Tag Archives: parasites

The Skinny on Parasites

This week on my Instagram TV show, I discuss parasites. If you would like to watch the video, follow me on Instagram @therawgirl. Below is the written transcript. -XO

Do you know what it feels like to have your life force being sucked out of you daily? Most people do, only they don’t know what the source of their woes are. The buggers AKA Parasites! If you are thinking to yourself WTF?? or you know you have them and want to know what to do? This one’s for you boo.

Welcome to Health Bytes!

Although it sounds crazy and a little scary to think about worms in our bodies, YIKES! the fact is that 99.8% of people will be exposed to or experience health issues related to parasitic infection. You can get parasites from your pets, other people’s pets,  from kissing or having intercourse with a person who has parasites, from contaminated drinking WATER water (especially tap water), from walking barefoot on contaminated soil, from improperly cooked or handled meat, improper hygiene bad hygiene, infected fruits or vegetables, and the list goes on.

So, what are parasites? Parasites are organisms that live in our bodies and feed off of our life force. They are worms that (can be deadly) because they suck us dry by preventing nutrients from our food from nourishing our bodies, can cause damage internally to organs, and a host of other symptoms that you and your doctor will most likely mistake for something else entirely. These can be anything from stomach and intestinal complications like constipation, irritable bowel syndrome or leaky gut, mood and anxiety issues, sleep disturbances, weight issues either via excessive hunger, or excessive weight loss, skin disorders like acne or rashes, food allergies, and excessive fatigue or lack of energy. Essentially, parasites can slowly but surely erode your quality of life.

Because parasites are so prevalent, it’s a great idea to conduct a basic over the counter parasite cleanse that you can find in a local health food store at least once a year. The best cleanses usually have some form of tincture and pill combination and will include herbs such as cloves, wormwood, black walnut hull, along with other ingredients designed to kills worms and their eggs.

Cloves destroy parasitic eggs before they have a chance to develop. They are more powerful when purchased whole and ground up for consumption as they tend to lose their anti-parasitic properties rather quickly. Cloves contain powerful antimicrobial agents that travel through the bloodstream, killing microscopic parasites and parasitic larvae and eggs. Cloves are tremendously effective in killing malaria, tuberculosis, cholera, scabies and other parasites, viruses, bacteria and fungi, including Candida.

Black walnut hull is very effective at removing dead parasites and other parasitic wastes from the body. It is available in a powdered form, in capsules, as well as in tinctures. Black walnut hull has been used for centuries to expel various types of worms, including parasites that cause skin irritations such as ringworm. It also oxygenates the blood, which also helps kill parasites. Black Walnut hull is very effective against tapeworms, pinworms, Candida albicans, and malaria. It is also effective in reducing blood sugar levels, and facilitating the bodies’ natural detoxification process.

Wormwood is one of the most powerful weapons in the parasite killer arsenal. It is an extremely bitter herb that is quite difficult to down, but the effects are well worth it. It acts as an anesthetic that numbs the parasites, thus forcing them to release their grip on the body. The herb is most effective against roundworms, hookworms, whipworms and pinworms. Wormwood is the second most bitter herb known to man and has been proven a powerful herbal remedy for malaria.

Consuming Raw or Aged Garlic is one of the most effective ways to kill parasites. Garlic is an effective remedy for many types of parasites, from one-celled species to larger varieties such as hookworms and pinworms. Garlic is known to slow and kill more than sixty types of fungi and twenty types of bacteria, as well as some of the most potent viruses known to humans. All effective parasite cleanses always include garlic. It can be hard to consume large amounts of raw garlic, so another way to successfully include large amounts of garlic in your diet is to consume aged, odorless garlic pills.

Apple Cider Vinegar increases stomach acid if taken prior to your meals. This will keep the stomach free of parasites and will also ensure that you will kill off any larvae you inadvertently eat with your meals.

Coconut Oil has an abundance of medium chain fatty acids, which after converted by the body, create a substance that efficiently kills parasites, yeasts, viruses, and pathogenic bacteria in the gut.

