Building Host Health: How to Make Your Body Unfriendly to Parasites

When it comes to fighting parasites and candida, it’s not just about trying to kill them. It’s about creating a body environment where they simply can’t thrive. This concept, often called “host health,” focuses on strengthening your immune system, supporting your gut, and making your body an unwelcoming place for unwanted invaders.

A resilient immune system is your best defense against parasites, and the right herbs and foods can become your secret weapons.

Catching Up on the Parasite Series

This is blog five of my parasite series. We’ve already covered quite a bit in earlier posts!

In the first blog, we talked about why parasites are more common than most people think (spoiler: it’s not just from tropical vacations or undercooked street food). My hope is that people finally let go of the “not me” mindset and realize these pesky freeloaders are sneakier than they seem.

In the second blog, I shared my personal journey with parasites and what I learned along the way. When I traveled to Costa Rica several years ago, I already had a weak immune system due to stress and autoimmune issues. I was basically a five-star resort for parasites.

Today’s blog gives you the tools to strengthen your “host health” so you can create an environment where parasites simply can’t set up shop.

If you’ve missed the first four blogs, be sure to check them out and get caught up. The more you know, the easier it is to fight off these uninvited guests!

Why Host Health Matters When Fighting Parasites 

Parasites, worms, and candida thrive in weakened systems. Diets high in sugar, alcohol, and inflammatory foods are their all-you-can-eat buffet.

A nutrient-rich, low-sugar, anti-inflammatory diet, on the other hand, supports your immune system and helps stop parasites from taking hold. Think of it as locking your doors, closing your blinds, and putting up a big “No Vacancy” sign.

By focusing on host health, you’re not just removing existing parasites, you’re creating a long-term barrier to keep them from coming back.

Feed the Host, Not the Hitchhikers!

Herbs and Foods That Help Fight Parasites & Build Host Health

Many natural foods and herbs have anti-parasitic properties, meaning they can help eliminate worms and prevent new infections while supporting your body’s defenses. It’s important to remember that everyone’s body is different. Factors like current health conditions, medications, and overall immune strength can all influence how your body responds.

Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before starting any new herbs or supplements. I’m not a doctor and this isn’t medical advice. I am sharing information and tools to help you make informed choices for your health.

Here are some of the most effective herbs to treat parasites:

1. Garlic: Garlic is widely recognized for its antiparasitic powers. Consuming garlic regularly (raw, cooked, or in supplement form) can help combat organisms like giardia and roundworms. Its immune-supporting compounds also help keep your defenses strong.
   

2. Papaya Seeds: Air-dried papaya seeds (Carica papaya) are effective against amoeba parasites with minimal side effects. They help cleanse the intestines while supporting overall digestive health.
   

3. Pumpkin Seeds: Pumpkin seeds contain cucurbitacin, a compound that paralyzes and eliminates intestinal worms. They also support blood sugar regulation, reduce inflammation, and promote heart health.
   

4. Pomegranate Seeds: Ancient traditions used pomegranate extracts to combat parasites. Compounds like ellagitannins and tannins help fight intestinal organisms while providing antioxidant benefits.
   

5. Turmeric: A natural antiseptic and antimicrobial, turmeric helps fight tapeworms and other intestinal worms. Try turmeric juice: mix one teaspoon of raw turmeric with a pinch of salt in water and drink it on an empty stomach for several days. It also reduces inflammation and supports liver health.
   

6. Cloves: Cloves have antiseptic, antiparasitic, and bactericidal properties. A simple tea made by steeping ground cloves in hot water for 10–20 minutes can help eliminate worms and their eggs.
   

7. Wormwood: Found in many herbal parasite cleanses, wormwood fights pinworms, roundworms, and tapeworms. It also has antifungal and antimicrobial properties. Note: high doses can cause side effects, so always follow dosing guidelines carefully.
   

8. Black Walnut: Black walnut hulls are famous for expelling intestinal worms. The active compound juglone has powerful antiparasitic effects. As with wormwood, dosage matters and more isn’t better here.
   

9. Oregano Oil: Oregano oil is antibacterial, antiviral, and antiparasitic. It supports immune health and helps fight infections. Start with recommended doses and listen to your body’s response.

Your Kitchen: Where Host Health Happens

Designing an Anti-Parasitic Diet

In addition to herbs, diet plays a key role in creating a hostile environment for parasites.

