Vermifuge

Herbs with a vermifuge action help to expel parasitic worms from the gastrointestinal tract by causing paralysis or irritation of the parasites, thereby promoting their expulsion from the body via bowel movements.

These herbs can also sometimes be referred to as anthelmintics. The mechanism of action includes stimulation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors causing paralysis, metabolism disruption or membrane integrity rupture.

Examples include wormwood (Artemisia absinthium), black walnut (Juglans nigra) and clove (Syzygium aromaticum).