Parasites: The Hidden Hitchhikers Sabotaging Your Skin

By Dr. Sofía Swatt, DNM, PhD

A Modern Parasite Problem

Imported produce, household pets, international travel, and even municipal water all increase our exposure to protozoa and helminths. These organisms flourish in the gut, siphon off nutrients, and dump metabolic waste that stresses the liver, lymph, and skin.

Heavy Metals: The Hidden Enablers

Parasites, pathogenic bacteria, and opportunistic Candida species thrive in the presence of heavy metals such as mercury, lead, and cadmium. Metals:

• Bind to bacterial cell walls, shielding microbes from immune attack.

• Disrupt beneficial strains (e.g., Lactobacillus spp.), tilting the gut ecosystem toward opportunists.

• Chelate sulfur compounds, starving detox enzymes of cysteine and glutathione and prolonging systemic inflammation.

Because metals “feed” microbial overgrowth, a staged protocol is essential:

• Mobilize and bind metals first (see Section 5).

• Then target parasites, Candida, and dysbiotic bacteria with synergistic herbals.

• Finally rebuild terrain with probiotics and prebiotic fibers matched to individual microbiome gaps.

How Parasites Trigger Skin Issues

When parasites settle in the gut, they set off a cascade of internal changes that quickly show up on the skin:

• Gut-lining irritation and leak: Parasites inflame and erode the intestinal wall, allowing undigested food particles and endotoxins to slip into circulation. This “leaky gut” response often surfaces as eczema patches, hives, or sudden rosacea flares.

• Excess histamine release: Many parasites stimulate mast cells and basophils, flooding the system with histamine. The result is classic allergy-type skin reactions—persistent itching, diffuse redness, or localized welts that resist topical creams.

• Nutrient theft: By consuming or blocking absorption of zinc, vitamin A, essential fatty acids, and B-vitamins, parasites deprive the skin of materials needed for repair. Wounds heal slowly, the barrier becomes fragile, and chronic dryness or cracking can set in.

• Biotoxin overload: Parasites produce metabolic waste that the liver and lymph must process. When those pathways clog, toxins are pushed through pores instead, fueling cystic acne, a dull or gray complexion, and that “toxic” skin look no amount of exfoliation fixes.

In short, the gut–skin conversation turns sharply negative when parasites move in, making internal cleanup essential for lasting clear, glowing, vibrant skin.

Herbal Eradication

For centuries, traditional systems have used botanicals to dislodge parasites while protecting gut tissue:

• Black walnut hull contains juglone and tannins, which help paralyze intestinal worms and tighten the gut wall, reducing permeability and leakage of parasite by-products into the bloodstream.

• Wormwood (Artemisia annua), rich in sesquiterpene lactones, disrupts parasite metabolic processes and stimulates bile flow through its bitter action—both of which support detox and proper digestion.

• Berberine-containing herbs like Coptis and Goldenseal are packed with berberine alkaloids, offering strong antiprotozoal activity and helping to rebalance the microbiome by suppressing harmful bacteria while sparing beneficial strains.

• Clove bud, which contains the active compound eugenol, is particularly effective at destroying parasite eggs, preventing reinfection cycles. It also offers broad-spectrum antifungal activity, making it valuable in cases where Candida overgrowth coexists with parasites.

• Neem, rich in azadirachtin, interferes with parasite hormonal signaling, disrupting their reproductive cycles and reducing their ability to thrive in the intestinal environment.

• Finally, pumpkin seeds provide cucurbitin, a compound known to dislodge tapeworms from the intestinal wall, physically assisting in their removal from the digestive tract.

Clearing Parasites Safely (with lunar timing)

A comprehensive, plant-based parasite protocol should be timed and tailored for maximum effect. Interestingly, many practitioners observe that parasite activity increases during the full moon. This is due to a combination of hormonal, circadian, and neurotransmitter shifts—particularly increased serotonin and melatonin fluctuations—which may stimulate parasite reproduction and movement.

Why it matters:

• During full moons, people often report worsened bloating, insomnia, sugar cravings, itching, and skin flare-ups—classic signs of parasitic agitation.

• Targeting parasites during this window may make herbal antimicrobials more effective, as the organisms are more active and less protected.

How to use it:

• Start your parasite-clearing herbs a few days before the full moon and continue for 5–7 days.

