Natural Healing
Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum is the renowned author of "From Fatigued
to Fantastic," one of the premier texts on treating CFIDS
and Fibromyalgia, as well as being the editor of a newsletter
by the same name. He remains at the forefront of research
and treatment of both CFIDS and FM.
Natural Healing
With Tyrosine
For Occasional Energy Boosts
Twenty male marines took Tyrosine, 35mg per lb. of body
weight, twice a day during a night of sleep deprivation
vs. placebo. Tyrosine acted as a stimulant (the effect
lasting three hours) without significant side effects.
Tyrosine is an amino acid (protein) used to make norepinephrine.
This brain chemical is thought to be low in CFIDS/FMS.
Tyrosine can be considered for occasional use to enhance
performance at a dose of 4000mg. (Neri DF; 'The Effects
of Tyrosine on Cognitive Performance During Extended
Wakefulness;" Aviat
Space Environ Med,- 1995; 66:313-319.)
Natural Healing
With Cranberry
For Bladder Infections
Cranberry Juice (10 oz. a day) inhibited urinary tract infections
by 58% vs. placebo (only 27% of the 153 woman still had bacteria
in their urine) (JAMA 2 71:751- 754; 1994; Avom et. al.).
Current thinking suggests that cranberries prevent bacteria
from sticking to the bladder wall. Cranberries are also used
as a urinary deodorant. Use (unsweetened) cranberry juice
capsules, or other cranberry products not sweetened with
sugar (10gm cranberry tabs = potency of 10 oz./day cranberry
juice cocktail = 2 1/2 oz. real juice). Ten ounces of the
juice cocktail was [the amount] used in the study. (Herbalgram;
#38; pp 51-54.)
Natural Healing
With Lemon
Balm (Melissa)
For Sleep
In FMS/CFIDS, Lemon Balm's main use is to improve sleep.
When combined with Valerian (see next section), it has been
demonstrated to improve deep sleep (Valerian 180mg, plus
Lemon Balm 90mg, 1-2 tablets a night). Used topically (vs.
placebo) Lemon Balm had an antiviral effect against cold
sores if used early in the outbreak. (Lomahephan ® Cream,
2-4 times a day for 5-10 days). (Wolbling RH, et. al.; "Local
Therapy of Herpes Simplex With Dried Extract From Melissa
Officianalis; Phyto Medicine, 1:25-31; 1994.) This corroborated
previous studies showing antiviral effects of Lemon Balm.
Echinacea and Lysine also have some antiviral effects.
Natural Healing
With Valerian
For Sleep and Anxiety
Valerian is another very useful herbal remedy in CFIDS/FMS,
which has also been used for at least 1800 years. The Greeks
named it Phu- which derives from the same word as the word "pew" that
we use for something stinky. The name was well earned, as
it has--to put it kindly-- quite a distinctive odor (it is
very stinky)! Cats seem to love it though, and will go after
it like catnip.
Valerian is a mild sleep aid that has the interesting effect
of calming people when they are anxious while at the same
time acting as a stimulant when people are fatigued. Although
not strong enough by itself to normalize sleep in the early
stages of treating CFIDS/FMS, it decreases the amount of
sleep medication needed. When symptoms have been resolved
for six months and sleep medications are weaned off, some
patients like to continue using it to insure good sleep.
The main problems with Valerian's use for sleep are:
1. When one uses an inappropriate dose (i.e., taking less
than 1 80mg is unlikely to be effective and taking over
450mg is unlikely to add much benefit).
2. As it can be a stimulant in fatigue, about 5-10% of
CFIDS/FMS patients find they can't use it for sleep because
it makes them "hyper" at night and keeps them up.
In another study using Valerian for anxiety, 100mg three
times a day for three weeks was more effective than placebo.
Because Valerian decreases fatigue, it's a helpful calming
agent in CFIDS/FMS.
