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Stefan Says #1 | Q&A on Fasting for Gut Health
Can I add psyllium husks to a fast?
Will fasting help with Eczema?
What to eat before and after a fast during a IBD colitis flareup?
In this Q&A I provide my best guidance to these questions and provide some other useful advice on fasting for gut health.
Today’s questions from Wild Free Organic readers, and my responses, are centered on fasting. They are:
Can I add psyllium husks to a fast?
Will fasting help with Eczema?
What to eat before and after a fast during a IBD colitis flareup?
This is the first Wild Free Organic Q&A, and I wish I had thought to do this sooner as it’s a direct way to provide my best guidance on those questions which are difficult to find answers for, and guaranteed many more people than just these three are asking these questions.
To submit your questions please contact me. With that we’ll begin!
Fasting and Psyllium Husks
Reader Susie writes:
“Thank you for your wonderful article! I am wondering if during a fast can I take psyllium husk. Psyllium doesn't have calories or sugar and it is a prebiotic and helps keep peristalsis of the gut. Also taking coconut oil, and slippery elm during fasting? Maybe an approach is an initial 48hr fast, then introduce the above for longer fasting? Thank you, eager to hear your thoughts.”
Hi Susie, I am glad you have found my writing so useful!
Yes you can take psyllium husk during a fast. You’re right in that it’s a fiber which contains no sugar, acts as a prebiotic for the microbiome, and normalizes the movement of food through the gut (aka improves gut motility). As psyllium husk contains zero calories it won’t break a fast. Sounds like an excellent fasting aid!
An important consideration to make is that anything consumed is a deviation from the alternative of nothing going through the gastrointestinal system. Certain things, like herbal teas, can help during a fast tremendously, providing food to the symbiotic microbiome. As beneficial microbes metabolize flavonoids and other plant phytochemicals, they produce short chain fatty-acids which makes fasting easier by improving energy metabolism, and the body is also provided with abundant antioxidants (1). Drinking herbal teas during a fast like a dandelion and chamomile blend aids symbiotic microorganisms which want to work with you, and selects against harmful pathogenic microorganisms which produce toxins harmful to your body.
Though I have yet to use it during a fast, psyllium husk would have many of those same benefits as herbs as it’s a fermentable carbohydrate rich in phytochemistry. Give it a try and take observations!
According to the Encyclopedia of Herbs and Herbalism, Slippery Elm (Ulmus rubra) bark is a laxative and can be used for the treatment of diarrhea. Slippery elm is useful following gastrointestinal illness. One of its main components is mucilage (2). Mucilage is a gel-like polysaccharide that soothes and protects inflamed mucous membranes like digestive linings. If you have symptoms of leaky gut and feel your digestive mucosal linings are thin, then using slippery bark is worth a try.
As for the coconut oil, that may or may not be useful depending on the health of your liver, gallbladder and overall bile production. I would try psyllium husk and slippery bark independantly during a fast before combining them, as psyllium can slow or stimulate gut motility while slipper elm appears to only increase it.
Certainly you can fast to 48 hours easily without anything, so if you’re aiming for 72 hours or greater, then introducing different herbal components at different types in my experience keeps the fast progressing smoothly.
Does Fasting help Eczema
Reader Lexxa writes:
“Hello I have been battling a spreading eczema for almost a year now. I have spent thousands on doctors visits, creams, medicines etc. I do not want to take steroids anymore and am much more interested in healing my condition naturally and from within. I have a feeling my gut flora is off, as I deal with some mild digestive issues and now this eczema. I practice intermittent fasting in the form of a 16/8 fast, so I think a longer fast will be doable. Is this topic something you can help me on?
Hi Lexxa, I am sorry to hear that you’re been struggling so much with eczema.
Your intuition is correct, poor gut health and inflammatory skin conditions like Eczema are absolutely linked together. It very well could be that your microbiome contains pathogens which are producing endotoxins which have your immune system and detoxification pathways in a tizzy. One way the body can deal with toxins is to push them out through the skin.
Intermittent fasting is useful for healing the digestive system and reducing inflammation, and you may be able to make further inroads on reducing your endotoxin exposure by performing a longer fast. Symbiotic microorganisms survive periods of nutrient deprivation better than pathogens, and during longer 48+ hour fast, memory t-cells retreat into bone marrow, the birthplace of blood, for regeneration (4). By lightening or even reducing the endotoxin load that may be the cause behind your eczema, and by resetting the harmful auto-immunity memory t-cells have developed, you may experience a significant improvement in your eczema after a 48-72 hour fast, or longer if it can be performed safely. What you eat after the fast is very important in further cultivating a healthy microbiome, I recommend nutrient rich plant-based meals. More on that in the next question.
Remember to treat eczema from the outside in too. Aloe vera gel is very soothing and anti-inflammatory, and anti-inflammatory essential oils like peppermint will also help; dilute in a carrier oil as necessary.
Fasting for IBD Colitis
Reader Vera writes:
“I’m having a terrible flare of colitis at the moment and I’m willing to try the 24 or 48 hr fast.. I need to heal, I’m scared.. if I start after my meal tonight what foods do I begin to eat when it’s over? More importantly what food do I NOT eat?”
Hi Vera, unexpected gut health flareups can be a sign that it’s time to perform a fast. The body experiences its most profound regenerative and healing state when fasting. Intestinal bowel disease and inflammation of the colon points towards severe gut dysbiosis, and your intuition is correct that the meal that you eat before and after a fast are of critical importance in determining microbiome composition.
The best foods to eat to break a fast are nutrient and fiber rich. If a fast is longer than 24 hours then foods higher in fat are also preferred. With these recommendations avocado is highly recommended, as are mushrooms which are 50% fiber and 50% protein. Sautéed dark leafy greens are excellent to eat before or to break a fast, and I am also a big fan of brown rice and beans. All together you can see how that would be quite a delicious and nutritious meal!
Most importantly you need to focus on your microbiome and get the inflammation in your colon down immediately. Herbal teas are one of the best ways to accomplish this task in addition to strictly observing a good diet for you.
I hope you found this useful, and if you’re new to fasting then I recommend you read the article Fasting for Beginners.
For more comprehensive support and education on gut health, fasting, and herbal remedies, I recommend you purchase my Holistic Gut Health Guide.
Submit your questions and they may appear in a future Q&A, and I hope to see you there!
Together the digestive system and microbiome are the foundation of health from which everything else is dependent on.
The Holistic Gut Health Guide contains all the information you need to identify and understand the gastrointestinal and microbiome problems you may have while also providing you the most effective natural methods you can use to heal your gut. No gut health problems are unsolvable, give yourself every possible advantage along your gut health journey by reading an implementing the advice shared in the Holistic Gut Health Guide.
References:
Cassidy A, Minihane AM. The role of metabolism (And the microbiome) in defining the clinical efficacy of dietary flavonoids. Am J Clin Nutr. 2017;105(1):10-22.
Malcom Stuart, et al. The Encyclopedia of Herbs and Herbalism. Crescent Books, New York.
Sánchez B, Delgado S, Blanco-Míguez A, Lourenço A, Gueimonde M, Margolles A. Probiotics, gut microbiota, and their influence on host health and disease. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2017;61(1):1600240.
Collins N, Han SJ, Enamorado M, et al. The bone marrow protects and optimizes immunological memory during dietary restriction. Cell. 2019;178(5):1088-1101.e15.
Medical Disclaimer: All information, content, and material of this website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider.
Disclosure: Wild Free Organic is a member of various affiliate programs and if a purchase is made through one of our affiliate links a small commission is received. This does not affect your purchase price. Visit our disclosure page for more information.
Essential Oils for Acne
Phytochemical-rich essential oils combat acne and aid the skin’s ability to regenerate, Simplify your skin care routine and improve your skin health with essential oils.
Article by Stefan Burns - Updated November 2022. Join the Wild Free Organic email newsletter! Stefan Burns YouTube
Widespread acne is a sign of a health imbalance. It mainly originates from hormonal imbalances, poor diet, low sleep, stress, or a combination of the above.
Acne: Lesions in the skin filled with puss, a mixture of oils, white blood cells, and pathogens
To overcome consistent acne requires fixing the source of the problem, and aiding the bodies ability to clear out the infection and heal the skin expedites the process.
Essential oils from plants like peppermint contain powerful antioxidant and antimicrobial compounds (1) that aid the skins ability to heal and regenerate.
Skin is healthiest when it receives the least amount of contact with chemically reactive substances. A lot of modern body products oxidize and damage instead of support and heal due to the instability of some of the compounds they use.
A pimple is a hotspot of free-radical activity, the immune systems way to clean everything up, and applying essential oils to these micro-injuries reinforces immune activity and stimulates cellular regeneration. Cold therapy and earthing helps with skin problems too.
In my experience the best essential oils for acne are peppermint and tea tree (2). They smell nice, can be used directly (trial this first before widespread usage), and are relatively inexpensive.
