Revealing Here the 9 Herbs That Naturally Kill Parasites

 

Click HERE to Discover these 80 Keto-Friendly and Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes

There are many powerful herbs that are used to treat parasite infections. But before you start experimenting with remedies, read this to learn the best way to naturally kill parasites

Before we dive in, know that it is not advised to take any herbs unless you’ve been working with a professional or, even better, a functional medicine doctor with experience in parasitic infections.

It’s ideal if you have been practicing a holistic lifestyle for some time. That is because the first and most critical step for healing an infection is getting your immune system up and functioning optimally.

From there, one of the very last steps is going to be experimenting with herbs. To help this process, if you suspect you have an infection or are running a routine yearly cleanse, here are some of the best natural food and herbal remedies to naturally kill parasites.

The Best Herbs & Their Benefits

Fresh Garlic

This might come as a surprise, but do not underestimate this common household herb. It is actually among the most effective herbs for ridding the body of any unwanted organisms. Garlic is able to slow and kill over 60 types of fungus and 20 types of bacteria, as well as some of the most potent viruses.

Garlic has a history of killing parasites and controlling secondary fungal infections. It also detoxifies while gently stimulating elimination, and has antioxidant properties to protect against oxidation caused by parasite toxins.

The active components in garlic that kill parasites are allicin and ajoene. These compounds can kill amoebas including one-cell varieties, as well as pinworms and hookworms.

Allicin is not present in garlic in its natural state. When garlic is chopped or otherwise damaged, the enzyme alliinase acts on the chemical alliin, converting it into allicin, the active component contributing to its success for killing parasites.

To get the most out of garlic, be sure to use it crushed or juiced. Start off with 1 clove and work your way up to as many as you can stomach. 

Cucumber Seeds

Cucumber seeds have been used as an all-natural treatment to remove tapeworms within the digestive tract. The powder of cucumber seeds can be used to treat tapeworms but also consumed even if you do not have a parasite, as a preventative measure.

That is because cucumbers are of course are also a vegetable. They are effective due to enzymes within the cucumber and seeds that kill tapeworms. Look for heirloom cucumber seeds, grind into a powder and add 1 tsp. to a smoothie daily during your cleanse.

Papaya

Sugary, tropical fruit is typically not advised when dealing with parasites. However, this particular fruit has a strong ability to destroy many parasitic worms, including most intestinal worms and tapeworm. The most powerful part of the fruit is actually the seed.

The University of Maryland Medical Center advises a mixture of honey and papaya seeds, which has been found to clear stools of parasites. If you are going to consume the fruit for its benefits, it is best to remove the skin and ferment in apple cider vinegar for one day.

You will want to eat eight ounces of the cultured papaya and drink 2 ounces of the brine for 4 days. When it comes to papaya, the most powerful part of the fruit is actually the seed.

Chaudhary MD, a neurologist and practitioner of Ayurveda, suggests this papaya smoothie recipe: Take the seeds from an average-sized papaya and grind them in a coffee grinder. Next, add a tablespoon of organic virgin coconut oil. Then add about a cup of coconut milk and the rest of the papaya; finally, blend until smooth. Drink the smoothie each morning for at least 7 consecutive days. 

Clove

Cloves contains the most powerful germicidal agent in the herbal kingdom, known as eugenol. It also contains caryophyllene, which is a powerful antimicrobial agent. These components 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. Cloves also destroy all species of Shigella, Staphylococcus, and Streptococcus. It is best consumed with black walnut hulls and wormwood. 

Raw Pumpkin Seeds

These are able to kill eggs, and they contain a natural fat that is toxic to parasite eggs. Curcurbitin in pumpkin seeds has shown anti-parasitic activity, since it has the ability to paralyze worms so they drop off the intestinal walls.

Chinese scientists used pumpkin seeds to treat acute schistosomiasis and tapeworm infestations. Many parasite formulas contain pumpkin seed, but it doesn’t do much in just a few capsules. You need half a cup at a time to really work. Grind in coffee grinder and add to salads or smoothies. 

Turmeric

This is perhaps one of the most powerful herbs and is helpful for just about everything. It boasts powerful properties. it is an anticancer, anti-inflammatory, wound-healing, worm-expelling, and an overall body purifier.

