FYI: The Ginger Tea Recipe is at the bottom of this handout...

Die-Off Reaction Handout If you are dealing with die-off reactions due to an herbal program, see the following instructions below. Everything recommended here can be used to prevent or treat die-off reactions. 


Do not add new foods while adding on the GI-clearing herbs until you are stable (no symptoms for 1-2 weeks); you may not know if the new foods or the new supplements cause the symptoms. 

Die-off reactions may include fatigue, malaise, achiness, joint pain, skin issues, digestive issues and not quite feeling like yourself. The goal is to increase the dose without causing symptoms that significantly affect your quality of life and ability to function daily.  Most patients ignore this advice; please don't be that patient.

For preventative and or acute use:

  1. If you are sensitive, make sure you increase your dosage by 1 cap at a time per day. As you add clearing herbs, ensure they are spread out evenly throughout the day at each meal (with food). Follow the stair-step protocol below if you are more sensitive.
  2. If you feel very confident and don't typically have supplement reactions, you could increase your clearing herbs in increments of 2-3 caps per day.
  3. You should only move to the next supplement in ascending to descending order down the protocol sheet. Once you have achieved the full dose (typically 6 caps) or the highest dose possible without an adverse reaction, <6 caps. You can use a fraction of 1 capsule if you are sensitive, like 1/4 or 1/2 a cap. You can mix the supplement in water, coconut yogurt, or apple sauce when you consume it. 
  4. Once the full dose (typically 6 caps) or the highest dose you can handle is reached <6 caps, the next supplement can be added following the same procedure as the first. Please continue taking the previously successfully added supplement and the new one next on your protocol sheet. 
  5. Taking the herbs with foods can also be tried to lessen the die-off reactions. You can gradually work back into taking herbs on an empty stomach (10-30 min before a meal) as you start to max out your dose and feel stable or better.
  6. The goal is to take everything at full dose (typically 6 caps), so as soon as you feel stable, you can gently start to work back up to maximal dose, adding in one capsule per day, if no negative reactions occur.
  7. If you haven't achieved the max protocol dosage after you have worked your way through the protocol. Once you are stable for one week, you can try to push the dose up till maximum dosage (6 caps) is reached or till negative symptoms occur. You can follow the same protocol as above. This can be done weekly until the maximum dose is achieved. 
  8. If you can't reach the max dose of 6 no matter what. Don't worry, just make sure you find your max dose. 
For Example:

  • Monday, 1 GI clear 1 at breakfast. Tuesday, 1 GI clear 1 at breakfast and dinner. Wednesday, 1 GI Clear 1 at breakfast, lunch and diner. If following the stair step protocol, we would now move down the list to the next supplement.
  • In this example we will use GI clear 2.  Thursday, 1 GI Clear 1 at breakfast, lunch and dinner with the addition of 1 GI clear 2 at breakfast. Friday, 1 GI Clear 1 at breakfast, lunch and dinner with the addition of 1 GI clear 2 at breakfast and dinner. Saturday, 1 GI Clear 1 at breakfast, lunch and dinner with the addition of 1 GI clear 2 at breakfast, lunch and dinner as long as no significant die off reactions occur (see above). Follow the same pattern for the next GI clearing supplement on the list. 

Stair Step Protocol For Sensitive Patients:

  1. The stair step protocol is the same as above instead of shooting for 6 caps as your max dose on each clearing herb, we shoot for 3 caps instead. We stabilize for 1 week after all the clearing herb supplements are at 3 caps, or the max dose you can handle (In this situation 1 or 2 caps), then continue to ramp up to the full dose (typically 6 caps), or the highest dose you can handle under 6 caps per day. Every week you can try to nudge up the dose once you have been stable for that week time frame, with the goal of reaching 6 caps or your maximum dose with out feeling bad.
  2. Make sure you are add in additional binders to aide in the detoxification as well as the ginger tea. Make sure you bowels are moving consistently as well.
Very Sensitive Patients who are on the program and still having reactions:
 
  1. If are having a reaction while already on the GI clearing or Hormone program, start with a 3-7 day supplement holiday before following below and get your symptoms back to baseline.  
  2. If you are confident the issue is from the GI clearing program only, based on the timing of the symptoms and the supplements, only pull this program (GI Clearing) out for 3-7 days, then follow the recommendations below. 
  3. Work your way from the top of each program downward (GI clearing program last if it applies), add in each supp 1 time per day with each meal. 
  4. You can add the dose in faster, but please go at your own risk. 
  5. You can keep the previous supplement in as long as you can tolerate them on the reintroduction.
  6. Once you are stable and adding in the digestive and adrenal program, you can start adding in the gi clearing program.
  7. The difference on the die off reaction program here is you will go slower as you will start with only 1 cap total for the whole day (not per meal like above) and gradually increase 1 cap total and adding 1 cap each successful day until the max dose is reached or until you have a negative reaction.
  8. If a negative reaction occurs, drop back to the previous days successful dose, stabilize till the symptoms are gone (typically takes a day or less) and move on to the next supplement while keeping the previous successful dose in place. 
  9. Once you have reached the optimal or max dose on each GI clearing supplement, add in the next supplement while keeping the previous supplement in at the max or optimal dose tolerated.
  10. If you haven't achieved the max protocol dosage after you have worked your way through the protocol. Once you are stable for one week, you can try to push the dose up till maximum dosage (6 caps) is reached or till negative symptoms occur. You can follow the same protocol as above. This can be done weekly until the maximum dose is achieved. 
  11. If you are still having issues a consult will be needed to dig in deeper. You can email the office so we can get you in right away, or you can schedule online. Click here to schedule a consult. 
Notes: 

  • Die-off reaction may include fatigue, malaise, achiness and just not quite feeling like yourself.
  • Detox support and extra binders can be given to help improve die-off reactions if the above protocol isn’t helping enough. Charcoal, bentonite clay, diatomaceous earth, and certain plant-based fibers can be helpful in between meals.
  • Ask Dr. J about what the best options for you are. Click here to see the die-off category in the member's area for die-off support.
This concoction will help to reduce inflammation in your body, help decrease die-off reaction, improve digestion and enhance the potency of any herbs you are taking to eradicate an infection.





  1. Juice 3-4 pieces of ginger each one about the size of your thumb. You can also use a grater and grate the fresh ginger as well. Fresh ginger is always best.
  2. You can also use organic ginger juice concentrate to the same equivalent.
  3. Combine a quarter cup of ginger juice or tea with 12-16 ounces of hot water.
  4. Add 1/3rd to 1 tablespoon of manuka honey (Best), juice from 1/2 of a lime or lemon (optional), and 1/8 teaspoon of cayenne (optional).
  5. Honey and cayenne are optional if you have a negative reaction to it.
  6. Drink 12-16 ounces daily.