Idiosyncratic Reactions

If there’s one thing I’d want to tell all the women in the world, it’s this: listen to your body.

The safest herb, medicine or food in the world would be very unlikely to cause a reaction, right? Except… you just took something with no known (i.e. listed or recorded) side effects, and you don’t feel right. That must mean it’s in your head, right?

Absolutely not. The thing about bodies is that every one is different. You could be having what’s known as an idiosyncratic reaction — one that’s unique to you.

There are tons of reasons you might have a reaction to something. Maybe a filler in the supplement is causing a reaction. Maybe your microbiome is out of whack, so you’re far more sensitive to a substance than you used to be. Maybe your hormones are spiking/dropping, causing ….. you get the picture.

If you think you’re reacting to an herb, supplement, medicine or food, keep track of when you took it and when you started feeling off. Try to account for other things you might have been exposed to. If the reaction isn’t severe, you could give it a break for a couple days and try to take it again to see if the reaction comes back.

Food/herb/supplement sensitivities are a big clue that something isn’t quite right in the body. If it feels like every other thing you eat or take causes weird symptoms, it might be time to work with a functional medicine provider.

Note: If the reaction is severe, STOP USING/EATING/TAKING THE SUBSTANCE IMMEDIATELY and contact your healthcare practitioner! If you’re experiencing anaphylaxis or heart or breathing symptoms, call 911 or go to the emergency room!

Disclaimer: This blog isn’t meant to be taken as medical advice. It’s for educational purposes only.