Insights from Epstein Barr

What I've learned through a recent EBV relapse (9min Read)

I had a BioResonance Scan that measured the frequencies of my voice to find imbalances. It was so accurate, I now had a roadmap. So, I created a protocol to detox parasites, heavy metals and unresolved emotional trauma.

Hello, and pardon- I aim to release a post every Monday for consistent and reliable content, however I have been very sick with an intense Epstein Barr Virus relapse. The fact that I can sit at my kitchen table and write this, coherently, is an incredible improvement!

In today’s post, I’ll be sharing about Epstein Barr- what it is, what it does, my personal experience with it, and the insights I have gained through dozens of relapses since 2009. And wow, is March’s Clarity Reading already so on point!

What is Epstein Barr?

Epstein Barr Virus- Also known as EBV, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Mono (aka, mononucleosis). It is a strain of the herpes virus. If you have ever had the chicken pox (or even the vaccine), you have the herpes strain in your body. If you have any other form of herpes, like HPV or mouth sores, you also have the strain for EBV. Over 95% of all humans on the planet have EBV in their system.

For some, it is dormant their entire lives.
For most, they will experience it for 2 weeks during teen years. (Often called mono or “the kissing disease” during this timeframe).
For a small group, they will have it chronically, and the range of “chronic” varies greatly. Some have symptoms every single day of their lives, other have it once a month (often aligned with their menstrual cycle), I will experience varying degrees every year and half.

There is a great documentary on Netflix called, Unrest, from 2017. It highlights how a vast majority of people with EBV or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome are women.

Epstein Barr Virus is transferred through saliva, in its initial activation, and can be transmitted from mother to child during vaginal birth.

EBV reactivates from internal environmental changes due to oxidative stress, causing a weakened immune system:

• Thrives in environments with parasites, mold, heavy metals, mental + emotional stress, trauma, inflammation, food allergies, Lyme, EMF's, covid/flu, low bile acids, and more

• Creates more oxidative stress, which perpetuates the cycle

• Effects hormones (creating low levels), liver function, mitochondria, thyroid, adrenals, pituitary, gut health, and more

• To help: Prioritize detox pathways, manage stress, eat healthy diet (avoid sugar, gluten and dairy), focus on constant immune support and gut health

Here are some symptoms of EBV:

• Debilitating fatigue

• Low grade fever

• Headache

• Brain fog (not able to read, write or comprehend)

• Loss of appetite

• Anxiety/depression, suicidal ideation

• Swollen lymph nodes

• Sore throat

• Enlarged spleen and/or liver

• Muscle weakness

• Rashes

Before I realized I was entering an EBV relapse, I had a BioResonance Scan that measured the frequencies of my voice to find imbalances. Because I work with sound and energy, this does not seem out there to me and the results were very accurate to other tests I have had, including bloodwork, and information I’ve received from Chinese Medicine Doctors and homeopaths.

The Scan showed heavy metals, low liver function, parasites, poor gut lining, low bile acid, and more. So, I started a gentle liver detox and created a protocol for a heavy metal detox and gut health support (I share the protocol below, for paid subscribers). A week later I was knocked out in bed with EBV.

I found an EBV specialist doctor, named Dr. Kasey Holland. She offers a free workshop on Epstein Barr and I learned that EBV thrives in environments with everything that showed up on my scan! The dots are connecting…

I've been dealing with chronic EBV since 2009. It is unknown if this is where I contracted it, or it simply activated for the first time. I had just graduated from college and was trying to live on my own in Los Angeles. The illness lasted 3 weeks- I couldn’t get out of bed and had no idea what was happening to me. I went home to New York, after that.

Now, it’s been 16 years of battling some form of EBV flare every 18 months. A year and a half is the length of a full nervous system recalibration cycle.

Let’s start with: (Re)Activation lasts 3 months, then it shifts into Convalescence for 3 months, then dormancy for 12 months. I don’t know why I am prone to relapse with this 1.5 year cycle, but over the years I have been able to manage it so that a flare up only lasts 2 weeks. However, this time it has been a very intense reactivation that is similar to an experience I had in 2020.

