8 Bizarre Wellness Cleanses Ever: Live Parasites Included!

Eight of the Most Bizarre Detox Methods Ever Used

Throughout history, humans have gone to great lengths to achieve health and wellness, often embracing some truly odd methods. Here’s a look at eight of the strangest wellness cleanses people have actually tried.

1. Tapeworm Diet

In perhaps one of the most bizarre weight-loss strategies, the tapeworm diet involves ingesting a parasite on purpose. The idea was that the tapeworm would live inside the intestines, consuming the food that its host ate, thereby reducing calorie intake. Although it might have led to weight loss, the health risks, including malnutrition and serious infections, made this method extremely dangerous.

2. Bloodletting

Ancient civilizations, including the Greeks and Egyptians, practiced bloodletting as a method to cleanse the body and cure diseases. The theory was that removing a small amount of blood could balance the body’s humors and lead to better health. This practice was based more on philosophy than scientific evidence and could often lead to weakness or infections.

3. Lobotomy

In a drastic attempt to treat mental illness and improve overall disposition, some underwent lobotomies. This surgical procedure involved severing connections in the brain’s prefrontal cortex. While it was believed to calm patients, the side effects could be severe, ranging from personality changes to incapacitation.

4. Urine Therapy

Urine therapy, the practice of drinking one’s own urine, is another perplexing health cleanse. Proponents believed that urine, being sterile, contained beneficial properties that could aid in the healing of various ailments. Despite its supporters, there is no scientific basis to support any health benefits from consuming urine.

5. Plombage

Plombage was a risky treatment used in the early 20th century to help patients with tuberculosis. The procedure involved inserting balls made of materials like lucite or paraffin into the pleural cavity to collapse an infected lung and give it a chance to heal. However, this often led to severe complications later on.

6. Tobacco Smoke Enemas

Used primarily in the 18th century, tobacco smoke enemas were believed to resuscitate individuals who had nearly drowned. By inserting a tube and blowing smoke into the rectum, it was thought that the warm tobacco smoke could jump-start the body’s vital functions. This practice was discontinued as understanding of human biology improved.

7. Mercury Cure

In ancient times, and even up until the 19th century, mercury was used to treat a variety of ailments, particularly syphilis. Known for its healing properties, mercury, however, is extremely toxic, and many patients suffered from mercury poisoning instead of getting cured.

8. Arsenic Complexion Wafers

Victorian women often used arsenic complexion wafers to achieve a pale, youthful look. These wafers were eaten and were believed to improve skin tone by clearing blemishes and giving a radiant complexion. Unfortunately, the toxic effects of arsenic were not well understood, and prolonged use could lead to severe poisoning or even death.

As we can see, the quest for health and beauty has sometimes led humanity down some perilously strange paths. Thankfully, modern medicine and a better understanding of human physiology have steered us away from these hazardous practices.