How To Get Over Giardia Without Antibiotics

I have been victim to giardia 3 times in my life; not from extreme backcountry hiking, nope, but from traveling abroad in Central and South America. And, how might one know they have giardia? A stool sample, or from my personal experience: sulfur burps, which later results in waterfall diarrhea and/or vomiting. 

As I’ve aged (I am 30 and single – did you ask?) I have come to the conclusion that I want to avoid antibiotics, unless necessary, to keep my microbiome in pristine working order. I work hard on my microbiome, and one round of antibiotics kills both good and bad bacteria, often resulting in yeast infections or UTIs down line. I give myself 4 days to take the slow, more scenic road before taking antibiotics. 

I utilized Ben Greenfield’s article as the basis for my experiment, however, I wasn’t able to purchase everything he recommended because I was in Antigua, Guatemala living in an Airbnb, with no blender. I utilized the local pharmacy and market to create a curated, and strict, diet for 4 days. I repeat: I did not stray from this diet in order to ensure the insoluble fiber had ample room to do it’s job. 

What to bring traveling: 

  • Charcoal pills 
  • Electrolyte supplements 
  • Oil of oregano dropper
  • Ibuprofen and Tylenol
  • A probiotic regimen (Seed is a good one)
  • Backup antibiotics

What to buy from the pharmacy while in Central or South America: 

  • 10-day regimen of twice daily oral probiotics (Enterogermina: Esporas de Bacillus clausii, 2000 millones/5 ml: probiotics create competition with parasites for adhesion within the gut 
  • Electrolit (I like the coconut flavor)

Using plants as medicine

  • Papaya fruit and seeds (I chewed mine, but best to blend if possible): the fruit protects the gastric system, while the seeds are shown to help remove parasites. Do not eat more seeds than 2 tablespoons per day, as they can become toxic. 
  • Yams, carrots, potato: fiber helps remove parasites and toxins from the GI space and bowels
  • Raw garlic: antibacterial and antimicrobial 
  • Pumpkin seeds (I chewed mine, but best to blend if possible): antiparasitic 
  • Oregano oil or tea (can steep oregano leaves in hot water for same effect): antiparasitic 
  • Ginger tea: eases stomach pain, hydration 
  • Lemon water: vitamin c for the immune system, hydration 
  • Gallon of water with pinch of salt: hydration with electrolytes in mind

Menu: 3-4 days

Breakfast: 

  • 1 8 oz glass of water
  • Probiotic capsule on empty stomach (Wait 30 minutes before eating)
  • ½  papaya AND 1 tablespoon of it’s seeds (These are sour and taste like death. I highly recommend blending with water, but if you don’t have a blender, then chew well, swallow, and have mercy.) 

Snack break: 

  • 1 8 oz glass of water with 2 drops oregano oil
  • Handful of smashed pumpkin seeds 
  • 3 inches of peeled and sliced ginger, boil covered in 5 cups water for 20 minutes to brew tea

Lunch: 

  • 1 8 oz glass of water with lemon juice
  • 2 large yams, 1 large carrot boiled in water until tender
  • 1 full garlic clove, smashed on top of the boiled yam, carrot  – salt, pepper to taste

Second snack break: 

  • 1 8 oz glass of water with 2 drops oregano oil
  • Handful of smashed pumpkin seeds
  • 3 inches of peeled and sliced ginger, boil covered in 5 cups water for 20 minutes to brew tea

Dinner: 

  • 1 8 oz glass of water with electrolyte mix
  • 1 large yam, 1 large carrot, 1 medium potato boiled in water until tender
  • 1 full garlic clove, smashed on top of the boiled yam, carrot, potato – salt, pepper to taste
  • ½ tablespoon mashed papaya seeds 

Dessert: 

  • 2 charcoal pills on empty stomach 
  • Wait 30 minutes, second probiotic 

Repeat for 4 days, drinking at least 1 gallon of water per day, with a pinch of salt added

My experience

For 2 days, I still had diarrhea in the morning only. On the third day, I didn’t have any bowel movements. On day 4 in the evening, I had a normal bowel movement, which I thank to the insoluble fiber. I didn’t throw up when I had Giardia this year, but I did each time previously, which helped me make the decision then to use antibiotics. Tune into your own body; if you have the slightest inclination to use plants as medicine rather than turn to antibiotics, perhaps give yourself a few days to let your body repair naturally. If not, make yourself feel better with antibiotics: there is always a time and a place for both. 

Keep it up

To continue repairing my body, even after the initial symptoms were gone, I added the below to my diet wherever possible to help increase good gut bacteria and boost my immune system: 

  • Papaya 
  • Bone stock 
  • Coconut yogurt with probiotics 
  • Probiotic supplements
  • Lemon water
  • Homebrewed raw kombucha 
  • Kimchi 

I hope you feel better soon. If you have any questions or need some moral support, please feel free to reach out. 

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, so please consult your healthcare professional.