Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in Chinese Medicine

Fatigue and exhaustion are some of the most common problems that people present to Chinese medicine practitioners. No wonder. People are overworked, stressed out, the population's immunity is declining and relationships between people are deteriorating. We lack rest, joy and contentment. It exhausts everyone.

People don't just come to deal with fatigue as a fatigue condition itself, but it is often the first symptom of other illnesses - fatigue after childbirth, after having a cavida, as part of hidden pathogens (chronic borrelia or chlamydia), but also fatigue accompanying mononucleosis or cancer. Fatigue is also a manifestation of inadequate thyroid function and other hidden diseases.

Chronic fatigue syndrome

One type of fatigue that is becoming more common is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) or Chronic Fatigue Immunodeficiency Syndrome, which we see as a more accurate name.

It is a disease characterised by severe fatigue and physical and mental exhaustion that worsens even after light exertion and does not improve even after long periods of rest. In addition to fatigue, the patient experiences other symptoms such as increased temperature, alternating sensations of hot and cold, swollen and painful nodes, muscle and joint pain, headaches, mood and sleep disturbances, swollen lymph nodes, difficulty concentrating and sensitivity to light, sounds and smells, etc. Various psychological imbalances such as depression, anxiety, irritability, memory and concentration problems can also be added.

According to statistics, approximately one in two hundred people suffer from real chronic fatigue syndrome. In reality, however, this number can be much higher.

Causes of chronic fatigue syndrome through the eyes of TCM

Chinese medicine does not see only one cause of fatigue syndrome. While at first glance it might seem that fatigue is the result of a lack of Qi energy, it is not that simple with chronic fatigue syndrome.

It is a multisystem disease whose etiology is not clearly understood. It is clearly related to high stress load, exhaustion from overwork, poor diet, lack of adequate exercise and sleep, etc.

Below we will explain the possible causes of chronic fatigue syndrome in more detail as described by TCM.

Chronic fatigue syndrome and Qi energy depletion

In practice, it is difficult to distinguish between chronic fatigue syndrome and "ordinary" Qi depletion. The boundary is ambiguous. Qi energy is depleted by prolonged overwork, prolonged emotional stress, poor diet, poor eating habits, use of chemical drugs (typically overuse of antibiotics), etc. In addition to Qi energy, other important substances of the body (in the words of Chinese medicine) such as blood, Jing essence in the kidneys, yin or yang energy can also be depleted.

Chronic fatigue syndrome and hidden pathogen

Often chronic fatigue syndrome does not manifest itself only as a normal exhaustion of the body, but is often the result of a so-called hidden pathogen. This concept describes the human immune system as an onion composed of many layers that protect the internal organs. Pathogens usually aim to penetrate these defensive layers and reach the interior of the organism, where they settle and draw energy from it.

This only happens if we are weakened, if we have weak immunity. In most cases, the external pathogen is stopped right in the outer layers. If we are weakened, it has a good chance of getting into the deeper layers, or even into our interior. There, it is no longer in great danger. "It sits and waits for our body to weaken again. That's when it wakes up and starts claiming its energy. And that brings with it all sorts of unusual symptoms. The typical and most common symptom is fatigue. At first, it occurs only occasionally. In more serious conditions, it's permanent fatigue.

Western medicine fails to diagnose this condition, so people often end up on antidepressants. In addition to unmanageable fatigue, symptoms include a feeling of increased temperature, moving pains throughout the body, chronic inflammation, neurological symptoms, what we call brain fog, unusual hot flashes, etc.

A hidden pathogen does not only arise after an invasion of external pathogens, but can also arise after vaccination. As we observe to this day in patients who have been vaccinated against covid.

Yin fire

The term Yin Fire was first coined by Li Dong Yuan, a physician working in 11th century China, in his book Pi Wei Lun (Treatise on the Stomach and Spleen). Li Dong Yuen came up with the theory that the weakening of the Spleen and Stomach organs, as the organs responsible for converting food into Qi energy, is at the root of most of the health problems one encounters. He went on to say that if the Spleen and Stomach do not produce enough proper Qi energy to fill the entire body, Yin Huo (Yin Fire) will appear. It originates in the lower abdomen and rises upwards.

We might associate Yin Huo with concepts such as chronic inflammation or autoimmune disease. The concept of Yin Huo is much broader and can also be related to chronic fatigue syndrome.

The body is like a vessel filled with ordinary Qi energy that performs various functions within it. If there is not enough proper Qi energy in the vessel, it will begin to fill up with corrupted Yin Huo. Qi and Yin Fire are enemies, either one or the other wins.

The theory of yin fire can explain many of the strange pathologies that accompany man in modern times. A common symptom of yin fire, besides fatigue, is what Chinese physicians call "cold below, hot above." However, the symptoms tend to be very varied, but fatigue is always an integral part of them.

There are certainly other causes of chronic fatigue syndrome, and in fact the causes are intertwined.

