Entamoeba histolytica is a single-celled organism that causes a disease called amoebiasis. It predominantly infects humans and other primates. It can be found in water, damp environments and in soil, and can contaminate fruits and vegetables.
It spreads through faecal contamination. Other than the malarial parasite, it causes more deaths than any other protozoan. Entamoeba histolytica has a worldwide distribution, with a higher incidence of amoebiasis in developing countries.
Risk groups in industrialised countries include homosexual males, travellers and recent immigrants (although disease may develop months to years after exposure) and institutionalised populations.
Infection by E. histolytica typically occurs by ingestion of mature cysts in faecal contaminated food, water, or hands. Cysts can survive for days to weeks in the external environment. Transmission can also occur through exposure to faecal matter during sexual contact. Iin this case not only cysts but also the far less durable trophozoite stage could prove infective.
Symptoms of amoebiasis
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhoea
- Liver abscesses
- Weakness
- Weight loss
Natural treatment for amoebiasis
Follow the links to find out how to take each herb. For severe infections take more than one together.
- Black seed
- Cloves
- Gentian root
- Fennel seeds
- Garlic take four cloves per day. Crush or finely chop and leave to stand for ten minutes then take with a glass of water or juice or add to a meal.
- Ginger can be grated or sliced and added to herbal teas made from any of the other herbal remedies.
- Black walnut husks
- Grapefruit seed extract
- Hyssop leaves
- Oregano
- Peppermint leaves
- Pumpkin seeds one tablespoon per day until infection clears up
- Thyme leaves
For more natural remedies see: Parasites
Related subjects
- A-Z of antimicrobial plants
- Dientamoeba fragilis
- Filarial worms
- Flatworm blood fluke
- Giardia lamblia
- Hookworm
- Lancet flukes
- Lyme disease
- Mosquito-borne infections
- Pinworms (threadworms)
- Roundworms
- Skin parasites (lice)
- Tapeworms
- Trichinella spiralis