The Scrub Guide: Tips for success

We can’t wait for you to experience the power of Gut Scrub the same way thousands of customers have! Gut health is at the core of our overall health and is linked to many common health issues. In this blog, we’ll go over daily tips, dosing, avoiding die-off symptoms, diet, and some other tricks that have helped many of our customers successfully reach optimal gut health.

First and foremost, we want to make it clear that healing your gut is a process that won’t happen overnight. It takes time to damage the gut (usually years), and it takes time to heal it. However, once it’s in good shape, it’s much easier to maintain its health, and you’ll become much more resilient to external stressors (ie. you can eat those problem foods *once in a while* without having major digestive issues or skin flare-ups).

One of the most common mistakes people make is stopping their scrub too soon having not seen immediate results. Staying patient and consistent plays a big role in healing your gut. Some see results in weeks, and for others, it can take months (this is why we recommend the 90 Day Scrub initially to overcome chronic health issues).

It’s important to remember that the root causes of gut issues are different from person to person, as is the severity. Follow this guide as best you can to give yourself the tools you need to effectively heal your gut for long term. Remember, if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to send us a message. We’re here to educate and help guide you to getting your gut health back on track. No questions are off limits, we’ll respond within 24hrs 💚 

Recommend Dosage

Our recommended dose is 2 capsules when you wake and 2 capsules before bed (ideally ~1hr away from meals, with an 8oz glass of water). Some customers see amazing results with the recommended dose, while others may need to increase it. It’s not uncommon for some scrubbers to work up to 4-6 capsules twice daily before clearing a swath of pathogens. Having said that, always go low and slow with dosage, and remember to listen to your body to determine if a higher dose is needed. If you’re keeping well hydrated, bowels are moving, and not experiencing uncomfortable die-off symptoms (more details below), you can increase your dose to see faster results.

Daily Lifestyle Tips

• Hydration: Drinking at least 3 liters of water daily is essential for keeping things moving and helping your body flush out toxins. To stay on track, carry a reusable water bottle and set periodic phone reminders; eventually, it will become a natural part of your routine.
  
  
• Bowel Movements: Make sure you’re cultivating a healthy rhythm with your digestive system; aim for at least 1-2 full sized bowel movements each day. It's important to keep things moving so that you can shuttle bad bacteria & toxins out of the body.

• Stress: Reducing stress is one of the best ways to keep the diversity of your microbiome in balance. Whether it’s through yoga, breath work, sauna, or exercise, the less stressed you are, the more your gut can focus on absorbing nutrients, removing waste, and fighting off pathogens. Try Wim Hof's guided breathing; it’s only 10 minutes and will completely reset your mood. It’s a great way to start or end your day in a calm, balanced state.

• Movement: Another small habit with big benefits is a morning walk, even if it’s only a light 15-minute walk. Getting outside, getting your blood pumping, and getting sunlight on your face first thing in the morning is a great way to kickstart your mind and body for a productive day ahead.

• Diet: To keep it simple, eat foods without ingredient lists! Organic whole foods are ideal for maintaining a healthy gut, as they provide essential nutrients to support a balanced microbiome. The more you incorporate them into your diet, the more you'll find yourself craving them. More on what to eat, and what not to eat here.

Building small, healthy habits over time leads to big results. Be consistent with small habits that are realistic for your personal routine, and you’ll see progress faster.

Avoiding die-off symptoms

Gut Scrub’s mission is to rid the gut of pathogens that cause gut inflammation, damage the gut lining, and disrupt the balance of the good & bad bacteria in your gut flora. Unfortunately, these pathogens don’t go easy, and if you kill them off too quickly, it can cause die-off symptoms (Herxeimer reaction). These “die-off symptoms” can include fatigue, fever, chills, headache, muscle soreness, nausea, constipation, rashes, and sweating. Although these symptoms are generally mild and a sign that Gut Scrub is doing its job, the goal is to avoid them altogether. We can do this by going low and slow with dosage, staying hydrated with at least 3L of water daily, and sweating as often as possible.

If you happen to notice that these symptoms, reduce the dose until they resolve, and then continue at a lower dose and slowly increase. If needed, you can also include a binder like Bentonite Clay in your supplement routine, which will help to mop up excess toxins and shuttle them out of the body. Other strategies that help to mitigate die-off symptoms include Epsom salt baths and using a sauna to help draw out toxins via the skin. In general, the more you can sweat, the better!