You can purchase organic essental oils ate fair prices through Mountain Rose Herbs. I recommend their peppermint essential oil, their tea tree essential oil, vetiver essential oil for aromatherapy, and blue chamomile essential oil for muscle soreness, sleep, and lucid dreaming
Reducing the skin care routine to essential oils and aloe vera has saved me a lot of money and my skin health has never been better.
Skin care is made out to be more complex than it is. Treat your skin with respect, splash it with cold water and sunlight from time to time, and use minimal natural products.
Essential oils are also very useful in underarm care, acting as a natural deodorant and armpit microbiome and lymph node cleanser.
My elimination of most acne is mostly in thanks to great gut health, of which I share everything I’ve learned about in the Holistic Gut Health Guide.
Together the digestive system and microbiome are the foundation of health from which everything else is dependent on.
The Holistic Gut Health Guide contains all the information you need to identify and understand the gastrointestinal and microbiome problems you may have while also providing you the most effective natural methods you can use to heal your gut. No gut health problems are unsolvable, give yourself every possible advantage along your gut health journey by reading an implementing the advice shared in the Holistic Gut Health Guide.
Improving microbiome symbiosis and diversity is a key aspect to healing and managing acne (3). In all things health make sure to consider the state of your microbiome.
With positive thoughts and consistency clear skin is possible!
References:
Tsai M, Wu C, Lin T, Lin W, Huang Y, Yang C. Chemical composition and biological properties of essential oils of two mint species. Trop J Pharm Res. 2013;12(4):577-582.
Winkelman WJ. Aromatherapy, botanicals, and essential oils in acne. Clinics in Dermatology. 2018;36(3):299-305.
Lee, Byun, Kim. Potential role of the microbiome in acne: a comprehensive review. JCM. 2019;8(7):987.
Medical Disclaimer: All information, content, and material of this website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider.
Disclosure: Wild Free Organic is a member of various affiliate programs and if a purchase is made through one of our affiliate links a small commission is received. This does not affect your purchase price. Visit our disclosure page for more information.
Heal Adrenal Fatigue
Adrenal fatigue (also known as chronic fatigue) is a dysregulation of the HPA-axis and the hormone cortisol. The condition is characterized by extreme fatigue and out-of-whack hormones. Lifestyle issues and accumulated stress are how adrenal fatigue develops, and changes to lifestyle and diet along with the use of certain herbs and supplements can reverse the condition naturally.
Article by Stefan Burns - Updated June 2022. Join the Wild Free Organic email newsletter!
Small adrenal glands are found above the kidneys which produce a variety of hormones as part of the endocrine system. A common health complaint often heard of is adrenal fatigue. Adrenal fatigue is characterized by the abnormal production of cortisol, an important stress hormone connected to the circadian rhythm and metabolism. The timing and release of cortisol is the last component of a complex pathway of hormones governed by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis). Cortisol influences other body systems to alter their energy metabolism. Cortisol production is downstream of many hormones so many variables have the potential of affecting cortisol levels, with light being one of the main causal factors.
Because of the complicated pathway that leads to cortisol production, it has been argued that adrenal fatigue is a myth and that no evidence points to adrenal insufficiency in people who suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). In this article we examine the evidence for adrenal fatigue, better known as chronic fatigue syndrome, and explore natural treatment options that may help restore balance to the HPA axis.
Note - This article does not constitute as medical advice, it is presented for informational purposes only. For medical conditions please consult a medical professional.
Is Adrenal Fatigue Real?
Before a discussion of treatment options to help heal adrenal fatigue, we must first determine if it actually exists or whether the symptoms of adrenal fatigue are due to an unidentified state of disease elsewhere in the body.
Common Symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue
Poor metabolism, weight gain
Low energy, generalized fatigue
Difficulty waking up, unrefreshing sleep
Impairment in short-term memory and concentration (brain fog)
Low stress tolerance
Overuse of stimulants
Lesser Symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue
Anxiety
Tender lymph nodes
Muscle and joint pain
Sore throat
Headache
Low libido
Examining the symptoms, we can see that they are quite broad in scope but generally deal with the metabolism, disrupted circadian rhythms, degraded cognitive function, and tender/painful body parts. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is responsible for governing many of the systems that could exhibit the above symptoms, especially when immune dysfunction and neurochemical alterations are taken into effect.
Adrenal fatigue and chronic fatigue syndrome are different terms that describe the same issue, and the causal factors for these fatigue problems aren’t strictly defined yet because the system has proven complex to understand. That said, there are a few known factors that are well associated with adrenal fatigue which will be discussed below.
Main Factors of Adrenal Fatigue
Across the many studies that have been done on those with chronic fatigue syndrome and health controls, the most commonly observed changes are (1):
Mild hypocortisolism (low cortisol)
Attenuated diurnal variation of cortisol (less cortisol variation)
Blunted HPA axis responsiveness
Enhanced negative feedback by cortisol on the production of certain hormones by the hippocampus, hypothalamus, and pituitary glands.
Women are more likely to show hypocortisolism than men, and experiencing the abnormalities above is more probable for people who are inactive and/or depressed.
Examined biologically, adrenal fatigue is characterized by low cortisol levels and blunted cortisol plasma variation across the diurnal (24 hr) cycle (which governs in large part the wake/sleep cycle and energy levels throughout the day). In addition to hypocortisolism, HPA axis responsiveness is blunted by enhanced negative feedback.
Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis (HPA Axis)
Cortisol hormone is one of the end products of the HPA axis, and cortisol also cyclically regulates the functions of the HPA axis through its actions on glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptors. Glucocorticoid receptors are found in the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary gland. Mineralocorticoid receptors are found primarily in the hippocampus.
CC Sandi, C. Nat. Rev. Neurosci. 5, 917–930 (2004).
Hippocampus
The hippocampus is a major component of the brain consisting of two hippocampi, one of each side of the brain. As part of the limbic system, the hippocampus is important for the consolidation of information from short-term memory to long-term memory, as well as in spatial memory used for navigation. The hippocampus is one of the first regions of the brain to suffer damage with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.
Hypothalamus
The hypothalamus is part of the limbic system and regulates certain metabolic processes and activities of the autonomic nervous system. Hormones are synthesized in the hypothalamus that stimulate or inhibit the secretion of hormones from the pituitary gland. The hypothalamus controls circadian rhythms, body temperature, sleep, fatigue, thirst, hunger, and attachment behaviors.
Pituitary Gland
The pituitary gland regulates hormone activity in other endocrine glands and organs. The pituitary has an anterior and posterior lobe. Hormones produced by the anterior pituitary include growth hormone, thyroid-stimulating hormone, adrenocorticotropin hormones, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and prolactin. Hormones produced by the posterior pituitary lobe include oxytocin and vasopressin.
How Adrenal Fatigue Develops
Cortisol is one of the bodies main stress related hormones, and it is release in a diurnal cycle in response to stress and low blood-glucose levels. Cortisol increases blood sugar through gluconeogenesis and aids in the metabolism of fatty acids, proteins, and carbohydrates. Cortisol also suppresses the immune system and decreases bone formation.
When engaging in acutely stressful activities such as strength training or cardiovascular exercise, cortisol is released from the adrenal glands to increase metabolism, blunt pain, and improve performance. Social stressors at work or home can also increase cortisol production, and cognitive behavioral therapy is able to reverse some HPA axis changes associated with adrenal fatigue.
Many of the activities that benefit from the increased stimulation of cortisol by the adrenal glands are health promoting when done in moderation against the backdrop of a low-stress lifestyle. Adrenal fatigue develops when increased cortisol stimulation is abused by excessive exercise and activity, social stressors, a poor diet, abuse of psychedelics, and poor sleep. Adrenal fatigue can also result from inactivity, a factor which highlights the importance of exercising in moderation for optimal wellness. Cortisol is a feel good hormone which can ease the feeling of pain and promote feelings of euphoria. One of the ways adrenal fatigue can develop in the first place is because its overstimulation overtime can be slightly addicting, and that encourages repeat behavior.
Adrenal fatigue is commonly observed in a few subsets of people. One group has a high-stress job and also excessively works out while restricting their calories to lose weight. Adrenal fatigue is also observed in overweight individuals who are extremely inactive. Adrenal fatigue is a widespread problem that affects people from a variety of lifestyles because the HPA axis can become deregulated in a variety of ways. Women are more susceptible to developing chronic fatigue then men.
Abuse of the metabolic pathways governed by cortisol dampens the parasympathetic (rest and digest) nervous system and overstimulates the sympathetic (fight or flight) nervous system. Left unchecked, excessive cortisol stimulation overtime makes it harder to go parasympathetic, compromising the bodies recovery and healing mechanisms. Muscle and joint inflammation increases, bone strength decreases, the endocrine system is altered in function, libido lowers, and chronic stress and fatigue accumulate eventually resulting in even larger health problems if left untreated.