This is a very safe herb to consume regularly for maintaining health as well as to use medicinally. Pair with coconut oil and black pepper for improved absorption. 

Ginger

A family member to turmeric, ginger has many similar qualities. It also increases circulation and helps all digestive issues. It is particularly good for gas and nausea associated with parasite die-off.

It also improves stomach acid production, which kills parasites and protects us from getting infected in the first place. Fresh ginger is better for eliminating mucus, while ground ginger is better for warming the digestive system. Take both. 

Cayenne

This hot pepper is a powerful anti-fungal. The best cayenne has the ability to destroy fungus, mold & parasites on contact! It increases circulation and health, and also increases effectiveness of other herbs when used in combination with them.

Try sprouted pumpkin seeds seasoned with ginger and cayenne for a delicious snack and a medicine for treating intestinal bugs! The best is African Cayenne. 

Green Hulls of Black Walnut

These have been shown to have powerful effects on killing many varieties of parasites. The dried and ground green hull of the black walnut contains tannin, which is organic iodine, as well as juglandin.

Black walnut has been used for centuries to expel various types of worms, including parasites that cause skin irritations such as ringworm. It oxygenates the blood, which also helps kill parasites. You can find black walnut growing in the wild in abundance.

Black walnut is very effective against tapeworms, pinworms, Candida albicans (yeast infections) and malaria. It is also effective in reducing blood sugar levels, and helping the body rid itself of toxins.

Best of all, you can find these babies growing outside in the wild in abundance. I have a tree in my front yard that gives more than I can use! Your best bet is to take an alcohol tincture of it three times a day.

Watch this video – 9 Herbs That Naturally Kill Parasites

Don’t Forget Probiotics

Remember to take probiotics at the end of the day during a parasite herbal protocol because parasite-killing herbs knock out everything, including good bacteria. The best probiotics are food-based, such as sauerkraut, kefir and raw yogurts.

Also, remember to get plenty of rest while on a parasite cleanse. First of all, sleep is incredibly healing and needed for repair and rebuilding. You will also want to drink plenty of clean water. Any activity that promotes rest, relaxation and builds energy is a wise move for boosting the immune system!

Written by Nick Kowalski

Author Bio:

Nick Kowalski is a Transformational Coach, fitness model and unconditional lover. You can find more of his writing on his blog NicksFit. His mission is to inspire the transformation toward love consciousness. Follow him on Instagram for more living in love inspiration and transformational mindset motivation!

A lot of people have gotten results from the Keto diet, and enjoyed the foods that it has to offer. However, many of the people who are following this diet have a hard time finding the recipes that they need, especially ones that are quick and easy to complete.

Fortunately, Kelsey Ale, noticed this problem, and decided to do something about it. She’s found that making recipes in a slow cooker gives you meals which are not only delicious, but also take very little time to make. Mostly you just put a few simple ingredients in the slow cooker, and let it do the rest.

To find out more, click on – Keto Slow Cooker Cookbook

6 Healthy Ways to Boost Dopamine Levels, Mood and Energy

 

Click HERE to Discover these 80 Keto-Friendly and Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes

Dopamine is one of those “feel-good” chemical messengers in the brain that makes you feel happy. Here’s how to tell if you have low levels, and how you can increase dopamine levels naturally.

Dopamine influences our cravings, mood, and even learning style, and without enough of it, our bodies and brains will feel it.

Sometimes our diet and lifestyle can play a role in both suppressing how much we have and helping to optimize dopamine levels. Here’s everything you need to know about this essential neurotransmitter.

What Is Dopamine?

The brain relies on neurotransmitters to carry messages and signals. This happens as the neurotransmitters zing around in the spaces between cells and bind with receptors to transmit instructions.

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is involved with many neurological and physical aspects, including:

• Sleep
• Mood
• Learning
• Movement
• Memory
• Reward
• Behavior
• Cognition
• Attention

When dopamine levels are abnormal, problems can result, ranging from Parkinson’s disease (when brain cells cannot effectively produce dopamine) to drug addiction and beyond.

