Estimated reading time: 12 minutes
Every healing journey is as unique as the person walking it. At Amity Wellness, we often remind our guests: healing isn’t linear, it’s a spiral. It moves in waves, in layers, in moments of release and renewal.
Some guests feel light, clear, and energised within a few days. Others pass through deeper waters with waves of fatigue, emotion, or physical symptoms, before clarity returns. Both paths are valid. Both are healing. What looks like a setback is often the body’s way of recalibrating, releasing, and cleansing at the deepest level.
Everyone’s detox response is shaped by many factors, including their genetics (such as methylation pathways), lifetime toxin exposure, liver function, dietary and lifestyle choices, current stress levels, and unprocessed emotional trauma. Some people are naturally efficient detoxifiers, while others may need more support due to a sluggish liver or impaired detoxification capacity. This is why supporting both Phase I and Phase II liver detoxification, along with the colon, lymphatic system, skin, kidneys, and lungs, is so essential when detox is the primary goal.
Our team of experienced cleansing specialists are here to guide and support you through it all, whether what you’re experiencing is Emotional release, a Herxheimer reaction, withdrawal, electrolyte imbalance, keto flu, hypoglycaemia, dehydration, or simply a natural part of the body’s recalibration.
🌿 Pre-Cleansing: The Importance of a Gentle Start
A smooth detox begins long before your first day at the retreat. That’s why we encourage emphasis on the pre-cleanse phase; a gentle transition that prepares the body and nervous system for deeper healing.
If your daily routine includes sugar, caffeine, alcohol, or processed foods, suddenly removing them can trigger withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, nausea, mood swings, or restlessness. These are different from a true Herxheimer response; they are short-term biochemical adjustments as your body learns to self-regulate without stimulants.
By reducing these substances gradually, increasing hydration, and introducing clean, whole foods before arrival, you allow your liver, gut, and metabolism to adapt. This simple step helps to prevent intense withdrawal and creates the foundation for a calmer, more effective detox experience once your program begins.
However, if you cannot fully prepare beforehand, don’t worry. Upon arrival, we can gently ease you in with one of our nourishing raw vegan food-based Wellness programs, designed to restore balance while supporting detoxification in a more restorative way.
🧬 What Is the Herxheimer Reaction?
The Herxheimer reaction, sometimes called a “healing crisis,” is a well-documented phenomenon that occurs when the body begins releasing toxins, metabolic waste, and microbial die-off faster than it can eliminate them.
First observed in 1902 by Adolf Jarisch and Karl Herxheimer, this reaction is now recognised in many detox and microbiome therapies. When toxins are mobilised from visceral fat and cellular storage, they temporarily enter the bloodstream, sometimes creating symptoms such as:
Temporary insomnia
Skin eruptions
Mood swings or emotional sensitivity
Nausea, bloating, or digestive upset
Fatigue or brain fog
Headaches or body aches
While these reactions can feel unpleasant, they are usually a sign that the body’s detox pathways are reawakening.
🌿 How We Support You Through It
At Amity Wellness, we understand that true healing requires both intelligence and compassion. That’s why every detox program is thoughtfully designed to not only initiate the release of toxins, but to actively support their elimination, reducing the likelihood and intensity of a Herxheimer reaction.
In fact, because of our comprehensive, layered approach using carefully selected botanicals and detox therapies, most guests report only mild or transient symptoms, if any at all. By opening and supporting every major detox pathway: colon, liver, lymph, kidneys, skin, and lungs, we help the body eliminate waste efficiently, hopefully before it can recirculate or cause discomfort.
🌱 Botanical Intelligence
At Amity Wellness, our detox protocols are designed with both scientific insight and holistic wisdom. Every ingredient plays a strategic role in helping the body not just liberate toxins but eliminate them safely and effectively.
We combine binders like activated charcoal, which absorb microbial byproducts and waste in the colon, with a synergistic fibre blend of soluble and insoluble fibres that gently sweeps the colon, supports regularity, and helps regulate blood sugar (essential for preventing crashes and cravings during a cleanse). This fibre also nourishes your microbiome, supporting the delicate balance of gut bacteria while crowding out pathogenic overgrowth.
Our botanical formulations extend beyond detoxification; they actively protect and rejuvenate. Milk thistle enhances the liver’s resilience and boosts glutathione, the body’s master antioxidant involved in deep-phase detox. Ayurvedic botanical herbs work synergistically to support digestion, tone the gut lining, target pathogens, and promote healthy bile flow. Our herbs also possess anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and anti-viral properties, offering a broader shield of immune and gut protection during detox. Turmeric helps calm inflammation in the gut and joints, while chlorophyll and spirulina alkalize the system, support oxygenation, and assist in heavy metal chelation. These layers of support ensure detox isn’t just effective, t’s also gentle, grounded, and safe.
