The anti-parasitic effect of black cumin in dogs

Black cumin has been known in the Middle East for centuries as a medicinal plant. The main active ingredient is thymoquinone. This natural remedy can support your dog in the treatment and prevention of multiple types of worms.

Dogs can get various types of parasitic worms. In the Netherlands and Belgium, this mainly concerns roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms, whipworms, and heartworms. Often, you only discover an infestation when there are already many worms in your dog's abdomen. That is why it is important to regularly deworm dogs. This prevents serious illness.

How does my dog get worms?

How your dog gets worms in its abdomen varies depending on the type of worm. Most puppies are even born with a roundworm infection! They get this from their mother. Your dog can also ingest worms by eating dirt, feces from other animals, or animals such as mice, frogs, or snails. Heartworm is caused by the bite of an infected mosquito, and tapeworm by eating infected fleas. Every dog has worms, but these coexist harmoniously with the dog and generally do not cause problems. Only when there is an excess of worms can problems arise.

Symptoms of worms

When your dog has worms, you may notice symptoms such as:

• A dull coat;
• Bloated belly;
• Tired or lethargic;
• Diarrhea;
• Worms in the feces;
• 'Rice grains' (tapeworm segments) in the feces;
• Reduced appetite;
• Vomiting;
• Weight loss;
• Coughing (with heartworm).

Deworming

If your dog has worms, the vet will prescribe a deworming treatment. It is important to choose the right treatment that also suits the size and weight of your dog. It is a good idea to deworm your dog regularly to protect it from intestinal parasites. Adult dogs should be dewormed at least four times a year, while puppies may need it more often. In addition to worm medication, the natural remedy black cumin can help in (preventing) a worm infestation.

Black cumin for worms

Thymoquinone – the active substance in black cumin - is used for many conditions. It is anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and strengthens the natural immunity. Thymoquinone supports the action of anti-worm treatments against roundworms in dogs, as studies show. The natural remedy regulates the immune system and has anti-inflammatory properties. This helps to eradicate the worm infestation faster and more effectively. In addition, thymoquinone is effective in combating a tapeworm infection, as shown in other scientific research. Thymoquinone has a killing effect on tapeworm segments and their precursors.

Conclusion: worms in dogs

Make sure to have a good deworming schedule for your dog. If your dog still gets worms, you can give thymoquinone from black cumin to support the deworming process. Additionally, this herbal remedy can help improve overall immunity.

Sources:

1. Ceren, Ö. Hatice. Evaluation of effect of albendazole and Nigella sativa combination to Visceral Larvae Migrans (Toxocara canis) in mice. 2022. http://vetjournal.ankara.edu.tr/en/download/article-file/1566937

Mahmoudvand H, Dezaki ES, Kheirandish F, Ezatpour B, Jahanbakhsh S, Harandi MF. Scolicidal effects of black cumin seed (Nigella sativa) essential oil on hydatid cysts. Korean J Parasitol. 2014 Dec;52(6):653-9. doi: 10.3347/kjp.2014.52.6.653. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4277028/

Sara Darakhshan, Ali Bidmeshki Pour, Abasalt Hosseinzadeh Colagar, Sajjad Sisakhtnezhad. 2015. Thymoquinone and its therapeutic potentials. Pharmacological Research, Volumes 95–96, 2015, Pages 138-158, ISSN 1043-6618. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S104366181500050X