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

If you're experiencing die-off reactions from herbal protocols, follow this guide. All steps can help prevent or treat symptoms like fatigue, joint pain, skin issues, brain fog, or digestive problems. The goal is to gradually increase dosing without compromising your quality of life.

👉 If you're not stable within 1–2 weeks, schedule a consult with the office.


⚠️ General Guidelines for Adding FODMAPS


Do not reintroduce new foods while taking GI-clearing herbs until you're symptom-free for 1–2 weeks.

As you begin reintroducing moderate to high-FODMAP foods, adjust the quantity based on your tolerance.

If you experience significant bloating, gas, or motility issues, scale back the amount of FODMAPs you're consuming.

A minor increase in symptoms is okay, but avoid pushing through severe reactions.

Think of FODMAPs as "bait"—they can help draw out bacteria, making the antimicrobial herbs more effective at clearing them.

Reducing FODMAPs may be helpful if you're dealing with excess bloating, gas, or sluggish motility, and can be adjusted dynamically throughout the clearing phase.

When finishing the clearing herbs and going to add in the probiotics, going low fodmap again can be helpful, untill the probiotics are at full dose. Then we can gently ramp back up the fodmaps again to tolerance. 

Transitioning Off GI-Clearing Herbs to Probiotics

Once GI-clearing herbs are completed and probiotics are introduced, it's often best to:

Return to a low-FODMAP diet while slowly ramping up probiotics.

After reaching full probiotic dosing without symptoms, begin reintroducing FODMAPs again gradually, based on tolerance.

🌀 Signs of Die-Off:


  • Fatigue

  • Malaise

  • Achiness

  • Brain fog

  • Skin issues

  • GI distress


🔄 Supplement Dosing Strategy

  • Sensitive patients: increase by 1 capsule per day.

  • Less sensitive: increase by 2–3 capsules per day if no symptoms occur.

  • Split doses throughout the day with food (breakfast/lunch/dinner).

  • If very sensitive, start with 1/4 or 1/2 capsule, mix with water or food.

  • Take herbs with food initially; switch to empty stomach dosing (10–30 min before meals) as tolerated.


🔺 Working Through Your Protocol

  • Only move to the next supplement after reaching full dose (usually 6 caps) or your maximum tolerated dose (<6).

  • Continue taking previously tolerated supplements as you add new ones.

  • Once you're stable for 1 week, you may try increasing your current doses weekly to reach the full protocol dose.


🪜 Stair Step Protocol (For Sensitive Patients)

  • Use same structure as above but aim for 3 caps max per supplement initially.

  • After all GI-clearing supplements reach 3 caps, stabilize for 1 week.

  • Then work up toward 6 caps total gradually if well-tolerated.

Example Week (Stair Step):

  • Mon: GI Clear 1 – 1 cap at breakfast

  • Tue: GI Clear 1 – 1 cap at breakfast + dinner

  • Wed: GI Clear 1 – 1 cap at all meals (max dose 3/day)

  • Thu–Sat: Add GI Clear 2 using same steps

  • Sun–Tue: Add GI Clear 4 using same steps


💥 Still Having Reactions?

  • Take a 3–7 day supplement holiday to return to baseline.

  • Reintroduce each supplement one at a time, 1 cap per day total (not per meal).

  • If symptoms return, drop to the last tolerated dose and stabilize before continuing.

  • Once stable on digestive/adrenal programs, add GI clearing protocol last.

  • Add Dr. J’s GI Binder (charcoal, zeolite, chlorella) to support detox.

    • Take at bedtime and/or morning, away from food/supplements.


🔧 Additional Die-Off Support

  • Binders: Charcoal, bentonite clay, diatomaceous earth, plant fibers (away from meals)

  • Be sure your bowels are moving consistently

  • Use Ginger Tea (recipe below) to reduce inflammation & improve detox. Ginger tea can also be used to help support gut inflammation, nausea and slow digestive molity too. 




🍵 Ginger Tea Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 3–4 thumb-sized pieces of fresh ginger, juiced or grated

    • (Or use organic ginger juice concentrate)

  • 12–16 oz of hot water

  • 1/4 cup ginger juice or tea

  • 1/3 tsp to 1 tbsp Manuka honey (MGO 400+ recommended; optional)

  • Juice of 1/2 lime or lemon (optional)

  • 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Combine ingredients in a large mug.

  2. Stir well.

  3. Sip throughout the day (do not drink all at once).

💡 If sugar-sensitive, start with 1 tsp of honey. Honey and cayenne are optional if sensitive.


✅ Summary

  • Follow dosing slowly and methodically.

  • Take time to stabilize before increasing doses.

  • Support detox with binders and ginger tea.

  • Reach out for help if symptoms persist.

  • Click here to schedule a consult if needed.