Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Nutritional Cleansing

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a little understood “disease” that goes beyond chronic fatigue itself. In addition to extreme fatigue, one may have sore throat, tender lymph nodes (under arms and around the neck areas), muscle and/or joint pain, insomnia, headaches and extreme fatigue that lasts longer than 12 hours after exertion. This fatigue is unresolved with sleep.

There are many theories as to why CFS exists and it is extremely difficult to diagnose. Allopathic, or Western medicine can only provide drugs to treat symptoms such as sleeping pills for insomnia or pain meds for pain.

It is common for those with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome to have viral infections and a suppressed immune system. Therefore, even mainstream medicine advocates recommend making lifestyle changes such as incorporating a healthy diet and supplementation for increased immune function and energy.

Many of the symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome can be linked to environmental toxins such as heavy metals and pesticides. There are tests using blood and hair analysis that can confirm if this is true that you may request by your M.D. or by going to a doctor who is more prone to a holistic and healthy approach. Doing a colon cleanse and detoxifying the body is a natural starting point for many people.

While detoxing and cleansing your body, there are certain juices, herbs and foods that may help alleviate symptoms. There is no harm to incorporating these and creating a healthy daily diet. However, if you choose to use medications during this time, check with your doctor before using herbs. I have noted some of the well-known precautions that accompany some herbs.

Healing Foods for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

• Molasses – Rich in organic copper and iron to enhance and build strong blood.


• Wheat Germ Oil – Enhances the blood’s capacity to carry energy giving oxygen throughout the body.


• Lecithin – Builds strong blood plasma and dissolves sticky deposits in arteries. The freer your blood flows, the more nutrients and oxygen it can carry through your entire body.


• Fennel Juice – Add to carrot, celery or fresh fruit juice to help build strong blood plasma.


• Red Beet Juice – Helps your body build red blood corpuscles. Use only 1/4 to 1/2 beet in each 16 ounce glass of juice. These should be made and drank fresh. Eating beets will not have the same effect as much of the juice and nutrients stay in the beet fiber -especially if digestion is impaired.


• Spinach – Fresh, slightly steamed or in fresh vegetable juice, this dark, leafy green is high in iron therefore helps the body manufacture hemoglobin. (Lack of hemoglobin results in anemia.) Also, note that the iron in spinach is highly assimilated, or used by the body unlike the toxic supplementation of it laboratory counterpart.

Herbs For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

• Echinacea – is a strong herb that stimulates the immune system. It is said that it can increase immune activity by 60%! Use caution if you are allergic to plants in the daisy family such as ragweed, daisies and marigold. Although rare, if you are allergic to these you may get an allergic reaction to this herb.


• Goldenseal – This herb is also known to help the body fight infections.


• Kava Kava – A “pepper root” that promotes relaxation. May help calm those with anxiety.


• Skullcap and Valerian - both help to promote sleep. Studies show that those who take valerian fall asleep quicker and wake up less during the night.


• Ginko Biloba – Improves circulation therefore increases brain function.


• Chinese/Korean Ginseng – This herb is known to fight viral infections however do not use if you have high blood pressure, heart problems or hypoglycemia. For those who can use it, start with 1/2 the recommended dosage because it is strong.


• Siberian Ginseng – High in antioxidant activity and increases mental alertness.

But to heal, you also have to help your body detox and clear out harmful substances. Our bodies are naturally strong, however when we bombard it with chemical pesticides, additives, chemical preservatives, poor quality foods and stress, it eventually breaks down. It cannot heal anything if in addition to these external toxins, it must constantly battle internal toxins that have built up over time.

It is these built up toxins that constantly feed back into the blood stream. Your body now not only has to fight the battle of bacteria and virus that we all are exposed to on a daily basis, but now it has to do the internal battle as well. It is for these reasons that we should all start our health programs with a colon cleanse. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is no exception.

Your body is a powerful machine. It can heal a broken bone and it can heal the common cold. There are some bodies that even heal themselves of cancer. No matter what the case, it needs the building blocks to do so. These building blocks are in the form of extra nutrition that can be found in fresh vegetable juices, fresh fruits and vegetables, herbal supplements and whole foods. Incorporate these foods, eliminate processed and junk foods and try some low-level exercise (such as walking and stretching) to begin your healing lifestyle.

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