My Experience with Adrenal Fatigue
I first realized I was experiencing some level of adrenal fatigue after I recovered from SARS-CoV-2 early in 2020. My immune system was suppressed from an overindulgence in strength training while stress at work was increasing steadily. I was also dry-vaporizing cannabis regularly which had an effect on my metabolism and endocrine system.
While I was knocked out for 7-10 days because of the coronavirus, I realized that I had been placing too much stress on myself and on my adrenal glands, dysregulating my HPA axis. Afterwards I took a step back from lifting weights and shifted my exercise to calisthenics, walking, and yoga. A few months later I transitioned to a plant-based diet which further helped me recover from the mild chronic fatigue I had.
Now with a properly functioning HPA axis, my blood pressure is lower, my digestive system is healthy, I’m calmer and more emotionally stable, and I make better food choices. I’m more focused, no longer have any anxiety, and I enjoy restful sleep.
When plagued with chronic fatigue, it’s difficult to see how to get out of it because the energy to do anything is so low. Motivation feels ethereal, willpower is seemingly nonexistent, and depression may also be a factor. For these reasons it’s important to keep the treatment for chronic fatigue simple and to slowly build on the success first gained by various methods available.
Treatment for Adrenal Fatigue
When it come to treating adrenal fatigue, it’s suggested to start with the “low hanging fruits” that will provide quick and immediate improvements to one’s condition. Remember cortisol is a stress hormone connected to the circadian rhythm and metabolism, and by manipulating these variables fatigue can be reduced.
Diurnal cortisol variation averaged across 28 individuals. CC Whitaker, Martin et al Clinical endocrinology 2014;80554-61
Adrenal fatigue occurs when there is an accumulation of chronic stress that hasn’t been properly recovered from yet. Focusing first and foremost on restful activities will help to reduce and eliminate built-up chronic stress an inflammation while also resensitizing the HPA axis to normal function.
Prioritizing SLEEP is the first thing that should be done. Everyone receives the same 24 hours in a day, and setting aside a quality 8 hours a night for sleep is foundational to reducing and eliminating adrenal fatigue. There will be times where sleeping for the normal 7-9 hours isn’t possible, so when those variations are unavoidable, keep in mind the overall number of 56 weekly hours of sleep and catch up when possible. Catching up on sleep has the best success on the day following a shortened sleep cycle. Some simple advice is to listen to your body and to enjoy a nap if feeling tired.
Have time to REST and decompress every day. This doesn’t have to involve closing the eyes and can instead be performing some self-care, enjoying a peaceful walk through nature, or simply reading a book. When dealing with excessive muscle and joint inflammation and fatigue, Yin Yoga is great way to facilitate the recovery process while keeping energy expenditure low.
ESTABLISHING A ROUTINE and making a habit out of following a normal sleep cycle and resting when needed makes it easy to begin enabling positive incremental changes day by day without having to rely solely on motivation or willpower (which fluctuate). How each day is started determines in large part one’s physical, mental, and emotional status throughout the entire day. Simple movement, meditation, and BREATHING EXERCISES gently activate the metabolism and bring balance to the body and mind.
While making these lifestyle adjustments, the following herbs, supplements, and dietary changes can be made in tandem to facilitate the healing of chronic fatigue and the return to normal cortisol function.
Herbs for Adrenal Fatigue
There are many herbs that effect the energetic systems of the body and there are many ways the HPA axis can become dysregulated, therefore it is best to use adaptogenic herbs which help bring the systems of the body into balance irrespective of the starting conditions.
Ashwagandha for Adrenal Fatigue
Ashwagandha is a grounding and nourishing herb found in India. Popular in Aryuveda.
Helps to cope with stress and enhances sleep
Increases vital energy and balances hormones
Supports overall cognitive health
Ashwagandha - from Mountain Rose Herbs
Siberian Ginseng for Adrenal Fatigue
Siberian Ginseng is also known as eleuthero root and is native to Siberia (Asia). Eleuthero root is mildly stimulating.
Supports the adrenals, boosts the immune system, and fights fatigue
Reduces inflammation, improves sleep, and helps with depression
Improves vital energy, sexual energy, and enhances digestion
Siberian Ginseng - from Mountain Rose Herbs
Reishi Mushroom for Adrenal Fatigue
Known as the mushroom of immortality and found worldwide. Reishi is highly rejuvenating and a potent immune booster.
Has powerful immune strengthening, antiviral, and antitumor properties
Regulates blood sugar and lowers cholesterol by fighting free radicals
Reduces fatigue and fights depression through its strong neuroprotective effects
Reishi mushroom can be eaten raw, brewed into a tea, tinctured, or made into a herbal broth for soup.
Reishi Mushroom - from Mountain Rose Herbs
Chamomile Flower for Adrenal Fatigue
A gentle herb used worldwide to promote relaxation and calm.
Relaxant, relieves stress and tension, and improves sleep
Promotes the production of alpha brainwaves which increase sense of calm alertness
Supports digestive health, helps with stomach ulcers, and improves regularity
Chamomile Flowers - from Mountain Rose Herbs
Preparation: All of these herbs can be brewed into a tea individually or together in equal parts. Steep at 170 F (75 C) water for 5-15 minutes. These herbs can also be decocted into a tincture.
Supplements for Adrenal Fatigue
The herbs above can also be purchased as supplement pills for use in resolving adrenal fatigue. With a tea or tincture it’s more effective and costs less, but if the ease of use of pills is preferred that option exists.
Other supplements that are useful in healing chronic fatigue include key vitamins and minerals which are used by the endocrine and energy systems of the body.
Vitamins for Adrenal Fatigue
The main vitamins that are useful in the context of adrenal fatigue are the B vitamins, vitamin C, and vitamin D.
B vitamins help with energy metabolism, detoxification, and can have mood-elevating effects. For adrenal fatigue getting enough B vitamins through a food like nutritional yeast or by taking a B vitamin complex can help. I recommend the following vitamin B supplement.
The adrenal gland is one of the organs with the highest concentration of vitamin C in the body because it uses it in the production of all adrenal hormones including cortisol. Adrenal fatigue is marked by chronically reduced cortisol levels, and providing the body more vitamin C ensures that vitamin C is not a limiting factor in the production of normal levels of adrenal hormones. I don’t recommend vitamin C supplements because getting enough vitamin C is easy enough by eating fruits and vegetables, for example one orange contains 90% DV of vitamin C.
Vitamin D is important for the healthy functioning of the endocrine system, and most people are deficient in vitamin D. Vitamin D can be synthesized endogenously by the skin through sun exposure. Depending on skin color and the weather, bathe some or all parts of skin for 10-60 minutes to produce the vitamin D needed for 1-3 days. Limit sun exposure in order to not get sunburnt. If healthy sun exposure is not possible or problematic I recommend Nootropic Depots Vitamin D3 + K2 + C supplement.
Minerals for Adrenal Fatigue
Magnesium and boron are two important minerals which are used extensively throughout the body and supplementation with each is helpful in the context of adrenal fatigue.
Magnesium is the second most common micronutrient deficiency, and getting enough magnesium ensures the bodies hormonal systems, metabolism, and circadian rhythm function properly. Magnesium supplementation in the evening aids in relaxation and improves sleep quality. I recommend the following magnesium supplement.
Boron is a trace mineral which assists the actions of vitamin D and magnesium. Boron has also been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, improving healing from tissues wounds and injuries. Boron improves the brain’s electrical activity, cognitive performance, and short-term memory for elders. Learn more about supplementing with boron.
Herbs for Adrenal Fatigue
There are two herbs that readily come to mind, chamomile and ashwagandha, that help mitigate the symptoms of adrenal fatigue and provide the body the support it requires to overcome and heal the issue.
Tea brewed from chamomile flowers has relaxing and sleep benefiting properties while also having the benefit of improving daytime functioning. Chamomile increases 8-12 Hz alpha brainwaves which provide a sense of stability and calm, and chamomile contains many flavonoids like apigenin which help the brain to repair itself and maintain proper function, important for HPA axis dysfunctions. Mountain Rose Herbs sells organic chamomile flowers which are easy to brew into a tea and can be used for a variety of other purposes.
Ashwagandha is one of the premiere herbs known for its ability to reduce the amount of stress experienced from a stressful event. For example ashwagandha taken before an endurance activity greatly lessens the depletion of cortisol from the adrenal glands in response to the stress experienced, thereby reducing the demand for nutrients like vitamin C for the production of new cortisol. Taking ashwagandha before a stressful event, whether physical, mental, or emotional will help reduce the stress burden that results from after the event which is super useful for those who already have chronic fatigue. Taking ashwagandha daily also is helpful. Mountain Rose Herbs sells organic ashwagandha root powder (recommended), ashwagandha root, ashwagandha root capsules, and ashwagandha extract.
Nootropics Depot also sells a variety of ashwagandha products that have been standardized to contain a certain minimum percentage of withanolides (the main active component of ashwagandha) and I recommend their Shoden Ashwagandha Capsules which has a minimum of 35% withanolides for those looking for a more potent ashwagandha supplement.