To sum it all up!

The goal is simple. Naturally remove harmful pathogens from the gut and nurture it with healthy food and lifestyle habits to encourage a diverse and balanced microbiome - the key to optimal health.

1) Go low and slow with dose

2) Keep yourself well hydrated

3) Eat foods without ingredient lists

4) Ensure your bowels moving

5) Move & sweat as often as possible

Repairing the gut isn’t rocket science; it just takes some commitment and consistency. You can do it, and it will be so worth it. Nothing beats feeling and looking healthy.

Gut Scrub Bonus Hacks

Supplemental Gut Health Herbs

Gut Scrub is effective due to its ability to address a broad range of underlying gut health issues. However, you can also experiment with additional herbs to enhance its effectiveness if you feel it’s needed. Here are a few herbs known for their gut-healing properties:

Oregano Oil: Oregano oil supports gut health by fighting off harmful bacteria and pathogens thanks to its natural antimicrobial properties. Due to its active compounds of carvacrol and thymol, oregano oil is renowned for its strong antifungal and antiparasitic effects. When choosing a brand, look for one that contains wild oregano and is high in carvacrol. We advise using capsules rather than drops, as oregano oil can be quite intense in its liquid form. Because of its strength it's not something to be taken frequently, but it can be a great tool to use in conjunction with Gut Scrub.

Raw Garlic: This potent gut ally nurtures beneficial bacteria, combats harmful microorganisms, and provides anti-inflammatory & antioxidant benefits. To maximize the benefits of raw garlic, peel it, crush it, and let it sit for 5–10 minutes. This allows the enzyme allicin to form, which is responsible for many of garlic’s amazing health benefits. Then add it to a small glass of water and shoot it back! Scrubbers have seen amazing results by adding garlic to their Gut Scrub routine.

Curcumin: If you have gut inflammation, curcumin is definitely something you want in your toolbox. Curcumin (the primary substance in turmeric) has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine to heal a variety of inflammation related health issues, modern medicine is starting to take an interest. Keep in mind that turmeric typically only contains 2-3% curcumin, so look for 100% curcumin instead. Look for a supplement high in curcuminoids with added bioperine, which increases bioavailability (making curcumin even more effective).

Fasting

Water fasting is an incredible tool that gives our body time and energy to focus on healing itself, specifically the gut microbiome. After ~24hrs of fasting, the body enters autophagy, which is a process that maintains cellular health by recycling old or damaged cells. Fasting is an effective tool to speed up your gut healing journey, especially if parasites are suspected to be your root cause. As always, remember to incorporate electrolytes and stop if you start to feel unwell. More on fasting here.

Full Moon Parasite Protocol

If parasites are thought to be your root gut issue, a full moon parasite protocol is something you can try. We know this may sound like witchcraft... but bear with us! During a full moon, humans can see a reduction in melatonin and an increase in serotonin (ever had a terrible sleep around a full moon?). Parasites have serotonin receptors and can become more active during the days leading up to and after a full moon. By increasing your dose and utilizing other anti-parasitic herbs during a full moon cycle, you can increase your chances of killing off parasites.

Here's a few herbs that can aid in fighting parasites:

Pumpkin Seeds: Pumpkin seeds are a sneaky weapon against parasites! Their special compound, cucurbitacin, helps paralyze and kick out critters from your gut. Plus, they give your digestive system a gentle nudge to help flush everything out. A crunchy, natural way to assist Gut Scrub in the battle against parasites. It's definitely worth adding to your arsenal if you feel you need it.

Wormwood: Wormwood is another antiparasitic herb that helps to eliminate parasites and intestinal worms by disrupting their life cycle. Due to its potent nature, it should only be used for short-term periods, and it's best to consult with a healthcare professional for guidance.

Cloves: Cloves are great for a 1-2 week boost to tackle parasites with their powerful antimicrobial properties. Although they work effectively to clear out unwanted guests, using them too long might lead to side effects. It’s best to consult with a healthcare professional to keep things safe.

Medical Disclaimer: This is general information and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your physician for any medical concerns. If you have a medical emergency, contact emergency services immediately.