Valerian also eases bowel spasms and may decrease menstrual
cramps, fluid retention and seizures. Although considered
safe, even at high doses for short term use (and no significant
toxicity has come to my attention with long term use), I
would likely limit the dose to 450mg a day unless a higher
dose shows clear benefit. Although used as a flavoring in
food processing (e.g., drinks, baked goods, etc.), I would
avoid using Valerian supplements during pregnancy. Valerian
interacts well with other sleep medications and can also
be taken with Melatonin 3/10mg at night.
Natural Healing
With Ginseng
For Energy and Adrenal Support
Panax (Asian) Ginseng is the most famous of all Asian
medicinal plants. Because the chemical nature varies
widely depending on where the plant is grown (with high "RG1 activity" in
Asian plants and high "RB1 activity" in American plants),
it is important to know where it comes from. The Asian (Panax)
Ginseng has the properties we want in CFIDS/FMS, while the
American Ginseng may worsen symptoms. For example, Asian
Ginseng enhances energy, raises blood pressure and improves
adrenal function while American Ginseng lowers blood pressure
and is a brain 'depressant.' Asian Ginseng has such a wide
mix of health benefits that its name, Panax, comes from the
Greek roots of "pan" (meaning all) and "akos" (meaning
cure-i.e., cure-all). In CFIDS/FMS, we are interested in
its properties of increasing energy and improving adrenal
function. Siberian Ginseng (Eleuthra) has properties midway
between American and Asian.
In one study of 232 patients with "functional fatigue," those
taking Ginseng 80mg a day (using the Ginsana Brand ®)
experienced less fatigue with Ginseng vs. placebo after six
weeks. Concentration also improved (LeGal M, et al.; Phyto
Ther Res,1996; 10:4953).
Ginseng has been shown to reduce fatigue and improve exercise
capacity. For most purposes the usual dose of standardized
Panax Ginseng extract (5-7% Ginsengosides) is about 100-200mg
a day. Asian and Siberian Ginseng also support adrenal function
(also see Echinacea this page).Other studies also suggest
that Asian (Panax) Ginseng may protect nerve cells and decrease
cancer risk.
Remember, the potency of different forms of Ginseng is quite
variable. To treat symptoms of an underactive adrenal (e.g.,
hypoglycemia, low blood pressure, etc.) use:
A. Asian (Panax) Ginseng-100mg twice a day, OR
B. Siberian Ginseng (Eleuthra) -Use (daily): 2-3gms of dry
powdered root -OR 300-400mg of standardized concentrated
extract OR 10cc (2 tsps) of the alcohol-based extract.
When using either form of Ginseng, take it for six weeks
and then skip taking it for one to two weeks before resuming
it. Continue this on-off cycle for 1-2 years or until you
feel your ability to handle stress and infections has improved.
Adding 1/2-2gms of vitamin C a day will also support the
adrenal glands. Ginseng is quite safe and well-tolerated.
Unlike Licorice, it does not pose the risk of raising adrenal
hormones too high. (Donald Brown N.D.-NFM's Nutrition Science
News 11/96; pp33-34; A good overview article for Ginseng.)
Natural Healing
With Peppermint
Oil
For Bowel Spasm
Peppermint, native to Europe, has been a popular American
remedy for treating colon spasm for at least 200 years. Patients
with CFIDS/FMS often have symptoms of spastic colon, which
include abdominal pain, alternating diarrhea and constipation,
gas and bloating. Although treating the yeast and/or parasite
infections can often resolve these symptoms, Peppermint Oil
(with Ginger if nausea is present) can also be helpful. This
was demonstrated in a successful placebo-controlled study
using Peppermint Oil in spastic colon (Rees W, et al.; "Treating
Irritable Bowel Syndrome With Peppermint Oil;" British Medical
Journal 11; 835-6; 1979).
Peppermint Oil may also suppress intestinal Candida and may
dissolve gallstones. It is important to be aware that, even
though it eases spasm when it is in the colon, Peppermint
Oil can cause indigestion in the stomach. Because of this,
I only use enteric coated Peppermint Oil (i.e., capsules
that are specially made not to dissolve until after they
are past the stomach). They should be taken between meals
(i.e., not with food). Use 1-2 capsules (with 2/10cc per
capsule), three times a day as needed.
