Don’t Blame Herxing. You’re Just Backed Up (Here’s the Real Detox Timeline)
Let’s Get One Thing Straight...
If every new detox supplement makes you feel like you got hit by a truck, let me lovingly say this: It might not be a Herx. It might be that you’re just... backed up.
Everyone in the holistic world loves to toss around the term "Herxing" like it’s a badge of honor. But more often than not, what you’re experiencing isn’t heroic detoxing. It’s your body begging for support.
Today, we’re going beyond the symptom checklist and diving into how to get things moving BEFORE you start a deep detox. Because there is a right way to do this, and it starts with opening the gates.
What Is a Herx Reaction, Really?
A Herxheimer reaction (aka "Herxing") is your body’s inflammatory response to the die-off of pathogens like bacteria, yeast, or parasites. The toxins from that die-off can overwhelm your system temporarily, causing symptoms like fatigue, body aches, headaches, and flu-like feelings.
But here’s the deal:
- A real Herx lasts a few days at most.
- It usually follows an effective protocol with active die-off.
- It shouldn’t make you feel like garbage for weeks on end.
If you're still bloated, foggy, constipated, or exhausted two weeks into your protocol? You don't need more binders or bug-killers. You need drainage.
The Real Detox Timeline
You wouldn’t flush a toilet without water in the tank, right? Same goes for detox. You can’t flush toxins without open drainage pathways. Here’s how to actually prep your body:
Week 1-2: Drainage Foundation
- Bowel movements: 1-3 times daily (no exceptions, no pebbles)
- Hydration: Half your body weight in ounces, plus trace minerals (think: Baja Gold or BEAM Minerals)
- Sweating: 3-5x/week via infrared sauna, hot baths, or exercise
- Lymph movement: Daily dry brushing, body Gua Sha, rebounding, or vibration plate
- Stacked breathing: 3-5 minutes in the morning + after meals
- Sleep: 7-9 hours, or you’re wasting your efforts
If your colon is backed up or you haven’t sweat since high school gym class, your detox isn’t going to remove anything, it’s re-circulating!
🧰 Drainage Toolbox (AKA Your Daily Non-Negotiables)
Colon
- Magnesium citrate or oxide- Stimulates bowel movements by drawing water into the intestines and relieving sluggish transit.
- Aloe juice- Soothes the digestive tract while gently encouraging elimination without harsh laxatives.
- Castor oil packs- Helps reduce inflammation and promote colon and lymphatic flow when used over the abdomen.
Liver & Bile Flow
- Dandelion tea- Gently stimulates bile production to support liver detox and digestion.
- Bitter herbs- Activate digestive juices and signal the liver and gallbladder to release toxins.
- Digestive enzymes- Improve breakdown and absorption of food to reduce toxic buildup.
- Taurine or TUDCA- Supports healthy bile flow, which is critical for fat digestion and toxin clearance.
Lymphatic System
- Dry brushing- Manually stimulates the lymph just under the skin to keep it moving and reduce congestion.
- Body Gua Sha- A gentle scraping technique that encourages lymph drainage and blood circulation.
- Rebounding or vibration plate- Activates lymph flow through motion and gravitational pull to clear waste.
- Walking or movement daily- Keeps lymph fluid from stagnating and helps pump it through the body’s filter systems.
Kidneys
- Nettle leaf tea- Acts as a gentle diuretic and nourishes kidney tissue with minerals.
- Electrolyte-rich water (Baja Gold, BEAM)- Replenishes minerals and supports proper hydration for kidney filtration.
- Lemon water or cranberry concentrate- Cleanses the kidneys and helps prevent buildup of waste and stones.
Skin
- Infrared sauna- Encourages deep sweating to eliminate fat-soluble toxins and heavy metals.
- Epsom or salt baths- Relax the nervous system while drawing toxins out through the skin via osmosis.
- Non-toxic deodorant- Allows your sweat to flow freely (a good thing!) and reduces your toxin load by ditching endocrine disruptors.
Lungs
- Boom Boom Nasal Stick- Opens up the airways and stimulates circulation through invigorating essential oils.
- Pursed-lip exhale- A simple breath control method that promotes deeper exhalation and CO₂ clearance.
- Deep breathing or Buteyko-style breath holds- boosts oxygen delivery and helps reset nervous system tone while supporting lymph flow.
Nervous System
- Stacked breathing or vagus nerve resets- Calm your system and stimulate drainage by shifting from fight-or-flight into rest-and-digest.
- Grounding/earthing- Connects your body to natural frequencies that help regulate cortisol, inflammation, and nervous system balance.
- Epsom salt foot soaks + calming music- The ultimate combo to melt tension and signal safety to the brain (your body listens!).
Am I Ready for Detox? (Use These Signs)
NOT Ready If:
- Pooping fewer than once a day
- Getting headaches with every new supplement
- Not sweating, even with heat or exercise
- Sleep is crap or you wake up exhausted
- Skin is breaking out, flaring, or rashing constantly
READY If:
- Bowel movements daily, full and easy
- Hydrated and peeing clear(ish), not neon
- Handling supplements without backlash
- Sweating regularly and sleeping deeply
In Case You Skimmed:
- Herxing isn’t the goal; it's a red flag
- Prepping your body with drainage takes 1-2 weeks minimum
- You must support colon, bile, kidneys, lymph, skin, and lungs before detox
- Your poop, sweat, and pee matter more than any supplement bottle
- Use daily tools to support movement out, not just killing off toxins
Final Thoughts
Let’s stop celebrating detox symptoms like they’re some initiation rite.
If your bile is sludge, your lymph is sluggish, and your sweat smells like swamp water, good news: at least you’re sweating. But that’s just step one.
You don’t need another parasite tincture. You need drainage support. Daily. Consistently. Before you ever reach for a binder.
This isn’t a race. It’s a roadmap.
When the system doesn’t give us answers, we find them ourselves and we share them with people who are ready.
We’re not waiting for permission,
💛 Jamie Shahan MSN, CRNA, RN
Empowering Holistic Health
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⚠️ Disclaimer
The information on this website is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The content reflects the personal research, experiences, and opinions of Jamie Shahan and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making any decisions about your health, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or are taking medications.
Some links on this site may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you choose to make a purchase at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I use myself or would confidently recommend to someone I love
