Parasites (Krimi)
Causes: Both internal and external forms of parasites
exist. Sweat, Kapha, blood, and feces are the 4 causes.
There are 20 species of parasites.
External (Báhya): Parasites are the result of poor
hygiene; they are the size, shape, and color of sesame
seeds, have many legs, and reside in the hair and
clothes. Two types exist: head lice and body lice. Head
lice are black, and hide in the roots of hair. Body lice
are white and reside in the hairs of the pubis and
armpit, and are also found in clothes, particularly in
the seams. Both are passed from person to another
on combs, brushes, clothes, and other personal
belongings, or their eggs are transmitted on loose
hairs. They produce rashes, eruptions, itching, and
small tumors.
Internal (Abhyantara): Arise from aggravated
doßhas through unsuitable foods and life-styles,
harmful or unethical actions such as scolding,
defaming, killing, robbing, or unethical past life
actions. The aggravated doßhas invade all the channels
inside the body, vitiating the skin, lymph, blood, and
muscles, making these areas welcome spots for
parasites to live. They are also caused by too many
sweets, molasses, milk, yogurt, grains, Kapha grains
(Kapha parasites), leafy vegetables (that cause more
feces), and green legumes (feces parasites).
Kapha: Parasites reside in the stomach and small
intestine. When they increase in number, they move
throughout the alimentary tract. Their size and shape
vary. Seven species exist. They cause nausea, excess
salivation, indigestion, loss of taste and appetite,
fainting, vomiting, fever, gas, abdominal distention,
emaciation, excess sneezing and nasal mucus.
Blood (Raktaja): Parasites reside in the blood
vessels, are very small, without legs, round, copper
colored, and are of six species. Symptoms include
skin discoloration, burning, itching, pricking pain,
raised patches, and symptoms of other skin diseases.
These parasites are related to malaria, filaria, bacilli
(leprosy), and viruses in the blood, liver, and spleen.
They come from mosquito, flea, and bedbug bites.
Some parasites are carried in the alimentary tracts of
people who help with health maintenance.
Feces (Puríßhaja): Reside in the colon, usually
moving downwards. When they increase in number
they travel up to the stomach and small intestine. Then
they cause the smell of feces in the mouth, belching,
and exhalations. They are thick, round, thin, and
threadlike, or thick, blue, yellow, white or black, and
of five species. They cause diarrhea, dysentery,
abdominal pain; they also cause food to remain
undigested in the stomach, emaciation, poor digestion,
and rectal itching when feces are expelled.
Sweet—causes growth of parasites: Kapha/feces—
intestinal parasites (round-worms, hook-worms,
threadworms, tapeworms, amoebas, and eggs enter
the body through infected water and food, when
improperly cooked or cleaned. A strong digestion
destroys the eggs and parasites, a weak digestion
allows the eggs and parasites to grow and harm the
person.
Therapies: Parasites are more common in Váyu and
Kapha doßhas, usually associated with áma or
undigested foods. Long-term infestation causes
wasting of tissues and deranging Váyu. Parasites are
found in the three doßhas in
Váyu: Stool
Pitta: Blood
Kapha: Mucus or mucus membranes, stomach, or
small intestine.
General- Tridoßhic:
1) First, a detoxification diet (áma reduction),
avoiding sweets, meats, dairy, fried foods, and
yeast products, while eating more lightly steamed
vegetables.
2) Purgation first, then 3 to 5 days on antiparasitic
herbs. For gentle purgation a cup of triphalá tea
with two teaspoons of castor oil are be taken upon
rising. By noon, three to five stools are passed. A
stronger purgation involves making a rhubarb tea
before bed (1 tsp. rhubarb powder). Rhubarb also
has antiparasitical properties.
3) Immune-boosting formulas like siddha
makardhwaj, kuþajahan vati and kuþajariähta help
quickly overcome parasites.
Váyu: Certain herbs cause agni (digestive fire) to
burn up the parasites: Hi´g, black pepper, cayenne,
triphalá, musta. A Váyu-reduction diet avoiding rich
and sweet foods, and using hot spices and castor oil
purgatives. If malnourished or weak, a¤hwagandhá,
balá, or ginseng are added.
Pitta: Bitter tastes cleanse and reduce worms. Herbs
include viæa´ga (the main Áyurvedic herb for
worms), kuóaj (the main herb for amebic parasites—
especially for amoebic dysentery), kaóuká, tulsí, betel
nuts, musta, aloe gel, and chitrak. Pumpkin seeds
may also be eaten freely throughout the day. Castor
oil purgatives are also useful. A Pitta-reduction diet
includes lots of raw foods, vegetable juices, and
greens, and omits hot spices.
Kapha: Bitter tastes cleanse and reduce worms,
viæa´ga (the main Áyurvedic herb for worms), kuóaj
(main herb for parasites), kaóuká, tulsí, betel nuts,
chiráyatá and musta, agni- (digestive fire) promoting
herbs to burn up the parasites: hi´g, black pepper,
pippalí, and ginger. Pumpkin seeds may also be
eaten freely throughout the day. An anti-Kapha diet
with lots of hot spices (consume until sweating begins),
sugar, and dairy are avoided; rhubarb root is
used as a purgative.