Pungent Spices such as: turmeric, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, cardamom, chilies, horseradish, and cayenne, all make parasites run for cover. While conducting your cleanse you can use all or some of these spices freely to add flavor and aid you in kicking some parasite but.

I’m Esosa E. Clinical Nutritionist & Founder of rawgirltoxicworld.com, until next time, your wealth is in your health!

For more on parasites, check out my book which includes instructions for a cleanse: Parasites, Be Gone! 

If you need a one on one consultation to develop a personalized intervention for parasitic infection or to address other conditions, improvement in your diet, or weightloss book here: www.therawgirl.com.

7 Natural Remedies That Kill Internal Parasites

diy-home-remedies.com

diy-home-remedies.com

Although it sounds crazy and a little scary to think about WORMS in our bodies, the fact is that 99.8% of people will be exposed to or experience health issues related to parasitic infection. You can get parasites from your pets, other people’s pets, from kissing or having intercourse with a person who has parasites, from contaminated drinking water (and a lot of drinking water is infected, especially tap water), from walking barefoot on contaminated soil, from improperly cooked or handled meat, improper hygiene, infected fruits or vegetables, and the list goes on. If you are a loyal reader of this blog you know that I’ve explored this topic before, but because of the overwhelming response, I want to address it again. -XoXo Raw Girl

So, what are parasites? Parasites are organisms that live in our bodies and feed off of our life force. They are worms that suck us dry by preventing nutrients from our food from nourishing our bodies, can cause damage internally to organs, and can cause a host of other symptoms that you and your doctor will most likely mistake for something else entirely. These can be anything from stomach and intestinal complications like constipation, irritable bowel syndrome or leaky gut, mood and anxiety issues, sleep disturbances, weight issues either via excessive hunger, or excessive weight loss, skin disorders like acne or rashes, food allergies, and excessive fatigue or lack of energy. Essentially, parasites can slowly but surely erode your quality of life. Below are a few key herbs and foods that can help you rid your body of parasites. If you choose to conduct an over the counter parasite cleanse, ensure that it at the very least includes cloves, black walnut, and wormwood in the list of ingredients.

 Cloves destroy parasitic eggs before they have a chance to develop. They are more powerful when purchased whole and ground up for consumption as they tend to lose their anti-parasitic properties rather quickly. Cloves contain powerful antimicrobial agents that travel through the bloodstream, killing microscopic parasites and parasitic larvae and eggs. Cloves are tremendously effective in killing malaria, tuberculosis, cholera, scabies and other parasites, viruses, bacteria and fungi, including Candida.

Black walnut hull is very effective at removing dead parasites and other parasitic wastes from the body. It is available in a powdered form, in capsules, as well as in tinctures. Black walnut hull has been used for centuries to expel various types of worms, including parasites that cause skin irritations such as ringworm. It also oxygenates the blood, which also helps kill parasites. Black Walnut hull is very effective against tapeworms, pinworms, Candida albicans, and malaria. It is also effective in reducing blood sugar levels, and facilitating the bodies’ natural detoxification process.

 Wormwood is one of the most powerful weapons in the parasite killer arsenal. It is an extremely bitter herb that is quite difficult to down, but the effects are well worth it. It acts as an anesthetic that numbs the parasites, thus forcing them to release their grip on the body. The herb is most effective against roundworms, hookworms, whipworms and pinworms. Wormwood is the second most bitter herb known to man and has been proven a powerful herbal remedy for malaria. The herb is now being used by locals in Malaria ridden countries and has proven even more effective than drugs without the danger of side effects.

Consuming Raw or Aged Garlic is one of the most effective ways to kill parasites. Garlic is an effective remedy for many types of parasites, from one-celled species to larger varieties such as hookworms and pinworms. Garlic is known to slow and kill more than sixty types of fungi and twenty types of bacteria, as well as some of the most potent viruses known to humans. All effective parasite cleanses always include garlic. It can be hard to consume large amounts of raw garlic, so another way to successfully include large amounts of garlic in your diet is to consume aged, odorless garlic pills.

