Parasites, the Environment, and the Whole-Being Connection

How Horses, Dogs, Cats, and Even Humans Are Impacted—And What We Can Do About It

Parasites are more than just an occasional inconvenience. Whether we’re talking about intestinal worms in horses, fleas and hookworms in dogs and cats, or protozoal infections in humans, parasitic burden can be both a health risk and a reflection of deeper imbalances—in the environment, the body, and even the diet.

Understanding how parasites thrive—and how to support both prevention and recovery—requires us to look at the whole picture: not just what parasite is present, but why the host was vulnerable in the first place.

Contrasting Environments: A sunny, clean pasture promotes healthier living conditions for animals, while a polluted and neglected area increases exposure to parasites.

Environmental Influence: How Ecosystems Support Parasites

Environmental factors are one of the most critical—and often overlooked—determinants in parasite prevalence. Parasites don’t exist in isolation; they rely on the right conditions to thrive and spread.

Poor sanitation, contaminated water, and lack of proper waste management create ideal conditions for parasites such as Giardia, Entamoeba histolytica, and roundworms. Moisture, warmth, and soil quality also determine whether parasite eggs or larvae can survive long enough to infect a new host.

Natural variations in weather patterns, rainfall, and seasonal changes can influence the presence and spread of parasites. In particularly wet or warm seasons, parasite survival and transmission rates tend to rise. Additionally, shifts in land use—such as converting forests to farmland or overgrazed pastures—disrupt ecosystems and increase exposure to parasites through changes in wildlife movement, insect populations, and soil health. Overcrowded living spaces, shared yards, and confined pastures can compound the issue, making transmission more likely across species.

Why Some Hosts Get Hit Harder

Not every animal—or person—will respond to a parasite the same way. Host susceptibility is shaped by immune status, gut health, and nutrition. Malnutrition or low-protein diets weaken the immune system and reduce the host’s ability to fight off parasitic infection. Chronic stress, inflammation, and gut microbiome imbalances also create a more inviting environment for parasites to take hold. Genetics play a role as well. Some individuals and breeds are naturally more resilient, while others are more prone to recurring infections or heavier burdens. A healthy, well-nourished host supported by a balanced internal ecosystem is much less likely to experience parasite-related illness—even when exposure occurs.

Sanitation: The First Line of Defense

Key sanitation steps to break the parasite cycle include removing manure regularly, avoiding overstocking, mowing and rotating pastures, and disposing of feces properly.

Clean environments help break the parasite life cycle before it can cause trouble. Whether it’s a backyard, barn, litter box, or pasture—waste removal matters.

For Horses:

• Remove manure every 24–72 hours

• Rotate pastures to prevent overgrazing near fecal matter

• Harrow/drag only in hot, dry weather to expose larvae to lethal sunlight

For Dogs and Cats:

• Scoop and dispose of feces promptly

• Clean litter boxes daily

• Wash bedding frequently to reduce fleas and tapeworm carriers

• Disinfect hard surfaces when needed (a 10% bleach solution is helpful for roundworm eggs)

These simple actions drastically reduce the chances of reinfection and support the effectiveness of any herbal or medical treatment.

The Problem with Over-Reliance on Dewormers

Chemical dewormers can be useful tools—but they are increasingly overused, leading to serious problems like parasite resistance, gut microbiome damage, and toxicity.

Frequent or improper dosing selects for resistant parasite strains. Once those resistant genes take hold, the same medication no longer works. Without proper refugia (a population of untreated parasites to maintain sensitivity), resistance escalates quickly—especially in large herds or multi-pet households.

Side effects can include:

• Digestive upset

• Liver or kidney strain

• Reduced bone strength

• Neurological symptoms (especially with overdose)

• Developmental risks in pregnant animals

Holistic care must consider the whole picture, not just the presence of worms.

Herbal Support for Parasite Balance

Herbs offer a more integrative approach—working not just to eliminate parasites, but to support the body's immune system, digestion, and long-term resilience.

Some herbs expel or paralyze worms, while others make the gut less hospitable or disrupt reproductive cycles. Many provide immune modulation, liver support, and tissue healing, helping the host recover and resist reinfection. But most importantly, herbs don’t just remove parasites—they help restore the body with critical nutrients, minerals, and plant compounds that strengthen immunity and rebuild balance. They nourish as they cleanse.

At Wholehearted Harmony, our species-specific blends are carefully crafted for this purpose:

• 🐴 Equine Anti-Parasitic Support

• 🐶 K9 Anti-Parasitic Support

• ☕ Parasitic Cleanse Herbal Tea for humans

• 🐱 Feline version in the works

Key Herbs and How They Work

A guide to anti-parasitic herbs, highlighting natural remedies like wormwood and clove for expelling parasites and enhancing health.

Certain herb when used in conjunction with other herbs pack a more potent punch, especially when synergistically blended properly. They also nourish the body with essential minerals and vitamins, support the immune system, and ease the detoxification process. Together, they form a strong, short-term anti-parasitic blend that helps eliminate worms while rebuilding gut health and resilience.

• Diatomaceous Earth (DE): Effective against roundworms, whipworms, pinworms, and hookworms. Works by mechanically damaging parasites’ outer coatings, leading to dehydration and death. Rich in natural minerals including magnesium, sodium, iron, calcium, silicon, and trace elements that support tissue repair and mineral balance.

