NATURAL HEALING GUIDE

If you are frequently tired and often feel exhausted during the day even though you are getting enough sleep, there may be a flaw in the way your body creates and stores energy. Energy production takes place at the cellular level. The mitochondria, tiny structures within the cells often called the power plants, release energy as they break down fuel. Cells from metabolically active tissues, such as liver, contain thousands of mitochondria. If you are unusually fatigued, you may be lacking vitamins, minerals, enzymes or oxygen needed for metabolism. This lack can slow down cell division, which results in a feeling of listlessness. Fatigue may also be caused by a specific condition, anaemia, low blood pressure, chronic infections or liver disease, and should be evaluated by a doctor. Fatigue is a warning sign from your body that should not be ignored. Do not try to treat it with caffeine or other stimulants.

Sage wine to boost energy
Steep 4 oz. of sage leaves in 1 quart of dry red or white wine. Let it sit for one week at room temperature, then strain out the leaves. Take 2 tbsp. daily after your main meal. This stimulates cardiac and circulatory function and corrects the tendency toward increased perspiration that occurs in many people who suffer from fatigue.

What you can do
To overcome fatigue, you should try to achieve a healthy balance between exertion and relaxation in your daily routine. Exercising in the morning is a particularly effective way to increase vitality. A healthy diet that contains plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables will supply the mutrients needed to help combat fatigue over time.

Eat for energy
A balanced diet with carbohydrates, protein, vitamins, minerals and trace elements combats chronic fatigue. Coffee, alcohol and nicotine rob the body of nutrients and hinder the ability of the body to absorb necessary substances.

Snack on nuts and fruits, not sweets
Avoid sweet pick me ups. While sugar is quickly digested and enters the blood stream immediately, after a brief energy spike, the blood sugar level falls, leaving you feeling more fatigued than before. Moreover, high sugar consumption burdens the pancreas. Instead of sweets, you can eat nuts and fresh and dried fruit in moderation to provide steady energy and help you concentrate.

Energize with hot cold showers
Every morning upon waking, take a hot cold shower. Alternate water temperatures in 3 minute intervals, first hot and then cold. Then dry off vigorously to stimulate the skin. Hot cold showers help boost energy by enhancing circulation and aid the body in removing waste.

Extra tip : Combining the essential oils of clove, cinnamon and sage can help you overcome fatigue. Dilute the preparation with a few drops of a neutral oil to avoid skin irritation, and rub a small amount of this mixture on your temples, forehead and neck.

St. John's Wort for energy
The essential oil of St. John's wort alleviates fatigue and exhaustion and clears the mind. It can also improve concentration. Mix 3 drops of the essential oil with 1 qt. of non sparkling mineral water. Drink a glass of this water whenever you feel the need to increase your energy level.

Enzyme production
An insufficient supply of manganese can reduce the enzyme activity that takes place within the cells, leaving you feeling very fatigued, nervous and irritable. This trace minerals also helps to detoxify the liver and therefore aids the body in removing harmful substances from your blood. Manganese is found in beans, brown rice, blackberries, pineapple, tofu, walnuts and sunflower seeds. The daily requirement is 2-5 mg. Peas also contain manganese as well as biotin. Both minerals stimulate the body's production of glucose (blood sugar), helping to provide energy for the brain and central nervous system.

Chronic fatigue
A common cause of chronic fatigue is a basic disturbance in a person's circadian rhythms, the system that controls the body's inner clock. The sleep/wake cycles of the body are triggered by the hormone melatonin, which is produced in the pituitary gland, located in the brain. When it is dark outside, melatonin production increases to induce sleep. Normally, morning light signals the pituitary gland to stop producing melatonin, but for some people the light may not be strong enough, especially during winter. Overproduction of melatonin can lead to chronic fatigue. To correct this, take a walk outside in the morning to expose yourself to sunlight and halt the release of melatonin. (This trick may also help you overcome jet lag when travelling). An indoor alternative is to use a full spectrum light box, which emits light that is 10 times stronger than natural light. Positive results frequently appear when a person sits by the box for 1-2 hours a day, usually in the morning.