Black Walnut Hulls
Spring is the time when people often indulge in a seasonal fast. And since Americans are prone to heroic fasting, many will decide that they should indulge in a parasite cleanse. Black walnut hulls, wormwood and cloves are traditional, often with a cayenne/fiber supplement. And the Hulda Clark devotees may use an electric “zapper” to kill parasites. There are a number of Chinese medicine antiparasite remedies. But if you have allergies, autoimmune disease or simply a weak immune system, a parasite cleanse can make you worse. The word “parasite” shows our attitude towards even benign worms (“helminths”) that live in our bodies. We don’t like worms, which we usually only notice if they are in overgrowth. They are ugly and primitive. Although only 10% of the cells in our bodies are human, we resist thinking of ourselves as walking colonies in a superstructure. Commensuals (which merely inhabit us) or Symbionts (which benefit us) might be better terms.
Of course there are harmful worms which tax our organs or nutrient supply or which burrow into areas where they are dangerous. Or like pinworms which are itchy and contagious. But not all worms fit this definition. And I have long maintained that we most likely have larger organisms along with our probiotic organisms that are necessary to human health.
Some also refer to gut organisms like candida as parasites. I will speak more about that in another piece, but they are also symbionts that are only problematical in overgrowth.
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