Chinese Medicine For Adrenal Fatigue
If you are constantly feeling tired, rundown and struggling to focus you may have something called Adrenal Fatigue.
Adrenal glands are absolutely vital to your wellbeing because they help you cope with stress. When you body is under stress, it produces and releases a hormone called cortisol into the bloodstream. When you are exposed to stress for a prolonged period of time, the stress can exhaust the adrenals. This depletion of adrenal leads to various symptoms and influence your response to stress, mood, immune system as well as your sleep cycles.
Adrenal Glands Working at 100% = Energised, Mental Clarity
Adrenal Glands Fatigue = Tired, Low Energy & Brain Fog
What Is The Expected Recovery Time After Adrenal Fatigue Diagnosis
Great question!
In western medicine, a twelve-week timeframe for clinical improvement with adrenal fatigue is not uncommon.
With treatment you can expect a change in mood, happiness, stress level, digestionnot to mention sleeping quality, and more energy.
In a mild case, with an adrenal fatigue treatment and the right lifestyle approaches, a six-month recovery is likely.
If you have any questions regarding your adrenal fatigue treatment, get in touch with me ASAP I would love to help.
Herbs To Naturally Heal Adrenal Fatigue
If youre battling chronic stress, your adrenals are likely taking a hit. Get some relief from adrenal fatigue with these calming adaptogenic herbs to give your body a break.Lets face it: Some weeks are so stressful that we need an entire weekend of not leaving the house to recover. However, if you find youre feeling run-down, overly anxious, chronically fatigued, and stressed more often than not, you might have adrenal fatigue.
Read on to discover what adrenal fatigue is, and how herbs can help you get back to feeling energized and healthy.
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Medical Treatments Of Adrenal Fatigue
Typically, doctors initiate medical treatment when derangement of hormonal levels occurs, such as in Addisons disease.
The most common treatment of Addisons disease is the replacement of the depleting hormones cortisol and aldosterone.
Hydrocortisone, prednisone, dexamethasone, or methylprednisolone replaces cortisol.
Fludrocortisone treatment replaces aldosterone, which normalizes blood pressure.Aaron Michels , Nicole Michels , Addison disease: early detection and treatment principles,Am Fam Physician. 2014
What Is Adrenal Fatigue
Adrenal fatigue happens when people get stressed out by problems and challenges encountered at home or in the workplace. The adrenal gland releases a large amount of cortisol when facing stress. This is a natural response to the fight-or-flight system that is in everyones body.
You might have also heard this health condition referred to as myalgic encephalomyelitis, chronic fatigue syndrome .
The excessive amount of cortisol released by the adrenal gland will now inhibit it from producing other helpful hormones needed by the body to function optimally.
Other diseases and disorders of the adrenal glands include Cushing Syndrome, Addisons Disease and Pheochromocytoma. Interestingly, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome seems to more acutely affect women.
NOTE: I found this absolute must-read article on Adrenal Support and highly recommend you read it and join their newsletter right now!
Also Check: How Do You Cure Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Chinese Medicine For Adrenal Exhaustion
Chinese medicine work by boosting your vital energy up from within, over time. Unlike caffeine or energy drinks, acupressure will not give you a quick, artificial boost of energy and an adrenaline rush stimulating the release of adrenaline in this way is often part of the cause of adrenal exhaustion. The goal is to feel energetic and vital upon awakening, and to maintaining that calm energy throughout the day without being reliant on sugar, caffeine, and artificial energy boosters that leave you feeling worse hours later and may damage your health long-term. For best outcomes using self-care, combine associated Aroma Acu-Sticks® t to acu-points, organic herbs, topical remedies, and good lifestyle practices.
Tcm And Adrenal Gland Exhaustion
Traditional Chinese Medicine theory adheres to a macro approach . In contrast, Chinese medicines macro approach will focus on the whole person, as well as outward toward their environment. The TCM practitioner typically utilizes the concept of correlation and examines all aspects of the persons life physical and mental taking note of sleep patterns, diet, digestion, etc., in order to build a complete picture of each unique patient). I use the term Macro Correlation Concept to educate both my students and my patients. In the ancient TCM textbooks, one diagnostic term regarding adrenal gland exhaustion is named The Fire of the Vital Gate.
