Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a common disease process rooted in a variety of causes. Adrenal dysregulation, chronic infections, thyroid dysfunction, nutrient imbalances, anti-parietal cell antibodies are some of the top causes of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. One common cause that we see frequently missed from evaluation of chronic fatigue syndrome is a chronic hidden viral infection.

In this article, we are going to talk about an herb with which we have had great success in working with people with chronic fatigue and with hidden viral infections. Oxymatrine is commonly used in Chinese medicine. It has tremendous anti-viral properties. We review this herb in detail and explain how it could be the missing link to treating viruses and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Read on for the details!

** Please note: If you want the longer, more detailed version of this article, then please click here ** 

What are Sophora Root & Oxymatrine and how can they help CFS?

Sophora root is an herb with a long history in traditional Chinese herbal medicine. Ku shen is its name in Chinese medicine.

What are the Benefits of Oxymatrine, found in Sophora Root?

Oxymatrine is anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor and anti-viral (Ding Y, 2019). It also has organ- and tissue-protective and anti-cancer effects (Lan X, 2020). It is anti-fibrotic, and can help reduce the formation and build-up of scar tissue in fibrosis (Jiang X, 2018). Oxymatrine is anti-hypertensive, heart strengthening, anti-allergy, anti‑arrhythmia, asthma relieving and inhibits cardiovascular issues (Cao X, 2019).

Many experiments suggest that oxymatrine has anti-cancer benefits.

Oxymatrine affects cell division of cancer cells and reduces toxicity to cells, likely due to its capacity to inhibit the activation of toxins (Ho JW, 2009).

Sophora can enhance liver function and reduce toxicity to liver cells that results from oxidative stress and liver injury (Ho JW, 2009).

Neuroinflammation and neuronal damage are typical characteristics of Parkinson’s Disease (PD) (Gan P, 2020). Oxymatrine can improve PD symptoms primarily by inhibiting neuroinflammation.

Oxymatrine & Viruses and CFS

Oxymatrine is very useful in treating the following viruses:

• Hepatitis (Jiang X, 2018)
• Flu Virus (Dai JP, 2018)
• SARS (Dai JP, 2018)
• Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) (Krishna PM, 2012)
• Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) (Krishna PM, 2012)
• Covid-19 Corona Virus (Choudhry N, 2020)
• Other Viruses: coxsackievirus B3 and influenza/ flu virus (Choudhry N, 2020)

Oxymatrine & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)

Oxymatrine may be useful treating Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

It may inhibit the viruses that are present in some CFS patients (Phoenix Rising, 2008).

No published studies have examined oxymatrine’s effectiveness in CFS (Phoenix Rising, 2008).

Dr. John Chia, an infectious disease specialist focuses on treating CFS. He published a paper indicating that 80% of his CFS patients had a previously undiagnosed enteroviral infection (Phoenix Rising, 2008).

Dr. Chia has been using oxymatrine in the treatment of CFS since 2005 (Phoenix Rising, 2008). He has tracked his patients and his clinical results show that the overall improvement in his patients is approx. 52% (Phoenix Rising, 2008). Some patients have had a dramatic improvement in symptoms, whilst others have had a partial improvement. Dr Nancy 

Klimas is another doctor who has used oxymatrine with 300 CFS patients with similar success rates (ME Pedia, 2020).

Side Effects of Oxymatrine (Phoenix Rising, 2008)

Side effects can occur and are usually temporary. They can be resolved by slowly increasing the dose of oxymatrine.

Side effects are typically an increase in symptoms, such as headache, myalgia, stomach issues, bladder discomfort. These happen to over 50% of patients and last from a few days to a few weeks.

People with autoimmune conditions or tendencies, should not take oxymatrine. There is a risk oxymatrine can trigger rheumatoid arthritis.

People with known seizure disorders should not take oxymatrine. 

Oxymatrine is best avoided in young children and during pregnancy.

It is advisable to be supervised by a functional medicine practitioner to track progress and symptoms, and adjust the dosage of oxymatrine.

Although more research needs to be done, there is ample information that oxymatrine from sophora root could be a game changer for people suffering from chronic viral infections and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. This missing link could be the key to treating these difficult conditions.

** Please stay tuned for our next blog on Peptide Therapy **