When you're chronically ill, you research things. You examine your diet. You log symptoms. You look for patterns. You check out cures..anything to help you understand and fix what's happening to your body.
Since becoming ill last August, I've devoted nearly every waking hour to researching or discussing chronic illness. I've studied juicing/nutrition, explored acupuncture, learned about Lupus/Chronic Fatigue/Fibromyalgia/Lyme, treated with conventional and alternative doctors, and have explored several books/protocols/medicals articles, including:
- Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom
- The Healthy Home
- Advanced Topics in Lyme Disease (ie: Burrascano's Protocol)
- Lyme Disease: A Look Beyond Antibiotics, by Dr. Klinghardt
- Insights into Lyme Disease Treatment: Thirteen Lyme-literate Health Care Practitioners Share Their Healing Strategies
- Dr. Cowden's Protocol
- A Recipe for Repair
...And many, many more.
I took something from all of them. One helped me better understand the complexity of illness. Another explored the mind/body connection to healing. Another raised my awareness about the healing power of herbs/foods. Another helped me feel I wasn't crazy. And on and on and on.
None, however, captured my experience (or struggle) perfectly...that was until I started reading about Gu (thanks to my friend Dr. Tara Reed, Acupuncture Physician).
According to Tara, Gu Syndrome -- which was studied significantly in ancient Chinese literature -- points to various parasite infections. "We're not speaking of intestinal worms/bacteria from a recent trip to Mexico," she said. "We're talking something dormant, sometimes for many years, which rears its ugly head slowly over time. A long-term, insidious infection."
"Gu Syndrome was thought to be a demonic possession in ancient times," Tara pointed out. "With no microscopes to see the spirochetes, virus bugs, etc and the character/personality changes those infected can sometimes experience, what else would they call it? Some people, of course, could feel things inside their body and would say so. Back then, that would seem like possession. This is why it's not in standardized Chinese Medicine Education (it was eliminated). It sounds crazy to treat someone for that..."
Luckily, Heiner Fruehauf, Ph.D., L.Ac. was determined to learn more about parasites and preserve ancient methodologies. After discovering a certain percentage of his patients weren't responding to traditional acupuncture treatments, he took time to study/translate ancient Chinese texts and then used them to treat modern day parasitic infestations. The result? Groundbreaking research in the field of chronic illness and success in treating complex patients with ancient herbal formulations.
If you (or someone you know) are suffering from Lyme Disease, MS, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue, ALS, Autism, or any other Undiagnosed Chronic Illness, I urge you, read this important article from The Journal of Chinese Medicine: Driving Out Demons and Snakes, Gu Syndrome, A Forgotten Clinical Approach to Chronic Parasitism and the follow up interview with Heiner Fruehauf.
It is not a quick fix or easy answer, but it will shed light on why treatments fail, diseases get misdiagnosed, and the complexity of parasitic illness. A complete protocol is also included (if you're interested in that). Honestly, it's one of the most insightful things I've ever read.
Thank you so much Tara for providing this invaluable resource. I can't wait to see how it impacts you, your practice, and the fate of chronically ill people everywhere. So much love for who you are....XOXOX....