The Healing Crisis 

The Cleansing Reaction, The Detox

Reaction, and The Herxheimer Reaction
 INTRODUCTION
Also known as the "Herxheimer Reaction", this reaction
occurs when the body tries to eliminate toxins at a
faster rate than they can be properly disposed of. The
more toxic one's bodily systems are, the more severe
the detoxification, or healing crisis. It is characterized
by a temporary increase in symptoms during the
cleansing or detox process which may be mild or
severe. You may feel worse and therefore conclude that
the treatment is not working. But these reactions are
instead signs that the treatment is working and that
your body is going through the process of cleaning itself
of impurities, toxins and imbalances.
 Such reactions are temporary and can occur immediately -- or
within several days, or even several weeks, of a detox. Symptoms
usually pass within 1-3 days, but on rare occasions can last
several weeks. If you are suffering from a major illness, the
symptoms you experience during the healing crisis may be
identical to the disease itself. Sometimes discomfort during the
healing crisis is of greater intensity than when you were
developing the chronic disease. This may explain why there may
be a brief flare-up in one's condition. Often the crisis will come
after you feel your very best. Most people feel somewhat ill
during the first few days of a cleanse because it is at that point
that your body dumps toxins into the blood stream for
elimination. With a more serious condition there may be many
small crises to go through before the final one is possible. In any
case, a cleansing & purifying process is underway, and stored
wastes are in a free-flowing state.
What is a Healing Crisis?
 Detoxification is meant to rejuvenate the mind and
body and positively impact well being and clarity.
However, sometimes the initial reaction to a 
detoxification programcan
be anything but pleasant. The process of healing some
times includes a healing crisis, also known as the detox
reaction, the cleansing reaction, and the
Jarisch-Herxheimer
reaction. During a healing crisis, you can feel even wors
e than before you started your detox program. The goo
d news is that this reaction is likely a sign that you’re ge
tting better by way of a deep and thorough cleansing.
• What is a Healing Crisis?
• How Long Does a Healing Crisis Last?
Environmental toxins accumulate in tissue throughout the body,
especially fat tissue. Additionally, the human body has bacterial
colonies. When you cleanse your body, the toxins dislodge and
the bacteria die off and release endotoxins. When the toxins and
waste are dislodged, the body begins to flush them into the
bloodstream to be filtered and eliminated. This sudden
circulation of toxins can temporarily impact your well being and
symptoms of illness (sweating, fever, discomfort, etc.) may occur.
• What Else Can Cause a Healing Crisis?
A healing crisis generally lasts around three days, depending on
the individual and the severity of their situation. The more
severe the toxicity, the more intense the healing crisis can be. As
your body begins to expel toxins, your energy may decrease and
you may begin to feel ill. If it happens, take it as a sign that your
body is working to flush out toxins and waste.
 Sometimes you don’t even need to begin a cleansing protocol to
experience a healing crisis. Women who’ve participated in
reflexology have reported experiencing the effects.[1] Massage, 
sauna bathing
, and other therapies may also dislodge toxins and encourage a h
ealing crisis (and healing!).
• How to Handle a Healing Crisis
Conventional medicine has indicated that treatment protocols
for many diseases can include a healing crisis. For example,
syphilis treatments often initiate a Jarisch-Herxheimer response
(healing crisis), with headache, fever, chills, worsening of lesions,
and malaise. [2] [3]
 Case studies suggest antibiotics for leptospirosis, a potentially fa
tal bacterial infection, may prompt a healing crisis, too. 
4
[ ]
 For a cleanse- or detox-induced healing crisis, it’s important to
stay hydrated with purified water to encourage your body to
flush and expel the toxins. Depending on the detox program, 
lemon juice
 and herbal teas may also help flush out toxins and provide nutri
ents and antioxidants. 
Massage
, acupuncture, EFT (emotional freedom technique), and meditati
on may be helpful for relieving the indications of a healing crisis,
especially 
anxietyand stress.