Natural Health Alternatives

The traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) characterizes all illnesses as imbalances of organ function or poor circulation of qi (pronounced chi), or energy, and blood in the body’s channels In some chronic cases with many diverse symptoms, you have to try and ascertain how, where, and why organ and channel dysfunctions are happening, and we work to restore an original, natural state of health with a combination of Chinese herbal medicines and acupuncture.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a complex pattern of symptoms, including fatigue, depression, fibromyalgia, chemical sensitivity, headache, “brain fog,” poor memory, changes in appetite, and sleep disturbances.

I believe the true source of CFS is one or more pathogenic microbes, including viruses, bacteria, or protozoa that enter the body during an acute illness that often resembles the flu.In addition to direct microbial invasion, many practitioners in the natural healing arts believe CFS can result from “leaky gut syndrome,” or small-intestine colitis. Leaky gut syndrome usually manifests after one consumes antibiotics, either as medicines or in animal foods.

These can then irritate and inflame the internal lining of the small intestine and allow absorption of foods into the blood before they’re fully digested. The body’s immune system will see these as allergens and attack them. Some chemicals stay in the blood, affecting brain function. Others precipitate into the connective tissue surrounding muscles, causing fibromyalgia.

There are key treatments in Chinese medicine,which focus on regulating and detoxifying the liver and repairing small-intestine inflammation and permeability. This requires specific herbs to move liver qi and blood and to cool any inflammatory heat. As the liver regains its ability to detoxify, poisons exit the body. This type of natural fibromyalgia cure, helps chronic fatigue to gradually disappear. Chinese medicine and acupuncture can be quite effective, especially if the intervention occurs early on in the condition.  

 Liver detoxificatiion can be done with a variety of Chinese herbal formulas, including Chai Hu Shu Gan Wan, Xiao Chai Hu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Formula), or Xiao Yao San (Free and Easy Wanderer). Repairing the small intestine epithelium requires spleen qi tonics such as Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (Rehmannia 6) or Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang and special formulas that reduce small-intestine inflammation. Of course, treatment of complex syndromes such as leaky gut or chronic fatigue should be managed by an experienced practitioner of Chinese herbal medicine.

 Studies have shown that CFS sufferers are deficient in one or more vitamins and minerals including salt, certain B vitamins , vitamin C, magnesium, malate, zinc , beta-carotene, carnitine, coenzyme Q10, essential fatty acids.

 Many sufferers report food intolerances and some of these include sugar, processed foods (additives), refined grains including wheat, maize and rice, milk, beef, pumpkins, tomatoes and pineapple. Provocative testing of CFS sufferers found that in many instances, specific foods are associated with specific symptoms .

As chronic fatigue syndrome involves many bodily systems may be compromised, herbal medicine strategies have been developed ^,, which might include: revitalising energy levels with herbal tonics; restoring depleted adrenal reserves with specific adrenal tonics; balancing immune function with immune modulating herbs; addressing any viral associations using antiviral, herbs; boosting mood and vitality with nervine tonics; assisting cerebral blood flow and tissue perfusion; and enhancing memory and cognitive function.