Feel The Heal Founder Daryn Herzfeld on How Colonics Build a Strong Immune System and Glowing Skin

With an innate sensibility of learning about health and medicine at an early age, Feel The Heal Founder Daryn Herzfeld started her career in midwifery which would eventually kickstart her holistic medicine journey. From there she wanted to devour as much information in the industry and got licenses in massage therapy, colon therapy to eventually becoming a licensed master esthetician, a paramedical esthetician and then some. Thus the birth of her first holistic wellness med spa, Feel The Heal, in Miami. Now with a third location in the works in Miami, Herzfeld chats with us on why colonics and detoxing programs are becoming a vital part of building up a strong immune system, getting that glow from within, and one of her personal fave treatments.

It seems like gut health is all the rage these days and with so many options out there that you offer, what do you feel is the best first step for someone wanting to do a full detox but is a beginner to the whole detoxing world?
Gut health has always been key to boosting your immune system and keeping your organs functioning at their best. However, it hasn't been a common topic of conversation, likely because it's been considered a bit taboo. But with changing times and the rise of social media, especially platforms like TikTok, more people are starting to openly discuss topics that might have once been seen as "gross"- and it's sparking conversations about the real benefits.

For beginners, the first step is to simplify your diet and consider doing a one to three-day juice fast, along with detox teas or enemas before scheduling a colonic irrigation. This helps clear out your gut a bit so that the colonic can be more thorough. If you're backed up with fecal matter and gas, the session could feel more uncomfortable, so it’s always good to detox before a bigger detox.

Colonic irrigation is an excellent way to cleanse your gut and get hydrated at the same time. Clients can release anywhere from 3 to 4 pounds per session, and it’s a clean, sterile process that removes toxins, parasites, fecal matter, and gas/bloating - all helping to resolve gut issues. Plus, it does wonders for your skin!

For someone who’s never done a colonic, what overall benefit is there for the entire body and skin? Is there an immediate “glow” in our skin after a treatment?
Colonics offer a wide range of benefits beyond just boosting your immune system - since about 70% of your immune system resides in the gut lining. It's also an incredibly hydrating process, which works wonders for your skin by flushing out harmful bacteria. Many clients notice their skin glowing from the added hydration, and some even report that their dark under-eye circles are reduced. This is likely due to improved liver and gallbladder function post-detox, which plays a role in skin health. 

How often should you get a colonic?
At Feel The Heal, we recommend starting with a weekly colonic for four weeks, followed by a tailored maintenance plan - either monthly or every other month, depending on your goals.

Let’s talk parasites! How do we know we have parasites? And how much different is our body/skin after the removal of parasites in our intestines?
Parasites often go undetected because their symptoms - like bloating, skin breakouts, rashes, weight gain, or weight loss - are all things we tend to brush off or overlook. Unless you're specifically tested for parasites, it's safe to assume most of us could be walking around with them. When someone starts a parasite detox, they may experience what's called "die-off" symptoms. As the parasites begin to die, the body can start to purge, leading to temporary discomforts like rashes, flu-like symptoms, bloating, aches and pains. If you've been dealing with these issues beforehand, detoxing should help alleviate them. At Feel The Heal, we offer a complete Parasite Protocol, which you can order online. For more details, visit our website.

If we’re too scared to get a colonic, what alternative treatments do you suggest to get a similar result?
You could choose an enema, which is like a mini version of a colonic, but it’s not nearly as thorough. A colonic covers the entire 5-foot colon, while an enema only reaches the descending colon and rectum. Though the idea of a colonic might sound intimidating, 99% of people leave saying, "I wish I’d done this sooner!" While the session can be mildly uncomfortable at times, similar to having cramps, it’s not painful - and the benefits far outweigh the brief discomfort.

Your med spa sounds like a one-stop shop (that I could spend the entire day at!), as a spa owner, what are your favorite treatments that you like to indulge in and why?
Over the years, we've added so many treatments that our detox and skincare list is pretty extensive. We’re all about the inside-out approach - cleaning out the body while leaving your skin glowing on the outside. It’s tough to pick a favorite treatment because I genuinely love them all. I swear by colonics, not just for how amazing they make me feel afterward and the benefits that come with it, but also for the impact they have on my skin, especially the hydration boost. When it comes to skincare, my go-to is combining the Aerolase Neo Laser with a BioRePeel Chemical Peel on the same day - the results are unreal! And of course, I can’t resist a good Hydrafacial either.