From Ancient Deworming to Modern Parasite Cleansing

From Ancient Deworming to Modern Parasite Cleansing

Parasites in the body may sound alarming, but the practice of deworming — cleansing the body from intestinal worms and other parasites — was once a natural part of medicine in Europe. Today, with modern hygiene and healthcare, routine deworming of humans has nearly disappeared in high-income countries. At the same time, parasite cleansing is making a comeback within biohacking, alternative medicine, and the longevity movement. Could yesterday’s folk remedies against worms actually have a place in today’s health optimization? Here we explore the history, why the practice disappeared — and why some believe it may once again be relevant.

Deworming in Historical Times

Ancient and Medieval Periods:

Parasitic diseases have plagued humanity since the dawn of time. Ancient texts by Hippocrates and the Bible describe intestinal worms. During the Middle Ages, parasites were extremely common due to poor sanitation and close contact with animals. Medicine at the time focused heavily on “expelling” harmful substances and worms from the body through various means. Strong laxatives and herbal concoctions were common treatments.

For instance, a 15th-century Italian physician documented how a 7-year-old boy expelled 148 intestinal worms after taking a herbal medicine made from aloe, myrrh, and saffron — and fully recovered. The human body was seen as filled with “corruption” and small creatures that needed to be purged to restore health. Common home remedies included decoctions of wormwood, black walnut, pomegranate, and other plants known to kill or drive out parasites. Some even recommended putting wormwood juice in the ear to expel ear parasites. Deworming was considered essential to combat symptoms such as abdominal pain, anemia, and cramps caused by worm infestations.

1700s–1900s:

During the Enlightenment, scientific understanding of parasites grew rapidly. European doctors began mapping out parasite life cycles and developing more effective cures. Around 1800, Austrian physician Johann Gottfried Bremser specialized in parasitic diseases and created new treatments for infected patients, particularly among the poor. The number of known parasites and remedies expanded.

By the late 1800s and early 1900s, national deworming campaigns became common in some countries — the Rockefeller Foundation, for instance, launched major programs to eradicate hookworm among rural Americans. Meanwhile in Europe, living standards and medical knowledge improved: parasites were still considered a threat, but now pharmaceutical extracts like male fern and thymol were used to kill worms. Human deworming thus remained a real part of public health efforts well into the early 20th century, especially where infections were widespread.

Why Did We Stop Deworming Humans?

By the mid-1900s, deworming in wealthy nations began to phase out — not from neglect, but because of advances in public health. Improved sanitation, clean water, and hygiene drastically reduced the spread of intestinal worms in Europe even before modern drugs existed. Roundworm, tapeworm, and other parasites found it increasingly hard to infect populations that had sewage systems, clean food, and less contact with contaminated soil.

By the 1960s, modern antiparasitic drugs such as mebendazole were developed, making treatment simple and effective when needed. The result? Intestinal worms quickly became rare in high-income regions. Researchers note that fecal–oral parasites virtually disappeared from Europe after the 1960s, except for occasional cases among travelers. As parasites ceased to be a major public health issue, regular deworming for everyone was no longer necessary — the focus shifted to prevention (hygiene) and targeted treatment of isolated cases. Mass deworming continued mainly in developing countries where parasites remained endemic. In the developed world, the practice faded into obscurity — most of us today grow up without ever taking a deworming medicine.

We Still Deworm Our Pets

Interestingly, while humans stopped routine deworming, we still do it for our pets. Dogs and cats are regularly dewormed to keep them healthy and parasite-free. Veterinarians recommend deworming alongside annual vaccinations as a preventive measure. Kittens and puppies are dewormed several times in their first months of life since they can become infected through their mother’s milk. Outdoor cats may need deworming every three months due to hunting prey that carry parasite eggs.

The goal of this regular deworming is to prevent serious issues such as diarrhea, weight loss, anemia, or coat problems — and to stop parasites from spreading to other animals or even humans. The irony is clear: while we rarely think about deworming ourselves, we see it as completely normal to give our pets a worm treatment. It highlights how vital parasite control is considered for health — at least for our four-legged friends.

