These parasites can live in the intestines for years without the carrier knowing about them. But other people can find themselves struggling with gut symptoms including diarrhoea, bloating and stomach pain.

Now, we know what you’re thinking: aren’t those symptoms pretty… common? And you’d be right. You can experience stomach pain and bloating from having a particularly stressful day, eating more fibre than usual or simply existing in the run-up to your period. But digital wellness warriors have decided that no, having the runs and a bit of gas is down to parasitic overload and are attempting herbal parasite cleanses to naturally rid themselves of them.

The question is, how safe are these cleanses and what impact – if any – can they have on gut health? We’ve been speaking to Dr Nikolaos Kamperidis, consultant gastroenterologist at the Princess Gate Hospital to break down exactly what intestinal parasites are and whether they’re something you need to worry about.

Poor gut health? Do natural cleanses to get rid of parasites in the gut really work?