What Is a Parasite Cleanse and Should You Do One?

If you’ve dipped your toes in the “health world,” you’ve likely heard of parasite cleansing. You may have discovered it at some point while scrolling social media and found yourself wondering, “Is this something I should consider?” 

The truth is, the majority of us do have parasites, and they can silently wreak havoc in our bodies for years. Over 60 million Americans are thought to be infected with parasites. I was part of this massive statistic.

Through testing, I discovered that parasites, specifically Toxoplasma gondii, and others were a contributing factor to the development of my brain tumor at 33 years old. The American Cancer Society links this specific parasite in the blood to the type of brain cancer I had, which is a glioma.

Of course, there is not just ONE thing that causes cancer… There are multiple contributing factors that can include parasites, toxins, stress/trauma, pathogens, and more. Truly, anything that can stress and hinder the body’s proper immune response can be a piece of the puzzle.

Parasites can be anywhere, including in food, pets, soil, touchable surfaces, and water, and often enter the body through the mouth or skin. 

I spent a lot of time in third-world countries, and I got sick in both Africa and Ecuador. But I want to be clear that you don’t just get parasites in third-world countries. I have tested thousands of patients who have never spent time abroad, and they were positive for parasites. Even children can have parasites.

People deworm cattle, horses, pets, and in other countries, themselves, regularly. So, why don’t people in the U.S. do this?

I’m actually doing a guided parasite cleanse with my TDW Community members, and I’ve gotten many questions about this topic.

It’s time to answer your must-know parasite cleanse questions:

What is a parasite?

A parasite is an organism that lives on or in a host organism (like humans!) and survives at the expense of its host. People can have three different types of parasites: 

1. Ectoparasites: These are the most common – they are bugs that attach to the skin to feed on blood or skin tissue, or even burrow under the skin, which can cause itching. Some examples you may be familiar with include bed bugs, fleas, lice, mites, mosquitoes, and ticks.
2. Protozoan parasites: These are so tiny you need a microscope to visualize these single-celled parasites. While small, they can create serious health concerns, especially when they multiply. Some examples of these parasites include Toxoplasma gondii (what I had), Babesia microti (a Lyme co-infection), and Blastocystis hominis (a cause of leaky gut).
3. Helminths: This is the general term for a parasitic worm, and these can be seen with the naked eye. There are three main groups of helminths: flatworms (including flukes and tapeworms), thorny-headed worms, and roundworms.

How do I know if I have parasites? How can I get them?

Most people have been exposed to or are dealing with parasites to some degree. Some of the most common ways to get parasites are from pets, soil, unfiltered water, and unfortunately even sushi.

Testing – including blood tests, stool tests (GI Map, which you can access through my TDW Community), and frequency testing – can detect parasites. But there’s a catch, they aren’t always accurate and can be very expensive. I have seen a lot of false negatives in my years of practicing.

What are the symptoms of parasites?

I will say lots of issues can be linked to parasites, and unfortunately, most conventional doctors won’t talk to their patients about this. Certain people can live harmoniously with some parasites, but in this day and age we have weakened immune systems that are burdened by so many things, and it is important to address them, especially if you resonate with a lot of these symptoms. 

Parasites are linked to so much like:

• Abdominal pain or discomfort
• Allergies
• Anemia 
• Anxiety
• Arthritis
• Autoimmune disease, including Hashmioto’s
• Bed-wetting (kids)
• Chronic fatigue
• Dark circles under eyes
• Food sensitivities
• Frequently getting sick
• Gut issues like bloating, constipation, diarrhea and leaky gut
• Headaches
• Insomnia
• Low blood sugar
• Nausea 
• Night sweats 
• Seizures
• Skin rashes and sores
• Teeth grinding 
• Vomiting
• Weight loss

This is just the tip of the iceberg. Unfortunately, parasites are often overlooked in conventional healthcare and even in functional medicine, so I’m excited to offer this type of support for y’all in TDW Community!

Can parasites go away on their own?

Yes, when the immune system functions as it should, you can naturally get rid of parasites without any noticeable symptoms. 

The reality is nearly everyone has parasites within their bodies. But in our toxic world, the body can become burdened. This means our immune systems cannot remove them as efficiently. 

Over time, the accumulation of parasites can become more noticeable. You might begin to experience chronic symptoms like digestive issues, iron deficiency anemia, skin problems, anxiety, teeth grinding, allergies, and more. This is why it can be good to parasite cleanse every 6 months around a full moon.  

What does a parasite cleanse involve?