Apple Cider Vinegar increases stomach acid if taken prior to your meals. This will keep the stomach free of parasites and will also ensure that you will kill off any larvae you inadvertently eat with your meals. A great way to incorporate apple cider vinegar is to add it to salad dressings or prepare a simple “apple cider vinegar tonic” which is apple cider vinegar diluted in pure filtered water and drink this concoction first thing in the morning and several times throughout the day.

Coconut Oil has an abundance of medium chain fatty acids, which after converted by the body, create a substance that efficiently kills parasites, yeasts, viruses, and pathogenic bacteria in the gut.

Pungent Spices such as: turmeric, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, cardamom, chilies, horseradish, and cayenne, all make parasites run for cover. While conducting your cleanse you can use all or some of these spices freely to add flavor and aid you in kicking some parasite but. 

Want to learn more about parasites and natural remedies? Check out my latest book Parasites, Be Gone! which includes in depth research, personal antidotes,  and a two week cleanse to get you started on the path to becoming parasite-free.

Got Parasites? Signs That You May Have Intestinal Worms

Parasite Book_BIGBannerDo you know what it feels like to have your life force being sucked out of you daily? Most people do, and they don’t know what the source of their woes are. Parasites! If you have been a long term reader of this blog, you know how much I hate the buggers. Although it seems hard to believe, the parasite or intestinal worm problem is not only real, it is one of the leading causes of health problems. It is estimated that over 80% of Americans and an even higher percentage of people worldwide are infected with parasites. In many developing countries parasites can claim the lives of entire villages. There are thousands of species within the major categories of parasites. Because of the wide range of types and depending on the area and degree of infection in the body the symptoms can be really wide-ranging. In many cases people are treated for other diseases when in fact their problem stems from having a severe parasite infection. Besides leeching nutrients from their hosts, parasites also produce toxic waste that affects the body and compromises the central nervous system.

Some key symptoms of parasitic infection are outlined below. If you believe you have parasites, you need to first confirm that it is the source of your health concerns, and then discern what may be the root cause for your imbalance before you begin cleansing. After slaving tirelessly for the past year, Parasites, Be Gone! my comprehensive guide to cleansing the body of parasites is now available in the Raw Girl Store. The goal of the book which includes a 14 Day Parasite Cleanse was to not only share my journey, but to compile extensive research combined with my personal experience to create a guide that would save want to be parasite-killa’s time and money weeding through the riff-raff. There are so many products, theories, diets, and foods that are aimed at solving the problem, and I wanted to a way to give anyone looking to become parasite-free to have a clear and thorough road map of how to begin. To celebrate the launch below is a tidbit taken from chapter one in the book which describes some of the symptoms  you may experience when infected by worms. -XoXo Raw Girl 

Stomach & Intestinal Complications like those mentioned below are caused by large amounts of parasites in the lower digestive system and the toxic waste they produce.

  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • Gas & Bloating
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
  • Abdominal Pain
  • Leaky Gut
  • Bloody Stools
  • Mucus in the Stools
  • Nausea
  • Hemorrhoids

Fatigue or lack of energy happens when the toxic waste overloads and overworks the eliminative organs and strains the nervous system and can cause:

  • Chronic Fatigue
  • Low Energy
  • Lethargy
  • Excessive Weakness

Skin Disorders or Allergies can be caused by parasites that penetrate the skin and can cause itching. When the bodies’ defense system kicks in and white blood cells increase the reaction can cause rashes or food sensitivities to appear and symptoms may include:

  • Acne or skin reactions like Rashes or Hives
  • Dry Skin or Dry Hair
  • Food Allergies
  • Hair Loss
  • Itchy Anus
  • Itchy Skin
  • Crawling Sensations Under the Skin
  • Sores
  • Swelling

Mood and Anxiety Issues can arise from the negative impact that the toxic metabolic waste from parasite activity has on the nervous system and can cause:

