How to treat chronic fatigue with Chinese medicine?

Today in our garden... discover how Chinese medicine can help you recover from chronic fatigue.

We currently live in a world where stress has become omnipresent.
Indeed, family, children, work, financial problems, and traffic are sources of aggression that did not exist until now.
And when stress becomes recurrent, it begins to impact our health silently.
This stress can then lead to what is known as "chronic fatigue syndrome."

Worse yet, symptoms of chronic fatigue or exhaustion risk persisting and worsening over time without any management and awareness.

In this article, we will share with you how to naturally treat stress or even burnout.
One of the best ways to remedy this is by using traditional Chinese medicine.

The view of Chinese medicine on chronic fatigue syndrome

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a practice that has evolved over thousands of years.

It is based on the fundamental belief that the body's vital energy or qi flows along various meridians or channels in the body.

This process, in turn, keeps a person's physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health in good balance.

There are 12 primary meridians that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has identified in the body. These include the lung, large intestine, stomach, gallbladder, liver, heart, pericardium, small intestine, spleen, Triple Burner, and kidney.

The kidney holds the body's vitality.

Furthermore, it is part of the meridian that controls water. It is also associated with brain function, hearing problems, aging, and feelings of willpower as well as power.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) therefore considers that chronic fatigue stems from an insufficiency involving the kidneys. Since the adrenal glands are linked to kidney qi, we are convinced that chronic fatigue is an insufficiency of kidney qi. Consequently, several notable symptoms of kidney imbalance appear, such as anxiety, a strong craving for salt, decreased libido, low energy, back pain, and hair loss (alopecia).

On the other hand, from a Western medicine perspective, the kidneys and adrenal glands are also interdependent. To begin with, the adrenal glands are positioned just above the kidneys.

Although these organs are close to each other, they perform very different functions on a regular basis, and more specifically when the body is subjected to stress or overwork.

The kidneys and adrenal glands are part of the body's NeuroEndometabolic (NEM) stress response system. The kidneys are part of the NEM's detoxification circuit, where they perform the function of eliminating our harmful toxins and pathogens from the body.

On the other hand, the adrenals, which are endocrine glands, produce several hormones necessary to allow the body to respond to stress.

Among these is cortisol, which acts as the body's primary stress hormone.

Meanwhile, the adrenal glands also produce the hormone called aldosterone, which is responsible for sodium retention in the body.

In a situation of prolonged or chronic stress, the adrenals continue to produce these hormones until they are no longer able to meet the body's demand.

This is the reason why the body suffers from a significant state of hormonal imbalance, which then triggers chronic fatigue syndrome.

At the same time, kidney function also becomes compromised because the aldosterone deficit no longer allows for the proper "water-sodium" balance in the body.

For traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), this is the moment when the kidneys are drained of vital qi and their energy.

Its treatments

Chinese doctors work to replenish qi at the kidney level, thereby allowing for the relief of its symptoms.

To do this, they turn to several types of treatments, including certain ancestral medicinal plants that they use to treat chronic fatigue from the inside out.

Acupuncture

In ancient Chinese practice, acupuncture is a form of therapy that manipulates the flow of energy or "qi" within a human being.
It is practiced by inserting needles along certain vital points located on the body.
This process helps activate the internal flow of energy in the organism. This energy flow would then travel through a network of extracellular matrix in order to locate pathological areas of dysfunction.
Once found, the energy would then initiate self-healing.

On the other hand, acupuncture has also been advocated for reducing stress levels. Indeed, a study was conducted by Arizona State University on this subject.

Tai Chi

In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), tai chi is a practice that proves useful for generating internal energy, serenity, and mindfulness.
Its primary goal is to cultivate qi from inside the body and allow it to circulate powerfully and smoothly.
Consequently, this practice can be essential in restoring appropriate kidney qi to fight chronic fatigue.

Moreover, tai chi has also been considered effective in reducing stress levels.
Indeed, a study conducted by La Trobe University in Bundoora, Australia, found that practicing tai chi reduced mood disorders, as well as led to a reduction in depression, anger, confusion, overwork, exhaustion, and anxiety among participants.

Traditional Chinese Herbs

In Chinese medicine, certain herbs play a major role in helping the body heal from all kinds of ailments.
This applies to chronic fatigue syndrome, of course.
Indeed, some ancient herbs have been proven to have significant therapeutic properties in helping to fight against and reduce its symptoms.
Nevertheless, it is best to consult your doctor or nutritionist before consumption. It is possible that in some cases, an intolerance and allergic reaction may occur when taking these herbs. Their effects can even be fatal. It would therefore be prudent to perform some tests to exclude all allergy risks.

That said, here are a number of Chinese medicinal herbs below that can help you in the regeneration of your adrenal glands and even prevent chronic fatigue:

Licorice Root (Gan Cao)

Many people have long turned to licorice root as a natural remedy for various diseases. Notably for digestive problems as well as coughs, bronchitis, sore throats, and infections.

Furthermore, licorice root has also been proven effective in fighting stress. Indeed, a study published in the journal Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine in 2017 revealed that the ethanol extract contained in licorice root can easily protect the body from oxidative stress. Meanwhile, another study published in the journal Experimental Dermatology in 2015 revealed that licorice extract can also protect the skin against UV-induced stress.

Astragalus Root (Huang Qi)

Astragalus root has been mainly used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for stimulating the immune system. It has also proven effective in relieving stress and its symptoms. A study conducted in Korea in 2009 revealed that this herb is particularly effective in reducing anxiety caused by stress.

It would also help in the recovery from any neurochemical and behavioral deficiency that has been caused by stress.

Schisandra Berry (Wu Wei Zi)

Schisandra berry is a fruit known for its various health benefits, such as for cardiovascular diseases and good cognitive function.

Moreover, schisandra berries have also been recognized for their ability to improve endurance and even promote movement precision. They are also said to be able to increase mental performance and fight against all forms of anxiety.

Some of these herbs can be taken as tea while others are available as natural dietary supplements in powder form. Do not hesitate to consume what suits you best.

We advise you to test one herb at a time in order to easily determine which one suits you best. Furthermore, if you wish to explore the possibility of combining these herbs, it would be better to consult a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioner who can advise you and find the right blend as well as the dose that will suit you.

*The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only and does not in any way substitute for medical advice. Stop consumption immediately and consult your doctor if you notice unusual pain. We invite you to seek advice from your doctor before applying them