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Colon Cleansing for Parasites

Colon cleansing for parasites is a popular alternative remedy, but most mainstream medical professions do not recommend it. Cyclospora and cryptosporidium are two unicellular intestinal parasites. Colon cleansing these parasites out of the intestines actually could worsen its complications. Ascariasis and pinworm are both roundworm parasites. Colon cleansing these parasites won't eliminate the roundworms that live outside the intestine.  Tapeworms are flatworm parasites. Colon cleansing  neglects to address tapeworm invasions elsewhere. People with intestinal parasites should seek a medical professional for a parasite specific remedy rather than resorting to colon cleansing for parasites.

Colon Cleansing for Unicellular Parasites
Cyclospora and cryptosporidium are unicellular or single cell organisms. Both parasites can trigger diarrhea among other symptoms. Diarrhea is often the body’s attempt to flush a parasite out of the intestines. Medications for stopping diarrhea are not recommended for people with cyclospora, because this would interfere with the colon flushing. People may take anit-diarrhea medications for cryptosporidium if a doctor advises such. Diarrhea creates the risk of dehydration. Taking anything to increase the incidence of diarrhea or cleanse the colon is unwise, because it could exacerbate the dehydration. . Make sure to drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated if either parasite is a problem.

Colon Cleansing for Roundworm Parasites
Ascariasis and pinworm are two roundworm intestinal parasites.  Colon cleansing for ascariasis and pinworm is unlikely to be effective, because both parasites spend part of their life cycles outside the large intestine. Ascariasis eggs enter the body through the mouth and hatch in the intestines. The larvae then move through the bloodstream and lymphatic system to the lungs where they develop. Ten days later, the ascariasis roundworms crawl from the lungs to the throat where they are coughed up and swallowed. They travel from the esophagus to the small intestine where they spend the rest of their lives.

Female pinworms lay their eggs in the folds of skin around the anus as a person sleeps. They irritate the skin so that the person with the pinworms scratches the area. This allows the pinworms to get on the finger tips and spread to other people. Anyone suffering from ascariasis or pinworms should consult a doctor. Colon cleansing for these parasites will not address the ascariasis that are in the lungs, bloodstream, and lymphatic system or the pinworms than are in the folds of skin around the anus.

Colon Cleansing for Flatworm Parasites
Tapeworm is a flatworm intestinal parasite. Tapeworm infections can be mild enough to cause no symptoms or severe enough to cause major organ damage. An intestinal tapeworm infection is when the tapeworm lives in the intestines. An invasive tapeworm infection is when the tapeworm settles in another organ. An invasive tapeworm infection can impair the brain, damage blood vessels or prevent other organs from functioning properly. Colon cleansing for parasites will not combat an invasive tapeworm infection.

Types of Parasites

Unicellular Parasites

Cyclospora and Cryptosporidium

Roundworm Parasites

Ascariasis and Pinworm

Flatworm Parasite


Despite the popularity of colon cleansing for parasites, it may be of little benefit. Parasites such as cyclospora and cryptosporidium can cause dehydration that colon cleansing makes worse. Roundworm and flatworm parasites can infect people in places besides the intestine, which make colon cleansing incomplete. Consulting a doctor for a parasite specific recommendations is wiser than trying  on your own colon cleansing for parasites.


1. Cyclospora Infection. Mayo Clinic

2. Cryptosporidium Infection. Mayo Clinic

3. Ascariasis. Mayo Clinic

4. Pinworm Infection. Mayo Clinic

5. Tapeworm Infection. Mayo Clinic