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| - Last Updated on July 17, 2024 by Dr Priyamvada
Quick Take
A Facebook post propagates that betel leaf and mustard oil can extract worms through your navel. We did the fact check to term this as False.
The Claim
We came across a Facebook post which claims that you can extract worms through your navel by using betel leaf and mustard oil.
Fact Check
What are worms?
Parasitic worms, or helminths, are a group of organisms that can live and thrive inside the human body, particularly in the intestines. Common types of parasitic worms include roundworms, tapeworms, and flukes. These parasites can cause a variety of health issues, ranging from mild gastrointestinal discomfort to severe malnutrition and organ damage.
Why do humans get worms in their intestines?
Humans can contract intestinal worms through various routes. This can include consuming contaminated food or water, coming into contact with contaminated soil, or through vectors like mosquitoes. Poor sanitation and hygiene practices, particularly in areas with inadequate water treatment and waste disposal systems, significantly increase the risk of worm infections. Children are especially vulnerable due to their tendency to play in contaminated environments and their developing immune systems.
Is it possible to extract worms through the navel?
No, it is not possible to extract worms through the navel. The navel, or belly button, is not an opening through which anything can come out of the body. The navel is a scar from where the umbilical cord was attached. This cord provides nourishment from the mother to the foetus during pregnancy. Shortly after birth, the umbilical cord is cut, and the remaining stump eventually falls off. This leaves the navel as a closed scar. In rare cases, such as an umbilical hernia, the navel may become partially open. But even then, it does not function as a passageway for extracting internal contents.
Scientific evidence and medical consensus ascertain that the navel does not have a functional opening into the abdominal cavity. The claim that you can extract worms through the navel by any means, including betel leaf and mustard oil, lacks any anatomical or physiological basis.
What is the recommended way to get rid of worms from the intestine?
The proper way to eliminate intestinal worms is through the use of antiparasitic medications. These drugs target specific types of worms, disrupting their metabolism and leading to their death or expulsion from the body. Commonly used antiparasitic drugs include:
- Albendazole and mebendazole: Effective against a broad spectrum of intestinal worms.
- Praziquantel: Used for treating tapeworms and flukes.
- Ivermectin: Primarily used for roundworms and certain other parasitic infections.
In addition to medication, maintaining good hygiene practices, such as regular handwashing, drinking clean water, and properly cooking food, are essential in preventing reinfection and spreading of worms.
We sought valuable insights from Dr Anusha Dewan, a practising General Physician at Jeevan Anmol Hospital, Mayur Vihar, New Delhi, about the correct way to manage worm infections. She informs, “The most effective way to eliminate intestinal worms is through prescribed antiparasitic medications such as albendazole or mebendazole. These medications target and kill the parasites, ensuring their expulsion from the body. It’s also important to maintain good hygiene practices to prevent reinfection.”
Does betel leaf and mustard oil therapy work for extraction of worms?
No, betel leaf and mustard oil therapy does not work for extraction of worms. There is no scientific evidence supporting the efficacy of betel leaf and mustard oil in extracting worms through the navel or any other method. Betel leaf and mustard oil have been traditionally used in various cultures for their supposed health benefits, such as anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. However, these uses are not supported by scientific research in the context of parasitic worm treatment.
A review of available scientific literature reveals no studies or clinical trials validating the claim that applying betel leaf and mustard oil to the navel can extract intestinal worms. Medical professionals emphasise that effective treatment of parasitic worm infections should rely on proven antiparasitic drugs and proper medical intervention. Also, you should avoid self-medication for deworming.
We interviewed Dr Sharad Malhotra, Senior Consultant & HOD Gastroenterology Hepatology & Therapeutic Endoscopy, Aakash Healthcare, New Delhi, about his expert opinion on treating parasitic worm infections by using betel leaf and mustard oil. He strongly advised against this practice saying, “Any such action should be at a person’s own risk and no such management of worms is medically possible.”
Conclusion
The claim that betel leaf and mustard oil can extract worms through the navel is unequivocally false. The navel is not an anatomical route for extracting internal contents, and no scientific evidence supports the use of betel leaf and mustard oil for treating worm infections. We recommend proper medical treatment with antiparasitic drugs and maintaining good hygiene for addressing intestinal worm infections.
For accurate information on health and treatments, always refer to credible medical sources and consult healthcare professionals. Unfortunately, home remedies still remain a primary form of medical attention in many households today, ranging from onion juice for dissolving gallstones to Triphala ash for mouth ulcers. Most of these home remedies are ineffective and can cause more harm than good.
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