Parasite Cleansing Returns to Modern Health & Biohacking

In recent years, parasite cleansing has re-emerged as a modern wellness trend. In biohacking and alternative-health circles, “parasite cleanses” — detox protocols to rid the body of parasites — are promoted as a way to optimize wellbeing. On social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, thousands share their experiences with herbal tinctures and detox programs that supposedly “flush out” worms from the body. Some videos have hundreds of thousands of views, showing what users believe are expelled parasites and reporting improved health afterward.

Proponents claim parasites are an overlooked cause of various chronic symptoms — from fatigue and digestive issues to skin problems — and that cleansing the body can lead to dramatic improvements. Although scientific evidence remains limited, enthusiasm among practitioners and followers is high. Many biohackers, naturopaths, and health enthusiasts report subjective benefits after cleansing: sharper mental clarity, more energy, better digestion, and clearer skin.

The theory is that even in the modern Western world, small “hidden” parasites might persist — acquired through travel, raw foods, or pets — and subtly burden the body. By eliminating them, one might fine-tune health and reduce chronic inflammation.

Longevity and the “Clean Body” Concept

Within the longevity movement — focused on extending healthspan and lifespan — a parasite-free body is sometimes seen as one piece of the anti-aging puzzle. Anything that reduces chronic inflammation and improves nutrient absorption is considered beneficial for slowing biological aging. Thus, some alternative practitioners recommend an annual parasite cleanse as part of a preventive wellness routine, similar to other detox practices. Nutritional therapists may suggest herbal parasite protocols once or twice a year to keep the gut in peak condition.

Reported potential benefits of modern parasite cleansing include:

• Optimized nutrient absorption: Eliminating parasites may prevent them from stealing nutrients, allowing the body to utilize vitamins and minerals more effectively.

• Reduced inflammation: Chronic infections can trigger low-grade inflammation; clearing them may ease immune load and create a calmer internal environment.

• Increased energy and mental clarity: Many users report feeling more energized and focused, likely due to improved gut health and less systemic stress.

• Improved digestive balance: Parasite cleanses often involve dietary shifts (e.g. reducing sugar) and adding probiotics, which help restore the gut microbiome.

• Clearer skin and fewer irritations: Skin issues such as acne or itching have reportedly improved when underlying parasitic causes were addressed.

This revival of parasite cleansing carries a curious optimism. Rather than being dismissed as old superstition, deworming is being reframed as biohacking — a tool for experimental self-optimization. Bloggers and wellness influencers eagerly share their protocols: combinations of herbal extracts (typically wormwood, black walnut, and clove — the classic “parasite cleanse trio”), liver and gut support supplements, and sometimes even coffee enemas, all designed to make the body inhospitable to parasites.

While mainstream medicine remains skeptical, the movement continues to grow, fueled by social media where people compare “cleansed” parasites and share detailed health transformations.

A Bridge Between Past and Present

What was once an unpleasant but necessary part of historical healthcare has now entered the modern wellness world. Parasite cleansing bridges past and present: our ancestors’ insight that a parasite-free body is often a healthier one meets today’s quest to optimize every aspect of wellbeing. Though mass deworming is long gone in developed nations, the concept is finding new life in smaller, voluntary detox protocols for dedicated biohackers and health seekers.

In an age when we already filter our water, take probiotics, and choose organic food to avoid toxins, parasite cleansing appears to some as the next logical step in health hacking. With a positive outlook and renewed respect for ancestral wisdom reinterpreted through modern science, parasite detox becomes a fascinating link between tradition and innovation.

Perhaps there’s truth in the old saying, “old ways know best.” A traditional deworming cure, done wisely, might just be what a modern human needs to rebalance their inner ecosystem and feel their best. Regardless of where future research leads, the topic remains a compelling example of how the biohacking movement revives historical health practices — giving them new meaning in the pursuit of optimal wellbeing.