• Clove: A powerful natural anthelmintic known for its ability to expel intestinal worms and disrupt the lifecycle of internal parasites.

• Elecampane Root: Known for its strong expelling properties, especially against roundworms, pinworms, hookworms, whipworms, and threadworms.

• Neem (cut & sifted): Prevents parasite reproduction by disrupting molting and reproductive cycles—helping stop the life cycle in its tracks.

• Cascara Sagrada: Helps expel dead parasites from the digestive tract, promoting gentle but effective elimination.

• Rosehips: The seeds specifically hinder worm development and assist in their removal. Also high in vitamin C and antioxidant compounds to support immune strength and gut lining repair.

• Licorice Root: Interferes with mitochondrial function in parasites, leading to cellular stress and parasite death. Also known for its soothing, anti-inflammatory effects on the digestive tract.

• Wormwood: Long revered for its action against pinworms, roundworms, and tapeworms. Highly effective in short-term use for parasite cleansing.

These herbs blended together are a strong, short-term anti-parasitic—but also full of vitamins, minerals, and restorative compounds that help with the elimination process, build immune resilience, and soothe the gut along the way. Of course, there are many other herbs that offer antiparasitic properties as well, and the right approach depends on the individual—be it horse, dog, cat, or human. That’s why personalized consultations and herb testing can be so valuable: no two bodies are the same, and neither are their needs.

Wholehearted Harmon'y blends are best used during the full moon cycle, when parasitic activity is believed to peak and the body is naturally more responsive. While some individuals or animals may require more frequent use depending on parasitic burden, most can simply follow the instructions provided for safe and effective use.

These are short-term, powerful formulas—not daily supplements—and should be used intentionally, ideally alongside fecal testing and species-appropriate support.

Testing: When Guessing Isn’t Enough

Symptoms can be vague or absent, so it’s important to use diagnostic tools:

• Fecal Exams (O&P): Check for eggs, cysts, or visible parasites in stool

• Blood Smear or Serology: Detects bloodborne parasites like Babesia or heartworm

• PCR Testing: Identifies parasite DNA with high sensitivity

• Other Tools: Imaging, endoscopy, or repeat samples if symptoms persist

Routine testing helps guide treatment—preventing unnecessary deworming and confirming when support is needed.

Species-Appropriate Diets: The Foundation of Resistance

A species-appropriate, whole-food diet is one of the best long-term defenses against parasitic stress. Here’s how it helps:

• Supports immune strength through adequate protein, vitamins, and trace minerals

• Feeds the gut microbiome, which helps resist colonization and supports inflammation control

• May include plant compounds with natural anti-parasitic properties (as seen in wild animals and ancestral diets)

Examples from research:

• Deer mice on insect-inclusive diets had greater resistance to ticks

• Goats on well-balanced forage with mineral support showed stronger natural defenses

• Bumblebees fed diverse pollen had greater immune competence

The key? Diversity, quality, and alignment with the species’ natural biology. A raw-fed dog, a forage-fed horse, or a clean, whole-food human diet all reduce the internal terrain that parasites thrive in.

Recognizing the Signs of Parasite Overload

In Horses:

• Weight loss, rough coat, diarrhea, or poor performance

• Tail rubbing (pinworms), nasal discharge (lungworms), colic (strongyles, tapeworms)

• Foals may show stunted growth or diarrhea (threadworms)

• Bots may cause stomach irritation or

• impaction

• In severe cases: anemia or death

In Dogs & Cats:

• Weight loss, bloating, dull coat, diarrhea, or vomiting

• Visible worms in stool or around anus

• Scooting, coughing, lethargy, anemia, or appetite changes

• Pot-bellied appearance in puppies/kittens

• Hookworms can interfere with blood clotting and cause anemia

In Humans:

• Bloating, gas, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal cramping

• Fatigue, unexplained weight changes, anemia, or itching (especially at night)

• Skin rashes or larva migrans (raised itchy tracks beneath the skin)

• Specific parasites:

  • Giardia: bloating and diarrhea

  • Cryptosporidium: profuse diarrhea

  • Pinworms: intense anal itching

  • Hookworm (zoonotic): itchy skin tracks from larval migration

The Full Moon Connection: Nature’s Rhythmic Influence

Many holistic practitioners observe that parasitic symptoms worsen near the full moon. This may be due to decreased melatonin and increased serotonin—two hormonal shifts that can reduce immune vigilance and stimulate parasite activity.

Some cleanse protocols intentionally align with this cycle, starting a few days before the full moon and continuing several days after, when parasites are believed to be more active and vulnerable.

Final Thoughts: It’s Not About Fear—It’s About Wisdom

Most animals—and people—carry some level of parasites. It’s normal. But when that load becomes too high, symptoms can appear, often silently at first. The goal isn’t complete eradication; it’s balance, resilience, and awareness.

By combining clean environments, proper testing, appropriate herbal support, and species-specific diets, we can reduce the risks and support whole-being wellness—for horses, pets, and humans alike.

🌿 With love, herbs, and harmony

Debbi, Wholehearted Harmony

Subscribe To Never Miss Our Blogs