For centuries, people across cultures and continents have understood that the Moon influences humans, animals, and the natural world. It’s only more recently that science has started to take seriously the idea that a celestial body could shape us physically and mentally.
And honestly, it just makes sense. If the gravitational pull of the Moon guides the ocean’s tides and the life within them, and certain species only spawn under the light of a Full Moon, why wouldn’t humans (and the organisms living inside us) be affected by her phases?
In this guide, we’re going to explore the connection between lunar cycles, the human body, and one of the most overlooked aspects of internal health: parasites. We’ll move through each phase of the Moon, what it represents energetically, and how it may correspond to shifts in parasitic activity. You’ll also learn which herbs to take during each phase, along with simple energetic practices to help clear, cleanse, and replenish the body.
The science here is still evolving. Studies report conflicting results regarding heart attacks or hospital visits during a Full Moon. But research on circadian rhythms is growing quickly, and scientists are beginning to understand how biological systems may respond not just to the 24-hour day, but also to the roughly 29.5-day lunar cycle.
Some research has shown that human sleep patterns can shift with the Moon’s phases. Other studies suggest that menstrual cycles may show subtle alignment with lunar timing. There’s also evidence that metabolic and endocrine pathways may be linked to Moon-regulated rhythms in both animals and humans. In other words, there’s mounting evidence that the Moon doesn’t just move the tides. Her phases may shape our internal rhythms, too, and learning to work with that cycle can help us better understand (and care for) the landscapes inside our own bodies.
Parasites, the Moon & the Body’s Hidden Rhythms
Parasites and other microscopic organisms have always been part of the human story. Traditional healing systems understood this. They didn’t see parasites as some rare, extreme condition. They saw them as common inhabitants of the body, especially in the digestive tract, something that needed to be cleared out from time to time, just like you’d clean your home or sweep your floors.
Just because something is common doesn't mean it's harmless. In Western medicine, parasites are typically only sought once symptoms become severe or highly symptomatic. The idea of gentle, regular clearing has largely been lost in places like the United States. At the same time, modern chronobiology is beginning to show that many parasites follow their own rhythms. Some species move in daily or cyclical patterns that sync up with their hosts, and the timing of those rhythms can influence how infections develop and spread. In other words, when you intervene may matter just as much as the remedies you use.
Maybe it’s time to return to gentler, more cyclical approaches to cleansing, the kind our ancestors practiced. Instead of harsh, one-off detoxes, we can work with the body’s natural rhythms, using the phases of the Moon to time herbal protocols that help clear the terrain and then nourish it back to balance.
If you've ever noticed bloating, constipation, gas, or digestive discomfort that seems to come and go at certain times of the month, you're not imagining things. Many traditional systems link cyclical digestive patterns to parasitic activity. The body moves in cycles, and the lunar rhythms may be one of the forces quietly shaping those patterns.
In the sections that follow, we’ll move through each phase of the Moon, looking at what it represents energetically, how it may relate to parasitic activity, and which herbs and practices can help you reset and rebuild along the way.
How to Align Your Parasite Protocol With the Lunar Cycle
A 28-day rhythm of preparation, clearing, rebuilding, and integration
Before there were double-blind, placebo-controlled studies or meta-analyses, there were healers, witches, shamans, and wise people who knew how to work with nature and the body for the best results. They understood that the body doesn’t operate on a rigid, linear schedule. It moves in cycles of energy, digestion, emotion, sleep, and renewal. And one of the most powerful timekeepers of those cycles has always been the Moon.
From an energetic and astrological perspective, the Moon holds more subtle powers: over our emotions, our subconscious, memory, intuition, and psychic sensitivity. She governs how you nurture yourself and others, and what makes you feel at home in the world. She controls the inner tides of the body and the psyche alike.
Because of her influence on water, tides, and circadian rhythms, the Moon has long been associated with the body’s fluids, from blood and lymph to reproductive and digestive secretions. This creates a natural link between the lunar cycle and processes like digestion, gut health, elimination, and nourishment.
This is the foundation of The Moon-Aligned Parasite Cleanse: a simple, repeatable 28-day cycle that follows the Moon's eight phases to support both physical and energetic renewal. It’s important to note that you don’t have to wait until a specific Moon phase to begin your cleanse. Check out the Community Gut Cleanse for a fully guided experience of ritual, release, and renewal led by clinical herbalist Sarah Wu and rooted in ancestral plant wisdom. Or, consult the free Parasite Cleansing 101 PDF for a wealth of information and guidance.