Menthol, one of Peppermint Oil's principle constituents,
can also be used topically for pain relief. It acts as a
counter irritant, stimulating the nerves that perceive cold,
while suppressing those for pain. Use it in a cream or ointment
with 1 1/4-16% Menthol up to 3-4 times a day in the affected
area (warning: it can cause a rash, especially if a heating
pad is used over it).
Natural Healing
With Echinacea
A Great Immune Stimulant For Most Infections
Echinacea (purple coneflower), is a member of the sunflower
family and is indigenous to the rich prairie soils of midwest
North America. It was the most commonly used herb in Native
American healing traditions and has been the subject of over
350 studies (Reviewed By Hobbs C; 1989 in "The Echinacea
Handbook" Portland, Oregon; Eclectic Medical Publications).
Echinacea is very useful as a general immune activator, stimulating
the body's white blood cells (e.g., natural killer cells
and macrophages) which destroy viruses, bacteria, parasites
and yeast. Studies suggest that it can help the body to fight
off many different infections including the flu, herpes,
common cold viruses, Staph and other bacterial infections
(including sinusitis, bronchitis, pediatric ear infections
and prostatitis) and Candida yeast infections. In one study
of women with recurrent vaginal Candida, 60% of those treated
with topical creams had recurrence six months later, as opposed
to only 15% who also took Echinacea!
Echinacea also has other uses. Very importantly, it can stimulate
the adrenal glands (Koen FE; 'The Influence of Echinacea
Purpurea On The Hypophyseal-Adrenal System; Arzneim-Forsch;
3:133-137; 1953). Because the adrenals need a lot of vitamin
C, consider taking 500-2000mg of vitamin C a day with the
Echinacea (adrenal vitamin C levels will otherwise drop while
taking the Echinacea as the adrenals "wake up").
Echinacea also strongly protects cancer patients against
the drop in white blood cell counts that occur during radiation
therapy. These studies suggest that it is a good idea for
any cancer patient on radiation or chemotherapy to consider
adding Echinacea to their regimen (Med Klin; 4:1546-7; 1969).
Uncontrolled trials have shown that topical Echinacea speeds
wound healing, including abscesses, eczema, burns, herpes
and varicose ulcers.
Although using different species and parts of the Echinacea
plants each has its pros and cons, it is important to use
a good brand. The importance of this is reflected in the
estimate that over 50% of the Echinacea sold in the United
States in this century was not Echinacea at all, but was
(the unrelated) Missouri Snake Root! Check the label to document
that the brand you use is actually Echinacea. One way to
do this is to use a standardized "fresh pressed juice" that
is noted on the bottle to have at least 2.4% beta-1,2-Fructofuranosides.
Proper dosing is important as there tends to be an "all or
nothing" effect (i.e., too low a dose has no effect).
Overall, Echinacea is best used to treat, rather than to
prevent infections. If one has an impaired immune system,
though, as in CFIDS/ FMS patients with recurrent or persistent
yeast or other (e.g., respiratory) infections, long term
use may be helpful. It is important to stop the Echinacea
for 7-10 days every 6-8 weeks or it will stop being effective.
A set of dosing recommendations made by Michael Murray, N.D.,
an excellent and very knowledgeable expert on herbal remedies,
is as follows:
For acute infections use one of the following: -
1. Juice of the aerial (above ground) portion of Echinacea
Purpurea stabilized in 22% Ethanol with a minimum of 2.4%
beta 1,2-Fructofuranosides (it should say this on the bottle),
2-3 cc (1/2-3/4 tsp) three times a day (first choice) OR
2. Dried root (or as tea) 1000-2000mg (1-2gm) three times
a day OR
3. Freeze-dried plant at 325-650mg three times a day (capsules)
OR
4. Tincture (1:5) 3-4 cc (3/4-1 tsp) three times a day.
Echinacea is quite safe and nontoxic and some experts will
even use it during pregnancy. For theoretical reasons, it
is reasonable to not use it in autoimmune diseases (like
Lupus or MS) or in AIDS or HIV positive patients.
| Authors
Details: Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum - Web
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