What Is A Healing Crisis:
A healing crisis - also known as a Herxheimer Reaction - occurs when the body is detoxifying too rapidly and toxins are being released faster than the body can eliminate them.

A healing crisis is in effect when the body is in the process of elimination. Reactions may be mild or they may be severe. A healing crisis is a natural and necessary process which can result from any natural or holistic therapy (such as homeopathy, naturopathy), from an improved diet, from cessation of drug abuse, etc

One should expect a healing crisis if major or radical changes are made in lifestyle, habits and addictions, and work through the detoxification process at a slower pace. The body's inherent desire is for perfect health and we each have the ability to make our way back to that state.

The body must go through an elimination process in order to achieve good health and there will be ups and downs, as you experience a process called 'retracing'. You may feel worse before you feel better.

Symptoms will pass as your body begins to normalize to a new level of health. One does not immediately move into good health or 100% detoxification overnight

When a healing crisis occurs, it is the result of all the body systems working together to eliminate toxicity as it prepares to begin regeneration of new tissue and healthy cells and the repair of internal organs.

Some people have greater toxicity than others such as those who take prescribed medications or have taken street drugs for many years.

Long term ingestion of alcohol, nicotine, junk food and coffee will also create a healing crisis when intake is discontinued, causing temporary discomfort ranging from headaches or migraine, to fatigue, skin rashes, nausea, increased urination, constipation, flu or shaking and diarrhea as the body detoxifies, cleanses, repairs and heals itself.

A Disease Crisis, on the other hand, is not a natural process and works against the body's natural healing abilities. A disease occurs when the body cannot make it through its natural healing crisis for one reason or another and the body becomes "locked" into a destructive and shut down place, physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.

A disease crisis occurs ...

- When the body is loaded with mucus and clogged to the maximum limit.

- When the immune system is stressed and enough germs are multiplying.

- When body strength and vitality is lowest.
- When the body becomes extremely cold.

- In order to save the persons life.
- May last several weeks.

Symptoms are identical to the disease, because the names for diseases are simply groups of symptoms listed under a common name. But there is an important difference between a healing crisis and a disease crisis - elimination.

A healing crisis indicates ...

A healing crisis indicates a cleansing, purifying process is underway and stored wastes are in a free-flowing state. Sometimes discomfort during the healing crisis is of greater intensity than when building the chronic disease. This may explain why there may be brief flare-ups (retracing) in one's condition.

The healing crisis will usually bring about past conditions in whatever order the body is capable of handling at that time. People often forget the diseases or injuries they have had in the past, but are usually reminded during the healing crisis.

The path to better health sometimes begins with a natural healing crisis.

- Happens only as the body is naturally restored to normal structure and function.

- Happens only when the body has enough vitality to stand the shock.

- Happens when a person feels the best.

- May occur immediately, or after several months of adopting a healthier lifestyle.

- Only lasts two or three days - If the energy of the person is low, it may possibly last a week or more.

During the healing crisis, it is important not to suppress these temporary symptoms with drugs or medication, or the healing process may become interrupted. It is also important not to give up and back down, or revert to old habits and lifestyle.

Giving up simply prolongs the healing process and enables the trapped toxins to silently and slowly create serious illness or chronic life threatening disease.

Herxheimer Reaction and What To Do:

The Herxheimer Reaction as discussed above, occurs when the body is detoxifying too rapidly and toxins are being released faster than the body can eliminate them. When this occurs, you may suffer from headaches, nausea, skin rashes, vomiting, and general malaise.

Even though this is but a short period in your new health regime, it can be severe and deter you from reaching your intended goals.

You may not understand what you are experiencing and think that you are regressing. You are not. Remember, In actuality, you are not getting worse, you are getting better, as many who have experienced this will attest to.

To minimize rapid elimination of toxins:

- Drink lots of water.

- Help keep the organs of elimination - bowels, lungs, skin, kidneys - in regular working order with a natural healthy diet.

- Exercise daily, even if only minimally.
- Get out in the sunshine and fresh air.

- Sweat out the toxins by using exercise, saunas, baths and herbs.

- Avoid foreign chemicals, alcohol, caffeine and processed foods.

- Get adequate rest and sleep. Take naps if possible.
- Take detoxification slowly, one day at a time.

If a Herxheimer Reaction occurs, ease up on your health detoxification program, slow it down - stop for just a couple of days if you feel the need to. Persevere, do not give up.