  • Mood Swings
  • Nervousness
  • Depression
  • Foggy Thinking
  • Slow Reflexes
  • Anxiety
  • Forgetfulness

Sleep Disturbances can be caused by the mere presence of parasites or the body reacting to them during restful periods. This can cause symptoms such as:

  • Teeth Grinding
  • Bed Wetting
  • Insomnia
  • Waking in the middle of the night
  • Drooling while asleep
  • Itching around the anus (especially at night)

Weight & Appetite Problems are very common among those infected with parasites. Most people may have no idea this is the source of their ravenous appetite or inability to gain weight, and so the problem remains undetected. Some symptoms include:

  • Excessive Hunger/Increase in Appetite
  • Excessive Weight Loss
  • Strong and frequent sugar and carbohydrate cravings

Kimchi! A Probiotic Powerhouse

kimchi-635Have you ever fallen in love with a dish so much that you start to crave it regularly? Well at the moment, I heart kimchi and its powerful bad bacteria fighting properties. Kimchi is a spicy fermented cabbage that originates from Korea. It has a spicy, sour, awesome tangy flavor  that really does it for me, but then again, I love pepper. Apparently this probiotic powerhouse historically has 187 different versions of it’s recipe. In Korea, where it is eaten with almost every meal, it helped protect against an epidemic of SARS back in 2003, and the same good bacteria available in kimchi even helped to restore Korean chickens who caught the H5N1 (avian flu) virus! That just gives you a bit of an idea of how gangsta kimchi can be in protecting against the worst kinds of viruses and bacteria and boosting your immune system. The lactic acid that produced during the fermentation process stops the growth of bad bacteria and is useful in the prevention of conditions such as yeast infections, urinary tract infections, obesity, diabetes, and gastrointestinal cancers.

Nutrition-wise kimchi is low in calories and sugar but contain high amounts of fiber, vitamins A and C, and minerals such as calcium and iron. It also has high levels of beta carotene and after undergoing three weeks of fermentation the levels of B1, B2, and B12 double. In addition to all this groovy nutrition kimchi can help to reduce indigestion and gas by ridding the body of excess bad bacteria, and also help you feel fuller because the good bacteria in the gut stabilizes blood sugar levels and keeps from intense hunger pangs and cravings. For those non-dairy eaters like myself, it’s also good to know that kimchi contains more good bacteria than yogurt. Another win for the dairy-free team.

Most kimchi that is readily available at Asian grocery stores are most likely NOT vegan as they may use anchovy in the process. If you are interested in trying this spicy old cabbage dish, you can find gluten-free and vegan versions of kimchi with varying levels of spiciness at natural food stores that are pretty awesome or try making it on your own so you can have larger quantities. After the initial fermentation process, kimchi lasts anywhere from three to six months in the fridge and with time the amounts of good bacteria available continue to increase. The process is pretty intense and traditionally the cabbage is buried in the ground during the fermentation process. Um, since that isn’t happening for most of us (raises hand) you can leave it out in your kitchen shortly and then put it in the fridge. In the next few weeks I’ll be working on my own sauerkraut and kimchi recipes and will be sure to report back when I’ve reached the fermented cabbage promise land. Until then, make sure to include probiotics and fermented foods in your diet. I will highlight more soon on the blog. They are super important and can help you achieve balance quickly when dealing with candida, parasites, indigestion, and even acne. -XoXo Raw Girl

Garlic Kale Parasite-Killa Salad & 14 Day Detox Coming Soon!