The New Moon ~ Days: 1-3
Themes: Intention, stillness, internal reset
Body focus: Preparing the terrain
Cleanse level: Pre-cleanse phase
We’ll start at the beginning, when the Moon is almost invisible in the sky. Energetically, the New Moon is known as a time of fresh starts and brand new intentions, making it the perfect time to commence your healing journey. Depending on how you respond to the Moon phases (or where you are in your menstrual cycle), your energy may be drawn more inward during this time. This is normal. It’s a seed-planting phase, a time of inner and outer darkness, a gentle reset.
This is often considered a quieter phase in the parasite lifecycle. Many traditional systems believe that parasites are less active during the darker portion of the lunar cycle, staying deeper in the tissues or digestive lining rather than moving into the intestinal tract. This makes it an ideal time to prepare the terrain, rather than aggressively trying to eliminate them.
That said, this isn’t the moment for aggressive purging. Rather, it’s when you begin giving the digestive system a break, reducing inflammatory foods, and creating the space your body needs to do deeper work later on. Focus on well-cooked whole foods, soups, stews, and broths. Make the Gut Sweep Tea your daily ritual, a mixture of fiber and mucilaginous herbs to help “sweep and soothe the gut,” prepping your terrain without harsh or painful stimulation.
Think of this phase as the gentle groundwork. You’re not forcing anything out yet; you’re simply creating the physical and energetic conditions for release.
Your New Moon Ritual
Set an intention for your journey ahead. Sit in silence and imagine a warm, gentle light pouring down through the top of your head, moving slowly through your body and into your cells. As you breathe, send your organs, especially your digestive system, softness, patience, and love. Feel into your belly, your liver, your intestines, and the quiet work they do for you every day.
Begin to visualize your cells filling with a soft, golden light. See this light clearing space, loosening stagnation, and creating room for something new to grow. With each breath, imagine your body becoming calmer, more open, and more receptive.
Waxing Crescent ~ Days: 4-6
Themes: Activation, forward movement
Body focus: Opening the pathways
Cleanse level: Light activation
By day four, the Moon begins to wax in the sky. Momentum is slow, but your energy is rising. This is the early movement phase, where small actions begin to build toward noticeable change.
Energetically, this phase often brings a subtle lift in mood and motivation. You may feel a little clearer, a little more hopeful, or more willing to take action on the intentions you set during the new moon.
Emotionally, things may feel more stable and forward-facing, with less of the heaviness or introspection of the dark or New Moon days. Physically, your energy may begin to increase (depending on where you’re at in your health journey). Digestion can feel stronger, and your body may be more responsive to gentle interventions. This is the perfect time to begin opening detox pathways and preparing for the active cleansing phase ahead.
This is also the point in the lunar cycle when parasites may begin to stir and become more metabolically active. As the Moon’s light increases, they are thought to migrate more toward the digestive tract, where they feed and reproduce. This gradual increase in activity is one reason many herbal traditions begin preparing the body during this phase, rather than waiting until symptoms intensify.
Your Gut Sweep Tea is still a daily ritual for this reason. If you haven’t already, add digestive bitters before meals to stoke your metabolic fire. Think of it as a powerful potion that further prepares your system for cleansing, stimulating stomach acid, bile flow, and overall digestive strength. Nutritionally, you’re sticking to whole foods and avoiding sugar, excess caffeine, and processed carbohydrates, building a clean, stable internal environment so that when the cleansing herbs are introduced, the body is ready to move waste efficiently.
Think of this phase as opening the windows and doors before a deep clean. You’re increasing circulation, stimulating digestion, and giving the body the tools it needs to release what no longer belongs.
Your Waxing Crescent Ritual
If the New Moon is for stillness, reflection, and intention, the Waxing Crescent phase is for increasing momentum in your body and spirit. In addition to any existing exercise you’re already doing during this phase, I suggest incorporating 5-10 minutes of gentle, lymphatic massage, especially around the neck, underarms, and abdomen, to encourage flow and support the body’s natural detox pathways. As you move through your massage, close your eyes and visualize your body opening. Imagine channels clearing, pathways softening, and stagnant energy beginning to move. See light flowing through your lymph, your digestive tract, and your organs, gently preparing everything for the deeper cleanse ahead.
Let this phase be about awakening the body, not pushing it. Small, consistent actions now create the momentum for powerful release later in the cycle.
