Toxoplasmosis is considered to be a leading cause of death attributed to foodborne illness in the United States. More than 40 million men, women, and children in the U.S. carry the Toxoplasma parasite, but very few have symptoms because the immune system usually keeps the parasite from causing illness. However, women newly infected with Toxoplasma during or shortly before pregnancy and anyone with a compromised immune system should be aware that toxoplasmosis can have severe consequences.

Toxoplasmosis Prevention Methods

To help prevent toxoplasma infection, it is essential to thoroughly wash your hands after handling cat litter, soil, or raw meat. Avoid eating food possibly contaminated with cat feces. It is also extremely important to cook food at safe temperatures. Make sure to use a food thermometer to measure your cooked meat’s internal temperature. The following are some prevention guidelines against toxoplasmosis:

•  Cook whole cuts of meat at a minimum of 145 degrees Fahrenheit, and allow for three minutes of rest time before consumption. Ground meat should be cooked at 160 degrees Fahrenheit, and no rest time is required.
• The cooking temperature exception is poultry, which should be cooked at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Three minutes of rest time is also required.
• The chance of infection is significantly reduced from freezing meat for several days at sub-zero temperatures.
• Wash or peel fruits and vegetables thoroughly before consumption.
• After coming in contact with raw poultry, meat, seafood, or unwashed vegetables and fruit, always wash counters, utensils, dishes, and cutting boards.
• Oysters, mussels, or clams should not be eaten raw, since they may be contaminated with Toxoplasma from seawater.
• Always wear gloves when gardening or contacting soil or sand. Afterward, hands should be washed with warm water and soap.

4 Natural Remedies for Toxoplasmosis

Black walnut: Black walnut (Juglans nigra) is considered an effective herb against toxoplasmosis. It contains natural tannins that fight fungus, yeast, and parasites. According to a recent study published in the journal Experimental Parasitology, a chemical found in black walnut called juglone exhibits antibacterial, antiviral, anti-cancer, and anti-parasitic properties. Research has found that black walnut is effective against up to 100 different parasites in the body. Black walnut also contains the chemical hydrojuglone that has an anti-parasitic effect.

Garlic: Garlic (Allium sativum) supplementation is the perfect treatment for toxoplasmosis. The remedy has antimicrobial, antibiotic, antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, anthelmintic, and anti-parasitic properties. Garlic cloves, garlic tablets, and garlic juice can all help prevent the reproduction of parasites like toxoplasma.

Nutmeg essential oil: Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) is the seed kernel inside the fruit of the nutmeg tree. Nutmeg essential oil showed significant inhibiting activity in an in vitro anti-Toxoplasma gondii assay during a study presented at the Third International Conference on Biotechnology and Food Science. The result was considered comparable to the standard antibacterial drug clindamycin.

Oregano oil: Oregano (Origanum vulgare) essential oil contains a monoterpenic phenol isomeric called carvacrol. It is known to display many protective activities such as antitumor, antimicrobial, antibacterial, insecticidal, and anti-parasitic. Oregano oil also contains another potent substance called thymol that has been found to treat parasites.

Other Toxoplasmosis Treatments

Other remedies that fight parasites include goldenseal, peppermint, rhubarb, propolis, probiotics, grapefruit seed extract, Coptis, wormwood, Oregon grape root, pau d’arco, male fern, clove, turmeric, psyllium husks, aloe vera juice, coconut oil, restharrow oil, horsetail oil, Croton cajucara oil, epazote, cinnamon stick, and black seed.