Lets look at the ways that adrenal gland exhaustion can manifest in the human body, from a TCM perspective.
Kidney Yang Deficiency Symptoms that can indicate kidney yang deficiency include: cold limbs, weakness in the loins and knees, intolerance of coldness , frequent urination, especially during the night and in men, kidney yang deficiency can cause impotence, while in women it can cause difficulty with conception.
Kidney yang deficiency is often involved in cases of hypothyroidism, adrenal weakness, chronic kidney inflammation, chronic enteritis .
Kidney Yin Deficiency Symptoms that can indicate kidney yin deficiency include: night sweats, weakness in the loins, weight loss, insomnia, amnesia, anxiety with feverish sensation in the chest, palms and soles, along with dry mouth or throat, and fever.
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How Can Chinese Medicine Treat Adrenal Fatigue
Chinese medicine also doesnt recognise the term adrenal fatigue, but that doesnt mean it cant be treated. The Chinese approach is to view the person as a whole, and take note of every symptom and every area of your life where youre experiencing difficulties of under-functioning. Its like taking a snapshot of your current state of health and well-being on all levels.
Once this full body-and-mind diagnosis has been carried out, youll be given a Chinese diagnosis that describes any imbalance or dysfunction in your system, and thats then used to come up with a treatment plan.
So whether youve been given an exact diagnosis or not doesnt matter to me as a Chinese medicine practitioner I will make my own Chinese diagnosis based on your overall pattern of symptoms and health concerns. Every person is different, and receives a treatment tailored to their individual signs and symptoms.
Lifestyle Changes That Improve Adrenal Fatigue
Lifestyle and Diet and can play a big part when it comes to healing from adrenal fatigue. There are many diet and lifestyle changes that can help as well as other holistic treatments such as Acupuncture. A combination of the following may be required to reverse or prevent adrenal fatigue:
Stress Management: The best way to defend against adrenal fatigue is to never experience it in the first place. Since stress is said to be a major cause, stress management is essential. Mindful meditation, for example, provides a variety of benefits including improving the symptoms of anxiety, depression, and irritable bowel syndrome. Regular exercise is a well-known mood enhancer. Making it a habit to regularly practice tai chi has also been proven to reduce the bodys stress response.
Change in Diet: Another adrenal gland fatigue natural treatment is diet change. TCM recommends a diet that warms the kidney yang. According to the AOMA Graduate School of Integrated Medicine, foods that are high in sugar or highly processed are best to be avoided. A diet high in foods such as anchovies, pistachios, basil, walnuts, cloves, and crayfish is recommended. Meats such as goat and lamb may be eaten in moderation.
Yoga: A very popular stress reducer, yoga is widely practiced around the world. It reduces inflammation throughout the body and improves both mental and physical energy. It also does wonders to improve the back pain and joint pain that can sometimes accompany adrenal fatigue.
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Can Adrenal Fatigue Go Away
Adrenal fatigue is not a permanent health condition. It can go away if the ongoing stressor is managed appropriately. It is almost impossible to avoid it, and even more difficult to reduce stress. It may take time, but one has to be patient with themselves and their body.
The following few steps help you overcome adrenal fatigue:
- Consuming healthy foods such as skipping processed foods and focusing on nutrient-dense foods
- Limiting caffeine and alcohol intake
- Ensure that you are getting adequate amounts of B vitamins, vitamin C, and magnesium
- Getting enough sleep
- Practicing self-care such as meditation or relaxation
Stress And The Adrenal Glands
The adrenal glands are very sensitive to stress. Their response to chronic stress, in combination with a number of other factors, can produce a wide range of mental and physical problems or illnesses.