• Combine with binders, drainage support, and grounding practices to offset possible die-off symptoms.

Binders & Metal Mobilizers

Before beginning any parasite-clearing protocol, it’s essential to mobilize and eliminate heavy metals, which often shield parasites and opportunistic microbes in biofilms. This step involves a strategic combination of agents used in a specific sequence:

1. Start with a chelation primer, such as cilantro, humic-fulvic acid complexes, or a low dose of liposomal EDTA. These agents help loosen metals from deep tissues and biofilms, making them more accessible for removal.

2. Once metals are mobilized, it’s important to follow up with a binder—options like activated charcoal from coconut shell, bentonite clay, or modified citrus pectin are excellent choices. These substances act like sponges in the gastrointestinal tract, binding heavy metals and parasite-derived toxins, ensuring they’re safely escorted out of the body via the stool rather than being reabsorbed.

3. Timing matters. For best results, take binders 30 to 60 minutes before meals or herbal antimicrobials. This ensures they do not interfere with nutrient absorption or reduce the potency of your botanicals.

Sequencing the Protocol

1. Assess & Map – Stool PCR to identify parasites, yeast, and bacterial strains; hair or urine test for heavy metals.

2. Open Drainage – Daily bowel movements, adequate bile flow, mineral repletion.

3. Metal Mobilization + Binder – 2–4 weeks.

4. Herbal Parasite + Candida Phase – 4–6 weeks, often in pulsed cycles (5 days on, 2 days off).

5. Rebuild Microbiome – Strain-specific probiotics (e.g., L. rhamnosus for histamine balance) and resistant starch.

6. Retest & Adjust – 8–12 weeks post-protocol.

Professional Guidance Matters

The exact mix of parasites, bacteria, fungi, and metals is unique to each gut ecosystem. Incorrect sequencing or dosing can trigger severe die-off reactions, nutrient depletion, or microbial rebound. A qualified practitioner can:

• Interpret PCR and metal panels.

• Tailor herbals to individual microbiome.

• Adjust binders, electrolytes, and liver supports in real time.

Key Takeaway

Heavy metals enable parasites and Candida; parasites inflame the gut and skin. A plant-based, staged protocol—metals first, microbes second, terrain rebuild last—removes the root triggers without damaging the microbiome. Guided herbal therapy, strategic binders, and personalized sequencing can transform stubborn skin problems by healing from the inside out.

References

Alyousif, M. S., Al-Shawa, Y. R., & Al-Khalifa, M. S. (2015). Efficacy of neem (Azadirachta indica) and wormwood (Artemisia annua) extracts against helminth parasites: An in vivo study. Journal of Parasitic Diseases, 39(4), 698–703. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12639-013-0403-9

Ghosh, S., & Playford, R. J. (2003). Bioactive natural compounds for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. Clinical Science, 104(6), 547–556. https://doi.org/10.1042/CS20020314

Gorbach, S. L. (2000). Probiotics and gastrointestinal health. The American Journal of Gastroenterology, 95(1 Suppl), S2–S4. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0002-9270(99)00806-0

Guan, Y., Hu, J., Wang, X., & Shao, J. (2020). Mechanisms of heavy metal exposure on gut microbiota and its correlation with human diseases. Frontiers in Genetics, 11, 566. https://doi.org/10.3389/fgene.2020.00566

Kosalec, I., Pepeljnjak, S., & Kušan, I. (2005). Mycotoxins and fungi in fermented food. Croatian Medical Journal, 46(1), 107–112.

Kumar, S., & Singh, S. (2015). Wormwood (Artemisia annua): A traditional herb for modern medicine. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, 3(5), 147–151.

Müller, M., & Kersten, S. (2003). Nutritional modulation of gut microbiota – the role of polyphenols. Nutrition, 19(5), 373–376. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0899-9007(02)01093-5

Sears, M. E., Kerr, K. J., & Bray, R. I. (2012). Arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury in sweat: A systematic review. Journal of Environmental and Public Health, 2012, 184745. https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/184745

Tang, Y., Gong, Y., Wu, Y., Wu, J., & Liu, J. (2016). Efficacy of clove oil and eugenol against intestinal parasites: In vitro and in vivo studies. Parasitology Research, 115(5), 1941–1947. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-016-4946-y

Upton, R. (2001). Black Walnut Hulls Monograph. American Herbal Pharmacopoeia and Therapeutic Compendium.

