Use Adaptogens To Treat Adrenal Fatigue
There are many approaches to improving adrenal function including hormone therapies, lifestyle changes, and medications. However, perhaps one of the best methods for achieving lasting improvement of adrenals is through the use of natural adaptogenic herbs. The adaptogens discussed above have a long history of therapeutic use. Adaptogens may be used to safely reduce the impact of numerous physiological stressors, improve hormone balance, and support many other areas of wellness. If you are interested in naturally supporting your adrenals and doing away with stress, consider incorporating adaptogens into your health regimen.
At Holtorf Medical Group, our physicians are trained to utilize innovative treatments, like adaptogens, to help design a treatment protocol that is personalized to you. If you are experiencing symptoms of adrenal fatigue, contact us to see how we can help you!
Overview Of Glandulars And Herbs For Adrenal Fatigue
Supplements such as glandulars and herbs for Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome have both great potential benefits and potential risks. Glandulars refer to raw animal glandulars and non-glandular tissues or extracts of these tissues that are normally dried and grounded.
There are many tissues, organs, and glands in the bodies of animals. Commonly available glandulars include the following: thyroid glandular, adrenal glandular, thymus glandular, testes, and ovaries. Less frequently used glandulars are from the pituitary, kidney, liver, pancreas, spleen, lung, heart, brain, uterus and prostate.
An herb is a plant that is valued for flavor, scent, or other qualities. Herbs are used in cooking, as medicines, and for spiritual purposes. Using certain herbs for Adrenal Fatigue can be beneficial for recovery, while other herbs can be quite detrimental, delaying or preventing the healing progress. It’s important to use caution and listen to how the body is responding when considering using these glandulars and herbs for Adrenal Fatigue.
This article will look at the most popular and commonly used glandulars and herbs for Adrenal Fatigue recovery and discuss their various attributes.
What Are Adaptogenic Herbs Best Adaptogenic Herbs List
Adaptogens are herbs that help to enhance the bodys natural ability to adapt to stress. They work by regulating a stable balance in brain regions associated with the stress response. Many adaptogenic herbs also strengthen the adrenal glands and have immune-enhancing properties. This article will explore the best adaptogenic herbs and their benefits.
Adaptogenic herbs are a category of herbs that have adaptogenic properties. Adaptogens are substances that enhance the bodys natural ability to adapt to stress. Many adaptogenic herbs tend to be powerful medicinal herbs with many other benefits. They also commonly improve immune function, athletic performance, and hormonal balance.
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Of The Best Adaptogens For Adrenal Fatigue
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In this post, Im going to share with you the 3 of the best adaptogens for adrenal fatigue and how you can incorporate them into your daily life.
Its very simple and affordable, and a no-brainer if you find yourself particularly stressed out or anxious due to adrenal fatigue.
Before we get to the adaptogens, let me quickly go over what adrenal fatigue is exactly.
Tips To Add Adaptogens In Your Diet
Adaptogens supplements come in a variety of forms. But not all adaptogens supplements are created equal. Its important to do your due diligence to find the right adaptogen product for you.
At Teelixir, we recommend including adaptogenic herbs in your diet in five ways
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Best Herbs For Adrenal Fatigue
Adrenal glands are small organs located just above your kidneys. They produce hormones that assist the functions of your blood pressure, immune system, metabolism, and the bodys stress response. Composed of two parts called the cortex and medulla each part produces different hormones. The hormones the adrenal glands produce are to be released directly into the bloodstream. John Hopkins University suggests that the majority of these hormones contribute to the way our bodies respond to stress, and some of these hormones are absolutely essential for our existence.
There are common ways in which adrenal glands cause health issues, either by producing too much or too little of specific hormones which leads to overall imbalance. These imbalances can be caused by adrenal gland diseases or by the pituitary gland that communicates directly with our adrenals. When the adrenal glands dont dont produce enough hormones, this can lead to adrenal fatigue and in extreme cases adrenal insufficiency that causes Addisons disease. Adrenal glands can also develop nodules which could affect how much or how little hormones are being produced that can also cause varying health issues or concerns.
Can Ashwagandha Cure Adrenal Fatigue
Ashwagandha is a popular adaptogenic herb, and these herbs can be an excellent choice for adrenal support, but adrenal fatigue involves many body systems so one single remedy is unlikely to be the cure for most people.
Now, this isnt to say that some dont find relief from taking this herbal remedy, because many do!
But, as I mentioned before, if you want to truly support healthy energy levels, have proper thyroid function, hormone balance, mental endurance, blood sugar balance, and a strong immune system, adrenal fatigue treatment must consist of a multifaceted approach including mind, body, and spirit practices and remedies.
