Parasite definition : An organism that grows, feeds, and is sheltered on or in a different organism while contributing nothing to the survival of its host. A parasite cannot survive by itself.

Parasitic diseases include infections by protozoa, helminths, and arthropods. Some examples include:

Protozoa -- Malaria is caused by plasmodium, a protozoa. Giardia is a common protozoan parasite that causes gastrointestinal symptoms.
Helminths -- Schistosomiasis is caused by a helminth (a worm).
Arthropods -- The arthropods include insects and arachnids (spiders, etc.), a number of which can act as vectors (carriers) of parasitic diseases.

Natural treatment for parasite infections
There is very little research regarding the herbal treatment for parasite infections.

Propolis has been tested for giardiasis in mice.

Elephantiasis
Egypt is close to eliminating elephantiasis -- one of the world's most disfiguring diseases -- which has plagued the country since the time of the pharaohs. The condition, known officially as lymphatic filariasis (LF), is caused by a microscopic parasitic worm spread by mosquitoes. It can cause devastating symptoms such as grotesquely swollen limbs, as well as fevers and pain. A simple strategy of giving people in affected communities two drugs once a year for five years reduced infection rates, leading to elimination of the disease.

Intestinal parasites
Intestinal parasites cause significant illness and can be fatal. Diseases caused by Enterobius vermicularis, Giardia lamblia, Ancylostoma duodenale, Necator americanus, and Entamoeba histolytica occur in the United States.

E. vermicularis, or pinworm, causes irritation and sleep disturbances. Diagnosis can be made using the "cellophane tape test." Treatment includes mebendazole and household sanitation.

Giardia causes nausea, vomiting, malabsorption, diarrhea, and weight loss. Stool ova and parasite studies are diagnostic. Treatment includes metronidazole. Sewage treatment, proper handwashing, and consumption of bottled water can be preventive.

A. duodenale and N. americanus are hookworms that cause blood loss, anemia, pica, and wasting. Finding eggs in the feces is diagnostic. Treatments include albendazole, mebendazole, pyrantel pamoate, iron supplementation, and blood transfusion. Preventive measures include wearing shoes and treating sewage.

E. histolytica can cause intestinal ulcerations, bloody diarrhea, weight loss, fever, gastrointestinal obstruction, and peritonitis. Amebas can cause abscesses in the liver that may rupture into the pleural space, peritoneum, or pericardium. Stool and serologic assays, biopsy, barium studies, and liver imaging have diagnostic merit. Therapy includes luminal and tissue amebicides to attack both life-cycle stages. Metronidazole, chloroquine, and aspiration are treatments for liver abscess. Careful sanitation and use of peeled foods and bottled water are preventive.

Malaria Parasite
Malaria is a serious infection common in the tropics. See malaria for more information.

Trichomonas parasite
Trichomonas parasite caused trichomoniasis which is the most common curable sexually transmitted disease (STD) in the United States.

Fluke and liver cancer
People in Southeast Asia may reconsider eating raw freshwater fish because they risk becoming infected with a parasite worm that may predispose them to developing liver cancer. A parasitic worm, commonly known as fluke, infests rivers in rural parts of Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Korea and China. The worms find their way into freshwater fish and into humans when the fish is consumed raw. Most people infected with fluke show no symptoms but some develop liver cancer years later. Less than 1 percent who are infected with fluke will get liver cancer.

Questions
Q. I wanted to know if you carry any products to remove parasites and chocochechia worms (not sure about spelling) and the larva created by it. I did not see that on your site.
   A. Not sure exactly what you mean, but as a rule we have not looked into herbs that influence parasite activity but we will keep our eyes open.

Q. I found your site by searching Google for essential oil encysted parasite. I was impressed and grateful for your informative references to research concerning the various properties of essential oils. Thank you! I have a horse diagnosed with Equine Recurrent Uveitis ( Moon Blindness ) that is possibly brought on by lymphocytes triggered by the presence of microfilaria. I have been studying to come up with a plan to reduce the risk of inflammation and another ophthalmic episode find alternatives to Ivermectin for killing the microfilaria and kill the encysted adult stage of Onchocerca cervicalis. I thought the most logical place to start eradicating the parasites would be the use of essential oils.
   A. This is an are of veterinary medicine beyond our knowledge.

Q. I was recently diagnosed with a number of different parasites from a gastro-test in an effort to resolve long-time digestive problems. I did a 10 day, 3-drug protocol for "Blasto" which was very debilitating and I don't know if the problem was resolved. Do you feel the herbal treatments for parasites are as effective as drugs and which herbs can be used most effectively.
   A. We have come across few specific and effective natural herbal treatment studies regarding treatment for parasite infections. One natural supplement that has been tested is propolis.

Q. Have you found any promising supplements or herbs for treating parasites, in particular blastocystis hominis which I know is not often regarded as pathogenic in the US and Canada but the international literature over the past few years is much more convincing.
   A. Not yet, as of November 2008.