Giardiasis or “beaver fever” as it’s generally known as, is a very common disease. It’s a parasitic disease that infects the intestines of humans and animals.

Giardiasis is a common cause of diarrhea among hikers in wilderness areas, and travellers who drink water that has not been properly filtered, treated or boiled.

Giardia cysts can be spread by water, food, or fecal-oral transmission between infected individuals. You can become infected if you drink or accidentally swallow water while you swim. You can also become infected by eating raw or under cooked food contaminated with cysts.

Travellers to regions in Africa, Asia, and Latin America where clean water supplies are low are at increased risk of contracting the infection. Babies and young children in child care centres are also at a higher risk as some toddlers might not be potty trained.

What are Symptoms of Beaver Fever?
Giardiasis may cause diarrhea, pale greasy stools, stomach cramps, gas, bloating, frequent loose and pale greasy stools, nausea, weight loss, and fatigue. Some people may experience explosive, foul smelling diarrhea. Fever, rash, and joint pain are less common.

Symptoms start about one to three weeks after exposure to the parasite and can last for one to two months, or even longer in severe cases. Often you can be infected and have no symptoms. In some cases, symptoms can return after you have started to get better.

Natural Remedies for Beaver Fever
There are various natural remedies for curing beaver fever including fruits, veggies and herbs that can inhibit the spread of parasites in your body or actually kill them outright.

Some of the most effective home remedies for giardiasis include the use of garlic, long pepper, Oregon grape, grapefruit, beet juice, horseradish, goldenseal, wormwood, pumpkin seeds, coconut, onion, and birch. DigestZen is another well known natural remedy for helping ease giardiasis. See additional info below on a few of these remedies:

• DigestZen Digestive Blend essential oil is well known for its ability to aid in digestion, soothe occasional stomach upset, and maintain overall digestive health when taken internally. It contains a blend of Ginger, fennel, and coriander to help ease? stomach discomfort. DigestZen also contains peppermint, tarragon, anise, and caraway aid with digestion and help maintain a healthy gastrointestinal tract.
• Beets have certain antibacterial and anti-parasitic qualities that make it a simple home remedy if you’re suffering from giardiasis. A few glasses of beet juice each day should clear up the infection within a week, returning your systems to normal.
• Grapefruits are also a natural anthelmintic property that can clear up and clean the digestive tract without damaging any of the beneficial bacteria present in the gut.
• Garlic and its powerful active ingredient, allicin, is also good when dealing with beaver fever. The allicin can quickly cleanse the system and return your digestive system to normal. Try grinding up a few cloves and steeping them in water as a painless remedy for giardiasis.
• Birch leaves have been traditionally used for thousands of years to soothe inflammation and a number of other conditions. For parasitic infections of the body, particularly the stomach, tinctures of birch leaves can be very effective.

Keep Hydrated
Since a primary symptom of giardiasis is diarrhea, replenish your fluids throughout the day to avoid dehydration. Aim for at least 64 ounces of purified water (eight 8-ounce glasses). If you’re very nauseous and having trouble keeping liquids down, take small sips of water or suck on ice chips.

Stay Safe
One of the main causes of giardiasis is untreated or contaminated water, either in underdeveloped countries or for people travelling in the wild.

When travelling, stay safe. Ensure that water is properly boiled or filtered before drinking to help protect yourself and your family from irritating parasites like beaver fever.

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