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What Is Adrenal Fatigue
The adrenal glands are true multitaskers of the human body. They influence your stress response, immune health, sleep patterns, and even your mood.These small but powerful glands produce hormones that naturally assist in maintaining functions ranging from blood pressure and cardiovascular activity to blood sugar levels and metabolism. Because the adrenal glands are absolutely vital to well-being, we like to refer to them as the unsung heroes of the endocrine system.When your adrenal glands are operating at 100%, youll feel a sense of mental clarity that can help you maintain alertness throughout the day.When your adrenal glands are fatigued, however, you’ll feel physically run down with low energy levels, a weakened immune system, and an inability to adapt to stress.Optimizing adrenal gland function is essential to combating stress and living a more balanced life. Adaptogenic herbs like those found in Gaia Herbs Everyday Adaptogen help by supporting the adrenal glands and promoting stress relief and equilibrium of mind, body, and spirit.*
Is Adrenal Fatigue The Same As Adrenal Insufficiency
Adrenal fatigue is a term that is used to describe the bodys inability to respond normally to stress.
It is a state of exhaustion that results from chronic stress and excessive levels of stress hormones in the body.
Adrenal insufficiency is a condition that occurs when the adrenal glands do not produce enough hormones.
The condition can be caused by disease and injury, or the bodys autoimmune response.
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How Adaptogens Deal With Stress & Fatigue
Stress is like a thief that robs us of our joy, well-being and health.
Most of us face stress on a daily basis. Our bodies are designed to deal with stress and the occasional bout of anxiety.
Also known as the neurohormonal system, the HPA axis is part of the endocrine system and is the connection between the brain and adrenal glandsthe organ that releases stress hormonescortisol, adrenaline and noradrenaline.
The body experiences two types of stress acute stress and chronic stress.
Acute stress is the type of stress the body-mind has evolved with. Acute stress is an isolated moment or an event in which the brain registers impending danger or a change in homeostasis.
If we think back to our primal ancestor days, lets imagine a lion is chasing you and ready to attack. This is an example of an acute stressor.
In this emergency situation, the body responds to the stressor by first, activating the emotional centre of the brain . This triggers the hypothalamus to send warning signals to the pituitary gland which then sends hormonal messages to the adrenal glands to release stress hormones.
Cortisol, adrenaline and noradrenaline flood the nervous system and switch the body into fight or flight mode. This primes the body to deal with the impending stressor by enhancing the bodys performanceelevates heart rate, boosts energy levels, digestion shuts down, and the mind is sharper and more focused.
This is where the light of adaptogens really shines.
Adaptogens And Chinese Tonics
There is much overlap between these medicines and many tonics are internationally recognized as plant-originated adaptogens .
In traditional Chinese medicine, it is believed that harmony and balance are indispensable for health and the concepts of yin and yang are used to diagnose and cure disease . Medicines that can supplement deficiency and weakness, correct the pathological bias caused by deficiency in both qi and blood, and treat the syndrome of qi deficiency are called tonics in traditional Chinese medicine . According to the differences in the properties, functions and indications of tonics, these medicines can be divided into qi-supplementing medicines, yang-supplementing medicines, blood-supplementing medicines, and yin-supplementing medicines. The common species of tonics and their functions are listed in Table 1.
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Want To Try An Adaptogen Drink Blended For You
If youre like me, sometimes its just easier knowing you can take a scoop and get your fill of adaptogens for the day.
There are many adaptogen blend powders available these days, but the brand I use consistently is Organifi.
Their range of drink powders include the following adaptogens and so much more to help with your anxiety and overall health and wellbeing:
Using Herbs For Adrenal Fatigue
One of the most important things to know about using herbs for adrenal fatigue is that it takes time for herbal treatment to work.
Adaptogens and other herbs will work slowly with your body to help it heal and recover over time.
Adaptogen herbs are often more beneficial when combined than when taken separately.
Using an adaptogenic herbal tea blend can have a greater effect on adrenal fatigue than just using a single herb.
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The 3 Best Supplements For Adrenal Fatigue
In my naturopathic practice, I treat fatigue on a very regular basis. No one likes to feel tired and out of commission, and often a month-long adrenal program can have immense benefits in getting people up and over the hump. Here are the 3 supplements that I think really work for fatigue. Dr. Wilson was the first person to identify this combination, but in 13 years of practice using a number of different protocols, I still think its the protocol that works the best for adrenal fatigue:
What Are Adaptogenic Herbs
Adaptogens are herbs and mushrooms that help balance and restore the body.* Some adaptogens act to stimulate the body and enhance mental performance, while others help calm the body and soothe the adrenals.*Adaptogens can also support the body’s natural circadian rhythm and help promote more restful sleep.*Adaptogenic herbs can fit easily into your daily routine. You can take adaptogens as a pill with Gaia Herbs Adrenal Health® Daily Support Liquid Phyto-Caps®, or you can use an herbal powder such as Gaia Herbs Everyday Adaptogen and blend them into your morning smoothie.You can also use the powder to make an energy-boosting caffeine-free snack or even add the powder to a nourishing night time tea.
