In using Chinese herbs to treat chronic fatigue immune deficiency syndrome (CFIDS), most patients respond favorably to these remedies. Those with mild conditions may report marked improvement within a week or two of starting on herbs. But, it should be noted that many persons will be on herbs for several months before their symptoms take a significant turn for the better. Practitioners must keep in mind that each case should be approached individually. The common symptoms of CFIDS are extreme fatigue, sleep disturbance, difficulty concentrating, memory loss, anxiety, depression, irritability, fever, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, digestive disorders, sensitivity to heat and light, headaches, spasms, aching muscles and joints, recurrent infections especially of the respiratory tract, and loss of appetite. Quite a number of persons also suffer candidiasis, and some even have parasitosis.
To address the chronic fatigue in these patients, I suggest the use of Health Concerns’ Power Mushrooms, or other mushroom extracts; most CFIDS patients feel more energetic after taking these formulas. Medicinal mushrooms may have anti-viral effects as well. For some yin deficient individuals, the mushroom formulas may be too warming, therefore these patients should be monitored closely if they are to take these remedies.
Many CFIDS sufferers have digestion problems, especially those due to Dampness and food stagnation. Thus, before starting these individuals on other formulas, a two-week regimen of Quiet Digestion will usually help them handle the other herbs that are to come. Ordinarily, Quiet Digestion is taken between meals, but if the condition is more serious, the dosage should be increased to one capsule before and after meals. This initial step with Quiet Digestion can be bypassed if the digestive symptoms are mild or absent altogether.
Yeast infections such a vaginal candidiasis or oral thrush should also be treated. Even though there may be no obvious symptoms, if the patient has been on long-term antibiotics or oral contraceptives, the possibility that Candida is present is high. Phellostatin is quite effective in addressing candidiasis, as herbs in this formula have been shown through laboratory studies to possess anti-Candida properties. In Chinese medicine, the pattern of candidiasis fits that of damp heat lodged in the spleen/stomach and intestines. This may be the causative factor of the aching muscles and joints experienced by CFIDS sufferers. Other symptoms of damp-heat in the spleen/stomach and intestines are abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, mucus and blood in the stools, sweating, and thirst. Phellostatin is ordinarily taken for several months and can be combined with acidophilus, pharmaceuticals, and with other formulas such as Astra Isatis.
For viral infections, Astra Isatis has proved to be effective not only in treating chronic viremia, but also in resolving kidney yin and yang deficiencies, since any type of chronic condition will affect the kidney. Individuals with active viral symptoms, however, should be given Clear Heat (1-3 capsules, three times daily), since they usually present a pattern of heat, and experience fever, a sensation of heat or burning in the muscles and joints of the extremities, a red tongue, and a rapid pulse. We have received reports that patients who have taken Clear Heat experience a dramatic reduction in joint and muscle pain when it is due to viral infection. It is suggested that Clear Heat be taken with Astra Isatis which protects the spleen/stomach from the cooling herbs in Clear Heat.
It should also be noted that even though some CFIDS patients do not exhibit outright signs of viral infection, it is advisable that they still be administered an anti-viral remedy. Following a severe viral infection, many persons will suffer extreme yin deficiency. This is manifested by chronic sore throat, thirst, ulcers of the mouth, facial flush, afternoon fever, nightsweats, and burning palms and soles. For these patients, Nine Flavor Tea, a modification of Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (Rehmannia Six), helps tonify the yin and is the primary formula, although Astra Isatis may still be taken to eliminate residual viremia. Another important ingredient in Nine Flavor Tea is scrophularia (xuan shen) which helps relieve lymph nod swelling.
Practitioners must be vigilant of CFIDS patients who have difficulty digesting yin tonics, since these remedies can be cloying. If this is so, then FertileGarden may be substituted. If there are no signs of active viremia, Astra Isatis can be administered alone, or in combination with formulas that address specific symptoms. For example, mental depression with Cold signs is treated effectively with Aspiration; however, depression with heat signs and anxiety, is better resolved with Calm Spirit. High levels of liver enzymes are also common in CFIDS patients, in which cases Ecliptex may be administered.
For PMS and menstrual cramps, Woman’s Balance and Cramp Bark Plus may be used respectively. For obvious cold patterns, Astra Eight is effective since it tonifies the spleen and lung qi. For long-term therapy, Enhance, which was developed for HIV patients, can be alternated with Astra Isatis since it is generally beneficial to alter formulas after a period of using the same formula(s). Also, Enhance contains herbs that remove blood stasis which is often a resultant of protracted illness.
Biomedical scientists are uncertain what virus, or combination of viruses, causes CFIDS, although some of these patients do exhibit high levels of the Epstein-Barr virus. CFIDS is a complex condition for which there is no single remedy– overcoming it requires a multi-pronged approach. While herbal treatment is important, the patient’s diet is just as significant. Practitioners should counsel their clients about a well-balanced diet that includes cooked foods, grains, fresh vegetables, and which minimizes sweets, greasy and cold foods. Also, nutritional supplements (e.g., vitamins and otherwise) are generally warming in nature, and can lead to yin deficiency and even damp-heat. Thus, CFIDS sufferers should either avoid these products or use them only under the supervision of a knowledgeable practitioner or physician.
Patients should also be cautioned about rebound symptoms– the result of “over-doing it.” That is, just as they are beginning to experience a return to health, they over-exert themselves, causing a relapse. Gentle exercise is the key. Finally, collaboration with a supportive MD is helpful, particularly in diagnosing to rule out other conditions such as infectious and endocrine diseases, anemia and parasitosis.