On another site that emails me recipies, there was the following: "Pumpkin seeds are rich in vitamin A and magnesium. And on the creepier side, they're also good for expelling intestinal worms (especially tapeworms)." I've never heard that they were good for use against intestinal worms anywhere before-has anyone else? Wonder if they would work on animals? Any thoughts? Jan

-- Jan in Colorado (Janice12@aol.com), October 17, 2000

Answers

I've seen it listed in some of the herbal medicines books. I don't remember how it is administered though. If you are interested in trying it, I will try to find it tonight when I have more time.

-- Green (ratdogs10@yahoo.com), October 17, 2000.

I've been told that too. You can toast them in your oven with a bit of butter and Worchestecher and salt, they're delicious. I would feed them un-toasted to your animals. A better wormer for your animals can be made with other herbs, however, but the pumpkin seeds certainly wouldn't hurt.

-- Julie (julieamc@excite.com), October 17, 2000.

Julie, what other herbs can be used for worming chickens. I hate to use peperazine (sp?) as I like to go natural, and am not sure if they effect the eggs or not while using it. Anyone have any more ideas?

-- Hazel in WA (hazelm@tenforward.com), October 17, 2000.

Jan-

-- Judy in Md. (trailhppr@msn.com), October 17, 2000.

Jan I have heard that raw pumkin seeds are a good natural wormer as well....also, they are high in copper which is good for the goats.

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-- Judy in Md. (trailhppr@msn.com), October 17, 2000.

There are a variety of foods that have worm-expelling properties, as well as certain herbs. The reference book I got this info from is "The New Age Herbalist".

The types of worms that can be treated using natural foods and herbs are threadworms and roundworms. Tapeworms MUST be treated professionally, under a doctor's care.

Raw onions/garlic, pumpkin/melon seeds, raw carrots, chewing cloves, pomegranates. They also suggest adding cayenne pepper (a little) to your food, and/or slippery elm food (found at health food stores). Drink plenty of mint, fennel or aniseed tea.

The book also suggests avoiding sugars and refined carbohydrates.

The herbs which are antihelminthic (worm-expelling) are in the genus artemesia. Wormwood, southernwood, and tansy are familiar names of herbs in this group. However, these herbs are toxic when taken incorrectly, and should be used under medical supervision. Do not take while pregnant.

The reference book listed above is written for human applications - you'll have to do add'l research for livestock applications.

Now, how do I know where to find this sort of info? Well, let's just say I have had uninvited guests take up temporary residence...Emphasis on the TEMPORARY...

-- Judi (ddecaro@snet.net), October 17, 2000.

== what other herbs can be used for worming chickens. ==

It's not an herb, but I mix food grade Diatomaceous Earth into the chicken feed. I also sprinkle it in the pens. The chickens are dewormed, don't get mites, and there's no flies nor smell in the pens. The DE will also kill any insects the chickens don't eat. I also feed it to my large livestock for deworming. DE doesn't kill with poison; it slits the outer skin of the insect and dehydrates them. FILTER grade DE that goes into your swimming pool will not kill insects, but will kill your livestock.

-- ~Rogo (rogo2020@yahoo.com), October 18, 2000.

We also use D.E. for our horse- mixed in his grain ration.Pumpkins were fed in the past to stock as well,but our horse won't eat them, even when we cracked them open - hogs should though. Don't know abt cattle. Chickens should love the seed.

-- sharon wt (wildflower@ekyol.com), October 18, 2000.

Speaking about DE as a parisite control internally, I know that Texas A&M and also I think UC Davis have their results in on their use of DE on ruminents, cattle, sheep and goats, that showed no results at all with the use of DE. Does anyone know if the use of DE with single stomached animals is being studied anywhere? Horses, Dogs or Donkeys? Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), October 18, 2000.

Hi Jan, The only thing that works with horses for all worms, and bots right now are the main problem, yellow eggs everywhere, is ivermectin products. How do I know, it's the only thing that 3 days after you use it you see dead bots (red larvae things, inch long) in their manure, no dead bots in manure, your product hasn't worked. Bots cause a lot of intestinal damage, some permanent, so be sure to use something that works, and check the manure to be sure. I had a horse that had not been wormed in a long time prior to my getting him and he was a "hard keeper", that is, it took 3 or 4 times the amount of grain as normal to just keep weight on him, his intestines suffered permanent damage ( could not properly absorb his food) from lack of adequate worming. Be sure, use ivermectin twice a year, the last time in the fall after a hard frost that eliminates the bot flies. Annie in SE OH.

-- Annie Miller (annie@1st.net), October 18, 2000.

Excellent information Annie!

-- Vicki McGaugh (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), October 18, 2000.

About DE as a wormer - I've read that since DE only works when dry, it is not an effective wormer. BUT - putting it in feed will help kill soft-skinned pests in the feed, and also in the droppings, after they have dried. This can stop the spread of parasites by killing off the pests before they get recycled.

-- glynnis in KY (gabbycab@msn.com), October 19, 2000.

I have heard that pumpkin seeds can get rid of worms that humans could get from animals outside, is this true? I am always having to tell my boys to put their shoes on and wash their hands. I also wonder how and what you get tapeworm from since I read you have to go to a dr to get rid of them. I know this isn't helping your post as I am asking more questions..sorry. :-( I am waiting a call from my herbalist friend who gave her children pumpkin seeds for parasites, though I don't know what kind of parasites. I do know she swears by this!!!

-- Cindy in OK (cynthiacluck@yahoo.com), October 23, 2000.