GARLIC PARASITE KILLING SALADIt’s that time again and I’ve got my apple cider vinegar, hot pepper, coconut water, and green juice ammo ready. I’m conducting a gangster parasite cleanse, and this time, I am documenting my efforts so that I can provide all of you with a blueprint to give the buggers a run for their money. Just in case you are completely clueless, parasites are organisms that  you can pick up a variety of ways including pets, meat, kissing other people who have parasites, dirty hands, unclean water etc. Once your body is inhabited by these critters you may experience a range of symptoms that may diagnosed as other diseases and experience uncontrollable cravings for sugar and carbs. In my case, back in the day, parasites caused my acne problem. Now that I am a black belt in parasite-killing judo, my mission is to use this coming month to distill all of this knowledge into a 14 Day Parasite Detox, which I will be selling on the blog along with a 7 Day and 14 Day Juice Detox which are already complete. This salad will be among one of the recipes I include in the cleanse which will have green juice recipes and mostly green salads and other meals that give parasites a run for their money. If you are currently battling parasites or soon to embark on a cleanse, stay tuned, and may the veggie force be with you. -XoXo Raw Girl

Ingredients: 

1 Bunch Green Kale

1 Bunch Lacinato Kale

Kalamata Olives

1 Ripe Avocado

Handful of Garlic Cloves (adjust for personal tolerance)

2-3 capfuls of Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Braggs Liquid Aminos (to taste)

pinch of Sea Salt (optional or in place of Braggs) 

2 capfuls Organic Apple Cider Vinegar

Dash of Curry

Dash of Cayenne (optional)

Chop kale and wash thoroughly. Add finely diced  garlic, olive oil, Braggs, curry, cayenne, and apple cider vinegar. With your hands massage the greens thoroughly for a few minutes. Add olives and avocado slices on top. Serve & Enjoy!

This recipe is the property of Raw Girl AKA Chef Eazy E and cannot be reproduced or reprinted in any form without express permission of the author. ©  EME, LLC, rawgirltoxicworld.com 2013

For more on parasites, check out these past posts: The Anti-Parasite Diet: Foods That Make Parasites Run For Cover

& Battle of the Internal Parasites: Knock Them Out Before They Take You Down

Smoothie! Moringa Mango Madness & the Anti-Aging Anti-Parasitic Benefits of Moringa

So last week we introduced the miracle tree, Moringa Oleifera. As extensive as that article was, we barely skimmed the surface. If you haven’t read part 1 I suggest you check out the first blog post on Moringa here. In addition to the nutritional benefits of Moringa like the fact that it contains more than 92 nutrients and 46 types of antioxidants, moringa is extremely beneficial for slowing the aging process and guess what, killing parasites! If you are a regular reader of this blog, you should know how much I love any natural product that I can add to my parasite killing arsenal.

If you don’t know, antioxidants are key in slowing the aging process because they neutralize free radicals. The combination of superior nutritional value, which in includes providing all eight essential amino acids and 18 of the 20 amino acids absolutely essential for good health, seven times the Vitamin C content of oranges, four times the Vitamin A of carrots, four times the calcium of milk,  and three times the potassium of bananas, high amounts of iron, along with 46 antioxidants makes moringa probably one of the strongest natural sources of antioxidants. In the O.R.A.C. rest (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) test, moringa was tested against and beat out superfoods like acai, dark chocolate, garlic, blueberries, goji berries, pomegranate, red wine, and baobab for the most antioxidant capacity.

In addition to the powerful antioxidants, moringa leaves contain healthy amounts of cytokinins, which are naturally occuring plant hormones that induce cell division, growth, and delay aging of cells. Clinical studies have shown that this compound also called Moringa YSP produces anti-aging properties in humans and caused new skin cells grew faster than the older cells died. This resulted in an almost miraculous reduction of wrinkles on the face and other parts of the body. Sound better than botox? I think so. 

Now lets get to the parasite killing properties of this other worldly plant. Moringa not only kills parasites, it kills their eggs as well! This is really important to note because in most parasite cleanses, even ones you buy over the counter you have to take cloves in combination with black walnut hull and wormwood to effectively combat both the worms and their eggs. The cleansing effect cause by taking moringa has been used by traditional people to combat worms for years and years. It can effectively help to get rid of waste and parasites while also providing enough nourishment to rectify any imbalances caused by the worms as they leave your body. I am very excited about incorporating this tree into my diet long term for nutrition and to combat parasites and plan to grow it. Last week, I bought some moringa powder and I’m testing out this particular brand. I plan to find the best, most potent brand of leaf powder and continue ongoing use. Will most definitely report back my results! If you want to check out what I am using now, go the Raw Girl Store, and you’ll see it under super foods. Below is the recipe for my first moringa smoothie. -XoXo Raw Girl

Moringa Mango Madness Smoothie

Ingredients: 2 bananas, 1 cup to 1.5 cups of frozen mango, 1 tablespoon moringa powder, 1 tablespoon flaxseed, Young thai coconut water and meat or almond milk.