First Quarter ~ Days: 7-10
Themes: Action, commitment, momentum
Body focus: Beginning the active cleanse
Cleanse level: Option to start a mild or an intensive cleanse
By the first quarter, the light of the Moon is noticeably growing in the sky. What was once a thin crescent is now a strong, visible half-moon, and you may feel a similarly dramatic shift inside your own body and mind. Energetically, you may have more momentum now, and this phase supports action. The intentions you set during the New Moon and the preparations you made during the Waxing Crescent are ready to become something more tangible. This is a wonderful time to re-commit to your original goal of healing.
Emotionally, you may feel more focused, driven, or determined, but don’t be surprised if you feel a little friction here. Traditionally, this phase creates natural pressure to drive your growth. It makes you more aware of what’s working, but also what isn’t, whether that’s in your body, your habits, or in your environment. This can cause some overwhelm or frustration, but it’s important that you just take note and move forward.
Physically, energy is usually stronger now. Digestion strengthens, circulation increases, and the body becomes better able to handle deeper cleansing. According to traditional parasite cleansing systems, this is when parasitic activity is believed to increase. As the Moon’s light grows, parasites are thought to move more actively into the digestive tract, where they feed and reproduce. As this shift happens, you might notice symptoms such as bloating, changes in appetite, sugar cravings, mild headaches, fatigue, or irritability.
Nutritionally, continue focusing on whole foods while avoiding cravings for sugar and starches. The goal is to maintain a stable, supportive internal environment while the herbs begin their work. That said, if you’re committing to a more intensive cleanse, you can start using your Para-Herb Defense Capsules and Para-Herb Defense Tonic as recommended.
Your First Quarter Ritual
This is the action phase, but action doesn’t mean force. During the active cleanse, your body is already doing deep work, so your ritual should support release without draining your energy. Each day, take a few quiet minutes to sit or lie down with your hands over your belly. Close your eyes and imagine a warm, steady light glowing in your digestive tract. See this light gently loosening anything stagnant, sticky, or unwanted. With each breath, visualize that light moving through your intestines like a soft current, carrying debris, toxins, and parasites out of the body with ease. Emotions like fear, anxiety, and excitement tend to show up in the gut, so don’t be surprised if things come up emotionally as the cleanse moves through you.
Waxing Gibbous ~ Days: 11-13
Themes: Refinement, strengthening
Body focus: Deepening the cleanse
Cleanse level: Begin or continue your active cleanse
By the Waxing Gibbous Moon, the light is strong and growing. The Moon is nearly full, and you may feel that same sense of fullness building inside your body. Energetically, this is a phase of refinement and strengthening. You’ve already committed to the cleanse, and now the work continues. However, like the first quarter Moon phase, it’s tempting to give up; to think it’s not going to work for you. Stay strong. This is an incredible opportunity to settle into a new rhythm of honoring your body. Focus on your goal, not on the temptations to go back to bad habits.
Emotionally, you may feel more sensitive or introspective as deeper layers begin to move. Some people notice waves of fatigue, irritability, or emotional release during this phase (especially alongside the herbal cleansing). Others feel a surprising sense of clarity. It’s all normal. The body is actively clearing, and that process can affect both the physical and emotional layers. Physically, this is the middle of the active cleanse window. The herbs are circulating, the digestive tract is moving, and the body is working steadily to break down and eliminate what no longer belongs.
From a parasitic perspective, this is often considered a highly active phase. As the Moon approaches fullness, parasites are thought to be more mobile, feeding more aggressively and moving through the digestive tract. This increased activity is exactly what the cleanse is designed to interrupt, weaken, and clear. You may notice increased bloating or gurgling, fatigue, skin changes, and more. These shifts are all a part of the clearing process as the internal terrain changes. Continue your herbal protocol as directed. Your body is fully engaged now, and your role is to support it consistently and with care.
Your Waxing Gibbous Ritual
As the Moon, ruled by the element of water, waxes toward her peak, it’s time to turn to water as an ally in your healing. Soak in a warm Epsom salt bath to help soften your body, relax your muscles, and gently open your detox pathways. Feel the water holding you, supporting you, and drawing tension and stagnation out of your tissues.
Close your eyes and imagine your body as a flowing river rather than a stagnant pool. See toxins, parasites, and old debris loosening and drifting downstream, carried effortlessly out of your system. Imagine light moving through your intestines like a warm tide, washing everything clean, leaving behind a calm, clear, living landscape.
Full Moon ~ Days: 14-16
Themes: Illumination, peak release
Body focus: Maximum elimination
Cleanse level: Final days of active cleanse
This is it. The Moon is hanging full and luminous in the sky. The cycle has reached its peak: the most expressive, electric, and outward phase of the lunar journey. All of your efforts have been quietly building toward this moment of release.