Parasite cleanse protocols are aimed at eradicating/mitigating parasites throughout the body and supporting our immune system. Some antiparasitic supports target the GI tract while others work more deeply into the tissues/bloodstream. 

Parasite cleanses differ depending on the specific protocol. Some parasite cleanses require prescription meds while others use specialized herbs and supplements. Parasite cleanses are most effective when done around the full moon because that is when parasite activity is highest. The parasite protocol we are doing together in the TDW Community hits parasites throughout the body but does not require prescription meds. 

What can I expect from the TDW Community parasite cleanse protocol?

My team and I guide TDW Community members through a parasite cleanse using antiparasitic supplements, detox supplements, and lifestyle support around the full moon. Our guide will give you everything you need to be able to support yourself through the cleanse – you will not need a prescription from a doctor and can carry out this cleanse on your own. We’ve worked hard on this guide, and it will cover:

• How to prepare for a parasite cleanse
• Exact supplements you need and how to use them (+ dosing for kids!). You will only need to purchase a few supplements for the cleanse
• Other lifestyle measures to support the cleanse
• What to do post-parasite cleanse

This is exclusive to TDW Community, a space where you get access to me, my TDW team, and a community of like-minded people. We share exclusive monthly guides and resources on wellness topics like parasite cleansing, detoxing, and more. You also get inside my head during a live monthly Q&A where I answer your health questions in real time. There are so many other perks, too! 

 Should you only do a cleanse when working with a practitioner?

Yes or no, depending on the cleanse. It’s important to have the right resources to support yourself during a cleanse. If you’re joining us in TDW Community to do the cleanse, we provide a guide that gives you exactly what you need to support yourself. It covers everything from signs and symptoms of parasites, how to prepare for a parasite cleanse, exact supplements and how to take them, other lifestyle factors to support the cleanse, and what to do post-cleanse. You also have access to a live monthly Zoom call with me where you can ask any questions – I can’t give personal medical advice, but I am here to support you on your journey to well-being!

How often should you do a parasite cleanse?

If you have never done a parasite cleanse before, cleansing for three full moons in a row can be helpful. Each cleanse lasts for 3-7 days around the full moon. After that, it can be helpful to cleanse every quarter or every 6 months around a full moon! 

When is the best time to do a parasite cleanse?

The best time to do a parasite cleanse is around a full moon. This is because parasites are most active during a full moon due to the drop in your body’s melatonin and increase in serotonin. Have you ever felt restless, irritable, or anxious around a full moon? Or maybe you get headaches, acne, or an upset stomach? These could be symptoms of parasites.

Should you do a cleanse if detox pathways are blocked?

No, you want to open up detox pathways for at least 30 days before doing a parasite cleanse. This means you want to be able to sweat, have daily bowel movements, and more. 

In the TDW Community, we covered how to open drainage pathways, priming them for the parasite cleanse. P.S. You get access to any content we have EVER shared in the TDW Community when you join. So, you’ll be able to use our member-exclusive deep dive into how to open your drainage pathways before doing a parasite cleanse if desired.

Can I still do normal activities (work, leave the house, etc.) when cleansing or will I need to stay at home near a toilet?

You absolutely should still be able to do normal activities (go to work, leave the house, etc.) and feel your baseline if you have strong foundational healthy habits like eating real foods, getting enough sleep, etc. and have open drainage pathways (can sweat, daily bowel movements).

Should detox reactions occur, though, me and my team equip you with tools to support your body in our TDW Community parasite cleansing guide.

Do you always feel terrible when passing parasites?

No, you actually should feel at your baseline if you have worked on foundational healthy habits and opening up your drainage pathways. This is why it’s important to focus on these things before cleansing to keep you feeling your best! In TDW Community, we equip you with tools to support your body should detox reactions occur.

Can you do a parasite cleanse while pregnant or breastfeeding?

No, you cannot do the cleanse if pregnant or breastfeeding. Soak up your current stage of life – the cleanse can wait until you’re ready for that next chapter!

Can kids do a parasite cleanse?

Yes! Kids can have parasites, too. You’ll just want to make sure you adjust dosage for them based on weight, etc. We break all of this down for you in TDW Community. The whole family can do this together like mine does! We do this cleanse a few times a year.

The More We Know, the Better We Can Do

I hope this answered all your burning questions about parasites and how you can rid your body of them. I do not want you to live in fear of parasites, but I DO want to educate you, equip you with resources, and empower you to do a parasite cleanse yourself, at the convenience of your own home! I want you to realize YOU do have power in healing your own body. If you’re interested in doing a parasite cleanse with support, I hope you will join us in TDW Community.