Put all ingredients in blender. Blend, serve, enjoy! 🙂

 

Dear Raw Girl: Weight Loss, Anemia, Stomach Pain, Think I Have Parasites?

Dear Raw Girl: I am currently in a lot of distress due to what I believe are upper intestinal parasites. I have not been diagnosed by a doctor, but have all of the symptoms I have read through online searches. After having no appetite for about a month, I have lost 15 pounds. This is not good as I am already thin. This morning I passed what appears to be a parasite. I google pics and it looked very similar to what came out of me. I am guessing this is the reason for all of the stomach problems I have been having (feels like stomach is in knots, hungry but can’t eat cause I feel full, body aches, very allergic all of sudden, itchy hands & feet, all of sudden anemic, etc). Of course I went to the doc and he prescribes meds for heartburn and indigestion. This was before I found what I believe is a parasite in my stool. I go to the doc Monday for him to officially test for them. After taking the heartburn meds for weeks, I am still miserable. I read where you stated pure cranberry juice will kill them. My question is how long and how much of it do I need to consume? Will I see them in my stool? After researching, it appears the doc will prescribe antibiotics. I prefer a natural way of ridding them from my body. I appreciate any advice you can offer. Thanks in advance :-).  -N.C.

Hello N.C. –

First off, kudos to you for following your hunch and basically diagnosing yourself! We live in a world unfortunately, in which it is completely necessary for you to do some ground work. It’s great that you already have your doctor involved, but as you know he or she will only diagnose medications to mask your symptoms, not address the root problem. Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, but I am more than happy to give you my friendly parasite killing advice. It definitely sounds like you have parasites, and if you passed something that is sign enough. You stated that you were given meds for heartburn and indigestion that have done nothing. My opinion is that you should stop taking those meds immediately, because the side effects could do further damage to your well-being and they are not solving your core issue of being infected with parasites. From your symptoms it sounds like you definitely have hookworms and perhaps others. Hookworms in particular cause malnutrition and anemia, itchy feet, weight loss, stomach or chest pain, and sometimes vomiting. Look it up to get a better idea, but that sounds like spot on what you are experiencing.

After you are tested, perhaps they can tell you how extreme your condition is? I’m not sure how those parasite tests work, but I would base it on how you feel. There are plenty of posts on the blog that you can read that outline foods that can aid in killing parasites. Generally speaking for most kinds if you start cutting out starches and sugar, eat very green, incorporate garlic, and do an over the counter (2-week) parasite herbal cleanse, you may start to pass worms. It helps to know what kinds of worms you are dealing with an tailoring your attack that way. Now that we know you most likely have hookworms, work that angle. As it says in my other posts, adding in the regimen of drinking apple cider vinegar diluted in water throughout the day on its own can help you to pass worms. I suggest to type in parasites in the Raw Girl archives and read the past blog posts available to get an idea of other remedies you can use. It’s best to address the issue with an herbal cleanse as well as shift in diet so you are not trying to kill worms and still feeding them simultaneously, and also to remember to incorporate colon cleansing and foods that increase good bacteria in the gut. You are right, your doc will most likely just give you a prescription for antibiotics. This can cause more issues because it will take away good and bad flora, and can in most cases bring the buggers back later even worse than what you are experiencing now.

