Dear Doctor: Is clove tea helpful in warding off internal parasites?

oregonlive.com • January 26, 2026 • health

Key Points:

Millions of people in the U.S. may have undiagnosed intestinal parasites like Blastocystis or Strongyloides, but treatment is generally not recommended for asymptomatic individuals as many parasites are harmless commensals.
Clove tea, a traditional herbal remedy, is not effective for treating parasites, and powerful antiparasitic medications should only be used when prescribed after a confirmed diagnosis.
Ivermectin is used for parasitic infections in both humans and animals, while fenbendazole is not approved for humans; similar drugs like albendazole are preferred under medical supervision.
For menopausal vaginal dryness, topical estradiol cream is considered a low-risk and effective treatment, with recent regulatory changes removing previous boxed warnings