Energetically, emotions and sensations may feel heightened. Some people experience bursts of clarity or energy, while others feel more sensitive, tired, or emotionally raw. The Full Moon tends to illuminate whatever has been hidden, whether that’s physical stagnation, emotional residue, or old patterns ready to move out of the system. Take note of anything coming up now, because that’s what you’ll be releasing as the Moon begins to wane back into darkness.
This is the most active phase of the parasite lifecycle, when they’re thought to be more mobile and exposed within the digestive tract. That makes it the strongest window for elimination, and the ideal time for an active cleanse. If you’re using the herbal blends for a mild cleanse or maintenance, aim to use them for three to five days around the Full Moon phase.
Keep meals simple, warm, and easy to digest. This is not the time for heavy or celebratory foods. Let your body use its energy for elimination. Think of this phase as the peak of the cleanse, when everything that has been loosened and mobilized is ready to leave.
Your Full Moon Ritual
The light is at its peak, and so is the work you’ve been doing. The evening of the Full Moon, step outside and spend a few quiet minutes bathing in her light. Stand or sit comfortably and take a few slow breaths. Feel the ground beneath your feet. Feel the air on your skin. Let yourself become fully present. Place your hands on your belly and reflect on the cycle to date. Think back to the intentions you set at the New Moon, the preparations you made, the herbs you’ve taken, the rituals you’ve kept.
Notice what has shifted, physically, emotionally, or energetically. What is your body showing you in this moment? What habits, symptoms, or patterns have come into the light? What feels clearer than it did two weeks ago? Let a sense of gratitude build for the work you’ve done and the intelligence of your body. You don’t need to release everything just yet. Simply stand in the moment and acknowledge the process.
Waning Gibbous ~ Days: 17-19
Themes: Integration, early repair
Body focus: Nervous system and gut rebuilding
Cleanse level: Transition off the active cleansing herbs
Now, we begin to rest. You’ve just expended a huge amount of energy, and it’s important not to push yourself. You may start to feel noticeably better as the active phase of the cleanse comes to an end, but just because your energy is returning doesn’t mean you need to overwork again.
Go easy on yourself. Focus on acceptance and gratitude. You’ve accomplished a lot in a short amount of time, and your body deserves recognition for the work it’s done. I always tell my students that whether you’re using the Moon to manifest, heal, or grow, rest is an essential part of the cycle.
This is the part many Western, productivity-minded people struggle with. We’re used to constant effort, constant pushing, always trying to get somewhere new. But the Waning Moon phases aren’t about striving. They’re about making space. This is often when the real magic happens: not when you’re forcing or chasing, but when you’ve done the work and allow yourself to rest inside it.
Energy begins to decrease now. The body naturally shifts from elimination into rebuilding and integration. The herbs have done their job, and it’s time to support the nervous system, mineralize the body, and gently restore the gut. The Mineral Tea is your daily grounding and rebuilding ritual. Think of it as a way to replenish what the cleanse has stirred up, gently mineralizing and strengthening the body as it rebuilds.
You can also begin incorporating the Happiness Tonic Powder into your daily routine as a nourishing drink. Its adaptogenic herbs and roasted roots provide gentle mood support and offer a warm, grounding alternative to coffee during this restorative phase. If digestion feels a little sluggish as you transition out of the cleanse, you can add gentle bitters before heavier meals to help stimulate digestive juices and keep things moving comfortably. Think of this phase as the soft exhale after a deep release. Nothing needs to be forced. The body is integrating, recalibrating, and finding a new equilibrium.
Your Waning Gibbous Ritual
This phase focuses on calming the nervous system and enabling the body to shift out of cleanse mode and into repair. A simple vagus nerve practice can help signal safety and restoration. Find a quiet place to sit or lie down. Place one hand over your heart and one over your belly. Close your eyes and begin to breathe slowly through your nose. Inhale for a count of four. Exhale for a count of six. As you breathe, imagine your body settling. Feel your shoulders soften, your jaw unclench, your belly gently rise and fall beneath your hand. Picture your nervous system like a calm lake after a storm, the surface slowly becoming still. Stay here for a few minutes, letting your breath guide you into a deeper state of calm. The magic of a Waning Moon isn't in doing more, but allowing your body and spirit to integrate everything that’s been in motion.
Last Quarter ~ Days: 20-23
Themes: Release, recalibration
Body focus: Microbiome balance and restoration
Cleanse level: Gentle support and rebuilding
By the last quarter moon, the light has begun to noticeably fade. The intensity of the Full Moon is behind you, and the cycle turns more inward with each passing day. Energetically, this phase encourages letting go physically, emotionally, and mentally. There’s often a natural desire to simplify, declutter, or step back from what feels draining or unnecessary. You may notice old thoughts, habits, or emotional patterns resurfacing. Rather than resisting them, this is the time to acknowledge them and allow them to pass.
