How regular doses of hookworms revolutionised my health and gave me back my life
Jane Puckey, a nurse diagnosed with systemic scleroderma in 2010, reports regaining her health and improving her lung function from 76% to 95% through the use of therapeutic hookworms and whipworms. After struggling for eight years with steroid-induced side effects and declining organ function, Puckey utilized helminthic therapy to wean off Prednisone and return to an active lifestyle including pickleball.
What is Systemic Scleroderma and Its Impact?
Scleroderma is a rare, chronic autoimmune disease characterized by the over-production of collagen. This process leads to the tightening of connective tissues and the skin. Puckey was diagnosed with the systemic type, which can severely affect internal organs.
The prognosis for this condition can be dire. In Puckey’s case, her specialist warned of potential kidney and lung failure, disability, and death. Her symptoms included reflux, Raynaud’s syndrome, and hardened skin.
Why Conventional Treatments Often Present Trade-offs?
Puckey initially used Methotrexate, a potent immunosuppressant. Her doctor estimated the drug might improve the odds of containing the disease to a milder form by 50%, though it offered no cure. Eventually, Methotrexate caused liver problems, leading her doctor to discontinue the medication.

To manage arthritis and myositis, Puckey took Prednisone. While this steroid allowed her to leave the couch, it caused thin bones and created a risk of kidney failure. This forced her into an eight-year cycle where her dosage fluctuated between 5mg and 30mg every three months.
How Does Helminthic Therapy Work for Autoimmune Conditions?
Helminthic therapy involves the introduction of tiny roundworms, such as hookworms, into the human body. These worms enter through the skin and eventually reside in the intestine for several years. Puckey discovered this approach after reading about Lyn Jolly, who reported remission from lupus using the same method.
The theory suggests a link between human health and the microbiome. Historically, humans lived with helminths, but modern sanitization standards have largely wiped them out. Puckey noted research attributing the lack of Alzheimer’s and overall good health in some Bolivian jungle populations to the presence of hookworms and other helminths.
What Were the Results of Therapeutic Hookworm Treatment?
Puckey procured helminths online, as the treatment is unregulated in New Zealand. Within five weeks, she reported increased energy and a softening of her skin. Over the next 18 months, she successfully weaned herself off steroids entirely.
Since starting regular doses of hookworms and whipworms seven years ago, Puckey has not experienced another flare of muscle weakness. Her lung function increased from 76% to 95%, and she now plays pickleball two to four times per week.
What Could the Future Hold for Autoimmune Patients?
Puckey has since published a book, Hooked on Gut Health: The Truth About Autoimmune Disease and How To Heal, through BiomeOra. She now assists others in navigating their own helminth journeys.
Given the existence of global social media groups for helminthic self-treaters, it is possible that more patients with chronic autoimmune conditions, eczema, or allergies may seek similar unregulated treatments. This trend could lead to further patient-led databases of personal stories and scientific research.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is systemic scleroderma?
It is a rare autoimmune disease where an over-production of collagen causes the skin and connective tissues to tighten, potentially affecting internal organs like the lungs and kidneys.
What are therapeutic hookworms?
They are tiny roundworms that enter the body through the skin and live in the intestines. Some individuals use them to manage autoimmune conditions by influencing the body’s microbiome.
What improvements did Jane Puckey experience?
Puckey reported an increase in lung function from 76% to 95%, the cessation of muscle weakness flares, and the ability to stop using Prednisone.
How do you balance conventional medical advice with alternative health discoveries?