Overcoming fatigue with alternative medicine
Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms, whether as a temporary/short period of tiredness or a chronic presentation causing a general sense of weariness. Interestingly, many persons will note that they often feel tired but choose not to do much to address it. Chronic or prolonged low energy or fatigue over time can affect a number of daily functions, such as: the carrying out of daily tasks, work, mood, health, and can affect the general quality of life.
In traditional Chinese medicine, feelings of tiredness, exhaustion or depletion are typically characterised as a deficiency of the body's Qi.
COMMON CAUSES
Some common causes of tiredness include:
Overwork
Physical overexertion, which includes overexertion in the course of work and excessive exercising or sporting activities
Poor sleep
Improper diet
Illness: chronic fatigue may be caused by a number of medical conditions, including:
Anaemia
Lung conditions: emphysema, COPD
Cancer
Kidney disease
Heart disease
Obesity
Sleep apnea
Diabetes
Psychological problems: fatigue is a common symptom of mental health problems such as:
Depression
Anxiety
Grief
Stress
Weak constitution
Excessive sexual activity
Childbirth
Medications: pain, high blood pressure, heart and antidepressant medications
Prolonged recreational drug use: including alcohol use or abuse.
TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE ASSESSMENT
Although in traditional Chinese medicine chronic tiredness is often considered a deficient condition, in some cases, it is an excess condition, brought on by the obstruction of the proper movement and transformation of Qi and blood. In the case of a deficiency, treatment depends on the type of deficiency.
Lung Qi deficiency: fatigue accompanied by shortness of breath, coughing
Spleen Qi deficiency: fatigue accompanied by digestive problems such as poor appetite, abdominal bloating, especially following meals, loose bowel movements
Heart Qi deficiency: fatigue accompanied by palpitations, racing of the heart, slight breathlessness
Yang deficiency: characterised by an intolerance of cold, alongside feelings of fatigue
Yin deficiency: characterised by an intolerance of heat, alongside feelings of fatigue
Blood deficiency: tiredness which is worse at midday, accompanied by poor memory, dizziness, poor sleep, blurry vision.
TREATMENT - HERBAL REMEDIES
Accordingly, herbal remedies are prescribed depending on the assessment made. These formulations usually comprise several herbs. Primary herbs include:
Ren Shen (Radix Ginseng): one of the most well-known Qi tonics. Ren Shen has a wide range of actions and can be used for lung Qi, spleen Qi and heart Qi deficiency.
Da Zao (Chinese date, jujube): Is used to strengthen in cases of spleen Qi and blood deficiency.
Gan Cao (licorice): Is used in cases of lung and spleen Qi deficiency.
Dang Gui (Chinese Angelica Root, Tang-Kuei): Another very popular herb, is indicated in cases of blood deficiency.
Yin Yang Huo (licentious goat wort): Indicated in cases of yang deficiency. It is also used for impotence.
Hei Zhi Ma (black sesame seed): Used in cases of yin deficiency and blood deficiency.
In preparing herbal prescriptions, herbs may also be added to address other accompanying or underlying health issues in order to achieve optimal healing. For example, if tiredness is accompanied by insomnia, a formula would be prepared to address all of these issues simultaneously.
Dr Tracey-Ann Brown is an oriental medicine practitioner of acupuncture and herbal medicine at revamp comprehensive and adjunct lecturer at the University of Technology in oriental/Chinese medicine; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.