Jarish-Herxheimer reactions, i.e. herx, is the body’s reaction to toxins due to the death of bacterial systems, during the progression of the disease or its treatment. Herxheimer reaction often occurs with Lyme disease due to an effective therapy. When taking antibiotics or herbs, a large amount of bacteria dies. It is believed that it is not only about the body’s reaction to dying spirochete, but mainly to endotoxins, poisonous surface proteins (Osp) and lipoproteins, left in the blood and lymph by decaying bacteria.Herxheimer reactions include chills and elevated temperature, worsening of well-being, worsening of symptoms or appearance of completely new symptoms. The intensity of herx in patients is an individual matter. It depends, among other things, on the condition of the liver and gallbladder, general health, the degree of acidification of tissue fluids or poisoning with heavy metals.
These reactions can be alleviated by the use of endotoxin-binding substances or weakened by reducing the dose of medicines or herbs.