To replenish and restore, we infuse the program with mineral-rich broth, detox tonic, fresh young coconut water, ginger tea, and digestive allies like fennel. Fennel is rich in vitamin C and contains phytoplankton-like nutrients that support gut repair and reduce inflammation in the GI tract. As your body resets on a microbial level, we include targeted probiotics and fermented foods to help restore a thriving, diverse microbiome (the cornerstone of long-term digestive, immune, and mental health).
This carefully layered botanical support allows us to minimize Herxheimer reactions, support every organ of elimination, and guide your detox with clarity, precision, and care
Colon Cleansing
Gravity-fed colon hydrotherapy plays a vital role in supporting the body’s detoxification process. By gently introducing filtered, infused water into the large intestine, it helps to dislodge impacted waste, and pathogenic biofilms. This removal not only enhances nutrient absorption and microbial balance but also reduces the burden on the liver and lymphatic system by ensuring that released toxins are efficiently expelled rather than reabsorbed. Colon cleansing also helps to relieve bloating, gas, and abdominal discomfort, while improving peristaltic tone within the bowel.
Inflammation Pod (Targeted FIR + Oxygen Therapy)
Our Inflammation Pod uses targeted Far Infrared Radiation (FIR) to penetrate deeply into soft tissue, increasing circulation, oxygenation, and mitochondrial activity. This process works at a cellular level enhancing the mobilization of toxins from fat and connective tissue. When combined with oxygen infusion, this therapy has the potential to support tissue recovery, lymphatic flow, reduce systemic inflammation, and improves overall metabolic efficiency. It is particularly beneficial during fasting or cleansing phases, when the body is actively mobilizing stored waste and requires enhanced elimination pathways.
Therapeutic Massage
Daily massage is an integral part of the healing process at Amity Wellness. Guests can choose from a variety of treatments, including traditional Thai massage, aromatherapy oil massage, head and shoulder massage, or foot massage; each tailored to meet the body’s needs during detox. These therapies promote lymphatic drainage, stimulate circulation, and relieve muscular tension while nurturing emotional release and relaxation.Traditional
Thai Herbal Steam Sauna
Our herbal steam sauna combines the power of heat therapy with a carefully selected blend of Thai medicinal herbs known for their detoxifying, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. The moist heat opens the pores, allowing toxins to be released through the skin, while the herbal vapours promote respiratory and immune health. This deeply grounding treatment complements internal cleansing by supporting detox through the skin (the body’s largest organ of elimination), while inducing a sense of calm, clarity, and relaxation.
🌿 Detox is More Than Just the Physical
At Amity Wellness, we honour detox not just as a physical cleanse, but as a deep emotional release. When the body slows down, the distractions fall away, and the noise quiets, suppressed emotions and unhealed stress often rise to the surface. It’s not a sign something’s wrong, it’s a sign something is finally being heard.
The body keeps the score. Trauma, grief, stress and overwhelm don’t just live in the mind, they live in the tissues, the fascia, the gut, the nervous system.
As you move through your cleanse, you may find old feelings reawakening.
You may cry.
You may feel rage.
You may feel numb.
You may feel… everything.
And that’s okay.
We’re not here to fix or rush through it.
We’re here to hold space for it; gently, compassionately, and without judgment.
Every botanical, every shake, every colonic, every massage, every inflammation pod, every breath of oxygen therapy, is chosen with care to help liberate the body, and everything it’s been holding. Whether you’re releasing parasites or pain, heavy metals or heartbreak, this is a safe place to let go.
Monitoring & Modification: A Safe, Adaptive Approach
Healing is individual and no two detox reactions are the same. That’s why our wellness consultants monitor our guests and important biomarkers daily, including blood pressure, and pulse.
If we notice signs of electrolyte depletion, “keto flu,” or heightened detox stress, we may adjust your program with additional electrolytes, magnesium, ginger tea, juices, nourishing foods, or mineral support. Sometimes a small change like an extra broth, more rest, a hug, a walk, or some electrolytes or magnesium can make all the difference.
Our goal isn’t to push harder, but to support deeper.
Private Therapeutic Sessions
For those wishing to explore deeper layers of healing, a range of private therapeutic sessions can be booked. These include Reiki, emotional release therapy, breathwork, acupuncture, Chi Nei Tsang (abdominal massage), Tok Sen, sound healing, physiotherapy, nutritional guidance, and life coaching. These sessions are designed to support whatever arises, whether physical, emotional, energetic, or spiritual offering a truly holistic approach to your detox journey.
Support for home cleansing
If you’re cleansing at home and don’t have access to the daily detox therapies we offer at the retreat (like the Colon Cleanse, Inflammation Pod, Oxygen therapies, botanicals, or therapeutic massage); you can still deeply support your body with simple, affordable practices.
