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Herxheimer Reaction                                                                                                                                                                                 

 

If you are already familiar with the concept of a "Healing Crisis" then you may already know what the Herxheimer Reaction is.

 

The phenomenon was first described by dermatologist Jarish Adolf Herxheimer (1860-1902) working in Vienna, Austria, and a few years later by his brother Karl Herxheimer (1861-1942), also a dermatologist, working in Frankfurt Germany.

 

Technically known as the Jarisch-Herxheimer Reaction, the syndrome is most often referred to as Herxheimers Reaction or the Herxheimer Effect, and is also called "Herx" or "Herks" for short. It is also known as die-off syndrome, a detox reaction or a healing crisis.

 

The Herxheimer brothers ( who were  treating syphilitic lesions of the skin) noticed that in response to treatment, many patients developed not only fever, perspiration, night sweats, nausea and vomiting, but their skin lesions became larger and more inflamed before settling down and healing. Interestingly, they found that those who had the most extreme reactions, healed best and fastest. The patient might be ill for 2-3 days, but then their lesions resolved.

Although the experience may not feel particularly good, in fact you can feel quite ill, the Herxheimer Reaction is a sign that healing is taking place.

 

Dorlands Medical Dictionary defines the Herxheimer reaction as a transient, short-term, immunological reaction commonly seen following antibiotic treatment of early and later stage syphilis and other diseases which is manifested by:

• Fever.
• Chills.
• Headache.
• Myalgias (muscle pain).
• Exacerbations of cutaneous lesions (patch of the skin that does not resemble the area surrounding it).

 

The reaction has been attributed to liberation of endotoxin - like substances or antigens (a substance which causes an immune reaction) released when large amounts of pathogens are being killed off and the body cannot eliminate the them quickly enough.

 

Simply stated, it is a reaction that occurs when the body is detoxifying and the released toxins either exacerbate the symptoms being treated or create their own symptoms such as:

• Headaches.
• Body ache.
• Chills.
• Extreme fatigue.
• Joint pain.
• Sweating.
• General malaise.
• Sore throat.
• Nausea.
• Flu like symptoms.

Depending on the severity of the infection and resulting die-off, these symptoms can last 1-2 weeks and sometimes longer and can vary in intensity.

 

Drinking 1.5 litres of filtered water every day to flush the organisms from the body is helpful be careful when drinking a lot of water excessive consumption may be harmful. Water

 

To assist the removal of dying organisms during an reaction it may be helpful to have a natural whole lemon olive oil drink several times a day. To prepare; place one whole unwaxed, unpeeled lemon  in a blender add 1 cup of warm water and 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil. Blend until the liquid is smooth, strain the contents and drink the liquid.

 

 

1. Nicolson, et.al., Diagnosis and Integrative Treatment of Intracellular Bacterial Infections in Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia Syndromes, Gulf War Illness, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Other Chronic Illnesses. Clinical Practice of Alternative Medicine 2000; 1(2) 42-102

                                                                                                                                                                                                          

Elimination of pathogens (toxins from the body)  should not to be undertaken without professional support, misguided efforts may result in severe illness.

It is not uncommon to experience symptoms of ill-health and fatigue when eliminating pathogens from the body.

 

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