HAS the viral ‘parasite cleanse’ popped up on your social feed?
and would have you believe that bloating, tiredness, , changes in appetite or skin problems could mean you have parasites in your gut.
Creators claim detox drinks containing wormwood or black walnut oil will help flush out worms and parasites Credit: Getty
NHS GP Dr Rupa Parmar urged people not to self-diagnose parasites Credit: SWNS
The solution? A miracle detox drink containing wormwood, black walnut and castor oil that will flush the ‘worms’ right out.
DIY detoxers on social media claim their ‘cleansing’ tinctures – combined with diet changes like cutting out ultra processed food and gluten – have cleared their digestive issues, rid them of harmful and parasites and even given them an energy boost.
One TikTok user even suggests people should do deworming cleanses if they experience “sleep issues, gut issues, weight loss issues, mood swings, skin issues”.
In the midst of an outbreak of in the US, the trend has sparked alarm among experts who’ve called it misleading, “unnecessary” and even dangerous to health.
GP Dr Rupa Parmar said the trend can be “harmful” – especially since, in most cases, it’s unlikely the common symptoms described above are caused by parasites.
And in the event someone does have a parasitic infection, Dr Rupa stressed that people should go straight to a GP for professional help, not try and solve it with a ‘natural’ concoction.
Dr Rupa, medical director at Midland Health, Birmingham, said: “‘Parasite cleanses’ are a good example of another unnecessary and potentially harmful social media trend.
“There is no clinical evidence showing that these specific diet plans or herbal supplements are effective at eradicating parasites from the body.
DIY detoxers claim their ‘cleansing’ tinctures have cleared their digestive issues, rid them of harmful worms and parasites Credit: Getty
But there’s no evidence these parasite cleanses work – and they may even be harmful Credit: Getty
“There are real parasitic infections, and they do need proper treatment, but that treatment depends on the parasite.
“There is not one single remedy that clears everything. That’s why I’d be very wary of any product claiming to ‘detox’ the body or flush out parasites without testing.”
Parasites are organisms that live in and need another organism to survive.
They can cause illness like and – see the currently tearing through the US – as well as other symptoms, like itchy skin rashes, muscle aches and fatigue.
To become infected with a parasite, you need to have consumed contaminated water or food, such as fresh produce or undercooked meat – or swam in a contaminated body of water.
Dr Rupa explained that symptoms people are being encouraged to look for are extremely common and can be attributed to many different illnesses and are unlikely to be related to parasites.
The symptoms that can actually indicate a parasitic infection should be treated by a medical professional, not at home.
She said: “If someone genuinely has symptoms that concern them, such as ongoing diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach pain, unexplained weight loss, visible worms or eggs in the stool, or itching around the anus or genitals, they should speak to a medical professional rather than trying to treat it themselves.
“A doctor can arrange the right tests, such as stool samples and blood tests.
“If a parasite is found, the treatment can be matched to the infection rather than guessed.”
She explained that not only are the at-home treatments promoted on TikTok ineffective, but they can be harmful.
Dr Rupa said: “The other thing to remember is that cleanses are not risk-free.
“Herbal supplements can interact with medication. Not to mention, some ingredients can be harmful at higher doses, and restrictive diets can leave people short on nutrients.
“So even if something is marketed as natural, that does not automatically make it safe or useful.”
For example, wormwood oil – a laxative frequently touted as a way to clear the gut of worms – may be poisonous if taken in high doses.
Consuming it for long periods of time could also trigger nausea, restlessness or even seizures, studies have shown.
Evidence showing the benefits of wormwood for treating or preventing any health condition is also limited.
“For most people in countries with good sanitation, intestinal parasites are not something they need to cleanse for routinely,” Dr Rupa went on.
“If there are symptoms, travel history, contaminated food or water exposure, or another reason to suspect infection, the sensible route is testing and targeted treatment.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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