Dopamine is most popular for being associated with reward and pleasure, since it gets released during situations that invoke this response. This can include anything like a favorite hobby, exercise, shopping, drugs and sex.

Dopamine isn’t only related with reward and pleasure. It is also heavily involved with memory, cognition, and attention.

There are both healthy and destructive ways to boost dopamine levels. Addictions to things like drugs, alcohol and even sugar is in part a dopamine response that they ignite, prompting the brain to send out signals to repeat that supposedly pleasurable experience.

If the brain begins to rely heavily on these manufactured dopamine hits, it produces less on its own. When a regularly scheduled dopamine release doesn’t happen, the brain can experience feelings of withdrawal from the lack of dopamine infusion.

Dopamine isn’t only related with reward and pleasure, however. It is also heavily involved with memory, cognition, and attention. It can even influence what memories get stored from short-term into long-term memory. Reduced levels of dopamine can contribute to attention deficit problems and poor memory.

This key neurotransmitter is also required for social function, and low levels can result in social anxiety, phobias, and depression, whereas excess levels can be associated with bipolar disorder and mania.

Dopamine helps the body cope with pain, and low levels can be associated with chronic pain, particularly in Parkinson’s disease.

Symptoms of Low Dopamine

If you identify with characteristics of low dopamine, it’s important to seek proper medical support to address your health and to avoid levels that continue to worsen.

While some symptoms that might indicate low dopamine could overlap with others, chances are you could be dealing with suppressed dopamine levels if two or more of the following are true. You…

• Gain weight easily and then struggle to lose it.
• Have low drive, motivation, energy, and tend to feel more apathetic or down.
• Are low on physical energy and often feel too tired or unmotivated to exercise or leave the house.
• Often feel depressed, sad or bored.
• Have poor concentration, focus, and retention.
• Rely heavily on sugar, caffeine, and food to energize you and bring you joy.

Causes of Low Dopamine

While these can be attributed to many other conditions, like low thyroid or adrenal function, oftentimes these conditions can also be associated with suppressed dopamine levels.

Several factors can lead to low dopamine, including:

• Alcohol
• Excessive caffeine
• Sugar
• Stress
• Lack of sleep
• Poor dietary choices
• Nutrient deficiencies
• Side effects of medications, including antidepressants

When you have dopamine levels that are where they should be, you’ll feel happier, energized, and focused. While you can address dopamine problems on your own, it’s best to work with a qualified practitioner to get personalized medical advice.

How to Increase Dopamine

There are several aspects of eating a diet that supports healthy dopamine levels.

1. Eat Dopamine-Boosting Foods

Certain foods function as precursors to dopamine production. Specifically, these include Paleo-friendly items like:

• Almonds
• Avocado
• Banana
• Pumpkin seeds
• Sesame seeds

2. Get Plenty of Tyrosine.

Dopamine is made in the body from an amino acid known as tyrosine. Tyrosine gets converted into dopamine in the body by enzymes, and without enough tyrosine, dopamine levels will suffer.

This amino acid is found in abundance in protein-rich foods, specifically:

• Turkey
• Chicken
• Beef
• Eggs
• Lamb
• Pork
• Seafood
• Pumpkin seeds

Research shows that boosting dietary intake of tyrosine-rich foods can increase and normalize dopamine levels in the brain. When tyrosine sources are low, dopamine levels can plummet and even become depleted.

3. Limit Saturated Fat Intake

Beyond tyrosine, other factors can influence dopamine levels. Research shows that diets high in fat, especially saturated fat, might disrupt dopamine signaling.

This can be especially true when saturated fats are consumed regularly and in higher quantities. This has interesting implications for the keto diet, particularly in people who suffer from symptoms of low dopamine.

While no theory has established why saturated fat seems to disrupt dopamine, the assumption is that saturated fat can increase inflammation in certain people.

Paleo eaters tend to fall into a rhythm where saturated fats are consumed at nearly every meal. While we know that this doesn’t lead to heart disease or cholesterol problems, there are other potential downsides. You’ll want to keep this in mind if you struggle with depression, memory problems, attention disorders, or other dopamine-related symptoms.

