95% of Us Have Parasites — What That Means for Your Health and How to Begin Healing

When you hear the word “parasite,” what comes to mind? For many, it feels like something that happens far away, in countries with different food or water sources. But here’s a truth that may surprise you: research and lived experience suggest that the majority of people — some estimates as high as 95% — are carrying parasites in their bodies right now.

This isn’t said to scare you. It’s said to empower you. Because once you understand what parasites are, how they affect your health, and what you can do to address them, you begin to reclaim control over your body and well-being.

This article draws on the insights of Kim Rogers, founder of RogersHood Apothecary, often referred to as the “Worm Queen” for her viral work raising awareness about parasite cleansing. Her journey is not only deeply personal but also transformative for thousands of people worldwide who are learning to see parasites not as a distant issue but as part of their everyday reality.

Let’s explore the symptoms, risks, and steps you can take to address parasites — and, most importantly, how this journey can shift your physical, emotional, and even generational health.

What Are Parasites, Really?

The term “parasite” covers a wide variety of organisms. In the simplest sense, a parasite is anything that survives by feeding off a host. The Latin root translates to “unwanted dinner guest.” These organisms live inside the body, using your nutrients to grow, reproduce, and often leave behind waste that disrupts your system.

It’s a common misconception that parasites only affect the digestive tract. In reality, they can be found in tissue, muscles, the lymphatic system, and even influence brain chemistry. This explains why symptoms can vary widely — from digestive issues to mental health struggles.

Some common examples include:

• Roundworms and tapeworms (often from contaminated food or water)
• Flukes and pinworms (spread through contact or poor sanitation)
• Microscopic organisms that are rarely tested for in Western medical systems

If you’ve ever assumed parasites “couldn’t happen here,” it’s worth pausing. They are found in tap water, on produce, in undercooked meat, and even transferred by pets.

Question for reflection: Have you ever dismissed a recurring symptom because it didn’t “fit” with the health protocols you were already following? Could parasites be a hidden factor?

Kim’s Story: From Illness to Advocacy

Kim Rogers’ path to becoming a global voice on parasite cleansing came from her own health crisis. With two healthcare degrees and more than two decades in Western medicine, she trusted the system to guide her healing. Yet, after 13 surgeries, a hysterectomy, stage four endometriosis, and early-stage cervical cancer, she was left with worsening symptoms and few answers.

In 2019, she and her husband made a radical decision: sell their belongings, leave their careers, and move to a property on the edge of a rainforest to focus solely on healing. There, Kim began researching everything from medicinal mushrooms to alternative detox practices.

Her turning point came in 2021, when she tried her first parasite cleanse and saw roundworms expelled within days. The sharp pain in her hip — something doctors had tried to cut away repeatedly — disappeared. For the first time in decades, she felt real relief.

She shared this on social media, and within days her story went viral. Millions were shocked to see undeniable evidence of parasites and began questioning whether their own mysterious symptoms could be related.

Could Your Symptoms Be Linked to Parasites?

Parasites can mimic or contribute to a wide variety of chronic health issues. Here are some of the most reported symptoms Kim and her community highlight:

• Persistent bloating, gas, or constipation despite a clean diet
• Hormonal imbalance or irregular cycles
• Teeth grinding, especially at night
• Skin issues that don’t respond to topical treatments
• Anxiety, depression, or sudden emotional swings
• Chronic fatigue or brain fog
• Pain on the right side of the abdomen or hips
• Food cravings, particularly for sugar or carbs

What makes these symptoms so confusing is that they overlap with many other conditions. It’s easy to assume it’s “just stress,” “just hormones,” or something that requires endless medication.

But what if the root cause is that something living inside your body doesn’t want to leave?

Pause and ask yourself: Have you ever felt like no matter what you try — eating clean, detoxing, supplements — you still don’t feel quite right?

How Do We Get Parasites?

The short answer: everywhere.

• Water: Whether from wells, city taps, or contaminated ice, water is one of the most common carriers. The U.S. doesn’t routinely test for certain parasites like nematodes.
• Food: Raw produce washed in contaminated water, undercooked fish or meat, and even sushi can be carriers. Farmers and butchers know that parasites in fish and animals are common.
• Pets and animals: Cats, dogs, horses, and livestock often harbor worms that can transfer to humans through contact.
• Environment: Walking barefoot in soil or sand exposes you to parasites that enter through the skin.
• Travel: Visiting areas with less regulated water systems increases risk, but exposure is not limited to “foreign” destinations — it happens at home, too.