Diet for Adrenal Fatigue
There are two aspects of diet that are important in the context of healing adrenal fatigue, or really any health issue.
First is to eat foods that contain the micronutrients the body is currently deficient in. For the nutrients listed above, the following foods can be eaten:
B Vitamins - Nutritional yeast, leafy greens, sunflower seeds, fish, meat, dairy, and fortified grains
Vitamin C - Citrus fruits, parsley, rose hips, peppers, cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, kale, brussels sprouts)
Vitamin D - Fish, eggs, mushrooms (exposed to sunlight), fortified milk
Magnesium - Pumpkin seeds, nuts, avocado, dark chocolate, beans
Second is simply to eat a healthy well-rounded diet full of unprocessed foods which contain enough fiber and protein. This means eating fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, seeds, and pulses if vegan. If vegetarian eggs and dairy can be added if easily digestible, and if a meat eater then pasture-raised meats and seafood can be further added to the diet. The main takeaway is to avoid sugary and ultra-processed foods is important to make sure cortisol secretion returns to normal because cortisol is released in response to blood glucose levels.
Adrenal Fatigue and Caffeine
Caffeine has an effect on cortisol levels. When caffeine isn’t used regularly, then caffeine will cause a robust increase in cortisol during morning, afternoon, or evening usage. When consuming caffeine on a daily basis, then morning caffeine usage doesn’t impact cortisol significantly but afternoon caffeine usage will elevate cortisol blood concentrations for up to six hours. Even if caffeine creates an afternoon cortisol increase, cortisol levels will drop to normal levels by nighttime.
Since it is the circadian rhythm and cortisol which plays a large part in the wake and sleep cycles of the body, it is important to be mindful of caffeine usage throughout the day and to limit usage of caffeine to time windows that won’t affect normal sleep, unless that is the desired goal. A good rule of thumb to follow is to not have any caffeine after 2 pm.
In the context of adrenal fatigue, it is best to not have any caffeine until the problem is well on its way to being resolved. An abuse of caffeine through heavily caffeinated drinks or excessive coffee usage often is a main factor that led to chronic fatigue syndrome in the first place. For help in quitting caffeine or in resetting a caffeine tolerance, read my caffeine guide:
Reset the Adrenal Glands
Incorporating wellness practices that promote balance into one’s lifestyle has a tremendous impact on health and wellness over the long term. Learning to evenly balance mind, body, and emotions takes time but the effort is well worth the reward. Healing occurs when the body is in a state of balance, so consider adding a morning routine that functions as a “balancing gyroscope”, bringing consistency and balance to day to day life. Establishing a grounding practice outside in nature is a great way to bioelectrically balance the various systems of the body
The human circadian rhythm is driven in large part by the cycles of light and temperature on our planet. Rising with the light and not going to sleep too long after the sun sets is the best way to stay aligned with these natural cycles. If experiencing insomnia and falling asleep is difficult, simply resting at the appropriate times when sleep normally should occur will create the habit of rest during that time window, and with consistency that habit will make falling asleep at regular hours easier.
Healing the adrenal glands and restoring normal function to the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis can take a long time, sometimes months to years. One step in front of the other will lead to eventual success.
As a holistic wellness practitioner I offer coaching services, contact me to learn more.
References:
Papadopoulos, A., Cleare, A. Hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis dysfunction in chronic fatigue syndrome. Nat Rev Endocrinol 8, 22–32 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrendo.2011.153
Medical Disclaimer: All information, content, and material of this website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider.
Disclosure: Wild Free Organic is a member of various affiliate programs and if a purchase is made through one of our affiliate links a small commission is received. This does not affect your purchase price. Visit our disclosure page for more information.
Other Articles on Recovery
Underarm Care Complete Guide
The armpit or underarm is biologically very important. Lymph nodes are located around the underarm which support the immune system and help the body detoxify. Additionally the body heat regulates and detoxifies at the armpit by sweating. Bad underarm odor is an indication that the body is in a disease state and struggling to detoxify. Natural methods can restore balance and control underarm odor.
Article by Stefan Burns - Updated November 2022. Join the Wild Free Organic email newsletter!
On the human body, the armpit, or what we’ll refer to as the underarm mainly, is the connection point between the arms and the torso of the body. After puberty, underarm body hair begins to grow for both sexes and pheromones are produced. For mate selection (aka your love life), pheromones play a big role, influencing mood, focus, and sexual response of your partner (1). The underarm is also the location of a network of 20-40 small axillary lymph nodes, small organs part of your immune system responsible for draining lymph.
With its varied functions and structural location, the underarm is a very important part of the body worthy of attention and not destined solely to be smelly and sweaty. With a good diet, exercise, proper grooming, and consideration of the application of any chemicals applied to the underarm, unpleasant body odor won’t exist, perspiration will be minimal, and the lymphatic system can function as desired for optimal wellness.
The Importance of Underarm Lymph Nodes
Lymph is a clear or slightly white/yellow fluid very similar to blood plasma that consists of about 95% water, plasma proteins, and lymphocytes (white blood cells). Lymph nodes are responsible for processing and returning to the blood any fluids that have seeped out of capillaries and now circulate among the tissues of the body. Cells dump waste into the extracellular space also, and without a well-functioning lymphatic system toxins and debris quickly accumulate, leading to cellular damage and feelings of lethargy and stiffness. During this process of circulation and cleansing through the lymphatic system, expended lymphocytes are processed and any microorganisms encountered in the lymph fluid are destroyed. The lymph nodes of the underarm perform this function for the neck, chest, upper arms, and underarm areas.
Cross-section diagram of a lymph node - CC4.0 by Cancer Research UK
Because of the immune function of lymph nodes, certain cancers like breast cancer can be detected in the lymph nodes if the cancer has spread enough. Similarly, when dealing with an infection, it is common for the lymph nodes of the body to swell due to the increased demand of draining lymphocytes and clearing toxins placed upon them. A wellness check to perform everyday is to gently feel the lymph nodes of the neck and underarms to ascertain their status. A quick 30 second massage keeps the lymph nodes free of inflammation and functioning properly. After the milky lymph is processed, the plasma is drained back into the blood stream. Any failures of the lymph nodes to completely detoxify lymph into plasma will recirculate toxins back into the blood stream near entry to the heart, causing cardiac inflammation and a secondary immune response. This is to be avoided at all costs.
Illustration showing inflamed (red) lymph nodes. CC4.0 from www.scientificanimations.com
Besides manual massage, another way to assist in the proper functioning of the underarm lymph nodes is to practice yoga. Because of its highly varied movement, yoga helps to move and drain excess lymph around the entire body. In kundalini and kriya yoga, special attention is given to the underarms via certain poses and self-massage involving the arms, side body, and rigorous breathing. In general vigorous flow, inversions, and twisting poses aid in reliving lymphatic congestion by getting lymph moving again throughout the body, and if an inflamed lymphatic system is causing health issues, regular yoga practice can help to restore optimal health.
How to Reduce Underarm Sweat
How to stop underarm sweat naturally is a question many people ask without truly believing it is possible. In fact it’s quite simple though it might take some time before seeing the full results of any efforts made. Dietary and lifestyle changes will have the biggest impact.
To reduce underarm sweat a few things must be done:
First, chemical laden antiperspirants and deodorants must not be used. The use of these underarm products only exacerbates the sweat and odor issue over time.
Essential oils can be used instead for odor and sweat control, recommendations for that later in the article
Second, the diet must be altered to remove chemically contaminated foods, highly processed foods, excess simple sugars, and any foods that are intolerant or allergenic to the body.
A simple prescription for this is to remove all wheat, added sugars (sweets), and flours (acellular carbs) from the diet. Better for establishing long-lasting beneficial eating behaviors is to replace highly processed foods over time with health promoting foods like whole and unprocessed vegetables (squash, leafy greens, cucumbers, etc), fruits (bananas, blueberries, kiwis), seeds (pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, flax seeds), nuts (cashews, walnuts, pecans, almonds), and pulses (lentils, beans, peas).
Proper skin and hair hygiene must be maintained. This means regular showers which scrub the underarms with a natural soap like Dr. Bronner, as well as trimming of the hair. Shaving or a close cut of the underarm hair is best to minimize the microbiome colony that lives in the armpit.
The sweat glands of the underarm push toxins out via sweat. Sweating is one of the reasons heat therapy is so effective at healing the body from injury and trauma. With ample water intake the body has enough water at its disposal to detoxify through the sweat glands without placing the body into a state of dehydration. Toxins and unwanted chemicals being the nasty things they are create less than desirable smells, and in this way body odor can be a great indicator or overall health and wellness. If your body odor is minimal and/or doesn’t smell unpleasant, then your body is in a fairly detoxed healthy state. If your body makes even yourself gag and others are repulsed by it, then that’s an indication that some major health issues are at hand.