If you’ve tried keto or Paleo with little success, or your mood has worsened, it’s possible that you need to reduce saturated fat intake and focus more on omega-3 unsaturated fats.

4. Get Antioxidants from Vegetables and Fruits.

Eating plenty of antioxidants is also essential because dopamine can easily become oxidized. A diet rich in natural antioxidants can prevent dopamine receptors from becoming damaged, and also reduce inflammation.

While it’s easy to justify fruit intake for the antioxidants, when eating a dopamine-friendly diet, remember that sugar hits can falsely boost dopamine. While fruits are healthy, it’s best to eat them in balance with vegetables, where vegetables exceed fruit servings by at least three or four.

5. Support a Healthy Gut.

Another factor that can’t be overlooked when it comes to neurological health is the gut microbiome. The gut contains a high volume of nerve cells that make dopamine, and the gut and brain are intimately linked between branches of the nervous system.

Even specific types of bacteria that live in the gut can influence how many and which neurotransmitters you have, including dopamine.

Gut health can be boosted by eating fermented foods, like kimchi and sauerkraut, that contain live beneficial bacteria.

You can also boost gut health by eating prebiotics, which are foods that feed good bacteria in the gut. These include artichokes, bananas, garlic, and onions. If you struggle to eat these foods because they cause gas, you can take probiotic capsules.

6. Balance Nutrient Deficiencies.

The body relies on several nutrients to produce dopamine. Low levels or deficiencies in these can also cause problems. These vitamins and minerals include:

• Niacin (vitamin B3)
• Vitamin B6
• Folate (vitamin B9)
• Iron
• Magnesium
• Vitamin D3

Your practitioner can run tests to determine if deficiencies or borderline levels in these nutrients warrant supplementation.

Watch this video – How to increase dopamine with supplements and food (MUST WATCH!)

The Bottom Line

Low dopamine levels aren’t something that is commonly tested for, but is something that can have a wide-ranging impact on quality of life. If you do find that your dopamine levels are imbalanced, lifestyle and dietary changes, as well as working with a qualified practitioner, can set you on the path to better health.

Written by Aimee McNew

Author Bio:

Aimee McNew is a Certified Nutritionist who specializes in women’s health, thyroid problems, infertility, and digestive wellness. She ate her way back to health using a Paleo diet, lost 80 pounds, and had a healthy baby after numerous miscarriages. She focuses on simple nutrition practices that promote long-lasting results.

A lot of people have gotten results from the Keto diet, and enjoyed the foods that it has to offer. However, many of the people who are following this diet have a hard time finding the recipes that they need, especially ones that are quick and easy to complete.

Fortunately, Kelsey Ale, noticed this problem, and decided to do something about it. She’s found that making recipes in a slow cooker gives you meals which are not only delicious, but also take very little time to make. Mostly you just put a few simple ingredients in the slow cooker, and let it do the rest.

To find out more, click on – Keto Slow Cooker Cookbook

Stress Management Tips – How to Naturally Lower Cortisol Levels

 

Click HERE to Discover these 80 Keto-Friendly and Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes

Cortisol – What It Is and How to Naturally Lower Cortisol Levels

If you’re feeling super stressed, your cortisol levels might be higher than normal. Here’s how to tell if your stress hormones are affecting your everyday life, and what to do about it.

High cortisol is a common imbalance that can affect your health more than just making you feel anxious. Depression, fatigue and weight gain are just a few of the symptoms of high cortisol. If they persist, you’ll want to get your levels checked.

Read on to learn how cortisol works, and what you can do to naturally lower your levels.

What is Cortisol?

Cortisol is a primary hormone involved in our body’s stress response, which is why it’s known as “the stress hormone”.

On any normal day, cortisol plays many important and beneficial roles. It helps wake us up in the morning, maintains normal blood glucose levels, and provides vital energy to our muscles and brain.

However, cortisol’s main role is to regulate our stress response. In essence, when we’re feeling threatened or facing danger, cortisol is released to provide us with a surge of energy needed to get away from the threat. This is also called the “fight-or-flight” response and has been hard-wired into our bodies as a survival mechanism.