Oil Pulling (Morning Ritual)
Swish 1 tbsp of cold-pressed coconut oil in your mouth for 5–10 minutes before tongue scraping and brushing. This ancient Ayurvedic practice helps bind toxins, reduce oral bacteria, and support lymphatic drainage.
Dry Skin Brushing
Before your shower, use a natural bristle brush on dry skin. Start at the feet and brush toward the heart to stimulate the lymphatic system, exfoliate, and promote detox through the skin.
Apple Cider Vinegar Shots
Dilute 1 tbsp raw apple cider vinegar in water and sip before meals to help stabilize blood sugar, reduce cravings, support digestion, and ease the transition off sugar or caffeine.
Blood Sugar & Craving Support
Support metabolic balance and reduce cravings by using natural tools like apple cider vinegar shots (1 tbsp in water before meals), cinnamon, chromium, or ginger tea to help stabilize energy. For deeper support, berberine can be used under practitioner guidance to regulate blood sugar and gut health during more intensive cleanses.
Coconut Oil or MCT oil
For additional metabolic support, try adding a teaspoon of cold-pressed coconut oil or MCT oil. These healthy fats provide clean-burning energy for the brain and body, support blood sugar stability, and enhance satiety during cleansing.
Epsom Salt Detox Baths
Soak for 20 minutes in warm water with 1–2 cups of Epsom salts, a handful of baking soda, and a few drops of essential oil (like ginger, rosemary, or lavender). Helps relax muscles, replenish magnesium, and support toxin release.
Electrolyte Support
Add a pinch of Himalayan or Baja salt to your water, or sip on fresh coconut water to stay hydrated and prevent headaches, cramps, or fatigue.
Herbal Teas for Cleansing
Sip on ginger, peppermint, fennel, or dandelion root tea throughout the day to support digestion, liver function, and reduce bloating or nausea.
Magnesium & Sleep Support
Use magnesium glycinate at night to ease restlessness, muscle tightness, and support deeper sleep during your cleanse.
Light Nourishment & Time-Restricted Eating
If fasting feels too intense, consider a gentler approach like time-restricted eating, where you allow your digestive system to rest for 12–16 hours overnight while still receiving nourishment during the day. Focus on easy-to-digest, nutrient-dense options like blended soups, mineral-rich broths, lightly steamed vegetables, or green smoothies. Fresh papaya is a great inclusion if you have digestive upset, as its loaded with digestive enzymes like papain that is rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, and soothing to the digestive tract
Headache & Migraine Relief
Headaches are common during detox, especially from caffeine or sugar withdrawal. Apply a cold compress or ice pack to the back of the neck to calm the occipital nerves and reduce tension. Rest in a quiet, dark room and breathe slowly to ease symptoms.
Support Daily Elimination
Use gentle fibre blends (like psyllium, flax, or chia), drink warm lemon water, and stay active to promote healthy bowel movements and avoid toxin reabsorption.
Contrast Showers for Circulation & Detox
Alternate between 1–2 minutes of warm water and 30 seconds of cold water during your shower. Repeat this cycle 3–5 times, ending on cold. Contrast showers stimulate blood flow, supports lymphatic drainage, strengthens the immune response, and leaves you feeling refreshed and invigorated.
Gentle Movement & Breathwork
Choose slow stretching, yin yoga, or mindful walks in nature. Pair with daily breathwork (inhale 4s, hold 4s, exhale 6–8s) to calm your nervous system and support emotional release.
Journaling or Emotional Check-ins
Detox isn’t just physical. Try writing to prompts like: “What do I feel right now?” or “What’s rising to the surface?” Let yourself feel without needing to fix.
Listen to Your Body
If fasting feels hard, it doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong, it means your body is speaking to you.
There may be underlying imbalances at play: metabolic inflexibility, thyroid dysfunction, hypoglycaemia, nutrient deficiencies, poor methylation capacity, or adrenal stress. This isn’t failure, it’s feedback. In these cases, pushing harder is not the answer. The key is to support your body gently and gradually build resilience.
Start with softer approaches like time-restricted eating or nourishing anti-inflammatory meals, and as your body becomes more metabolically flexible and better adapted, you can explore deeper fasting protocols with greater ease and safety.
🌿 We believe that healing is feeling.
Modern culture teaches us to fix, suppress, or numb discomfort — with food, alcohol, social media, distractions, or endless doing. But detox invites us to do the opposite: to pause and allow.
You don’t need to be perfect to heal. You don’t need to be strong to surrender. You just need to be willing.
The body doesn’t forget. It waits, patiently, for a safe moment to finally release. Your body is not betraying you; it’s trusting you.
When we stop trying to fix every feeling, we give the body permission to complete what it once couldn’t.
