Helminthic therapy and sarcoidosis
Sarcoidosis, also known as Besnier–Boeck–Schaumann disease, is a non-infectious granulomatous disease involving abnormal collections of inflammatory cells that form lumps known as granulomata. The disease usually begins in the lungs, skin, or lymph nodes. Less commonly affected are the eyes, liver, heart, and brain, though any organ can be affected. The signs and symptoms depend on the organ involved. Often, no symptoms or only mild symptoms are seen. When it affects the lungs, wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, or chest pain may occur. Some may have Löfgren syndrome, with fever, enlarged hilar lymph nodes, arthritis, and a rash known as erythema nodosum.
The scientific evidence[edit | edit source]
The anecdotal evidence[edit | edit source]
- "I donated NA to a gentleman with sarcoidosis. He had NA on board when he lived in Asia and found relief." [1]
Same case (Jane's nephew):
- "I have a nephew who inoculated 8 weeks ago with 4 NA. He has sarcoidosis and was born with a bowel disorder called hirshsprungs. He has had really good progress with lumps in his neck reducing and improved stamina, less fatigue and reduced wheezing. His lung function test has improved.
Over his whole life, If he eats something that upsets his stomach he gets violent water like diarrhea. He recently ate too much paua (abalone) and had a severe episode for a week of diarrhea. He thinks this has killed his worms as he has had a return of some symptoms such as sore joints. Is this possible for NA to be killed in this manner, should he take more (only 8 weeks in)?? Thanks for the help"(FB, 2019 Jan 22)
- "My nephew who is 30 and has had lumps in his neck and jaw since childhood and diagnosed with sarcoidosis in the lungs on CT scan took 4 NA. Lumps in jaw area have disappeared and neck lumps halved in size. He reports less wheezy and much more energy." (Link expired)
- "My nephew has had lumps in his neck and jaw since childhood — his mother recalls neck lumps as early as age 10 — and was diagnosed with sarcoidosis in the lungs on CT scan. He had the disease for at least 8 years before starting helminthic therapy in his 30s. By then his breathing was affected, with reduced lung function: he was coughing up blood while scuba diving, and could no longer carry a deer carcass while hunting, worrying his friends. He started on 4 NA — lumps in the jaw area disappeared and neck lumps halved in size, and he reported being less wheezy and having much more energy. He now takes 10 NA every month, and is diving and hunting without problems, working full-time as a builder." (private email, 2026 Jul 6)
Joanne's story:
- "I am in remission for sarcoidosis. I was on Prednisone and was able to come off it, thank goodness. My husband now seems to recognise when I need a top up (of helminths) and then I get one and can enjoy life again. Totally recommend it for sarcoidosis." (FB, Edited from this post 2024 Oct 20)
- "(I was) diagnosed with pulmonary sarcoidosis. The CT scan showed enlarged lymph node and histology confirmed the diagnosis. I went from high doses of prednisone and at my worst, morphine, to helminthics and no need for prednisone or morphine. It is a game changer." (FB, 2026 Jun 9
- "Joanne was 57 years old when she began to feel very unwell. She had been experiencing vertigo, constant fever of 38 degrees Celsius, severe body aches (pain score of 9 out of 10), fatigue and flu-like feeling. She would go from bed to work and then back to bed prioritising her work as a lead nurse above everything. All these symptoms she had been ignoring for weeks “I am not one to go to the doctor”. Then she woke up with the left side of her face drooping, which turned out to be Bell’s palsy, and difficulty seeing properly and realised she had to see someone urgently.
She was put on 40 mg of prednisone and oral morphine tablets for the pain. Early indications led the doctor to believe she had lymphoma, a type of cancer, so she was sent for biopsies of several growths they could see on CT scan. These biopsies led to a diagnosis of Pulmonary Sarcoidosis. Meanwhile Joanne was now too sick to work experiencing constant vertigo, pain and severe fatigue. The bell’s palsy resolved with the steroid treatment, and she weaned down to 20 mg of prednisone but still needed morphine for pain. Luckily, she knew a helminth practitioner (Jane Puckey) through dancing and they had become friends.
Three months after diagnosis she decided she wasn’t getting better with medical treatment (prednisone) and decided to start helminths. She took 5 Necator americanus (NA). Within 6 weeks her pain, vertigo, fever and fatigue resolved completely, and she went back to work and to dancing. She weaned off prednisone, stopped morphine and never took either again. She took 8 NA 12 weeks later and then 12 weeks after that 10 NA. She maintained a regime of 10 NA quarterly. Within 6 months she felt “cured”. Now 5 years later she has maintained her helminth regime of quarterly 10 NA and she takes no medications." (Private email, Jane Puckey, 2026 Jul 6)
Carol's story:
- "Carol was in total shock when she was diagnosed with Sarcoidosis, she was a super fit person running half marathons and competing in triathlons. A lifelong vegetarian she did not expect to get sick at 62 years old. Her first symptoms were watering and burning eyes and some wheeze on running that a friend noticed. The local doctor was so worried that she sent her to the main tertiary hospital eye clinic 3 hours’ drive away for an urgent appointment that same day. The diagnosis was uveitis of the eye, and the specialist was so worried about the potential for her to lose her sight she was put on a massive dose of 120 mg of prednisone. They were also concerned about the underlying reason and sent her for chest x-ray, blood tests and then later a CT scan which confirmed Pulmonary Sarcoidosis. After several weeks the prednisone was tapered down to 60 mg per day, which is still a very big dose.
Carol hated being on prednisone with no sleep, jittery all the time and massive weight gain she decided to wean off steroids and start Helminthic therapy around 3 months after her diagnosis. She started with 5 NA, then 8 NA at twelve weeks then 10 NA quarterly ongoing and takes no other medications. The uveitis disappeared within 6 months and a follow up CT scan at 9 months showed the lung involvement had resolved. The specialist was amazed and brought colleagues in to look at the results. Carol asked them if they expected these results and they confirmed that they did not!
It is now 5 years on helminth treatment (10 NA quarterly) and no other medications, she recently completed the Mt Everest base camp walk and at 67 years old she outwalked her son and other members of the team aged in their 30’s." (Private email, Jane Puckey, 2026 Jul 6)