By Maria Guzman
In late 1987, I was diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome (technically known as chronic fatigue immune dysfunction syndrome, or CFIDS). I was told by numerous Western physicians that there wasn’t anything that I could do, after options such as Zovirax were tried and proved to be unhelpful. My MD referred me to Sandra Magin, RN, OMD, hoping that through her treatments my symptoms would be relieved – though I was warned that I would not and could not be “healed.”
I suffered from shooting pains throughout my body, frequent fevers that would rise to high temperatures and then fall quickly, night sweats, painful and swollen lymph nodes, bleeding cracks on the corners of my mouth, alternating constipation and diarrhea, asthma, allergies, periodic cognitive difficulties, viral and bacterial infections that were difficult to resolve, shooting and distending pain in my right hypochondria, extreme fatigue, among other symptoms. Thus began my introduction to Chinese medicine and herbalism in particular.
Mine was not a mild case since I was bedridden for a long time. I was desperate for relief, but did not pursue the referral immediately. I thought alternative medicine was quackery. I didn’t trust it, was apprehensive, and took it up only because it seemed like the sole option available. Thanks to my practitioner’s great determination, as well as acupuncture, moxibustion, and all those herbs, I am writing this today at 100% full health. I no longer suffer from CFIDS. In the process of recovering, I changed my lifestyle and came to understand my body’s needs; I also learned to achieve a relative internal and external balance.
Health Concerns’ products and the products they distribute have been an important component in my healing. Taking herbs in pill form – and there were many – was easy, regardless of how I was feeling. My symptoms were always changing and treating one aspect of my illness often exacerbated other symptoms. Astra Isatis, Astra 8, and Ecliptex were and continue to be the mainstays in my herbal arsenal. I have also used Seven Forest products, and Bupleurum and Capillaris formulas were helpful as well. All were easily digestible except early in the morning. By adjusting and matching the herbal formulas to my body’s needs at the moment, my symptoms became less and less severe.
I became so fascinated by and drawn to herbal medicine that I began studies at the San Francisco College of Acupuncture, attended the First Annual Herbal Symposium in 1990, and worked at the Shen Clinic in Berkeley. In my school clinic, I saw patients with candidiasis treated successfully with diet modification and another Health Concerns’ product, Phellostatin. Cramp Bark Plus and acupuncture were effective in treating dysmenorrhea. Stomach Caps proved to be effective for digestive problems and Two Immortals for menopausal symptoms. In 1991, I decided to leave school because I had regained most of my health and I needed a period of total rest in cleaner air in order to reach 100%. I also wanted to return to my other passion which I thought would never be rekindled.
I am a runner and duathloner. In February 1992, I began to train again tentatively at first, and then with a vigor and determination that I had never had before, perhaps because I appreciate it more now. During my first season last year, I placed and even won 5K races in my area; I won in my age group at a regional duathlon, thus qualifying for the national championship. This year I expect more from myself. I am 30 years old now, and have a good chance to make it as a professional athlete. This is a dream that I thought would never become reality when my health deteriorated. After leaving San Francisco, I lived in the New Mexico mountains for some time because the altitude and clean air helped me regain strength. Now I am living temporarily in New Orleans. Although the air here is no comparison to that in New Mexico, my body is able to handle it, and I can continue my training. I also continue to take my herbs and to treat myself as imbalances appear.
In a few years when I can no longer race competitively, or whenever my body feels it has had enough, I will continue my studies in Chinese medicine and share with others my enthusiasm for this field and the hope it can offer to people whose illnesses seem to he beyond all help, like mine once was.
Maria Guzman may be contacted at 833 N. Alexander St., #1, New Orleans, LA 70119.
Treating CFIDS in the Clinic
Andrew Gaeddert
TCM HERBALIST
Maria Guzman’s case is certainly extraordinary, considering the severity of her condition. Most CFIDS patients do respond favorably to Chinese herbs, and those with more mild conditions may report marked improvement within a week or two of starting on herbs. But, it should be noted that many individuals 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. While Maria suffered some unusual symptoms, she also experienced the common ones. These include 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 parasitosis.
To address the chronic fatigue in these patients, I suggest the use of Health Concerns’ Power Mushrooms, or other mushroom extracts. Mushroom formulas are best used as adjuncts; 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. Therefore, 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, then the dosage should be increased to one tablet 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 as vaginal candidiasis or oral thrush should also be treated. Even though there are 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, mucous 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 tablets, 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, night sweats, 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 node swelling. Practitioners must be vigilant of CFIDS patients who have difficulty in digesting Yin tonics, since these remedies can be cloying. If this is so, then Fertile Garden 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 rotated 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.
Health Concerns donated the herbs and sponsored Dr. Cohen’s presentation.