The reality is that you cannot live in a human body and completely avoid exposure. Which is why parasite cleansing is not a one-time event, but a regular part of maintaining health.

Cleansing: What It Involves and Why It Matters

Kim created the Parafy Cleanse, a 30-day kit designed to make parasite cleansing safe and accessible. Instead of grabbing random herbs without knowing dosage or frequency, her approach combines carefully selected tinctures with a binder to help the body eliminate toxins.

A common challenge during cleansing is the Herxheimer reaction, often called “die-off.” This occurs when parasites die and release the toxins, heavy metals, or viruses they’ve been holding. Symptoms can temporarily worsen — headaches, fatigue, rashes, or mood swings.

To reduce this, Kim incorporates herbs that break down biofilms (the protective layers parasites build), binders like activated charcoal, and supportive plants that calm the nervous system. The goal is not to make you suffer, but to help your body release without overwhelming it.

Practical tip: If you start to feel intense reactions, pause. Rest, hydrate with clean water, and resume once your body has had a chance to reset.

Parasites and Mental Health

One of the most surprising aspects of this conversation is the connection between parasites and emotional well-being. Parasites can affect neurotransmitters like serotonin, leading to anxiety, depression, or even resurfacing old traumas.

Some people notice sudden memories or emotional releases during a cleanse. While this can feel unsettling, it can also be healing — a sign that the body is releasing not just physical waste but stored emotional burdens.

Question to consider: Could some of your persistent emotional patterns be influenced by your physical environment inside the body?

Lessons from Other Cultures

While parasite cleansing feels radical in the U.S. or Canada, it is considered normal in many other parts of the world. For example:

• Families in Jamaica often drink herbal teas with cleansing herbs during the full moon.
• In Mexico, regular deworming (sometimes with pharmaceuticals, sometimes with herbs) is common.
• The Amish, Germans, and Koreans have traditions that combine herbs with other methods to keep parasite levels down.

Why the difference? In many Western societies, the belief persists that parasites are rare, leaving people untreated until symptoms become extreme. The result is an epidemic of chronic illness with hidden roots.

Why the Full Moon Matters

It may sound “woo-woo” at first, but science explains why parasite activity increases during the full moon. Serotonin levels rise during this lunar phase, and parasites feed on serotonin. They become more active, moving and reproducing. This is often when symptoms flare — itchy skin, digestive changes, emotional instability.

Cleansing during or around the full moon can be more effective, as parasites are already more exposed.

Myths That Hold People Back

• Myth 1: “I’m too healthy to have parasites.” Even the cleanest eater can be exposed. Parasites don’t discriminate.
• Myth 2: “One cleanse is enough.” Parasites reproduce, drop eggs on their way out, and reinfect. Cleansing needs to be cyclical.
• Myth 3: “It’s something to fear.” Fear only creates paralysis. Once you have the knowledge, cleansing becomes a proactive, empowering choice.

Lifestyle Tips for Parasite Prevention and Support

• Wash produce thoroughly using vinegar, lime, sea salt, and filtered water.
• Avoid raw fish and undercooked meat.
• Deworm pets regularly.
• Drink clean, filtered water — and avoid ice of unknown origin.
• Support your body with protein, hydration, movement, and rest during a cleanse.
• Embrace grounding, but keep outdoor hygiene in mind.

A Healing Journey That Ripples Outward

For Kim, this journey was never just about herself. By addressing parasites, mold, and Lyme disease, she not only healed but also reconnected with her family after years of separation. She has since helped her parents, sister, and nieces address their health too.

This is the power of healing: it ripples through families and communities. When one person becomes aware, they influence generations.

Reflection: Who in your life could benefit if you began to explore parasite cleansing?

Final Thoughts

Parasites are not just a third-world issue. They are part of daily life for nearly everyone, and pretending otherwise doesn’t protect us. What does protect us is knowledge, openness, and the willingness to experiment with cleansing practices that cultures around the world have used for centuries.

You don’t have to be afraid. You don’t have to wait until you’re desperate. You can begin to explore parasite cleansing as part of your regular self-care — the same way you hydrate, nourish your body, or care for your mental health.

So, here’s the invitation: Look at your body. Listen to the symptoms that don’t make sense. Ask the uncomfortable questions. And consider, with compassion for yourself, whether parasites might be playing a role.

Healing begins not with fear, but with curiosity.