After a week or so of starting your health protocol, it is common to develop some uncomfortable (but temporary) symptoms.
Whilst this may be temporarily uncomfortable to deal with, it is actually a good sign.
In naturopathy, we talk about the body having a vital force. A child has a strong, vibrant vital force, whilst someone in the middle of an illness has a weakened, flatter vital force. The vital force is the energetic strength of the body to function properly. It is energy, will power and vibrancy.
When the vital force is low, the body will allow certain ailments to take hold. It hasn`t the strength to throw off bacteria, parasites, moulds and toxins as it should when vitality is high.
As you begin to move along your health journey, your body`s vital force will begin to rise and it`s first instinct (as soon as it is strong enough) will be to purge the body of any unwelcome substances (or visitors) within itself. It will try to get these substances out of the body by whatever means it can. This could be through bowel movements, urine or through the skin.
Bowel movements can become different and may range from diarrhoea to constipation. It can be common to experience urinary tract infections during this time or thrush. skin conditions can worsen and breakouts can occur.
In addition to your body trying to throw out unwanted substances, when you eliminate inflammatory, processed foods, sugars and chemicals from your diet, your body goes through withdrawal - just like with drugs or alcohol. Your body has been used to certain stimulants to help it with energy and mood balance. Your body will need time to re-calibrate and remember how to function without these substances. It is not uncommon to feel headaches, loss of energy, brain fog and other annoying symptoms when this happens.
Whilst these symptoms aren`t nice, try to recognise what is happening... your body is trying to cleanse itself and like a snake has to shed it`s skin - this is your way of revealing a new and revitalised YOU!
These symptoms are referred to by some therapists as a "healing crisis". The official, scientific term is a Herxheimer reaction.
The Herxheimer reaction
The Herxheimer Reaction is a short-term (from days to a few weeks) detoxification reaction in the body. As the body detoxifies, it is common to experience flu-like symptoms including headache, irritability, joint and muscle pain, body aches, sore throat, general malaise, sweating, chills, nausea, brain fog, constipation, hunger, insomnia, itchy skin, fatigue or other symptoms. Skin conditions such as eczema,psoriasis and acne can flare up.
This is a normal reaction that indicates that your body is ridding itself of inflammatory toxins, or even parasites, fungus, viruses, bacteria, or other pathogens.
The biggest problem with the Herxheimer reaction is that people`s initial first reactions are to question the supplements they are taking. Please know that your supplements are chosen for you with extreme care and attention. You will not be given anything that can cause any reactions in this way.
The worst thing you can do is to stop taking your supplements. It is the supplements and your new diet that are helping to regain your balance and therefore your vital force. Although the experience may not make you feel particularly good, the Herxheimer Reaction is actually a sign that healing is taking place. The good news is that after the symptoms pass, most people feel enlivened, energetic and overall much better.
What can you do to support the detoxification process?
Don`t be worried or be put off after reading this article. For most people, their herxheimer reaction is a brief and only annoying set of symptoms and isn`t severe at all.
If at all possible, please try to avoid reaching for antibiotics during this time. Get in touch if you have thrush or a UTI and I can help you with really effective and natural alternatives (* if you have severe pain or a fever then it may be necessary for antibiotics and you should seek help from your GP)
Drink that lemon water in a morning... it really does help!
Whilst this may be temporarily uncomfortable to deal with, it is actually a good sign.
In naturopathy, we talk about the body having a vital force. A child has a strong, vibrant vital force, whilst someone in the middle of an illness has a weakened, flatter vital force. The vital force is the energetic strength of the body to function properly. It is energy, will power and vibrancy.
When the vital force is low, the body will allow certain ailments to take hold. It hasn`t the strength to throw off bacteria, parasites, moulds and toxins as it should when vitality is high.
As you begin to move along your health journey, your body`s vital force will begin to rise and it`s first instinct (as soon as it is strong enough) will be to purge the body of any unwelcome substances (or visitors) within itself. It will try to get these substances out of the body by whatever means it can. This could be through bowel movements, urine or through the skin.
