Tapeworms - Nature Cures®

Also known as (Dipylidium caninum, Hymenolepsis nana, Taenia saginata, Taenia solium, Vampirolepis nana)

Proglottids are the segments of a tapeworm’s body that contain both male and female reproductive organs and are responsible for producing eggs. Dipylidiidae, which are the proglottids of the adult tapeworm have genital pores on both sides which gives them the name double-pore tapeworm.

Transmitted through infected food, a tapeworm attaches itself to its victim’s intestine with hooks on its head or scolex.

They mature over three to four months, during which time the reproductive organs develop. Tapeworms can survive for up to 25 years in humans.

Their eggs are excreted in faeces and can survive on vegetation, where they are then consumed by cattle or pigs and passed on to humans.

Types of tapeworms

Beef tapeworm

Also known as Taenia saginata, the beef tapeworm is contracted by consuming raw or under-cooked beef. Up to a metre long with 1-2,000 proglottids (segments), these tapeworms can infect a host for up to 25 years. Only one tapeworm infects a human at any one time.

Signs and symptoms of beef tapeworm infection

Often there are no marked symptoms of infection other than occasionally passing segments in the stool. Other symptoms of beef tapeworm infection include diarrhoea, abdominal cramping, nervousness, nausea and loss of appetite.

Pork tapeworm

Also know as Taenia solium, the pork tapeworm is contracted through eating raw or under-cooked pork. The most dangerous of all the tapeworms, the pork tapeworm is smaller than the beef tapeworm at less than 1,000 proglottids (segments).

The larvae develop in the muscles and spread through the central nervous system and into other tissues. The scolex hooks into the lining of the small intestine and multiple pork tapeworms can infect humans at any one time.

Signs and symptoms: of pork tapeworm infection

Pork tapeworm can cause great harm when the immature larvae invade the muscles, heart, eye or brain when infection is often misdiagnosed as epilepsy.

Fish tapeworm

Also know as Diphyllobothrium latum, fish tapeworms can be contracted be eating raw or under-cooked freshwater migratory fish from Scandinavia, Russia, Japan, Australia, the US Great Lakes, Canada and Alaska. Fish such as Alaskan salmon, perch, pike, pickerel or American turbot can carry this tapeworm. The largest human parasitic worm at over 4,000 segments can produce over 1 million eggs a day in its host.

Signs and symptoms of fish tapeworm infection

Because it can consume over 80% of its host’s vitamin B12, pernicious anaemia is the result. Other common symptoms include digestive disturbances, pain and fullness in the upper abdomen, nausea and anorexia.

Dog tapeworm

Also known as Echinococcus granulosus, the dog tapeworm can be contracted by swallowing infected dog fleas. Most common in children and adults who allow dogs to lick their face. The larvae are liberated when the fleas are swallowed and can invade many organs.

Symptoms of tapeworm infection

Many tape worms often do not cause symptoms, and the only sign may be segments of the worms, possibly moving, in stool.

Other symptoms sometime show such as:

Abdominal pain
Constant hunger or loss of appetite
Diarrhoea
Dizziness
Fatigue
Fits
Inflammation of the intestines
Nausea
Nutrient deficiencies
Weakness
Weight loss

Natural remedies for tapeworm infection

Asafoetid: This is the dried latex (gum oleoresin) exuded from the rhizome or tap root of several species of Ferula assa-foetida. To eliminate tapeworms, dissolve a small piece of asafoetida in water and drink it on an empty stomach once a day for three days.

Ash gourd seeds: Take a handful of ash gourd seeds and grind them. Eat it in the morning on an empty stomach. Two hours later, take two teaspoons of castor oil.

Betel nut: Grind one betel nut with a small glass of milk. Take this early in the morning on an empty stomach.

WARNING: Do not give betel nut to children and avoid if suffering with cardiovascular disease or pregnant.

Black walnut hulls: These can be taken as an extract.

NOTE: Black walnut hulls are not recommended for infants or children.

Coconut and castor oil: A tablespoon of the freshly ground coconut should be taken at breakfast followed by a dose of castor oil after three hours. The process may be repeated till the cure is complete.

WARNING: Castor oil should not be given to children below five years of age.

Grapefruit seed extract

Paico leaf: This can effectively eradicate tapeworms in most cases.

Pumpkins seeds: These can be eaten whole or mashed and mixed with juice or honey. Two or three hours after eating up to 25 ounces of seeds, a laxative such as senna or prunes is recommended to purge the intestines. Cascara sagrada is a herb that can also be used after eating pumpkin seeds to help eliminate parasites from the body. It is milder than senna but has a similar action.

Torrya seeds: These can be used with pumpkin seeds and betel nut.

Wormseed: This can be taken as a tea.

NOTE: Do not consume concentrated wormseed oil as it is too potent.

Wormwood (Artemisia annua): Named for its ability to expel parasites, wormwood is known worldwide for its strong killing ability as it contains the potent chemicals thujone and isothujone, which are the primary components that kill parasites.

Wormwood also contains santonin, an effective remedy for parasitic diseases and sesquiterpene lactones, which work similarly to peroxide by weakening the parasites membranes therefore killing them. It can be taken as a tea, a liquid extract or as a capsule.

To make a medicinal tea, soak a handful of sweet wormwood leaves in hot water for 20 minutes. Then wring out the juice and drink it all.

WARNING: Do not take the pure oil as it is considered to be toxic.

For more natural remedies see: Parasites

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