When body odor and underarm sweat are encountered, it is common to layer on deodorant and antiperspirants. Chemicals from deodorants and antiperspirants don’t just layer on the skin of underarm where applied, they actively absorb into the body*. Antiperspirants purposefully clog the sweat pores of the underarm with micronized metals like aluminum in an effort to stop the bodies ability to sweat from there, therefore disrupting the natural detoxification process that the body is undertaking if there is a lot of underarm sweating. Micronized metal particles are damaging to the body and brain. When the body doesn’t need to detoxify heavily, underarm sweat is rare and minimal, occurring mostly when needed to cool the body down from the potential of heat exhaustion.
*Note - A simple way to feel this chemical absorption process is to apply a small amount of peppermint or tea tree oil to the armpit. After a few minutes and lasting up to half hour you’ll feel the oil used absorbing deeper into the underarm.
Detox Safely with Fasting
The body is in a state of active detoxification when it is being exposed to undesirable compounds. This can be through diet, environmental exposure, etc. If postponing the detoxification process and storing toxins in bodyfat, then you may feel fine and think there is no problem other than weight gain. If you have no toxins in you whatsoever then you’ll feel great. It’s when you’re actively detoxing that you feel poorly, may sweat a lot, stink, have acne, rashes, and more.
By removing food from the diet during a fast, one of the major sources of toxins in a normal lifestyle is eliminated. Fasting provides the body relief from detoxifying and allows for mindfulness to be applied to the situation in order to understand exactly where the toxins were coming from.
What Causes Underarm Odor?
Armpit odor is a combination of many factors. As previously discussed, the diet and internal state of the body have a big impact on the chemicals released by the underarm sweat glands. Some of these chemicals might be inherently smelly, while others might be part of a chain of events which eventually leads to an unpleasant odor.
The sweat that comes out of the armpit sweat glands is nearly odorless. The breakdown of proteins found in sweat, and how the underarm microbiome responds to these chemicals, is the primary driver of body odor. A higher concentration of apocrine glands (scent glands) which produce sweat with higher concentrations of proteins are located at the underarms. If the body is pushing a lot of chemicals and proteins out through the sweat as a detoxifying measure, there will be more body odor. If the underarm microbiome is balanced and the body is healthy, only minimally releasing proteins out through the apocrine scent glands, then there will be minimal body odor and the attractive smell of pheromones is more likely to be pleasantly noticed by members of the opposite sex.
The Armpit Microbiome
A large and permanent population of microorganisms lives on skin of the human underarm as it’s warm, moist, and usually shielded from UV radiation (sunlight). The underarm microbiome subsists by biotransforming the natural secretions found in sweat into odorous molecules. The resident microbiome mostly consists of Gram-positive bacteria of the genera Staphylococcus, Micrococcus, Corynebacterium and Propionibacterium. The compounds produced by the armpit microbiome which are odorous are short and medium-chain fatty acids, thioalcohols, and pheromones (2). All of these compounds evaporate at body temperatures and it is the microbiome of the underarm which transforms the proteins found in sweat into these compounds.
Every species of microorganism is unique and prefers a certain type of environment. The microbiome of the underarm is an important component of the biological system, so the goal when dealing with unpleasant body odors is not in the elimination of the microbiome but rather the shifting of the microbiome towards favorable species. Corynebacteria are a commensal microorganism particularly associated with the creation of bad sulfurous odors. They are aerobically based but can also exhibit a weak fermentative metabolism (carbohydrates to lactic acid) under certain conditions. Corynebacteria are fastidious and have complex nutrient and environmental requirements for their growth, and therefore having bad body odor is a key sign that the bodily systems are out of balance, creating an environment where a slow growing commensal microorganism can become a pathobiont.
One way to effectively select against pathobionts and pathogens is to practice proper hygiene, eat healthy, and use natural anti-microbial essential oils like tea tree oil, peppermint oil, and lavender oil.
The antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties of essential oils also make them great in treating acne, aiding the immune system and helping the skin to regenerate.
Essential Oils as Natural Deodorant
Essential oils can be used as a natural deodorant and also to shift the microbiome of the underarm favorably away from bad odors. Application is easy and the cost is cheap compared to most underarm products.
There are many different types of essential oils, and the three that I have experimented with by applying them to the underarms are peppermint oil, lavender oil, and tea tree oil. These three essential oils are all anti-microbial, anti-fungal, and have a pleasant smell to them.
To apply essential oil to the underarms, place 2-5 drops into the palm of your hand and run the oil all around the underarm. If you have sensative skin then dilute with a carrier oil like chia seed oil. Repeat this as often as desired! I usually carry a small bottle of lavender oil with me and do this 1-3 times a day depending on my activity level and the weather. The absorption of tea tree oil and peppermint oil are especially noticeable, with both creating a cooling effect as they absorb into the skin.
If you have sensitive skin, do not apply the oil directly, instead diluting it with water or a carrier oil like chia seed oil. For any essential oil, before first use test the diluted oil on a small section of skin to test for allergic reactions.
Peppermint Oil Benefits
Has a fresh pleasing scent
Creates an invigorating feeling as it is absorbed
Provides relief from itching and muscle pain. Soothes the skin.
Inhibits the production of certain bacterial toxins
Note - Avoid peppermint oil if you you have a G6PD enzyme deficiency or take certain medications where the inhibition of enzyme CYP3A4 is problematic. Consult your doctor.
Tea Tree Oil Benefits
Has a clean fresh scent
Has a slight sensory stimulating effect when absorbed
Poses strong anti-microbial and anti-fungal effects, effective against acne
Natural insect repellant
Reduces Inflammation and boosts wound healing
Lavender Oil Benefits
Has a soothing scent few take offense to
Has a calming and relaxing effect
Has powerful antioxidant properties
Relieves pain, heals burns and cuts
Note - Be careful with lavender oil if using medications for sleep and depressive disorders. Avoid if undergoing anesthesia soon (1-2 days before).
My trusted supplier for organic essential oils is Mountain Rose Herbs. They have hundreds of essential oils and blends which can be used for natural hygiene methods, aromatherapy, cleaning solutions, and much more!
All of these oils can be used for underarm, skin, and hair care. Lavender and chamomile oil aromatherapy is especially useful for treating sleep disorders. Tea tree oil is a strong anti-fungal good for athletes foot, nail infections, and dandruff. Chia seed oil is gentle and moisturizing to the skin and hair, good for fascial work, containing high levels of ALA Omega-3 fatty acids, and acts as a good carrier oil for other essential oils which are best diluted.
The essential oil starter pack I recommend is:
Mountain Rose Herbs is also my trusted supplier of tea products I use for the different natural herbal teas I brew.
Herbs can be used to improve sleep, reduce inflammation, fight viral infections, and more.
References:
Verhaeghe J, Gheysen R, Enzlin P. Pheromones and their effect on women’s mood and sexuality. Facts Views Vis Obgyn. 2013;5(3):189-195.
James AG, Austin CJ, Cox DS, Taylor D, Calvert R. Microbiological and biochemical origins of human axillary odour. FEMS Microbiol Ecol. 2013;83(3):527-540.
Winkelman WJ. Aromatherapy, botanicals, and essential oils in acne. Clinics in Dermatology. 2018;36(3):299-305.
Medical Disclaimer: All information, content, and material of this website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider.
Disclosure: Wild Free Organic is a member of various affiliate programs and if a purchase is made through one of our affiliate links a small commission is received. This does not affect your purchase price. Visit our disclosure page for more information.
How to get Rid of Parasites
Parasites are creatures that feed off their host and can cause serious disease or even death. Parasites can range from microscopic amoeba to tapeworms 5x longer than you are tall. Parasites are transmitted typically through contaminated water, poorly cooked meat, or exposure to feces. More people have parasites than they realize, and removing them will have a huge positive impact on your health.
Article by Stefan Burns - Updated June 2022. Join the Wild Free Organic email newsletter!
From disturbing television shows like Monsters Inside Me to parasite warnings given to those traveling out of country, the threat of parasites looms in the public conscious, but is rarely given real serious thought. Most often, parasites are only believed to affect those living in third world countries, or our beloved cat and dog companions…the truth unfortunately is much more disturbing.
Talking about parasites that possibly live in the digestive system (or worse) isn’t a feel good topic, but it’s important because unless you know you’re free of parasites, it’s a possible pathogenic attack vector that can influence your behavior and damager your health. At the end of this article you’ll be armed with tasty foods you can add to your diet which will deter parasites and a more complex anti-parasite action plan. For anyone interested in gut health this is a topic that requires familiarization.
Unidentified hookworm on the left, and a Strongyloides sp. filariform staged larvae on the right
How Many People have Parasites?
