I hear this often. Someone will tell me, “I can’t take anything. Everything makes me feel worse.” And by the time some people come to me, they’re actually afraid to try something new because they’ve had so many bad experiences.

Maybe a form of magnesium that was supposed to help them relax made them feel wired. Or an herb known for its calming effects made them anxious. Even a tiny amount can cause a reaction that seems completely out of proportion to what you took.

Of course, there may be a simple explanation. The dose was too high, that particular form wasn’t right for you, or you reacted to another ingredient in the product. But when you react to almost EVERYTHING, I start looking at the bigger picture.

Because at that point, the last thing I want to do is give your body MORE to deal with.

An herb, formula or supplement can be wonderful, but that doesn’t mean it’s right for you at this particular time.

This becomes especially important with highly sensitive people. I’ve worked with people who can’t tolerate even tiny amounts of things that most people take without giving it a second thought. And often they’ve simply been told, “You’re very sensitive.”

Well, yes. But WHY? And what can we do about it?

Your digestion, including your liver’s ability to process and eliminate what you’re taking, may be part of the picture. Genetics can matter too, because we don’t all metabolize substances in exactly the same way. Histamine may be involved. You may even be reacting to another ingredient in the product rather than the herb or supplement itself.

This is also why I pay attention to the FORM of what you’re taking, not just the name of the herb or supplement. Two products that appear very similar may affect you very differently. The preparation, the other ingredients, and even how and when you’re taking it can matter. So when you tell me, “I can’t tolerate herbs” or “I can’t tolerate supplements,” I don’t necessarily assume that what you are taking is the problem.

Also, dose matters enormously. I have worked with people for whom a standard dose is simply far too much. They may need an extraordinarily small amount, particularly in the beginning.

But there is something else I pay a great deal of attention to: timing and sequence.

Although a product may be good for you, your body may not be ready for it yet. There may be other things we need to address first, and the order in which we address them can matter. This is one reason I don’t work from protocols. I want to know what your body can handle right now.

And if your nervous system is already overwhelmed, even something that is supposed to help can become one more thing your body has to deal with.

This is where Shaka Vansya Ayurveda gives me so many different ways to work. And this is also where my Soma Radiant™ Assessment becomes so important. It helps me understand where and how to begin with YOU, rather than simply adding one more thing to everything you’ve already tried.

This can be hard when you’ve been sick for a long time, because there’s such a temptation to keep looking for the next thing that might finally help. But if your body is already reacting to everything, sometimes adding MORE is exactly what I don’t want to recommend.

I’ve also seen something really interesting over the years. You may not be able to tolerate something at all when we first start working together, and later your body may handle it just fine. What you were taking didn’t change. Your body did.

So if you’re thinking, “I can’t tolerate supplements,” I’m not trying to find the next herb or supplement that I can get you to tolerate. I want to understand WHY your body is reacting in the first place.

Because if we can understand what is making your body so reactive, we can begin working with that instead of continuing to ask your body to handle things it isn’t ready for.

I’m curious to hear your experience.

and I’m glad you’re here.

With care,

—Dr. Lisa 💙

If this resonates, I offer a 20-minute Clarity Call to explore whether this path fits what your body is asking for. $50, applied to your care if you move forward. No pressure, just listening.

Book a Clarity Call here: somaradiantwellness.com/book

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