Healing Crisis: Hering’s Law of Cure and Herxheimer Reaction -

A healing response or crisis may happen when people shift from a drug based approach which suppresses symptoms, to a natural approach whereby the body truly heals itself.

As the body is fed the nutrition it requires for healing via better diet, herbs, vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants, quality protein and essential fatty acids, it will start to clear out accumulated toxins and return from a state of dis-ease, to a state of ease and balance.

Sometimes on this upward path to better health, there will be downward dips, where the body decides to undertake a major cleansing. The traditional healing crisis can be identified by copious elimination from any channel the body can utilize. Some examples are excess phlegm or drainage from any body orifices, including nose, sinus, lungs, ears, vagina, penis, or colon; suppuration from wounds, pimples, or abscesses, coughing, foul smelling stool or urine, high fever and/or profuse sweating.

One of the main difference between healing crisis and disease crisis is the timing. A healing crisis will most often happen when one is feeling quite well, then wham! It hits you. It is often short lived – if managed properly one should push through it within a couple of days. Energy will usually return quickly afterwards. In contrast, when one is getting sick, this will more likely appear with a gradual decrease in vitality, may last longer, and may not release as many toxins, although a disease crisis can also release.

Dr. Constantine Hering, a German Homeopathic doctor (1800-1880) stated the following basis of healing, which has become known as Hering’s Law of Cure: “All cure starts from within out, from the head down and in reverse order as the symptoms have appeared or been suppressed”. Based on this law, the symptoms of a chronic disease:

disappear in definite order, going in reverse and taking about one month for every year the symptoms have been present.
move from the more vital organs to the less vital organs; from the interior of the body towards the skin.
move from the top of the body downward.

The Herxheimer Reaction is another type of short-term (from days to a few weeks) detoxification of the body. It is often associated with rapid Candidiasis or yeast die-off once one undertakes an effective program. As the body detoxifies, it is not uncommon to experience flu-like symptoms including headache, joint and muscle pain, body aches, sore throat, general malaise, sweating, chills, nausea or other symptoms. This is a normal – and even healthy – reaction that indicates that parasites, fungus, viruses, bacteria or other pathogens are being effectively killed off. The biggest problem with the Herxheimer reaction is that people stop taking the supplement or medication that is causing the reaction, and thus discontinue the very treatment that is helping to make them better. Although the experience may not make you feel particularly good, the Herxheimer Reaction is actually a sign that healing is taking place. The Herxheimer Reaction is an immune system reaction to the toxins (endotoxins) that are released when large amounts of pathogens are being killed off, and the body does not eliminate the toxins 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. The important thing to note is that worsening symptoms do not indicate failure of the treatment in question, in fact, usually just the opposite. Taking enzymes between meals can be an effective way to lessen this reaction. Extra rest, exercise, clean water, an alkalizing diet, and a positive outlook by knowing you are on a better path to long term healing, will all help you.

For effective Candida herbal and enzyme programs, supported by professional dietary counseling, please contact us.