Physically, the body is still in a mild elimination phase, though less intense than the active cleanse. The focus now is on supporting your microbiome, encouraging regular digestion, rebuilding with minerals and nutrient-rich foods, and maintaining gentle daily rhythms. Continue with simple whole foods and regular meals. This is a good time to pay attention to how your body responds to different foods, noticing what feels supportive and what doesn’t. Think of this phase as clearing the last bits of debris after the main work is done. Consistency doesn’t feel sexy, but it’s the kind of structure that helps to rebuild.
Your Last Quarter Ritual
This phase is ideal for quiet reflection. Set aside a few minutes each day with your journal and a cup of tea, and reflect on what’s ready to be released.
You might explore prompts like:
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What did this cleanse teach me about my body?
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Where did I struggle, and what can I learn from that?
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What foods, routines, or environments make me feel my best?
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What am I ready to let go of before the next cycle begins?
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What does “a clean internal landscape” look and feel like to me?
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What habits or patterns feel heavy or outdated in my life right now?
Let the reflections come gently, like leaves drifting off a tree at the end of a season. This phase is about thoughtful recalibration, making space for the stillness of the Waning Crescent ahead.
Waning Crescent (Balsamic Phase) ~ Days: 24-28
Themes: Surrender, deep rest, reflection
Body focus: Full integration and recovery
Cleanse level: Rest phase
As the Moon thins into a delicate crescent, the cycle reaches its most inward and restorative phase. The sky grows darker each night, and the body often follows suit, craving more quiet, more sleep, and more solitude. Energetically, this is a time of surrender. The work has been done. The active cleansing is behind you. Now your body and spirit are invited into deep rest and integration before the next cycle begins.
This phase represents the full-scale release of old habits, the acceptance of endings, and the cultivation of inner peace. It’s a liminal space between what was and what’s about to begin again. Many traditions associate this time with ancestral wisdom, dreams, subconscious release, and spiritual insights.
Physically, the body is in recovery mode, the focus is on nourishment, gentle routines, and supporting the nervous system as it settles. Keep your days simple. Eat warm, nourishing meals and mineral-rich teas. Meditate under the trees. Take gentle walks in nature if it feels good. Let your schedule soften wherever possible. If you can let your nervous system rest, this phase can become a deep exhale and a natural progression into the fertile darkness where the next new beginnings are already forming.
Your Waning Crescent Ritual
This is the most inward, restorative part of the cycle, but that doesn’t always mean complete stillness. The Waning Crescent is also deeply transformative, a liminal space between what was and what’s about to begin again. Movement during this phase can become a kind of spell… a conjuring of a new identity, a new energy to replace what’s been released.
In the evening, put on a piece of music that matches your mood. It doesn’t have to be upbeat (but could be!). I prefer something slow, dreamy, emotional, or even a little strange. The only rule is that it feels right to you. Then, move. Don’t think about how it looks. Don’t follow any choreography. Don’t try to do it “right.” Just let your body flow. Sway, stretch, roll your shoulders, circle your hips, lie on the floor, and reach your arms overhead. Let the movement be quiet, soft, and instinctive. Imagine you’re shedding the final layers of the cycle, old tension, old thoughts, old emotional residue, simply by moving through them.
When the song ends, sit or lie down for a moment and notice how you feel. Let the stillness return naturally. Feel your heart beat. The cycle is closing, and something new is already forming in the dark.
The Moon Was Always Our Guide
Many of us never needed scientific validation that the Moon influences the body, behavior, and biological rhythms. We’ve spent years looking to the Moon as a guide, not only for how we feel physically, like when sleep might falter, menstruation might come, or parasites might wake up, but for how we feel mentally, emotionally, and energetically. Maybe you’ve done it without thinking, looking to the sky when you get home at night, clocking its phase, but not doing much about it.
That’s magic, too, in my opinion—a silent, subtle nod to the one cosmic body we can always look to to remind us that nothing in nature is meant to be constant, and neither are we. When you align a cleanse, a cycle, an intention, or a diet with the lunar rhythm, you’re opening your body and mind to magic by connecting with the goddess of emotions, intuition, and subconscious flow. You don’t have to do it perfectly. You don’t have to follow every phase with precision. The real magic is in paying attention, in noticing how your body responds, and in letting the cycle guide you back to balance.
