Encephalitozoon intestinalis
Microsporidia
Symptoms reported
- •Diarrhea
- •Fever
- •Nausea
- •Vomiting
- •Abdominal cramps
Life cycle
Spores are ingested and penetrate the cytoplasm of host cells to multiply by binary fission before being excreted in urine and feces.
Transmission
Contaminated water and exposure to infected feces or urine.
Conventional medical treatment
Albendazole 400mg 2x/day for 21 days.
For information only. Discuss with a licensed healthcare provider before starting any pharmaceutical.
Treatment Options — Natural First, Pharmaceutical When Needed
Natural First
- •Grapefruit seed extract
- •Berberine
- •Thyme
- •Activated charcoal (binder)
- •Hydration + electrolytes
- •Rest + bone broth nutrition
Pharmaceutical (if natural-first insufficient)
- •Albendazole 400mg 2x/day for 21 days.
When to escalate to pharmaceutical
Pharmaceutical first if: > 14 days of diarrhea, dehydration, weight loss > 5%, immunocompromised host, hepatic abscess (Entamoeba), CNS involvement, or pregnancy.
Traditional herbal alternatives
In stock at our apothecary
In our database (educational reference)
Also referenced (not currently in our database):
Each herb above carries a tradition. See the 2,000-year lineage of Western herbal medicine →
“Differentiation between the two major intestinal microsporidia is required for effective treatment of the condition.”
— Parasites Clinical Book (textbook)
This page is for educational purposes only. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult a licensed healthcare provider before acting on anything you read here.