In the world of detox and healing there is a well known and reported side effect called the Herxheimer Reaction. Please note that even the western medical industry has reported herxheimer reaction especially in cases when using anti-biotics to treat lyme disease and also when syphilis is treated with penicillin. It is common to hear the phrase "Pain is Healing" especially in alternative health groups that support full body detoxes, chelation therapy, and healing the body.
Jarisch–Herxheimer reaction (English: /ˌjɑːrɪʃ ˈhɛərkshaɪmər/) is a reaction to endotoxin-like products released by the death of harmful microorganisms within the body during antibiotic treatment. Efficacious antimicrobial therapy results in lysis (destruction) of bacterial cell membranes, and in the consequent release into the bloodstream of bacterial toxins, resulting in a systemic inflammatory response.
A simple google search of "herxheimer reaction" can bring up ample documented evidence that presents the idea that when the body goes into detox new painful symptoms and side effects can occur. These symptoms can range from mild to severe and include issues like fatigue, fevers, nausea, joint pain, irritability and more. The symptoms can last for weeks to months, depending on the illnesses the patient has.
I will provide a large list of data that supports the idea that the body can experience physical pain and discomfort while it is "healing" but it is important to establish that herx reaction is very well documented and considered common knowledge within the medical industry and it typically occurs with the use of anti-biotics.
Based on my research, I have found several reports of people experiencing mild herx reaction when battling candida. Merely switching their diet to an "anti-candida elimination diet" can trigger a painful detox. It is suggested that people switch to the candida elimination diet slowly to avoid any die off symptoms. There is a long list of alleged toxins that exist within the candida yeast. As the candida is broken down by dietary changes and herbal supplements the toxins with in the candida can be released into the body and tax the organs (liver,kidney etc)
This is why people experience "die off" side effects as the body detoxes and kills of the Candida infestation. These symptoms are very similar to a herx reaction. It is important to note that many (if not all) reputable health practitioners advocate the use of herbs(especially herbs to aid the liver) to help the body cope with the detox and herx symptoms.
https://www.thecandidadiet.com/candida-die-off-symptoms/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jarisch%E2%80%93Herxheimer_reaction
In my research, I have found several claims from reputable sources that proclaim that salt is beneficial to the body. In fact, magnesium and epsom salt therapy have been used successfully in treating painful detox symptoms associated with herx reaction. This is not an attempt to discredit the beneficial aspects that salt can have within our body.
There is even a well known recipe called "Sole" that is a blend of pink himalayan salt rocks and water that has been documented to help people deal with certain issues like adrenal fatigue.
http://theheartysoul.com/himalayan-salt-water-recipe/
Futhermore, salt flushes are well known within the holistic and alternative healing community. The general recipe for a salt flush is:
1 liter of water+2 tsp salt +squeeze lemon if desired
https://draxe.com/salt-water-flush-recipe/
Consuming the above salt flush recipe will result in a phenomena called Peristalsis which is the involuntary constriction and relaxation of the muscles of the intestine which creates wavelike movements that push the contents of the colon forward aka "waterfalls". While there is plenty of evidence to suggest that cleansing the colon with a salt flush can have beneficial results; most recipes recommenced using this method occasionally and only for a short period of time.
It is important to note that abusing salt flushes to create a laxative "purging" effect is a very well documented characteristic of people who suffer from bulimia and severe disordered eating. Abusing laxatives and forcing the body to have chronic diarrhea can result in the complete loss of natural peristalsis and create a dependency upon laxatives.
Jillians recipe uses 4 times the amount of salt recommenced by Dr. Axe. Jillian proclaims that users should use her protocol until all healing/herx symptoms dissipate. She has also made conflicting statements and said that the protocol must be consumed indefinitely.
Note: Many users report developing severe constipation as a result of using Jillians Protocol. This could be linked to the abuse of the salt flush laxative. Also, Jillian continues to proclaim that the diarrhea experienced on her protocol is "non dehydrating" and there is no scientific evidence to support those claims.
Jillian "Mai Thi" Epperly boasts that by consuming her protocol (1 tbs salt+2 cups water+2cups cabbage) and implementing a candida elimination diet, users will be able to heal their body of the candida infection and purge out parasites. Jillian does openly express that there will be side effects from the detox of her protocol. There are many reported symptoms and side effects reported from users who claim to be on Jillians protocol. Some of those symptoms include nausea, vomitting,detox,chills, headache, tremors, "feeling drunk", convulsions, and seizures. Jillian continues to proclaim that these side effects are all signs of healing. "Pain is Healing" is a very common theme from Jillian.
Despite endless evidence to suggest that excess salt consumption can trigger seizures, Jillian has said that salt is good for seizures. Even though there have been reports of tremors, convulsions, and seizures within Jillian's group, she continues to state that her protocol is safe for children and babies.
Human Salt Toxicity Excerpts:
/SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS/ The oral ingestion of larger quantities of sodium chloride, eg 1000 g in 600 mL of water, is harmful and can induce irritation of the gastrointestinal tract, vomiting, hypernatremia, respiratory distress, convulsions, and death.
[Rowe, R.C., Sheskey, P.J., Quinn, M.E.; (Eds.), Handbook of Pharmaceutical Excipients 6th edition Pharmaceutical Press, London, England 2009, p. 639] PEER REVIEWED
/SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS/ The GI effects of oral salt administration include swollen tongue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and thirst. Neurologic effects include thirst, irritability,weakness, headache, convulsions, and coma. Cerebral edema may occur, and muscle tremors may be noted. Cardiovascular manifestations of acute hypernatremia include both hypertension and hypotension. Tachycardia, cardiac failure, and peripheral edema may develop. Pulmonary edema and respiratory arrest may occur.
[Dart, R.C. (ed). Medical Toxicology. Third Edition, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Philadelphia, PA. 2004., p. 1058] PEER REVIEWED
https://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search/a?dbs+hsdb:@term+@DOCNO+6368
Most, if not all, reputable medical professionals and alternative health practitioners would almost certainly disagree with Jillians belief that her psuedo-fermented salty cabbage water is a one size fits all cure for candida. I do not believe that any reputable doctor would ever correlate salt toxicity to a herx reaction. Furthermore, No ethical medical professional would ever agree that a child should have large amounts of salt introduced into their diet. It is evident that Jillian's protocol is not safe for everyone, especially not for babies or children.
It is important to mention that at one point Jillian Epperly stated that her protocol could cure cancer and allowed for people with stage 4 cancer to openly use her protocol. Jillian Epperly has since retracted her statements regarding the usage of her protocol with stage 4 cancer. She believes that people with stage 4 cancer are too far gone and that the "die off" symptoms of her protocol could actually kill the person.
At this point, I am not convinced that there is any evidence or data to show that Jillians protocol is safe for anyone to consume.
For more information, please visit my original blog at:
https://exposingjillianmaithiexperiment.wordpress.com/2017/10/16/pain-is-healing/