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What Are The Adrenals
The adrenal glands are two small, but powerful structures located just above each kidney. They are responsible for regulating numerous processes including metabolism, blood sugar, immune activity, blood pressure, and perhaps most notably, the bodys stress response. The adrenals are able to impact these many processes through the production and coordination of over 150 hormones.
Because of its broad influence, any sort of adrenal malfunction can result in system-wide dysfunction. Perhaps the best example of this is adrenal fatigue.
Ashwagandha Sometimes Called Indian Ginseng
Ashwagandha is an herb used in Ayurvedic medicine for someone suffering from long-term stress that is depleted. This herb also works like an adaptogen and can be utilized at any point during or before a stressful time for support.
Studiesshow it does have anti-stressor effects and supportsadrenalandthyroid function and the immune system andmood. Ashwagandha acts mostly to calm, and can help with sleep but for some, it may be energizing due to its effect on thyroid function.
Dosage 100-300 mg/day.
Try: This herb is part of our Wellena Adrenal TLC.
If youd like to drink your Ashwagandha, here is a simple recipe for an Ashwagandha Latte you can try.
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Final Thoughts About Herbs For Adrenal Fatigue
If you are dealing with adrenal fatigue or have been told by your health care provider that you have this condition, consider adding the herbs outlined above.
These herbs have been used for thousands of years to not only support the adrenal glands, but the whole body, which is really the best course of action for recovery.
But remember- if you are struggling it is important to start one supplement at a time, start with the lowest possible dose , and increase very slowly.
Wishing you good luck on your journey to better health!
Choosing The Right Adaptogen For You
Ok, so now that weve covered how to properly use adaptogens, lets look at different adaptogens and how they support the body. There are quite a few adaptogenic herbs, and then there are classes of herbs called nervines and nootropics that complement the effect of adaptogens. If youre looking for an awesome, more in depth reference all about adaptogenic herbs, then Id highly recommend this book by David Winston, Registered Herbalist.
Some of the most popular adaptogens and the ones I have personal experience with are the ones Ive included below. Please realize that its always helpful to work with a natural health practitioner so they can tailor the herbs and dosage to your specific body. Ive given the general usage info for these herbs, but do what you feel comfortable with. Im not a doctor and medical advice is beyond my scope of expertise!
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How To Choose Adaptogenic Herbs For Adrenal Fatigue: The Buying Guide
How do you choose the adaptogenic herbs for adrenal fatigue? You must consider many things, such as the brand name, price, and product quality. In addition, you should also consider whether it is suitable for your needs or not.
So how do you choose the right adaptogenic herbs for adrenal fatigue? Here are some tips that you can use to help you find a good product:
What you Should Keep in Mind When Buying adaptogenic herbs for adrenal fatigue
When shopping for a adaptogenic herbs for adrenal fatigue, there are several things to consider. You need to think about the quality of the product, the price, and even how much it will benefit your life. However, you also need to keep these factors in mind:
What Are The Adrenal Glands
The adrenal glands are small, triangular-shaped glands located on top of both kidneys. Adrenal glands produce hormones that help regulate your metabolism, immune system, blood pressure, response to stress and other essential functions. They are among the first glands to respond to stress, and also among the first to suffer as a result of stress.
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Top 9 Adaptogenic Herbs
What are the most powerful adaptogens? In his book Adaptogenic Herbs, certified herbalist David Winston gives a list of 15 recognized adaptogens. Today, Ill discuss the types I believe to be most beneficial as part of a stress-relieving lifestyle .
Please note: I am reviewing evidence on individual adaptogenic herbs, not combinations of them often marketed as cortisol blockers.
1. Panax Ginseng
Ginseng is one well-known adaptogen, and Asian ginseng is considered by many to be the most potent. In humans, Panax ginseng has been shown to successfully improve feelings of calmness and some aspects of working memory performance in healthy young adults.
A 2018 review found that both American and Asian ginseng may be viable treatments for fatigue in people with chronic illness.
Another study observed that this herb helped reduce the ulcer index, adrenal gland weight, blood glucose levels, triglycerides, creatine kinase and serum corticosterone .
The scientists came to the conclusion that it possesses significant anti-stress properties and can be used for the treatment of stress-induced disorders.
Interestingly, multiple studies on Panax ginseng have found that it doesnt directly alter cortisol levels, at least in the short term, but does affect various other stress response systems, such as blocking ACTH action in the adrenal gland .
2. Holy Basil
The third, 4-allyl-1-O-beta-D-glucopyronosyl-2-hydroxybenzene , is also able to lower stress parameters in lab studies.