Walker, W. A., & Iyengar, R. S. (2015). Breast milk, microbiota, and intestinal immune homeostasis. Pediatric Research, 77(1-2), 220–228. https://doi.org/10.1038/pr.2014.174

Infrared Saunas – Sweat It Out: Detoxing for Clear Skin in a Toxic World

By Dr. Sofía Swatt, DNM, PhD

The Modern Toxic Burden

Glyphosate: Detected in 80 percent of U.S. urine samples.

PFAS “forever chemicals:” Found in almost every blood sample tested.

Industrial chemicals in newborns: More than 200 identified in umbilical-cord blood.

Contaminated drinking water: Over 158 million Americans have PFAS-tainted taps, plus lead, pesticide runoff, and more.

Our livers and kidneys work non-stop to process this load, but when they fall behind, the body pushes leftovers out through the skin. Acne, eczema, psoriasis, early wrinkles, and a chronically dull complexion are common signs that detox pathways are struggling.

Why Traditional Saunas Fall Short

Traditional saunas heat the air to 160–200 °F. That intense external heat can spike cortisol, the primary stress hormone. Elevated cortisol:

Slows Phase II liver detoxification.

Depletes glutathione, the master antioxidant.

Keeps the body in sympathetic “fight-or-flight” mode, closing down efficient toxin processing.

You still sweat, but mobilised toxins may stay in circulation longer—and some will simply resettle in tissues.

Gentle Heat, Deeper Detox

Infrared panels warm tissues directly at 110–140 °F, producing a comfortable, steady sweat while keeping cortisol lower. Benefits include:

Deeper penetration: Up to 1.5 inches below the skin, loosening metals stored in bone and fat.

Higher sweat volume at lower heat: More efficient removal of arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury; measurable excretion of BPA and phthalates.

Parasympathetic activation: Rest-and-digest mode supports liver, lymph, and gut function.

Skin gains: Better circulation, reduced inflammation, and fewer oxidative-stress signals that age and inflame the skin.

Don’t Forget a Binder

Mobilising toxins is only half the job; they need to leave the body, not recirculate. Take a binder 30–60 minutes before your infrared session to trap mobilised chemicals in the gut for safe elimination.

Recommended binders:

Binder Typical Dose* Key Targets

Activated charcoal (coconut shell) 500–1000 mg Heavy metals, pesticides, mycotoxins

Bentonite or zeolite clay 1 teaspoon in water Metals, ammonia, mould toxins

Chlorella (broken-cell) 2–3 g Mercury, BPA, PFAS

Modified citrus pectin 5 g Lead, cadmium, radioactive elements

*Always confirm the right product and dose with your health professional.

Safe-Use Checklist

Hydrate: 500 mL water before, sip during, 500 mL after. Add electrolytes.

Session length: Start at 10–15 minutes; work up to 30–40 minutes, 3–4 times per week.

Cool-down: Shower promptly to rinse off sweat-bound toxins.

Listen to your body: Light-headedness, palpitations, or excessive fatigue mean shorten the next session.

Contra-indications: Pregnancy, uncontrolled hypertension, and certain heart conditions—get medical clearance first.

Key Takeaway

Lowering toxic load calms systemic inflammation and frees the skin to repair. Infrared sauna—paired with a quality binder, good hydration, and gradual heat exposure—offers an efficient, low-stress way to unload metals, plastics, and chemical residues. Make it a regular part of your detox plan, and let your complexion show the results.

References

Olorunsogo, D. O., et al. (2022). Glyphosate exposure in the general population: A review of epidemiological studies. Environmental Research, 204(B), 111984.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2021). National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals. https://www.cdc.gov/exposurereport/

Environmental Working Group (EWG). (2005). Body Burden: The Pollution in Newborns. https://www.ewg.org/research/body-burden-pollution-newborns

Andrews, D., Naidenko, O. (2019). PFAS Contamination of Drinking Water Far More Prevalent Than Previously Reported. Environmental Working Group. https://www.ewg.org

Sears, M. E., Kerr, K. J., & Bray, R. I. (2012). Arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury in sweat: a systematic review. Journal of Environmental and Public Health, 2012, 184745.