At minimum 14% of the U.S. population has been exposed to Toxocara, and more than 60 million people in the United States are chronically infected with Toxoplasma gondii, the parasite that causes toxoplasmosis (an unfun situation). Another very common parasite affecting 3+ million people in the United States is Trichomonas, and another 300,000 people are infected with the parasite that causes Chagas disease, Trypanosoma cruzi. These numbers totaled form a significant portion of the U.S. population, a country with “low parasite prevalence”. As most parasite infections go undiagnosed and scientific studies carried aren’t comprehensive in scope, the actual percentage of the population infected with parasites is likely much higher.
From the CDC:
A parasite is an organism that lives on or in a host and gets its food from or at the expense of its host. Parasites can cause disease in humans. Some parasitic diseases are easily treated and some are not.
Are you Ready to Heal your Gut and Microbiome?
This article on parasite removal is packed full of useful and actionable information, and I highly encourage you to read it, but if you’re tired of reading and piecing information together from various articles to find the gut health answers you seek, then the Holistic Gut Health Guide is for you. I wrote the Holistic Gut Health Guide to best help you heal any gut and microbiome dysbiosis problems you may have by providing you the best scientific and holistic information available on the topic and then educating you on the most effective natural methods I personally used to heal the severe gut health problems I had for many years. No gut health problems are unsolvable, and I’m here to help you solve yours.
Holistic Gut Health Guide
Price: $12.95 $18.95
Information:
88 Pages, 12 Chapters
Published July 2022
Together the digestive system and microbiome are the foundation of health from which everything else is dependent on. Gut health problems range from inconvenient to debilitating and are never fun to experience, and luckily healing the gut and shifting the microbiome towards greater symbiosis can be done safely and effectively using natural methods like dietary and lifestyle changes, fasting, herbalism, certain exercises, and more. The Holistic Gut Health Guide provides the information and framework you need to finally heal your gut and begin enjoying the best health of your life.
In this eBook I share what I’ve learned works for me and others I’ve helped as well as the best available science on gut health. Not everything I discuss is backed by rigorous science. Some of the information in the Holistic Gut Health Guide isn’t common knowledge yet, but considering its effectiveness I believe it will be with greater public awareness and time. Give yourself every possible advantage along your gut health journey by reading an implementing the advice shared in the Holistic Gut Health Guide.
Helminthic Therapy
Parasites, since they feed from their host either directly or indirectly, rob the host of energy and cause fatigue, lethargy, and anemia. In most situations, having a parasite infection is a serious health concern (1). Since parasites are able to interact with their hosts in very complicated ways, in rare circumstances having a parasitic infection will alleviate the symptoms of larger health concerns.
For example a tapeworm can mitigate the effects of gross calorie overconsumption by feeding on those nutrients itself, or a parasite can feed off elevated blood sugar levels, helping to lower blood glucose to more normal parameters. Parasites have also been shown to have interesting effects for those with autoimmune issues (mostly digestive based), as the parasite unwillingly will redirect the immune response away from the body onto itself. Helminthic therapy as it’s known is being researched for therapeutic uses, but in almost all health situations being completely free of parasites is best.
Parasites can Alter Behavior
If you suspect you have a parasite infection or think you felt them moving, the feeling can be sickening. Coming to the realization that parasites live inside you will create a strong visceral reaction of wanting them out of your body. And there is good reason for this visceral reaction because parasites can kill. Parasites can also influence human behavior (2, 3), making you do things that perhaps you might not have otherwise. Parasite driven behaviors can manifest as unhinged outburst, anger, a craving for sugary foods, and other self-destructive behaviors.
What can develop is a “parasite brain”. Just like how a pathogenic microbiome releases strong neurotransmitters that cause food cravings, a desire for junk food, and fatigue, parasites can exhibit similar effects on the body and mind. Unless you have strong conscious awareness of every action you take and how you feel, parasites and the microbiome can sometimes highjack behavior as described, influencing your actions in a way that best suits their survival instead of yours.
How Parasite Infection Occurs
Drinking contaminated water
Eating uncooked or undercooked meat
Exposure to feces
Typically, the parasite enters the body through the digestive system, and some parasites live permanently in the digestive system. Worms are the most common digestive parasite, and these can be roundworms, tapeworms, threadworms, hookworms, and more. Amoebae and other microorganisms are also common. Tapeworms as long as 30 ft and greater have been extracted from unfortunate folks around the world, and tapeworms can live for up to 30 years, causing long-term serious health issues which are difficult to diagnose.
Parasites found in bad water include guinea worm, schistosomiasis, amebiasis, cryptosporidiosis (Crypto), and giardiasis. To avoid catching parasites from contaminated water, boil the water for 10-15 minutes or use a backpacking water filter.
Parasites from sushi are dramatically on the rise, having increased 283‐fold for Anisakis spp. from 1978 to 2015 (4). Fish farming is to blame, with heavily polluted unnatural conditions existing in most farmed fish operations worldwide. To reduce your risk of parasites from raw fish, always consume sushi, nigiri, and/or sashimi with a lot of raw ginger, and buy only wild caught or New Zealand sustainably farmed fish.
The most common parasite from pork is Taenia solium, otherwise known as the pork tapeworm, which can infect the digestive system, muscles, and brain of its host. The pork tapeworm can be contracted when eating uncooked meat, and has been fatal in thousands of cases, with victims having had their brains and muscles eaten out by the larvae. With the modern livestock industry raising pigs in deplorable conditions, it is best to avoid all pork, both for your health, and also to reduce your risk of contracting Taenia solium.
The most common parasite contracted by humans from feces is Toxoplasma gondii, which causes toxoplasmosis. Mice infected with toxoplasmosis exhibit changed behavior, actively seeking out areas smelling of cat urine (whereas normal mice avoid these areas). The full effects of Toxoplasma gondii on humans is not known, but headache, poor coordination, confusion, and seizures can occur. Most infections are asymptomatic, but if the infection becomes latent, then tissue cysts can form and persist for the lifetime of the host. These cysts and the latent infection is associated with numerous disease burdens and neural alterations.
This is not an exhaustive list of what parasites humans can get, merely a glimpse.
Where Parasites Live in the Human Body
As discussed, parasites can infect both the digestive system, which is still “outside” the tissues of the body, and also human body tissues such as muscle and brain tissue. Most commonly, parasites live in the digestive system, and are members of the microbiome. From mouth to anus, the digestive system is the path food and water travels through the body so nutrients can be absorbed for metabolism and growth. Until nutrients both from broken down food and metabolites produced by the microbiome (such as short-chain fatty acids) pass through the gut-blood barrier and into the blood stream they still exist outside the body. Weak tight junctions of the gut make it easy for microbes and parasites to slip into the nutrient-rich blood stream, causing a chronic immune response and systemic inflammation, which if left unaddressed will lead to autoimmune issues, food intolerances/allergies, and potentially life threatening diseases like IBD, Crohn’s, and Celiac disease.
If you’re wondering how to get rid of parasites in humans, the digestive system is the best place to start. There exist herbal supplements that contain herbs rich in tannins which are tough on parasites but relatively easy on the body. Synthetic anti-parasitic drugs are very strong, and unless you have a serious infection as diagnosed by a medical professional, it is better for your health and understanding of the situation to start with natural remedies. This is especially true for those who don’t have hard evidence of a parasite infection, but want a non-damaging way to investigate and potentially flush parasites out of their digestive system.
Natural anti-parasitic remedies like wormwood, clove, oregano oil, and black walnut hull are very effective at killing parasites at all their different life cycles (5), and when these herbs are combined with fasting, parasites can be expelled rapidly and the digestive system can heal fully. A full parasite removal plan is below, but first let’s diagnose the symptoms of having parasites.
How to Know if you Have Parasites?
Intestinal parasites like simple energy sources like sugar, so the first thing to do which will help dramatically with a parasite cleanse is to break a sugar addiction if you have one and remove all added sugars from the diet. Eliminating excess sugar an other empty calories has it’s own wellness benefits in addition to helping starve out parasites. If you’re struggling and eating too much sugar, the best thing to take away from this article is to master your sugar consumption. Many of the 100+ health issues common today are born out of a poor diet, bad gut health, and chronic inflammation, and without the right dietary conditions in place, no parasite removal plan will ultimately be successful.
Parasite infections can cause a slew of health issues, and these unfortunate health symptoms can also be caused by other factors. It is important when discovering your health problems and fixing them to patiently pursue all possibilities and experiment safely. With time and faith, the root causes of your health issues can be identified and the appropriate dietary, environmental, and behavioral changes can be made to return to good health and wellness.
You might have a parasite infection if you have any of the following chronic health issues:
Anemia
Chronic fatigue
Muscle pain
Constipation and gas
Diarrhea
Itchy anus
Bloating and cramping
Joint pain
Jaw pain
Teeth grinding (bruxism)
Insomnia
Hives, rashes
The more overlapping symptoms from above you have, the more important it is to uncover if your gut health is as it should be and to do what you can to improve your situation.