Which led me to 2 huge realizations…

1. Life Altering Events- I realized I’ve experienced a relapse 6 months after a life altering event. This has taken shape in different ways- the first time I was officially diagnosed with EBV was in 2018 after my brick and mortar store Forage + Sundry closed. Then, in 2020 I had a repressed memory of childhood sexual abuse surface. And recently, in September, 2024 I had a derealization experience. 6 months after each of these events, I had an intense EBV relapse. In 2018 it lasted 7 weeks, in 2020 it lasted 5 weeks, and so far in 2025 it has been 3.5 weeks.

2. Eclipse Season- Every single time I've had an EBV relapse it has been during eclipse season! Even all the way back to 2009 with my first ever experience. A life altering event would happen during eclipse season, then 6 months later, in the next eclipse season I would have an EBV reactivation. I don’t know enough about astrology to dive deeper into this meaning, but what it does show me is this is a predictable pattern. So, I can now prepare myself- focusing on extra immune support and nervous system regulation during these times.

Supplements that are effective (this is not medical advice):

• Vitamin D is listed as one of the top EBV suppressants. Aim for 1,000 IU, daily and natural sunlight

• Chuan Xin Lian has been the number one aid during relapses. Researched and found by my Chinese Medicine Dr and friend, in 2021, it does an amazing job at suppressing active EBV. I take it 3x daily for no more than 20 days, as it can hurt the stomach

• High dose Vitamin C- I suggest Dr. Mercola Liposomal Vitamin C as it is easy to assimilate. I take it 2x daily, during a relapse

• AHCC is a mushroom strain that has shown a 58% effectiveness in eradicating herpes. I have not taken this yet, but have ordered it for my protocol

• L-Glutathione is also helpful for immune support

It is important to remember that EBV thrives in environments with emotional stress and trauma. Supplements and herbs are to stabilize, but they don't heal the problem. They can get you back to base-line but are not the cure. In addition to the tangible protocols to detox, you must actively work to resolve unhealed emotions and traumas. This will look different for everyone, but is a must. You can work with a therapist, try EMDR, hypno-therapy, ETF Tapping, somatic work (with a therapist if you have PTSD or C-PTSD), etc. I am looking forward to this workbook that will be released April 1st, by Dr. Arielle Schwartz: The Polyvagal Theory Workbook for Trauma. Whatever you choose, prioritize this type of healing, and keep finding what works best for you.

Another important piece is not stressing yourself out about healing. If you are engaging with any form of illness from the lens of fighting it off, your body will respond accordingly. If your cells read that you must fight against something, the cells will literally harden to protect themselves. They will not be able to detox if they are hardened.

Also, if you are '“the fixer” in your family/life, you are likely in a hypervigilant state. Essentially, your system is constantly scanning to find the problem, so you can fix it. This signals to your nervous system and your cells that there is a problem, and they will be on the defense- hardening to protect themselves. This is simply more information to explore in your work with a therapist or other modalities.

Here is the protocol I have created to tend to the root cause:

I reiterate- this is not medical advice, and this is a protocol I created for my body and specific circumstances. I am pulling from the information I received on my BioScan, past blood work, and wisdom from attending Nutrition School. That being said, I share this in case it sparks or inspires something within yourself.

Someone shared this excerpt on EBV from the book Medical Medium, by Anthony William, and it is incredibly detailed about the 4 stages of EBV and how many auto-immune disorders are actually misdiagnosed Epstein Barr Virus.

Doctors say there is no cure for Epstein Barr Virus and those who have it will always have it. But, I don't believe that. I am choosing to continue on this path of healing. More information and awareness comes with every step.

I set my intention for 2025 at the end of 2024, and that intention is SYSTEMS. I wasn’t quite sure what it meant at the time, but it came through so clearly and kept coming through until I claimed it. Now, I am understanding why.

I'm tired of constantly stabilizing myself. I need to address the entire system.

To have stability, I first must understand the system so I can begin to create stability.

That’s all for now. Thank you for reading. If you have a personal experience with EBV or other chronic illness that you would like to share, please do so in the comments!

Until next time,
T