Herxheimer / Healing Reaction (And how to minimize its effects)
What is the herxheimer reaction?
A ‘Herxheimer reaction’ is basically a detoxification response. Named after the Austrian dermatologist brothers Jarisch Adolf Herxheimer and Karl Herxheimer, who independently discovered the response in the late 1800’s.
- The Herxheimer brothers found that the Herxheimer reaction was the result of foreign protein toxins released by dying microbes. Excessively large amounts of microbial waste hinder the body’s ability to adequately eliminate it through the usual channels (liver, colon, urinary tract) and instead, toxic material is discharged through the lungs, sinuses and skin.
- Symptoms can include a ‘flu-like condition’. Usually manifesting from 4-24 hours (but sometimes days or even weeks) after an effective therapy session, with an intensity proportional to body’s toxicity level. Symptoms are TEMPORARY and are an indication that infection was present and that the therapy is working.
| • Sore muscles | • Heavy perspiration and night sweats |
| • Fever (with or without chills) | • Headaches |
| • Malaise | • Diarrhea |
| • Nausea and vomiting | • Pain in joints and bones |
| • Itching | • Flushing |
| • Rashes or skin lesions |
Natural methods to help body unload toxins
Drink 6-8 glasses of quality spring water every day. To both enhance therapy and aid detoxification. In the case of electrotherapy (E.g. RIFE RESONANCE PROTOCOL and Beck Protocol), it is critical that you drink 12-16 oz water just prior to and immediately after therapy, and additionally 2 hours after electrotherapy to further flush body;
Use a bioxidative therapy. To speed and ease detoxification; also directly deals with pathogens.
- Hydrogen Peroxide Therapy E.g. A daily 30 min. Hydrogen Peroxide Footbath
- Ozone Therapy / INGESTION. E.g. Drinking ozonated water (as in The Beck Protocol; made using e.g. the SOTA water Ozonator)
Do Some Moderate exercise (E.g. 30 minutes of brisk walking, 10-15 minutes rebounding);
Detoxify the elimination organs. i.e. liver, kidneys, spleen, lymph system; Although such detoxification may itself produce detoxification reactions, this is obviously better done before starting any other health restoring therapy
Avoid constipation. Keep diet light. Consume 2 Tablespoons ground flax/day in a a cup of milk or highly diluted juice.
Use the herb milk thistle to aid liver detoxification. Especially with cancer treatments, which may overwhelm the liver’s ability to process and eliminate the breakdown products of dying cancer cells