Natural Treatment for Parasites
As already discussed, the first step for parasites is to eliminate sugar from the diet. Added sugars, heavily processed acellular carbs (i.e. flour), and junk food must all go. Following the FoodFast Method is one way of improving diet while also incorporating fasting for maximum health benefit.
The second thing that can be done is to include anti-parasitic foods into the diet. These foods are natural and healthy, with pumpkin seeds (6), garlic (7), and dried papaya seeds (8) being especially effective. Lectin found in cucumber seeds have also shown promise for intestinal parasite therapy (9). The compounds and oils found in these four foods are anti-parasitic and anti-microbial while not being harmful to human health.
Pumpkin seeds in particular are a very nutrient-dense food which should be added to the diet regardless of parasite or not.
Cucumber, garlic, pumpkin seeds, and papaya seeds can also be eaten preventatively to ward off parasites.
The third step would be fasting; abstaining from food for a period of 24-72 hours. A 48 hour fast is excellent at resetting the digestive system, helping to heal the tissues of the gut while also shifting the microbiome to a more helpful symbiotic state. A 24-48 hour fast is easily accomplished with a little bit of preparation and common sense and will starve or seriously stress any parasites living in the intestinal tract. The stress from nutrient deprivation weakens pathogens, making the other other steps taken more effective, particularly step 4.
The fourth step is to supplement with natural anti-parasitic herbs like oregano oil, wormwood, clove, and black walnut hull, which parasites can be directly killed by. A combination of these herbs can be found in natural parasite cleansing supplements, and typically a herbal parasite cleanse is run for 14-30 days. These four herbs used together will kill adult, larvae, and eggs.
The supplement I recommend for this is SCRAM by HealthForce SuperFoods. I purchased SCRAM for my own experimentation, and I was impressed by the quality of the product. All the ingredients are TruGanic certified, which means they are third-party tested for botanical identity, pesticides, GMOs, heavy metals, microbiological activity, and gluten. Opening up the bottle, you can smell the intense aroma of the clove, and with a dosing of 10 caps a day, you’re receiving enough active ingredient to kill and drive parasites out of the body.
To condense and summarize, parasites can be removed from the body using a four step method.
Parasite Cleanse
Remove added sugars, acellular carbs, and junk food from the diet.
Incorporate anti-parasitic foods into the diet like pumpkin seeds, cucumber, garlic, and oregano.
Begin fasting occasionally, starting with 16 and 24 hours fasts and progressing to 48+ hour fasts as safe and appropriate. Green tea fasting is particularly effective.
Run a natural anti-parasitic supplement protocol involving oregano oil, wormwood, clove, and black walnut hull. I recommend using oregano oil and SCRAM.
My Experience with SCRAM
On the supplement label, it is stated that SCRAM can be used to:
“Help promote optimum microbial balance and cleansing in individuals with a healthy digestive system and intestinal tract”
When I first began using SCRAM, I was already at the very end of a years-long journey to heal my gut. For me, doing a parasite cleanse was the final item on the checklist. Even though my gut health was exceptional at the time, I wanted to explore all avenues, and using SCRAM (which could also help further balance my microbiome) was a good idea.
I purchased two bottles so I could run the parasite cleanse for longer than the typical 17 days. I ran the full SCRAM protocol of 10 pills a day for 22 days.
I never noticed any negatives from using SCRAM. Many people report experiencing a deep cleansing of their gut (diarrhea), but since my gut was healthy, it easily adapted to the anti-microbial effects of the supplement. I apparently don’t have any parasites in my digestive system, because I found no traces in my stool. What I noticed using SCRAM is that it was a great supplement for balancing the microbiome.
5-10 pills of SCRAM a day will kill off any pathogenic microorganisms causing gas or bloating, normalize intestinal motility, and firm up stools. This effect can cause slight constipation at the beginning for a couple days. Outside of using SCRAM for a dedicated parasite removal, they can also be used whenever the gut feel unbalanced and requires a little help.
I was surprised by how well packed these pills are, the herbal mixture came out fluffy and was very pleasantly aromatic. You’re getting a great value with SCRAM
A parasite cleanse involving oregano oil and a product like SCRAM is best done with a gut that is already in okay shape. While I wouldn’t say that supplementing with SCRAM was particularly stressful, any change to a digestive system already at maximum stress can cause problems. In instances like that, fasting or a liquid diet are the two things which can begin healing the gut.
SCRAM is a safe an effective supplement, but it’s step four because steps 1-3 are more important as it relates to parasite removal. If the digestive system is unhealthy or diseased due to many different factors, a parasite cleanse will not solve all the problems present and may complicate the situation. When you begin pushing back against parasites and/or a pathogenic microbiome, the microorganisms that are being selected against will be everything they can to improve their situation, from increasing junk food cravings to creating irrational mental urges and behaviors through neurotransmitter production.
Having a sound diet is the foundation of all health success, and for parasite cleansing it’s no different.
Confirming your Results
When parasites leave the body you’ll find them or pieces of them in the stool. Some parasites are too small for detection while some parasites like worms are visible to the eye in stool. Parasites found in stool can be alarming, but this is a good sign that treatment is effective. If doing everything right and no parasites are found, then there was likely no parasite infection in the first place. If you suspect that you still have parasites, then visit a medical professional for an assessment and possibly more serious treatment.
As it relates to all health matters, you have to trust your gut instincts. Best of luck!
References:
Alum A, Rubino JR, Ijaz MK. The global war against intestinal parasites—should we use a holistic approach? International Journal of Infectious Diseases. 2010;14(9):e732-e738.
Flegr J. Effects of toxoplasma on human behavior. Schizophrenia Bulletin. 2007;33(3):757-760.
Thornhill R, Fincher CL, Murray DR, Schaller M. Zoonotic and non-zoonotic diseases in relation to human personality and societal values: support for the parasite-stress model. Evol Psychol. 2010;8(2):147470491000800.
Fiorenza EA, Wendt CA, Dobkowski KA, et al. It’s a wormy world: Meta‐analysis reveals several decades of change in the global abundance of the parasitic nematodes Anisakis spp. and Pseudoterranova spp. in marine fishes and invertebrates. Glob Change Biol. 2020;26(5):2854-2866.
Tagboto S, Townson S. Antiparasitic properties of medicinal plants and other naturally occurring products. In: Advances in Parasitology. Vol 50. Elsevier; 2001:199-295.
Li T, Ito A, Chen X, et al. Usefulness of pumpkin seeds combined with areca nut extract in community-based treatment of human taeniasis in northwest Sichuan Province, China. Acta Tropica. 2012;124(2):152-157.
Ankri S, Mirelman D. Antimicrobial properties of allicin from garlic. Microbes and Infection. 1999;1(2):125-129.
Okeniyi JAO, Ogunlesi TA, Oyelami OA, Adeyemi LA. Effectiveness of dried carica papaya seeds against human intestinal parasitosis: a pilot study. Journal of Medicinal Food. 2007;10(1):194-196.
Mukherjee PK, Nema NK, Maity N, Sarkar BK. Phytochemical and therapeutic potential of cucumber. Fitoterapia. 2013;84:227-236.
Medical Disclaimer: All information, content, and material of this website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider.
Disclosure: Wild Free Organic is a member of various affiliate programs and if a purchase is made through one of our affiliate links a small commission is received. This does not affect your purchase price. Visit our disclosure page for more information.
Other Articles on Gut Health
Establish a Morning Routine
Establishing a consistent routine is one of the cornerstones of a healthy lifestyle. Every morning is an opportunity to take control of your schedule and live a wellness-centered lifestyle. Follow these recommendations and start your own morning wellness routine.
Article by Stefan Burns - Updated November 2021. Join the Wild Free Organic email newsletter!
Establishing a consistent routine is one of the cornerstones of a healthy lifestyle. Usually everyday routines are guided through meal timings (breakfast, lunch, dinner) or a work schedule. Often the activities people schedule their days around are stressful in nature. You don’t want to schedule a stress-first, relaxation-second schedule!
How you start the day determines in large part your physical, mental, and emotional status throughout the rest of the day. For this reason, morning routines are very important. Having a consistent morning routine provides a sense of normalcy, even during times of change such as travel, undue stress, and unique life situations. Consider a morning routine a wellness gyroscope that brings balance to your day to day life.
Establish the Circadian Rhythm
The circadian rhythm is the 24-hour biological clock we all posses, and this rhythm controls your daily schedule for sleep and wakefulness.
One of the main reasons a consistent morning routine is recommended is it helps to establish a consistent circadian rhythm. The circadian rhythm is intimately tied to the various systems of the body, such as the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, and a wandering circadian rhythm is easily disrupted further by stress and other variables. It’s been shown that the success of major surgeries is greatly influenced by the circadian rhythm. Those operated on during the day fair poorly compared to those operated on at night, during the bodies natural healing state.