Pure cranberry juice is one of the things that can help you, yes, I don’t have an amount you should or shouldn’t drink; you could just try to drink a glass in morning or evening, or take some throughout the day along with water. Rather than zeroing in on just one type of juice my tactic is usually to come at it from many angles. If it’s a really horrible case and you want some immediate relief, perhaps you should try taking food grade diatomaceous earth daily for at least seven days and drink plenty of water. Coupled with diatomaceous earth you will need to take clove pills daily to kill eggs, as DE does not kill the parasite eggs. You can take anywhere from 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon an add to juice, water, or smoothies. There’s an article available on the blog about that too. Take some initiative as you have already done now that you’ve properly diagnosed yourself and I gave you some additional direction, and create your own cleanse or find a good Naturopath that can guide you through one. With some fierce effort and the will to be rid of the buggers, you will prevail! May the parasite-killa force be with you.

-XoXo Raw Girl

Have a question for the Dear Raw Girl segment? Feel free to inbox me via the Facebook page or email rawgirltoxicworld@gmail.com and I’ll make an effort to get to your question in a timely manner. 

Natural Cures: Diatemaceous Earth for Detox & Parasites

Diatemaceous Earth is an amazing substance I discovered through a girlfriend of mine who had some crazy run-ins with some bugs and needed something that would be quick, effective, and most importantly natural. This substance which is a mouthful to pronounce, is composed mainly of silica, occurs naturally, and is mined all over the world. Not only is DE good for killing pests such as fleas, ticks, roaches, and slugs (perfect as an organic pesticide), but its also extremely safe for human consumption and helps fight off parasitic infections, cleans the colon, and aids in overall detoxification of the body. Many bread manufacturers actually use DE in their products to prevent pests from eating them. One of the most amazing things about DE is how it actually works. On a microscopic level, DE has a honeycomb structure with razor sharp edges which gets caught into the exoskeleton of the pests and literally slices them up and dries them out. They are made of fossilized diatoms of prehistoric algae which look like cylinders. As these millions of cylinders move through the stomach and digestive tract, they attract and absorb fungi, protozoa, viruses, endotoxins, pesticides, drug residues, E.coli, and heavy metals. These are trapped inside the cylinder and passed out of the body.

DE is easily ground up into a fine powder very similar to talcum, and is usually simply taken with a glass of water. Now before you jump out of your seat to go and quickly purchase some (which is super affordable by the way) it is important to know that if you consume DE you MUST take FOOD GRADE diatomaceous earth. There is also Industrial DE which is used mainly as a pool filter and has a more crystallized form of silica which you do NOT want to take. So FOOD GRADE not INDUSTRIAL…alright we get the picture. Anyways, food grade diatomaceous earth is composed of 80-90% Silica which is an important trace element that plays an important role in mineral absorption, as an antioxidant and is great for healthy skin, hair, and nails. And not only that, there are NO negative side effects. My girlfriend noticed after a month of taking one heaping tablespoon every morning that not only did she have increased energy levels but her nails were growing strong, and she was detoxing more heavily. It also helped with that bug problem too.

Diatemaceous Earth is one of those substances that is good for just about everything and has multiple uses for your body, around the house, and in the yard all at the same time. I’ve just purchased my own and I’m excited about it’s cleansing properties, which are useful this time of year. Silica is a trace element that is very important in preserving skin, bone, and cartilage health. DE is 80-90% silica which is what makes it such a great wound healer. If you happen to have any pets, you can also rub it on their fur to keep away any pests. Below is a brief outline on some more of the goodness Diatemaceous earth offers. Based on this list, you may agree it’s something worth trying. – XoXo Nicola, signing in for Raw Girl

● Assists in natural weight loss ● Stimulates metabolism ● Kills Parasites ● Aids healing of external wounds (sprinkle on top) ● Fights acne ● Cleans colon ● Kills household pests (fleas, ticks, bed bugs) ● Aids in calcium absorption (due to silica content) ● Lowers blood pressure and bad cholesterol ● Relieves sore joints. ● Promotes healthier skin and hair● Promotes healthier teeth and gums, and harder nails. ● Helps to detox from mercury, viruses, drug residues and common causes of intestinal infections ● Fades age spots and prevents premature aging ● Raises energy levels ● Improves lung functioning

The Healing Wonders of Neem

I was first astounded by the power of neem years ago when an Ayurvedic doctor told me that it can be used as an effective natural birth control. Last week I was reminded of neem again, when another holistic doctor friend posted about neem oil as an insecticide to help keep away mosquitoes and other bugs. These two benefits are just scratching the surface of the  uses and benefits of neem.

