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Herbs for Chronic Fatigue

Posted by Hombre on February 3, 2011, at 7:25:34

A large part of my depression stems from chronic fatigue. I've learned that when energy is always in the red, all sorts of mental and emotional symptoms will result. A lot of these symptoms are included in the DSM diagnosis for depression. That doesn't mean that there are some other reasons for these symptoms, but it would be difficult to tell if you did not treat the chronic fatigue. That's why you owe it to yourself to do as much as you can to maximize your energy through diet, exercise, and herbs.

Herbs will not work if you are not eating enough nutritious foods. Herbs will not work if you are not at least getting out for a short walk every day. Without these lifestyle adaptations that take advantage of the the way your body naturally produces energy, you can't expect to have energy. Low energy = depression, anxiety, and insomnia.

You do what you need to do to be in a position to get a minimal amount of exercise and to make some smart choices when it comes to the food you put into your body. If you need medication, just take it, but don't expect it to do the work for you. If you need prayer, meditation, yoga, weights, pilates, or whatever in order to help you stay disciplined, just do it.

I've found the following herbs, taken in moderate doses on a regular basis, can improve your resistance to stress and optimize your body's natural systems. They can be taken in combination, but moderation is the key. Periodic breaks may be necessary to maintain the full efficacy of these herbs. Remember, they will help you to heal faster and I sincerely believe that they can change your life if used wisely. Not in some miraculous way, but in a natural, healthy way that may help you to realize your full potential. They are helpers, nothing more.

* Ashwagandha - warming, restoring, can help increase libido and overall drive

* Eleuthero ("Siberian Ginseng") - this one is subtle, but you'll appreciate it if you have to do a lot of work, mental or physical

* Rhodiola rosea - stimulating, cerebral, should be added cautiously to any stimulants including caffeine - good for supporting regular efforts to exercise

* Schisandra berry - I've only used a pure extract in pill form - calming, anxiolytic, slightly sedative, restoring

I don't think you should take Panax ginseng, licorice, astragalus, or any strong Chinese tonic herb in isolation - the impressive body of knowledge we have about these herbs indicates that they are best taken in formulas - you do your own reading or consult an herbalist - they are not the same as the above herbs because they are not adaptogens in the strict sense - they have very specific actions on the body, and too much for too long can cause imbalances

And in most cases, I recommend plenty of magnesium, a good multivitamin, vitamin C in gram doses, a strong and ideally bioavailable B-complex, fish oil, and probably some zinc as an amino acid chelate. Moderate doses of the above are safe to take everyday. Bought in bulk from a company like iherb, they are affordable.

 

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poster:Hombre thread:978597
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