overlook, but they have certain antibacterial and anti-parasitic qualities that make it a simple home remedy if you’re suffering from giardiasis. A few glasses of beet juice each day should clear up the infection within a week, returning your systems to normal.

Grapefruit Juice: Another powerful fruit with beneficial juices, grapefruits have also been employed in the treatment of giardiasis.  Grapefruit not only have a wealth of antioxidant and immune system-stimulating vitamins, but also a natural anthelmintic property that can clear up and clean the digestive tract without damaging any of the beneficial bacteria present in the gut.

Garlic: As always, garlic and its powerful active ingredient, allicin, come into play in the treatment of giardiasis, and many other parasitic infections. The allicin can quickly cleanse the system and return your digestive system to normal, so grinding up a few cloves and steeping them in water can be a painless remedy anywhere that garlic is available.

Horseradish: Horseradish acts on the body in slightly different ways than other remedies. Although there are certain powerful antioxidants found in horseradish, it is actually the stimulation it provides to the digestive tract that keeps you infection-free. By boosting the secretion of digestive juices, horseradish can flush out the colon and digestive tract, eliminating the parasite along with your normal waste.

Coconut: Prized for its nutritional benefits in many different illnesses, coconut oil and fruit contain auric acid, which is a powerful anti-parasitic compound that also fights various viral and bacterial infections.Coconuts are also widely available and inexpensive as a remedy.

Onion: Onions are very similar to garlic cloves in terms of its nutritional benefits and powerful antioxidant content. Eating onions might not make your breath smell great, but it can quickly cleanse your intestines and gut, and drive the expulsion of the parasites from your body.

Birch: Birch leaves have been traditionally used for thousands of years to soothe inflammation and a number of other conditions. For parasitic infections of the body, particularly the stomach, tinctures of birch leaves can be very effective.

Goldenseal: The goldenseal herb is very powerful in its effects on the mucus membranes of the body, including those in the stomach and intestines. The active ingredient in goldenseal is berberine, much like Oregon Grape, which is directly linked to anti-parasitic effects on the body.

Wormwood: As the name suggests, the wormwood herb is highly effective in treating and eliminating worms and parasites of many varieties, including those that cause giardiasis. Certain sesquiterpenes found in wormwood can break down parasitic membranes, thus neutralizing the parasites.

Pumpkin Seeds: Cucurbitacin is an active ingredient in pumpkin seeds that is linked to many different laxative and anti-inflammatory effects. To cleanse the intestines and gut, laxative substances like pumpkin seeds can help eliminate the giardiasis-causing parasites from your body.

Intestinal Flushes: Dietary fiber is an essential part of good digestion, while also helping to stimulate excretion and nutrient absorption. Fibers like pectin, psyllium husks, and flaxseeds can be the most effective for this sort of intestinal flushing. A cleanse might not always be pleasant, but it’s a fast way to get your digestion back on track.

Proper Sanitation: One of the main causes of giardiasis is untreated or contaminated water, either in underdeveloped countries or for people traveling in the wild. Ensuring that water is properly boiled or filtered is essential before consuming, to guarantee protection from these irritating little protozoans.