I often find many GAPS clients do not realize there is a deeper battle going on within their microbiome. Many times, after a year on the protocol, if we are still seeing recurring issues, we need to take a step back and evaluate that parasites may need to be addressed at this point.
Our normal gut inhabitants include different microbes, and this also includes different worms and parasites. When the beneficial bacteria are no longer able to do their job adequately, we get an over growth of parasites, worm, and other pathogens, which can have negative effect on the system as a whole.
Parasites can be tricky and difficult to eradicate. This is because they have different stages of their life cycle. Some like to reside in different areas of the body and then lay eggs in the intestinal tract which eventually get swallowed and go back into the digestive system once again, a viscous cycle not easily stopped.
Common symptoms of a parasite issue:
o Digestive issues (constipation or diarrhea)
o Gas or bloating
o Allergies
o Weight loss
o Irritable Bowel Syndrome
o Sleep difficulties
o Itchy ears, nose, or anus
o Teeth Grinding
o Abdominal pain
o Brain fog
o Anxiety/ Depression
o Headaches
o Fatigue
o Skin issues
o Iron Deficiency Anemia
o This list goes on
Parasites can cause many unwanted health issues. They can steal nutrients from the foods we are eating leading to malnutrition. Parasites can also contribute to creating holes in the wall of the intestinal lining causing a leaky gut which we often see in GAPS situations.
The Mimosa Pudica seed has an amazing ability to kick out these pesty worms and parasites. Many people are unaware of this miraculous herb and are unsure of its amazing role in the digestive system. Before we dive in more into the topic at hand, let’s quickly look at the other uses and benefits of this plant:
o Anti-venom activity
o Wound healing
o Anti-anxiety & anti-depressant
o Anti-inflammatory
o Anti-parasite
o Aids in joint pain, soothes ulcers
o Anti-microbial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral properties
There are different parts of the mimosa pudica plant that are used (the root, leaf extracts, and seed are a few). For the purposes of this post, we are focusing specifically on the Mimosa Pudica seed and its anti-parasitic effects.
Mimosa Pudica Seed & Fertility
If you have researched this previously, you have likely come across that mimosa pudica is not recommended when trying to become pregnant or during pregnancy due to its anti-fertility properties. Let’s break this down because this does not provide all of the information.
Mimosa pudica root, specifically, had been used in India as a temporary form of birth control. There have been different animal studies that suggest that the leaf or root extracts can affect hormone levels and/or affect fertility. The Mimosa Pudica seed has not shown a negative effect on fertility. There have been many other stories shared of couples who have used the seed long term and have been able to conceive without adverse effect and continuing to take this throughout the course of the pregnancy and giving birth to healthy babies.
Parasites are directly linked to infertility in both men and women. Utilizing the mimosa pudica seed can actually address and improve this concern. We do know we do not want to cause a lot of die-off or detoxing during pregnancy. The mimosa pudica seeds job is more so for moving the critters out, therefore there is not a noted concern during pregnancy.
Will you see worms getting excreted?
Not everyone sees critters in their stool when taking mimosa pudica seed. You may see the seeds themselves. The sticky gut scrubbers grab onto parasites, biofilm and toxins and pulls them out of your system into the stool. Some may see the larger worms or helminths in their stool, but in reality, about 70% are microscopic. Many parasites release different enzymes that actually dissolve their bodies as they die off. Even though you may not see these things visibly in your stool, does not mean they are not there.
How will it affect my bowels?
Parasites and other bugs can affect your bowels such as constipation, diarrhea, or IBS symptoms. Over time, mimosa pudica seed can help to normalize bowel movements. Some people when starting mimosa pudica seed, may have looser stools and other can experience constipation because when you kill parasites, they can cause a backup in your bowels. It is important to make sure you are moving your bowels regularly and clearing your detox pathways.
Can Mimosa Pudica stop working?
No. It is not true that parasites can become “immune” to the seed. It is not something that parasites can build a tolerance against. They function by grabbing these organisms and moving them out of your gut into the stool.
Taking Mimosa Pudica Seed
There is increasing evidence and support of how well mimosa pudica seed works as evidenced by patients visibly seeing worms being expelled in their stool. Dr. Jockers reports that this is especially helpful for helminths and nematodes, larger sized worms. He reports there are no side effects and no adverse reactions that have been shown with dosages up to 20 capsules daily.
The mimosa pudica seed is a sticky substance that acts as a “gut scrubber”, this aids in sticking to these critters and helping to aid in removing them from the digestive system during their various life cycles. Mimosa pudica seed is a good polysaccharide which gels up, and can also promote the beneficial microbes in the microbiome.
It is important, if you do not see changes in your stools, to continue using the mimosa pudica seed. Many of these critters are microscopic. Pay attention to your symptoms and if you see improvements. We have found a lot of people stop taking it too soon. Some may need to take it for a few months to see results, others may need to take it for a few years. They do recommend continuing for at least a minimum of 3 months. You may also increase your dose as tolerated up to 5 capsules twice daily. You may also need the support of additional herbs to help kill the parasites as the mimosa pudica seed does its job to pull them out. It is important to take mimosa pudica seed on an empty stomach about 30-60 minutes before eating. The concept behind this is that the parasites will eat the mimosa pudica instead of your meal helping to remove them.
Mimosa Pudica Seed Challenge
If you are not seeing results quickly enough or you have reached a stand-still in your healing, a mimosa pudica seed challenge helps to take these pests by surprise.
For the first time you do the challenge, you take 2 capsules every hour upon waking with plenty of water while fasting. The goal is to do this for 8 hours. Some may choose to do a shorter time frame if they cannot tolerate this length. Others who have done the challenge previously can take more of the mimosa pudica seed hourly. With any parasite cleanse, it is optimal to try to do this around the full moon when they are most active. The challenge can be a useful tool if you have hit a plateau or you have persistent gut issues that are not improving.
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