Neem is a flowering tropical tree native to India, Pakistan, and Malaysia, that can survive the worst of environmental conditions. All parts of the tree can be used for many benefits, and in East Africa, neem is referred to as Muarubaini which means “the tree of the 40” because it is known to be effective in treating at least forty diseases. Over 75% of Ayurvedic remedies contain neem because of its anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anti-fungal, antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-carcinogenic properties. In addition to the uses I mentioned above, neem is very effective in treating acne, psoriasis, eczema, gum diseases, malaria, chicken pox, fever, parasites, arthritis, rheumatism, bronchitis and more. Neem helps to facilitate wound healing, so it can also be applied topically to combat fungus, warts, cold sores, bee stings, bug bites, poison ivy, athlete’s foot etc.

One use that I thought was super cool and is useful for all the gardeners out there is that neem can be used as a natural pesticide and is effective against 500 or more pests! To do this just search for neem pesticides. It doesn’t negatively affect humans or harm beneficial insects, and it makes plants bitter so that they won’t be eaten. The oil itself can also be used as a moisturizer and is high in vitamin E (if you can stand the smell). Based on all the wonderful uses of neem, it’s safe to say neem oil is a great thing to have on hand in your home. You can also find a plethora of neem products in stores from soaps to lotions, but take care to understand what the other ingredients are. Whether your fighting acne, dealing with parasites, healing wounds, or trying to keep your garden pest-free, neem is a one stop natural cure that will meet your needs. -XoXo Raw Girl

Dear Raw Girl: Parasites That Won’t Go Away


Dear Raw Girl:  The worms seem resistant to the cleanses.  I do believe everything happens for a reason.  We all have more awareness about the food that enters out bodies.  Just a few questions: How much apple cider vinegar daily?  Raw garlic?  Do the worms have a cycle they go through and then finally leave?  How long of a process is this, until we are free from the parasites?   Feel free to use my name, whatever.  I’m shocked that there isn’t more information and pictures up on the web.  We can’t be the only ones with these parasites. Thank you,  Kelli Lofgren Salt Lake City, UT

Dearest Kelli: First off sooo sorry for the delay in response! Just saw your email. Disclaimer–I am not, at least yet 😉 a doctor. For now, since it is an emergency—-you can drink properly diluted apple cider vinegar as much as you want throughout the day with no ill side effects–by adding it to water. You can add garlic to meals, but an easier way to take in garlic that has provided me with relief is to take Kyolic Garlic  pills they are odorless and you can get more garlic for your buck. Read the recommended dosage and take that twice a day. I now take those regularly to prevent parasites altogether. The process of getting rid of a parasite cannot be quantified in terms of length of time—it really depends on how aggressive you are with maintaining an alkaline diet free of sugars/carbs (that help them grow). The amount of time it takes to die can vary; especially if you continue to eat foods that keep them alive. If you are persistent for a straight month and are not getting rid of worms then, you may want to try to go to a doctor to get tested to see if you can find out what kind of worms you have. At times different worms require a different plan of attack. It took me MONTHS the first time around to become parasite-free, probably 3 months to be exact. Now if I’m feeling like I need a cleanse, I can aggressive go at it for 2 weeks to a month and see results. Most over the counter parasite cleanses are 2 week-long cleanses, but if you do those without also keeping your diet alkaline, especially sugar and carb-free, you may have your unwanted guests staying a little longer. I hope this was of some help to you. Check out my past posts on parasites and foods that are useful and stay focused. You will be parasite-free! -XoXo Raw Girl