Cyclosporiasis: Herbal and Nutritional Recovery Support for Intestinal Parasites
The U.S. is currently facing a large-scale cyclosporiasis outbreak, affecting thousands of people across 31 states. Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal infection caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis. This protozoan parasite is contracted by consuming food or water contaminated with infected feces, rather than through direct human-to-human transmission.1
While the current source of the outbreak has yet to be identified, health officials are recommending to avoid eating foods that have previously been linked to the illness, including:
- Lettuce
- Raspberries
- Green onions
- Basil
- Cilantro
- Snow peas
- Bagged/pre-prepared salad
While washing fresh produce is always best practice, unfortunately it is less effective at eliminating Cyclospora from fruits and vegetables.
Identifying Symptoms
Once exposed, symptoms typically show up within 2-14 days, and can last from a few days to over a month in severe cases. Symptoms typically include:
- Watery and sometimes explosive diarrhea
- Loss of appetite and subsequent weight loss
- Stomach cramps and pain
- Bloating and increased gas
- Nausea
- Fatigue
At-risk Populations
Fortunately, while incredibly uncomfortable, the disease is self-limiting in most healthy individuals. However, for at-risk populations such as the very young, the elderly or immunocompromised, may experience more severe symptoms, a longer duration of infection, or even experience colonization of extra-intestinal organs.1 These individuals typically need advanced medical care, such as IV rehydration and antibiotic therapy.
What to Eat While Recovering
Focusing on gentle, easy to digest foods such as the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce and toast) helps to firm up the stool and settle the stomach, however this diet lacks the essential nutrients of a more diverse diet and should only be followed for the first 24-48 hours of symptoms before gradually reintroducing a more balanced diet. Vegetable broths or bone broths can also be very gentle on the digestive system, and importantly, supply the body with essential electrolytes and nutrients that are being lost or not consumed during illness.
Testing and Herbal Therapeutics
It can take some time to receive results back from parasitic stool tests. Once the species is identified, there are different herbs that can address different types of parasitic infections. Focusing on a parasite such as Cyclosporiasis warrants the use of herbals for protozoan-specific species.
Myrrh is a traditional herbal therapy utilized for its anti-parasitic properties. Traditional therapies have utilized Myrrh over synthetic chemicals due to increased drug resistance challenges. Research demonstrates its efficacy against protozoan-based parasites.2
Berberine a compound contained in many plants, including Phellodendron bark. Berberine contains anti-microbials and other phytoactive compounds like phenolics and flavonoids. Phellodendron has long been used for intestinal parasites and dysentery. Clinical studies demonstrate that berberine supplementation can alter gut microbiota by promoting the growth of beneficial species like Bacteroides and Bifidobacterium while suppressing inflammatory species.
It is important that these herbs are used under the guidance of a qualified health care practitioner with experience in herbals. They can determine the duration of use of these herbs as well as the appropriate dosing.
Adsorbents for removing protozoa: clinoptilolite
Because protozoan parasites primarily exist in two forms- the active disease-causing trophozoite and the dormant oocyst- it may take several cycles of herb use to fully eradicate the infection. Adding in an adsorbent mineral like clinoptilolite can help to bind and remove the parasites as they are targeted by the antiparasitic herbs, supporting a more effective clearance of the infection.
Clinoptilolite is a zeolite mineral that is used in detoxification practices to help bind and remove toxins from the gastrointestinal tract, as well as to strengthen the intestinal wall and mitigate inflammation.3 Clinoptilolite may also help with some of the symptoms associated with Cyclosporiasis- most notably diarrhea. Clinical trials of the compound in cases of IBS-d have shown that it significantly improves stool consistency, relieves abdominal pain, and decreases the number of days with diarrhea.4
When to Seek Medical Help
While these strategies may be beneficial for mild cases of protozoan infections, or cases in otherwise healthy individuals, knowing when to seek medical care in all cases is incredibly important. Signs of illness that warrant medical intervention include:
- Severe diarrhea lasting more than a few days
- Bloody stools
- Signs of dehydration: dizziness, dry mouth, dark urine
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1. Almeria S, Cinar HN, Dubey JP. Cyclospora cayetanensis and Cyclosporiasis: An Update. Microorganisms. Sep 4 2019;7(9)doi:10.3390/microorganisms7090317
2. Albasyouni S, Al-Quraishy S, Al-Hoshani N, Al-Otaibi T, Al-Shaebi EM, Abdel-Gaber R. Evaluation of anthelminthic and antiprotozoal activity of myrrh (Commiphora myrrha) methanolic extract. Helminthologia. April 23, 2024;61(1) doi:10.2478/helm-2024-0008
3. Mastinu, A., Kumar, A., Maccarinelli, G., Bonini, S. A., Premoli, M., Aria, F., … & Memo, M. (2019). Zeolite clinoptilolite: Therapeutic virtues of an ancient mineral. Molecules, 24(8), 1517.
4. Anderle, K., Wolzt, M., Moser, G., Keip, B., Peter, J., Meisslitzer, C., … & Tschegg, C. (2022). Safety and efficacy of purified clinoptilolite-tuff treatment in patients with irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea: Randomized controlled trial. World Journal of Gastroenterology, 28(46), 6573.