Genuis, S. J., Birkholz, D., Rodushkin, I., & Beesoon, S. (2011). Blood, urine, and sweat (BUS) study: Monitoring and elimination of bioaccumulated toxic elements. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 61(2), 344–357.

Genuis, S. J., Beesoon, S., & Lobo, R. A. (2012). BPA, phthalates, and other environmental toxins: Evidence for their excretion through sweat. The Scientific World Journal, 2012, 187-189.

World Health Organization (WHO). (2019). Air pollution. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ambient-(outdoor)-air-quality-and-health

Park, S. Y., et al. (2020). Ambient air pollution and acne: A cross-sectional study of Korean adolescents. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 140(3), 552–555.e2.

Puri, P., et al. (2017). Impact of air pollution on skin: A systematic review. Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 10(3), 46–51.

From Equations to Energy – Why I Chose Natural Medicine

By Dr. Sofía Swatt, DNM, PhD

When people ask me how I became a doctor of natural medicine, they’re often surprised to hear where it all began: in engineering classrooms at UC Berkeley. I started my academic journey studying Environmental Science and Engineering, following in my mother’s footsteps and driven by a deep love for mathematics and a fascination with the natural world.

Midway through college, I found myself drawn even deeper into the world of theory and computation. I was enthralled by the mental challenge of solving technical algorithms and exploring complex theoretical frameworks, which eventually led me to pursue a master’s degree in pure mathematics. But while I was thriving academically, my body was silently crying out for help.

Behind the scenes, I was suffering from chronic gut pain so intense it would sometimes cause me to faint. My skin—another mirror of inner imbalance—was erupting in breakouts that left my self-esteem in pieces. I tried everything. I saw over a dozen specialists—dermatologists, gastroenterologists, functional doctors—ran endless labs, and followed strict elimination diets. I only ate vegetables at one point. I did infrared saunas, colonics, liver flushes, acupuncture, glutathione IV drips, homeopathy, Tibetan medicine, candida & parasite cleanses, and every gut repair supplement under the sun. I even took Accutane—not once, but three separate times. Nothing worked. In fact, the last round of Accutane made my skin worse. You name it, I tried it—and still, nothing touched the root.

At some point, I realized that the answer wasn't going to come from outside of me. I had to take healing into my own hands.

By then, I had already amassed a wealth of knowledge in the “biohacking” and quantum biology spaces, driven by my own research and relentless curiosity. It was around 2019–2020 that I started understanding the human body not just as a biochemical machine, but as an energetic field—an intelligent matrix of electricity, magnetism, and consciousness. The missing link in my healing wasn’t another supplement, restrictive diet, or lab test. It was the biofield—our body’s energetic architecture.

I came to understand that illness often begins in the outermost layers of the energy body—through emotional trauma, chronic stress, or disconnection—and then moves inward, manifesting as physical symptoms. And so, the breakthrough came not through trying harder, but through harmonizing my energy field.

This wasn’t just a hard chapter—it felt like death row. I was utterly devastated, emotionally exhausted, and out of options. I had tried everything I knew to try—and then tried more. My body was in pain every single day, my skin was a source of deep shame. I started to believe that maybe this was just going to be my life. That maybe healing wasn’t in the cards for me. It’s hard to put into words the kind of loneliness and desperation that comes from doing everything “right” and still feeling broken.

And yet, somehow, through the grace of this path, I found my way back to life. Not through a quick fix, but through deep surrender—through doing the inner work, reclaiming my emotions, and remembering who I really was beyond the diagnosis, the symptoms, the suffering. Through my training in hypnotherapy, shamanic healing, and Reiki, I was blessed to encounter teachers, mentors, and healing practitioners who helped me peel back the layers of emotional pain I hadn’t even realized I was carrying. That’s when everything shifted. My skin began to heal. My digestion stabilized. I now feel healthier, more alive, and more radiant than ever before. Not because I chased perfection, but because I committed to becoming whole. That is what saved me. And that is why I do this work now—because I know what it’s like to feel hopeless, and I know that healing is possible.

Sometimes, the answers aren’t in another pill or protocol—but in the parts of ourselves we were never taught to listen to. And when we begin there, everything can change.