Bowel movements can become different and may range from diarrhoea to constipation. It can be common to experience urinary tract infections during this time or thrush. skin conditions can worsen and breakouts can occur.
In addition to your body trying to throw out unwanted substances, when you eliminate inflammatory, processed foods, sugars and chemicals from your diet, your body goes through withdrawal - just like with drugs or alcohol. Your body has been used to certain stimulants to help it with energy and mood balance. Your body will need time to re-calibrate and remember how to function without these substances. It is not uncommon to feel headaches, loss of energy, brain fog and other annoying symptoms when this happens.
Whilst these symptoms aren`t nice, try to recognise what is happening... your body is trying to cleanse itself and like a snake has to shed it`s skin - this is your way of revealing a new and revitalised YOU!
These symptoms are referred to by some therapists as a "healing crisis". The official, scientific term is a Herxheimer reaction.
The Herxheimer reaction
The Herxheimer Reaction is a short-term (from days to a few weeks) detoxification reaction in the body. As the body detoxifies, it is common to experience flu-like symptoms including headache, irritability, joint and muscle pain, body aches, sore throat, general malaise, sweating, chills, nausea, brain fog, constipation, hunger, insomnia, itchy skin, fatigue or other symptoms. Skin conditions such as eczema,psoriasis and acne can flare up.
This is a normal reaction that indicates that your body is ridding itself of inflammatory toxins, or even parasites, fungus, viruses, bacteria, or other pathogens.
The biggest problem with the Herxheimer reaction is that people`s initial first reactions are to question the supplements they are taking. Please know that your supplements are chosen for you with extreme care and attention. You will not be given anything that can cause any reactions in this way.
The worst thing you can do is to stop taking your supplements. It is the supplements and your new diet that are helping to regain your balance and therefore your vital force. Although the experience may not make you feel particularly good, the Herxheimer Reaction is actually a sign that healing is taking place. The good news is that after the symptoms pass, most people feel enlivened, energetic and overall much better.
What can you do to support the detoxification process?
- Remember, the herxheimer reaction may only begin as your body regains it`s strength. This may be a week or two after starting your protocol... longer in chronic cases.
- The best and most important thing that you can do to aid the process of detoxification and to lessen the effects of any reaction is to drink plenty of water. Drink between 1.5 - 2 litres of pure water each day. You can add some freshly squeezed lemon juice to help your liver`s detoxification pathways.
- Eat plenty of healthy fats to avoid cravings, like nuts and seeds, avocados, coconut oil and oily fish
- Eat protein rich meals and snacks at least every 3 - 4 hours to balance blood sugar.
- Stretch your body gently with light yoga or warm up routines.
- If possible schedule a massage
- Get plenty of fresh air and sunlight
- Minimise exercise for the detox period
- Keep the organs of elimination functioning properly (bowels, lungs, skin, kidneys, lymph) It`s important to get the bowel moving to get the toxins out so drink plenty of water and try adding extra fibre to smoothies to get the bowel moving. Flax seeds are great to add.
- Keep the diet relatively pure during the detox period
- Avoid alcohol if possible
- Get plenty of sleep. Rest is essential to detox. The liver is most active at night so make sure you are in bed before 11pm.
- Take sea salt/ Epsom salt/ Himalayan salt baths - always drink water whilst bathing in salts. (don`t do this if you have a heart condition)
- Use saunas and steam rooms where possible
- Dry skin brushing - use a soft bristled brush to sweep the limbs in an upwards motion towards the heart. Do this before you take a shower.
Don`t be worried or be put off after reading this article. For most people, their herxheimer reaction is a brief and only annoying set of symptoms and isn`t severe at all.
If at all possible, please try to avoid reaching for antibiotics during this time. Get in touch if you have thrush or a UTI and I can help you with really effective and natural alternatives (* if you have severe pain or a fever then it may be necessary for antibiotics and you should seek help from your GP)
Drink that lemon water in a morning... it really does help!