The steps below help to establish a anti-fragile circadian rhythm, but there are a few steps that can be taken even before then:
Have a Consistent Bed Time
When you go to sleep, and for how long you sleep, has a huge impact on the quality of your life the following day. To help facilitate the process of establishing a rock-solid circadian rhythm, and therefore an awesome morning routine, go to bed at the same time every night. This bedtime should be respectful of the powerful influence the sun has on your circadian rhythm, and I wouldn’t recommend a bedtime any later than 10 pm. Unless you have a late-shift or night-shift job, there is really no excuse for going to sleep at a reasonable hour and treating yourself with self-love. If you stay up occasionally past 10 pm, that’s OKAY, but don’t make a habit of it.
Don’t Set an Alarm
If you have the luxury, don’t set an alarm to wake you up each morning. Face your bed East and open your blinds so when the sun rises in the morning you catch as much light as you can. The circadian rhythm is tied to the sun/moon cycle, and rising with the light is the most natural and peaceful way to wake-up.
Forget the Phone
The light we expose ourselves to each day is incredibly important. After sunset, naturally there is meant to be very little light, and the best thing you can do for your morning is to dim or turn off the artificial lights with the movements of the sun. Electronics give off primarily blue light, and blue light is particularly energizing. During the day blue light is expected and healthy, but in the morning and night, blue light can have a strong impact on the circadian rhythm, even shifting it by several hours. Blue light impacts melatonin (a hormone important in sleep) production, and the downstream effects of shifted melatonin or delayed production can completely upset the hormonal system as a whole. If you’ve ever had racing thoughts at night that prevented you from falling asleep, or made you sleep poorly, you should deeply examine your light exposure, both from electronics and the environment.
Picking up a phone first thing in the morning might help the brain to click on in that moment, but the overall effect of that habit can be devastating to normal sleep and wakefulness patterns. The solution is simple, keep the phone charging at night in a different room.
Build your Fire
After a long nights rest, coaxing the metabolic engine to create energy is priority number 1. Movement and breath work are the prescription.
Upon waking, drink 16 - 32 oz of filtered water and prepare for some light exercise.
Stomach Vacuums (Uddiyana Bandha) are easiest to perform in the morning
This exercise could be a simple 15 minute flow routine, 30 minutes of yoga, or a full weight-training workout. Maybe you prefer to go for a walk, that’s fine too!
I prefer starting with a short flow routine followed by calisthenics and core exercises because the movements can adapt to how I feel. Whether you want to do more calisthenics, yoga, or stretching, flow training can incorporate all of those fitness modalities and are easy to modify instinctively.
Movements and exercise that establish deep consistent breathing are best, as oxygen is the fuel your body requires for all energy processes.
Breath work and movement finished, solidify your new baseline of energy with 5 - 10 minutes of meditation. Sit cross legged, breath in and out slowly, and clear your mind. To help clear your mind, you can think the words “In” and “Out” for when breathing in or out. You can also hum “aum” or focus your senses outwards. Can you feel the wind, the sun, the Earth? Listen to the sounds around you. Smell the air? Raise your level of awareness by practicing mindfulness and let any thoughts that start to materialize bounce off of your inner mental calm.
Avoid Stimulants
The first mistake many make here is to turn to a stimulant like caffeine first thing upon waking. Would you rather your energy for the day depend on an external stimulant, or your own movement and breath work for the day? Remember the goal of the morning routine is to create a calm mental and emotional state for each day, and it’s known that stimulants disturb this aspect of health and the natural circadian rhythm.
Coffee and green tea taste great, so savor them as a treat occasionally, not as a crutch.
Feed Your Body
Whether you decide to fuel up or fast after the movement and breath work, it’s important that this decision of how to feed your body is done with your best interests in mind. Be conscious and make your own decisions.
For Fasting:
If you prefer 16:8 intermittent fasting, or you’re performing a longer duration fast for your digestive system, it is important to drink plenty of water. Since you are not consuming any food, which contains water, you’ll need to drink more water. And this means only water!
Stimulants like green tea and coffee as described are best avoided, and zero-calorie beverages wreck havoc on the digestive system, particularly the gut lining. Starting your day with a zero-calorie beverage will cause inflammation in the gut and eventually systemically.
For Fueling:
Find a nutritious breakfast that you can eat consistently everyday. I recommend eating the same breakfast everyday for the following reasons:
Everyday your body will receive the same supply of fats, carbs, fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals.
It will add consistency to your digestion, and establish a rhythm that your microbiome can come to expect
Post-breakfast, your energy levels will be consistent and known. This stability allows you to start your day right.
No more guesswork in the kitchen.
Preparing the same breakfast everyday becomes a science, letting your mind focus on other ambitions of the day.
Find a meal that works for your dietary preferences, is easy to prepare, delicious, and well rounded nutritionally. This means developing a breakfast that includes fat, protein, starch, and fiber.
My Daily Breakfast
I look forward to my breakfast everyday even though it never changes! There is enough diversity in flavors and textures that I don’t tire of it. My breakfast is as follows:
1. Organic hashbrowns with ketchup
2. Three eggs scrambled with EVOO & sprig parsley
3. Organic strawberry, banana, lemon, and fresh squeezed OJ smoothie
4. Gluten-free everything bagel with organic cream-cheese and everything seasoning.
Set your Intentions, Repeat your Affirmations
After a bout of movement, breath work, and a meal (or not), take 5-10 minutes to set your goals for the day and establish your affirmations. This can be done in so many ways, find what resonates with you!
You can set your goals and establish your affirmations through journaling. Keeping a log of your affirmations and aspirations is a fantastic way to develop a record of your daily goals, and looking back through past journal entries can help pierce the veil of what it is you truly desire.
Listening to your horoscope is another way to set affirmations for the day, or at least a way to bring consciousness to various topics that you might not have considered otherwise. For this I recommend Horoscope Today from Parcast. Each horoscope is only 2-3 minutes in length, but during this time my attention is drawn to my relationships with others, my career ambitions, and the larger worldly energy patterns to be mindful of.
Pitfalls to Avoid - Reminder
When establishing a productive morning routine, there are a variety of old habits which might need to be cast aside as you undergo your evolution. Remember to avoid:
Stimulants such as coffee
Electronics 2 hours before bed, after waking up
Morning junk food disguised as breakfast
Inadequate water consumption
Anything that disturbs your peace
Reclaim the morning as your time to clear your mind, stabilize your emotions, and set your focus. Remember it’s your life, not someone elses, be it your boss, friends, or the news. Before the world wakes up, the morning hours are yours and yours alone!
Putting it into Practice
Now that everything has been discussed, here is an action plan you can start with and then adapt to fit your unique needs.
Daily Morning Wellness Routine
Wake up naturally, and limit your exposure to blue light.
Drink 16 - 32 oz filtered water.
Begin your breath-focused movement, yoga, workout routine (15-90 minutes), or walk. See below for two movement routines you can use to get started.
Cool down with 5-15 minutes meditation, stabilize your energy levels, and calm your mind.
Fuel or fast, be conscious of what you put into your body. If choosing to eat, consume a well-rounded breakfast with a focus on organic foods, protein, healthy fats, and fiber.
Set your intentions for the day and repeat your affirmations. For outside input to consider, listen or read your horoscope.
Morning Movement Routine
Strength Focused
Complete this circuit three times
Push-ups - 25 reps
Form an arrow position with your arms, keep your core stable, and chest to floor.
RKC Plank - 30 secs
Squeeze your glutes, contract your core, and brace inwards.
Body-weight Squats - 25 reps
Open your hips and go deep with a stable back.
Glute Bridge - 25 reps
Squeeze the glutes at the top of the rep.
Mountain Climbers - 25 reps
Stay tight and stabilize against rotation.
Mobility Focused
Focus on the quality of the movement
Sun Salutation Warm-up - 5 rounds
Thoracic Rotation Stretch - 5 reps each side
90/90 Hip Stretch - Hold 20-30 seconds
Hamstring Stretch - Hold for 20-30 seconds
Ankle Plantar Flexion Stretch - 30 seconds
Lizard with Rotation - 5 reps each side
Punter Kicks - 8 reps each side
Chest Stretch - Hold 20-30 seconds
Lat Stretch - Hold 20-30 seconds
Shoulder CARS - 5 reps each side
Windmills - 10 reps each side
Note - The beauty of a morning exercise routine is it helps maintain the physical status of the body. If you exercise exclusively during the afternoon or evenings, your fitness progress is dependent solely on those workouts. Miss a few workouts or more and progress will slip away. A morning exercise prescription, while not necessarily super intense, provides enough stimulus to maintain progress you’ve made during your more intense training sessions.
If you don’t occasionally skip your normal exercise routine, then you’ll make progress faster with the addition of the morning routine and have diversified your fitness skill set.
An important aspect of being human and overall health is electromagnetic. What that means is that humans interact with electric and magnetic fields bioelectrically. The resonant vibration of DNA to the strongest electromagnetic field frequencies is a key determiner of DNA signaling. By changing the electromagnetic environment of the body DNA expression can be optimized towards health.