While this system is great at helping us survive, a problem arises when cortisol is chronically elevated due to abnormally high stress levels. It’s easy for your system to produce too much cortisol, as your body can’t tell the difference between an emotional threat (like your boss yelling at you at work) and an immediate threat to your life (like being chased down by a tiger).

In ancient times, people experienced dangerous situations only for a short period of time. Their cortisol levels spiked, the danger passed, and levels returned to normal. Now, however, we’re under a constant barrage of stress every day, which keeps our cortisol levels high.

6 Symptoms of High Cortisol Levels

Chronically high cortisol levels can cause a number of scary side effects. Check them out below.

1. Weight Gain (Especially Around Your Abdomen)

One of the key indicators of high cortisol levels is weight gain, especially around your stomach. While scientists aren’t definite on why exactly this is the case, studies show that people who have higher stress and cortisol levels also tend to have more belly fat.

2. Breakouts and Skin Changes

Your skin is intricately linked to your stress levels and is often the first perceiver and target of the stress response.

In other words, stress and high cortisol levels immediately show up on your skin in the form of breakouts, dryness, inflammation and other negative skin changes.

3. Mood Swings

High cortisol levels can cause your mood to shift as well. While researchers state that high cortisol isn’t always associated with depressed moods, there are studies that show cortisol can create negative mood states, alternating from anxiety to depression.

One study showed that people with excessive cortisol secretion often have a depressed mood which returns to normal after cortisol is balanced.

4. Changes in Sexual Function

Libido is also repressed in those with high cortisol levels. Studies show that since high cortisol activates the sympathetic nervous system (the fight-or-flight system) it can also increase fear and anxiety, even going so far as to cause erectile dysfunction. Because of this, researchers have mentioned cortisol may become a “useful index” for evaluating sexual function.

5. Fatigue

If you find yourself feeling abnormally tired throughout the day, you definitely want to get your cortisol levels checked. Researchers have found that fatigue (the kind that can’t be alleviated with rest) is associated with salivary cortisol levels.

6. Inflammation

It turns out high cortisol levels can also cause widespread inflammation throughout your body. Even if you don’t experience inflammation in the form of skin problems, you might notice something may feel “off” or that you’re feeling unusually tired or run down.

5 Causes of High Cortisol Levels

So what exactly is going on that causes cortisol levels to skyrocket in the first place?

We break it down below.

1. Chronic Stress

Stress is the number one cause of chronically elevated cortisol levels. This is because cortisol is released any time your body senses a threat (be it physical, emotional, or mental).

If you’re constantly worried or stressed about something, your body is most likely not getting any breaks from cortisol release, causing it to stay elevated.

2. Depression

As we saw earlier, depression and mood swings can be a symptom of high cortisol levels. In addition, it also appears that depression can also cause high cortisol levels.

This is probably due to the psychological and emotional stress involved in depression, and the fact that depression often occurs after a significant, stressful event in your life.

3. Exercising Too Much

While it can be a good thing to get in a weekly dose of intense exercise, studies show that too much high-intensity exercise can stress out your body to the point where your cortisol levels increase. On the flip side, moderate lower-intensity exercise doesn’t cause a rise in cortisol.

4. Eating Disorders

Eating disorders (and even intense calorie monitoring in general) can also lead to increased cortisol levels due to the stress placed on your body and mind.

You need a certain level of calories per day to carry out basic functions, and when this need is not met, your body feels threatened and releases cortisol.

5. Severe Illness or Injury

Any type of severe injury or illness is not only going to increase the amount of stress your physical body is under, but also psychological stress.

Since both are intense stressors, they naturally increase cortisol release. In addition, inflammation is a natural part of the healing process, and as we mentioned earlier, inflammation and cortisol levels are linked.

What Happens When You Have Low Cortisol Levels?

While high cortisol is more common, low cortisol can cause Addison’s disease or hypopituitarism, which occurs when production of cortisol by your adrenal glands is too low.

Low cortisol levels can be caused by severe stress that damages the adrenal glands, either through chronic emotional stress, injury, or infection.

Symptoms you may have low cortisol include:

• Dizziness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fever
• Weakness
• Confusion
• Skin rashes and sweating
• High heart rate
• Chills
• Low blood pressure

How to Test for Cortisol Levels

Your doctor can order blood and urine tests in order to test your cortisol levels, but saliva tests are usually the most popular method of testing.