This is where most people hit resistance because parasites love the same comfort foods we do. The truth is, when you start cutting out sugar, carbs, and alcohol, you’re not the only one who gets cranky. The parasites living inside you will throw full-on tantrums. You might feel moody, irritable, and ready to star in your own Hulk movie for a few days.

Stick with it. Those “detox fits” are temporary. Once you starve them out, your mood stabilizes, your energy improves, and you might find you don’t even miss the foods that were feeding your unwanted guests.

Foods to Eliminate When Treating a Parasite Infection

The goal is simple: stop feeding the parasites and candida. Begin with the biggest offenders:

• All sugar and sweetened foods: soda, candy, cookies, cake, pastries, ice cream
  

• Sweeteners: honey, maple syrup, molasses, brown sugar, corn syrup, and artificial sweeteners
  

• Fruit juices and dried/canned/frozen fruits: limit even natural sugars, avoid melons
  

• Alcohol: beer, wine, spirits, fermented drinks, tinctures, and alcohol-based meds like cough syrup
  

• Fermented, moldy, or malted foods: soy sauce, mushrooms, truffles, malted milk products
  

• Cheese and vinegar-based condiments: dressings, mayo, ketchup, pickles, sauces; use olive oil and lemon juice instead
  

• Refined and processed oils: partially hydrogenated oils, seed oils, trans fats
  

• Yeasts and refined baked goods: breads, crackers, pastries, doughs with gums
  

• Antibiotics (when possible): they disrupt gut balance and kill good bacteria
  

Even if you can’t eliminate everything overnight, start where you can and build from there. Small, consistent changes create lasting results.

Sugar: The Parasite’s Love Language.

Foods to Add When Treating a Parasite Infection

Now it’s time to feed you, not the parasites. These foods nourish your immune system and support detoxification:

Vegetables: Fresh, seasonal, and locally grown is best

Examples: asparagus, beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, cucumber, onions, parsley, squash, zucchini, sweet potatoes, radish, avocado, parsnip, dark leafy greens: spinach, kale, mustard greens, sprouts. ***Avoid white potatoes***

Protein: Beef, lamb, bison, veal, eggs, fish (tuna, salmon), chicken, turkey, shrimp ***Choose organic, free-range, grass-fed, and wild-caught when possible***

Eggs: Organic, free-range, high in protein and nutrients. Hard-boiled eggs make a great on-the-go snack.

Nuts & Seeds: Raw nuts: walnuts, pecans, macadamias, filberts, almonds, brazil nuts, pistachios  Seeds: sunflower, pumpkin, chia, flax

Healthy Fats & Oils: Organic extra virgin olive oil, organic grass-fed butter, unrefined coconut oil, organic avocado oil, organic beef tallow

Fat Doesn’t Make You Fat. Parasites and Sugar Do.

Tips to Make It Easier

• Start small: add one new healthy food at a time

• Track your progress: notice how your body responds to removing sugar and processed foods

• Get support: having a friend, family member, or coach can make the journey smoother

  
  

The Big Parasite Free Picture: Supporting a Stronger You

Detoxing from parasites and candida isn’t about restriction, it’s about giving your body the fuel it needs to heal while cutting off what feeds the invaders.

Over time, as you choose nourishing foods and eliminate triggers, you’ll notice more energy, better digestion, and a clearer mind.

Preparing for a Parasite Cleanse

If you’re considering a full cleanse, preparation is key. A great time to start is during a full moon when parasites are more active and easier to target (yes, that part’s actually true).

Supporting your immune system with these herbs, foods, and lifestyle habits will help any cleanse work more effectively.

In the next blog, we’ll focus on how to prepare your body and mind for a detox or parasite cleanse. Before you jump into any protocol, it’s important to understand what your body needs to safely and effectively release toxins and how your mindset plays a huge role in that process.

From setting realistic expectations and supporting your drainage pathways to managing emotions that can surface during cleansing, we’ll cover how to create the best foundation for healing inside and out.

The Bottom Line: Parasites Hate Healthy Bodies

Focusing on host health, strengthening your body, supporting your immune system, and using natural antiparasitic herbs makes it much harder for parasites to survive.

When your body is strong, infections struggle to take hold, and your overall vitality improves. You’re not just fighting parasites. You’re creating a thriving, resilient body that naturally resists them.

Ready to Be Parasite-Free?

You don’t have to go through this process alone. Schedule a Discovery Call with me today, and let’s rebuild your immune system together.

We’ll kick out the freeloaders and help you go from surviving to thriving naturally.