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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
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.
Posted by morgan miller on February 3, 2011, at 23:28:40
In reply to Herbs for Chronic Fatigue, posted by Hombre on February 3, 2011, at 7:25:34
I've found Cordyceps to be quite helpful for fatigue
Posted by Hombre on February 4, 2011, at 20:58:46
In reply to Re: Herbs for Chronic Fatigue, posted by morgan miller on February 3, 2011, at 23:28:40
That's one I need to try. They are sold everywhere in Asia. I suppose I could bite the bullet and try one of the supplements sold at the grocery store. I should have picked up a bottle when I was in this huge Chinese medicine shop in Hong Kong. All these great patent medicines at basically wholesale price.
Posted by morgan miller on February 5, 2011, at 23:55:36
In reply to Re: Herbs for Chronic Fatigue, posted by Hombre on February 4, 2011, at 20:58:46
> That's one I need to try. They are sold everywhere in Asia. I suppose I could bite the bullet and try one of the supplements sold at the grocery store. I should have picked up a bottle when I was in this huge Chinese medicine shop in Hong Kong. All these great patent medicines at basically wholesale price.
That's cool. As far as cordyceps go, I seem to need much more than the average dose to really feel it's effects. I have read there may differences in bioavailability depending on extraction and delivery method. There is a pretty recent thread about this over at Imminst.org on the supplements forum.
Posted by Hombre on February 6, 2011, at 4:03:15
In reply to Re: Herbs for Chronic Fatigue, posted by morgan miller on February 5, 2011, at 23:55:36
Do you know if the cordyceps you are taking are from wild fungus or cultured fungus?
Posted by morgan miller on February 6, 2011, at 15:10:22
In reply to Re: Herbs for Chronic Fatigue, posted by Hombre on February 6, 2011, at 4:03:15
I think it's cultured. I've been taking Vitamin Shoppe brand and I'm waiting for an email from them telling me what company's product they are selling. I suspect it is New Chapter. Look on Imminst.org in the supplements forum for a thread on Cordyceps, there's some good info on what a few of those guys believe to be superior Cordyceps products after doing some of their own research.
I also just started taking Country Life Malic Relief formula for muscle fatigue and I think it's helping quite a bit. Ya know it's hard to tell when you start taking 3 or 4 different things, but as far as being able to flex my muscle better and feeling like they have more strength and energy, I do believe this product is making a difference.
Posted by morgan miller on February 6, 2011, at 15:11:13
In reply to Re: Herbs for Chronic Fatigue, posted by morgan miller on February 6, 2011, at 15:10:22
I take four capsules which comes out to over 2 grams an hour or so before I think I'm really going to need it.
Posted by Hombre on February 6, 2011, at 23:13:22
In reply to Re: Herbs for Chronic Fatigue, posted by morgan miller on February 6, 2011, at 15:11:13
I'll take a look at Imminst. I tend toward buying my herbal extracts from Beyond a Century and capping them up myself. I've had good results so far with their products.
Sort of off the subject, I found some Himalaya triphala and tulasi (holy basil) and I have to say I am not impressed. Perhaps a more careful test should be made before I write them off as not potent enough. I also tend to mix things up a bit, and that complicates the rather subtle sensations that one may feel from herbs, if any.
Posted by morgan miller on February 8, 2011, at 1:20:39
In reply to Re: Herbs for Chronic Fatigue, posted by Hombre on February 6, 2011, at 23:13:22
Hmm, Himalaya is a very good company. The triphala is not supposed to have much of a noticeable effect anyway right? I like their ashwagandha and a few of their other products. Never took their holy basil but I swear by New Chapter's holy basil. It may not work for you but it's great stuff for me when stress and anxiety are getting the best of me and I just need to relax. It can give me a lift and make it easier for me to move through the day and stay focused when I need it as well.
If you get cordyceps from Beyond Century and you have a good response I'd like to hear about it. I wonder what process is used in growing their cordyceps and putting them in powder form.
Posted by morgan miller on February 8, 2011, at 1:22:35
In reply to Re: Herbs for Chronic Fatigue, posted by morgan miller on February 8, 2011, at 1:20:39
Forgot to mention if you try New Chapter holy basil, get the 300 mg CO2 extraction softgels. They have another holy basil product that I do not believe is nearly as potent.
Posted by Hombre on February 8, 2011, at 3:43:37
In reply to Re: Herbs for Chronic Fatigue, posted by morgan miller on February 8, 2011, at 1:22:35
I'm thinking people should try out 2 or 3 of the adaptogens and if they can find one that works for them, that's enough. Just take that one and maybe taper off and take another one for a short period so you don't develop a tolerance. I find all the adaptogens to be helpful for overall energy. I rotate the herbs I mentioned above and take no more than one cap in the morning and one at night. It seems to keep my body guessing and I get a good response.
Posted by morgan miller on February 8, 2011, at 12:41:01
In reply to Re: Herbs for Chronic Fatigue, posted by Hombre on February 8, 2011, at 3:43:37
Good point about adaptogens. Though Cordyceps isn't typically thought of as an adaptogen(I don't think???), I'm definitely trying to limit it's use to 5 days at the most and 4 ideally. It has been shown to possibly raise testosterone so I would like to be consistent with it for a few months during this time of getting back into weight training. There are other ergogenic and anabolic type natural substances out there like Cissus(good for inflammation/pain), Ginger, and Ginkgo that are good options for me as far as cycling my natural muscle building/workout enhancing herbs.
This is the end of the thread.
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