During a blood test, your doctor will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. This test is usually done twice a day – once in the morning when cortisol levels are at their peak, and again around 4 pm when levels are lower.

A cortisol saliva test can usually be done at home, and your doctor will recommend or provide you with a kit for the test with instructions. The kit will include a swab to collect your sample and a container to store it.

For a urine test, your doctor will probably ask you to collect all urine during a 24-hour period, since cortisol levels vary throughout the day.

What Do Normal Cortisol Levels Look Like?

Cortisol levels can vary person to person, but normal morning cortisol ranges for children and adults are between five to 23 micrograms per deciliter (mcg/dL) or 138 to 635 nanomole per liter (nmol/L). In the afternoon, they can be from 3 to 10 ug/dl at 4 pm, and are usually less than 5 ug/dl after the usual bedtime.

4 Ways to Naturally Lower Cortisol Levels

Now that you’re aware of the symptoms of high cortisol and what could be causing it, let’s look at natural ways you can help lower your levels.

1. Optimize Your Diet

Adopting an anti-inflammatory Paleo diet can do wonders for keeping your cortisol levels down. To help keep your blood sugar under control (which helps reduce inflammation), and to lessen stress on your body, avoid the following:

• Sugar
• Processed foods
• Caffeine
• Alcohol

Instead, focus on these whole foods:

• Fresh veggies
• Sweet potatoes
• Wild-caught fish
• Grass-fed beef
• Pasture-raised chicken
• Nuts and seeds

2. Embrace Adaptogen Herbs

Adaptogens are herbs that help your body naturally manage anxiety. Studies show that they are able to reduce the effects of stress, while increasing attention and stamina. In addition, they also help boost your immune system to make you more resistant to stress in the first place.

Some of the best adaptogen herbs include:

• Rhodiola Rosea
• Ashwagandha
• Schisandra
• Ginseng

3. Reduce Stress

Of course, one of the best ways to lower cortisol levels is to reduce stress in your life. A few ways you can do this are:

• Meditation. Studies have shown that meditation helps reduce physiological and immune markers of stress and inflammation as well as helping to increase the perception of wellbeing.

• Yoga. Also referred to as “moving meditation,” yoga is an excellent tool for reducing stress levels. Even practicing for as little as three times a week can have a significant effect on depression, stress, and anxiety levels.

• Sleep. Be sure to get an adequate seven to eight hours of sleep each night. Studies show that lack of sleep results in elevated cortisol levels as early as the following evening.

4. Exercise

While too much exercise can raise cortisol levels, this is not to say you shouldn’t exercise at all! In fact, low-intensity exercise such as walking or yoga has been shown to reduce overall cortisol levels. In addition, exercise also produces feel-good hormones like endorphins, which reduces stress levels even more.

Aim for three days a week of mild aerobic exercise and/or yoga to help reduce your cortisol levels.

Watch this video – Stress Management Tips by Dr. Berg – How to Naturally Lower Cortisol Levels

The Bottom Line

Keep in mind that while high cortisol levels can be dangerous, cortisol itself isn’t necessarily your enemy. We need it daily to wake up from sleep, protect ourselves from danger, reduce inflammation, and various other vital body processes.

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, it never hurts to get your levels checked and reduce stress however you can.

Written by Megan Patiry

Author Bio:

Megan is an inquisitive nutrition and wellness writer harboring an editorial love affair with the decadent and the nutritious. She is a dedicated researcher in all areas of ancestral health, a certified specialist in fitness nutrition, personal trainer, and professional almond milk latte addict.

A lot of people have gotten results from the Keto diet, and enjoyed the foods that it has to offer. However, many of the people who are following this diet have a hard time finding the recipes that they need, especially ones that are quick and easy to complete.

Fortunately, Kelsey Ale, noticed this problem, and decided to do something about it. She’s found that making recipes in a slow cooker gives you meals which are not only delicious, but also take very little time to make. Mostly you just put a few simple ingredients in the slow cooker, and let it do the rest.

To find out more, click on – Keto Slow Cooker Cookbook