One of the most common questions or concerns I get from people about fasting is how to deal with any detox symptoms that arise.

Detox symptoms can range from major emotional swings and physical reactions such as vomiting, to mild emotional irritations, headaches, and flu-like symptoms. You might all of a sudden break out in some type of rash or something, pimples come out on the skin.

It all depends on what your body is letting go of. If you’re addicted to caffeine, you might experience some withdrawal symptoms like headaches, or getting ‘the shakes’. Whatever the case, it’s always better to have these toxins come out because you’ll feel WAY better afterwards.

I think it’s really important to be aware of the potential detox symptoms. Why? So you don’t freak out and stop fasting straight away. And also, so you know how to manage them in the best way possible to support your fasting process.

How to Rapidly Reduce Nausea

If some detox symptoms come on suddenly and you feel really lethargic, sick, nauseous in the stomach and feel like you need to puke, then here’s what you do… Drink a heap of water and actually stick your finger down your throat, go into the bathroom and puke. I’m serious! You’ll feel better instantly because you’re helping your body get rid of whatever it’s trying to get out!

What happens when you fast is that your body is releasing a LOT of toxins which often build up in the stomach. It’s really common for people to say, “Oh, I feel like I need to vomit!” Yet they’re doing everything they can to stop it from happening. I’m like, “No, here, drink this water and puke.” Once they do, they feel SO much better! It’s always about supporting the body in what it’s naturally trying to do.

Detox Headache Remedy

If you have a headache, I recommend having a teaspoon of sea salt in a litre of water and really chugging that down.

Then I would recommend getting a cold cloth, dipping it in salt water, wringing it out a bit and adding peppermint essential oil. Put the cloth onto your forehead and lay back and relax. This usually takes the headache away really quickly!

Use a therapeutic grade peppermint essential oil (like Young Living) on your temples and the back of your neck, then take the bottle and inhale deeply. Three big deep breaths in through the nose and breathe it out.

The Key to Helping Any Detox Symptoms

The key is to understand how your body works and that detox symptoms come when your body is overloaded and struggling to release toxins.

The best way to help is to maximise the release through the body’s channels of elimination.

There are four channels of elimination: Defecation, Urination, Perspiration, Respiration (pooping, peeing, sweating and breathing).

If you feel like your bowels are blocked or sluggish, try doing an enema or a salt flush. To do a salt flush, put a heaped tablespoon of sea salt or Epsom salt into a litre of warm water and drink it down. It will flush through your system eliminating toxins, eliminating poo, and all the stuff that’s accumulated. [Warning: Stay near a toilet for at least 1-2 hours after doing a salt flush!]

The best way to maximise toxin elimination through urination is by drinking heaps of fluids. Being properly hydrated means elimination of more toxins through your urine.

Then there’s perspiration. When I’m out in the sun, I’m sweating to a degree. Those toxins are leaving through the sweat, helping support the whole elimination process. So, build up a sweat regularly by doing some exercise or using a sauna.

The last one is respiration. Every time you exhale, you are eliminating a massive amount of carbonic acid (a form of toxins in your body). And every time you inhale, you’re breathing in oxygen which is alkalizing the body. Not only that, when you breathe deeply, you’re expanding the diaphragm. This movement massages your lymphatic system, further allowing those toxins to be eliminated through defecation and urination.

The best way to remind yourself to breathe deeply is to do my 7 rounds of 7 as many times as possible throughout the day. Five, six, seven, eight times a day, whatever it takes. Put a reminder in your phone or computer. In fact do it right NOW! 

Prevent and Reduce Detox Symptoms with a Positive Mindset

While it’s fundamental to have the 4 channels of elimination opened, I want to highlight that, most importantly, you should stay in a positive mindset. “This is good for me, I’m healing.” Stay positive! Don’t go into the dark stuff. Know that you’re going to feel better really soon and that any temporary discomfort will be worth it in the long run.