Pinworms.

Newsgroup: alt.folklore.herbs
From: callie.writepage.com (Callie)
Date: 17 Feb 1996 08:20:02 -0700
Subject: Re: worming

>My child has picked up pinworms from somewhere. I would like to try an herbal remedy on all other members of the house as a preventative measure. How much black walnut do you use? Do you take it directly or make a tea? Thanks.

He got it from a playmate or nursery school. The eggs, which are laid on the skin surrounding the anus, drop off and become airborne and can be picked up on hands almost anywhere in the child's vicinity, but especially the bed and bedroom because they are laid at night. The best preventative is absolute immaculate housekeeping: VACUUM the mattress in the kid's room, and the carpet and discard the bag every day or so until the episode is over when you change the sheets, don't wave them in the air, roll them up and stuff them in the washer with HOT water and soap Same for his clothing ... from child directly to washer every morning and washcloths and towels.

Have everyone WASH their hands frequently, with lots of soap, a brush for under the fingernails and hot water. Clean towels for every time (paper towels are great).

From: m52557986.aol.com (Marilyn)

When I was a kid (in the 50's), my siblings and I would get pinworms from time to time. My mother would give us 3 or 4 drops of turpentine in a teaspoon of water. It always worked with no side effects. I wasn't until I was an adult that I found out that turpentine was poison. I wouldn't have enough nerve to use it on my kids, but I would use it myself (fortunatly I haven't had the need in 40 years).

From: cigolott.nbnet.nb.ca (Tom C.)

> I wasn't until I was an adult that I found out that turpentine was poison.

a poison you say ???? Are you a ghost ? (:-)

Most things are poisons at the right concentration. Methinks a couple of drops of turpentine may not be as poisonous to the body as you think. Maybe it could be toxic to the worms only at that concentration.

From: elizper.aol.com (ElizPer)

Spirits of turpentine is what was used, from a pharmacy rather than a hardware store. The dosage is 1 drop per 5 lbs. body weight, usually placed on a sugar cube.

Better, though, is mincing and eating lots of raw or nearly raw garlic. The cleanliness described before is also essential. Some disinfectant spray, kept by the toilet and sprayed on the seat between uses can also help.

Raw pumpkin seeds, eaten, can help things along. Black walnut tincture or extract is the best form, in my opinion, as it's easiest to get down. Put about 10 drops in water and take a few times a day. Lower dose for children.

Make sure you're not passing it back & forth between other families your children may play with regularly.