COMPENDIUM ON FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE - Flipbook - Page 286
Botanical Support Strategies
Numerous botanical agents have documented anti-parasitic
activity and long histories of traditional use:
Artemisia Species (Wormwood)
Artemisia absinthium (Common Wormwood)
Contains sesquiterpene lactones, including artemisinin, with
documented anti-parasitic properties.
● Research in the Journal of Helminthology demonstrated
efficacy against adult worms in several helminth species [34].
● A clinical study reported in the Journal of Helminthology
found that patients receiving 500 mg capsules of wormwood
three times daily for 15 weeks experienced a significant
reduction in intestinal parasite burden [35].
Protocol: 500 mg three times daily, typically in capsule form, for 6-8
weeks. Often used in a pulsed approach: 2 weeks on, 1 week off,
repeated 3 times.
Artemisia annua (Sweet Wormwood)
The source of artemisinin, now a standard antimalarial drug.
● Contains additional compounds with activity against
intestinal parasites.
● In vitro studies show activity against Giardia, Entamoeba,
and various helminths [36].
Protocol: Standardized extracts providing 100-200 mg of
artemisinin daily for 30 days, often as 200 mg once daily.
Black Walnut (Juglans nigra)
Hulls contain juglone, tannins, and quinones with antimicrobial
properties.
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