Social media influencers are promoting at-home 'parasitic cleanses' as a cure for symptoms such as constipation, fatigue, poor sleep and brain fog. The products, which contain ingredients like wormwood, clove, turmeric and black walnut, are being marketed with promises of improved health. However, medical experts are warning that these treatments are not only ineffective but could also be dangerous.
Professor Aaron Jex, who leads an infectious disease research laboratory at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, says parasitic infections are uncommon among healthy people in developed cities. He notes that many people who believe they have a parasitic infection are actually suffering from other conditions, such as autoimmune or dietary issues. Jex emphasises that modern diagnostic methods are highly reliable and would detect significant infections.
While some natural ingredients in these cleanses have been used to develop powerful antiparasitic drugs, such as artemisinin from wormwood, Jex explains that these compounds require purification and concentration to be effective. The amounts found in over-the-counter products are far too low to treat an infection. Prescription antiparasitic drugs, by contrast, are well-tested, highly effective and have minimal side effects.
Dietitian and PhD candidate Danielle Shine warns that these cleanses can cause side effects including diarrhoea, dehydration, electrolyte imbalances and liver injury. She also notes that ingredients like zeolites and activated charcoal lack clinical evidence for parasite cleansing and may interfere with nutrient absorption or medication. Influencers often post images of faeces as 'proof' of parasites, but experts say parasites cannot be diagnosed by appearance alone.