Find the courage to try acupuncture

Acupuncture is an excellent tool for treating fatigue. A good acupuncturist can use acupuncture needles to replenish Qi energy, restore its free flow and harmonise the relationships between internal organs.

Feel free to add traditional herbs as well

Traditional Chinese medicine offers a number of herbal mixtures that can help resolve ailments. However, it's important to remember that treating chronic fatigue syndrome is a long haul that can take a year or more. Below are some of the appropriate herbal recipes and their uses.

1. Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang (Awakening Energy)

First used by Chinese physician Li Dong Yuan, this recipe replenishes the energy of the Spleen and supports its function of raising Qi. Spleen is responsible for producing and lifting Qi in Chinese medicine. A weakened Spleen that produces little Qi and fails to lift it sufficiently can lead to fatigue, low blood pressure and other symptoms of a weakened Spleen. Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang strengthens the Spleen and helps to lift its energy up.

2. Ba Zhen Tang (Eight Pearls)

This recipe focuses on replenishing Qi and Blood in the body. It contains the eight best herbs of Chinese phytotherapy and is ideal for conditions of great exhaustion and fatigue, a general lack of Qi and Blood. It is used for recovering from illness, exhaustion from chronic disease, weak or heavy menstruation, after childbirth to support breastfeeding, anemia, blood loss and other conditions associated with Qi and blood deficiency.

3. Xiao Yao San (Breaking the Shackles)

This blend harmonizes the Liver and Spleen, releasing Liver Qi stagnation caused by stress and replenishing the Spleen to better produce Qi and blood. Xiao Yao San is useful for the combined cause of fatigue, where part of it is due to deficiency (lack of Spleen Qi) and part is due to fullness (Liver Qi stagnation from emotions and stresses). It is primarily used for various somatization stresses. Basically for anything that is aggravated by stress, including fatigue.

4. Xiao Chai Hu Tang (Opening the Door)

The Opening the Door blend is used for various chronic fatigue conditions where the cause is a hidden pathogen. It contains Chai Hu (relaxes the Liver), Huang Qin (clears damp heat), Ban Xia (removes phlegm), Ren Shen (replenishes the original Yuan Qi) and other herbs that harmonize the blend. It is effective for chronic inflammation, recurrent infections, autoimmune problems and other conditions associated with fatigue.

5. Yu Lin Zhu Tang (Unicorn Power)

This complex blend is primarily intended to support fertility, but its composition makes it suitable for fatigue conditions as well. It greatly strengthens the Kidneys (Yang and Essence), replenishes the Liver blood and strengthens the Spleen. It is used for fatigue conditions when the Kidneys, Liver and Spleen are weakened.

6. You Gui Wan (Deer Power)

The mixture is useful for problems caused by deficiency of the Yang Kidney. It is used to strengthen libido, replenish Kidney Yang, for impotence, erection problems, if the patient feels chills, cold extremities, is troubled by frequent urination and swelling around the ankles. The mixture is effective for short-term use or in combination with other mixtures.

7. Gui Pi Wan (Anchored Thought)

The blend harmonizes the relationship between the Spleen and the Heart, strengthening the Qi of the Spleen and the Blood of the Heart. It contains herbs such as Ren Shen and valerian, which are the number one remedy for fatigue conditions. It is also used for mental fatigue caused by excessive thinking or studying (it is popular with students in exam period).

8. Yu Ping Feng San (Defensive Wall)

This blend replenishes Wei Qi, the defensive energy that protects us from external pathogens. It supports the Kidneys, Spleen and Lungs, which is important for overall immunity and fatigue conditions associated with weakened immunity.

9. Rou Fu Bao Yuan Tang (Emperor's Treasure)

The herbs in this blend replenish the Qi of the Heart, which is important for proper heart function. It is used for cardiovascular problems, heart insufficiency and significant fatigue associated with movement.

10. Su He Tang (Gu Hammer)

This blend is for airing out the hidden pathogen that drains energy. It is used for chronic fatigue syndrome and other conditions associated with hidden pathogen. It is often combined with other mixtures or Coriolus fungus.

11. MyVitality

A modern Chinese medicine blend for an overall boost in vitality. The range of the mixture is wide. It can be used wherever there is a need to quickly replenish Qi and blood, i.e. in states of fatigue, pallor and coldness. Both to support vitality and for athletes to enhance performance and improve recovery. Other indications may be lack of breast milk, poorly healing wounds, or signs of premature aging. In very busy individuals, it can be taken to prevent burnout and to maintain mental function. The blend is formulated to support the Spleen, Lungs, Liver and Kidneys.

12. MyRemover 2 (modified Xiao Chai Hu Tang)

A modern combination of herbs and mushrooms to eliminate pathogens from the body. Primarily "hidden pathogens", which are the concomitant of chronic fatigue syndrome.

They can manifest anywhere on the body and tend to migrate and change in intensity. Chronic fatigue, digestive problems, psychological obesity and chronic inflammation are typical. In the case of parasites, which includes Lyme disease, neurological disorders are added.

The mixture is based on the classic Xiao Chai Hu Tang recipe.