Chinese Herbs for Parasites

Many herbs in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) are recognized for their anti-parasitic properties and have been in use for thousands of years. Many of these herbs are toxic alone, but when used properly they yield excellent remedies for parasites and intestinal worms. This article uses the Pinyin translation for all names.

Qinghao

Artemesia annua. Wormwood gets its name from its folk medicine roots, where it was long known to treat many different types of intestinal worms. In China, Sweet Wormwood has been used for thousands of years and is now being studied for its anti-parasitic properties.

Shijunzi

Quisqualis indica L. Quisqualis fruit is a well-known treatment in TCM for its anti-parasitic properties. Specifically, Quisqualis handles roundworms and affects the spleen and stomach.

Chaun Lian Zi

Fructus Meliae T. The Sichuan Pagoda Tree fruit is defined as a “Cold” plant in TCM and treats “heat signs” such as irritability, temper, insomnia, red eyes and abdominal pain. It works well against hookworms, roundworms and tapeworms.

Bing Lang

Semen Arecae C. Called Betel Nut, it is a spicy plant that handles several different types of worms, including blood flukes and pinworms. It can also handle tapeworms, hookworms, roundworms and Fasciolopsis, the giant intestinal fluke.

Lu Hui

Herba Aloes. Aloe Leaf’s juice can be drunk to alleviate roundworms. This remedy is best particularly for children suffering from roundworms due to malnutrition, but is also often mixed with additional herbs to treat other parasites, as well.