My years of personal clinical observation have bolstered my strong belief in the crucial role that stress plays in many diseases. This stress mechanism, and others associated with it, can produce a wide range of physical, as well as mental, problems.The exact mechanism by which this occurs, however, is unclear in western medicine. The list of disorders that chronic stress can create includes, but is not limited to the following:
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Herbal Remedy For Adrenal Fatigue
Herbal prescriptions are always the first choice for supporting adrenal disorders. They are safe, natural and work fast to restore your body to balance. After an in depth consolation with your TCM practitioner you will be prescribed a personalised mix of herbs that is tailored to suit your particular needs each herb works to support particular symptoms. Your practitioner will also discuss your diet and make suggestions about improving your lifestyle which will help to prevent burnout and adrenal fatigue.
Are Chinese Herbs Used To Help Symptoms Of Adrenal Fatigue
The symptoms of adrenal fatigue from a traditional perspective most commonly fall into a category known as mingmen deficiency or kidney yang deficiency. This senario of kidney yang defciency/adrenal fatigue often also has cold related symptoms such as cold hands, cold feet or body fails to warm up easily. Hence many of the Chinese herbs used in these cases are of a warming nature. This means that the herbs themselves warm up and tonify the kidney yang. An example might be cinnamon bark rou gui and another dried ginger gan jiang which are then combined with other herbs depending on the patients individuals diagnostic requirements.
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Adrenal Fatigue And Kidney Vitality
The adrenal glands are most closely related to the Kidney system in Chinese medicine. To have a healthy adrenal and Kidney system, we need a balance in yin and yang, specifically Kidney yin, Kidney yang, and Kidney Qi.
Unfortunately, chronic stress depletes all of these vital energies. Which imbalance you are most susceptible to will depend on your bodys constitution and the other health issues you might be facing.
Chinese Medicine Treatment For Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome
As you can now feel there is no one size fits all treatment when it comes to adrenal fatigue syndrome. Chinese medicine treatments for adrenal fatigue include a combination of Chinese herbs and acupuncture.
Lifestyle modification, stress management techniques and appropriate diet changes are all options.
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What Is Cortisol And How Does It Cause Adrenal Fatigue
Excessive stress taxes the adrenal glands, which are orange-yellow endocrine glands that look like a cross between a triangular-shaped fortune cookie and a sea slug. In an attempt to keep up with the demands of frequent stress, the adrenal glands, which sit on top of the kidneys work overtime to produce cortisol.
When cortisol is secreted into the bloodstream, digestion slows down and immune function declines in order to deal with the perceived stressor. Cortisol is known as one of the stress hormones. Consequently, many people stigmatize cortisol as being bad. But its a good thing the kidneys produce it. Thats because cortisol helps us survive or deal with an imminent threat like running away from an attacking dog.
In addition, without cortisol, your blood pressure wouldnt be high enough to get you out of bed in the morning. And you wouldnt be able to fight an infection or an injury without this stress hormone.
However, theres a good reason why cortisol is also called the Goldilocks hormone. Thats because you need just the right amount of it. Too much of it circulating in the blood increases abdominal fat and blood sugar levels. In addition, cholesterol and blood pressure levels can rise if your adrenal glands are working overtime in order to produce cortisol. And the reason why you have no libido if you have adrenal fatigue? Its because your levels of sex hormones that are created has plummeted.
Adrenal Fatigue And Kidney Qi Deficiency
This pattern of adrenal fatigue is milder than the other two and relates mostly to energy. We tend to feel tired, sleepy, lethargic, fuzzy-headed, or simply unmotivated with low Kidney qi. Those with Kidney qi deficiency may also notice issues like low back soreness or weakness. When you can get enough downtime or sleep, you tend to feel better.
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Disorders Created By Chronic Stress
Gastrointestinal Disorders: ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome Genitourinary Disorders: impotence, incontinence, menstrual problems Cardiovascular Disorders: coronary artery disease, stroke, heart attack Immunological Disorders: possible tumour promotion, reduced resistance to infection Psychiatric Disorders: neuroses, post-traumatic stress disorder
Traditional Chinese Medicine Can Help Adrenal Fatigue
Adrenal fatigue often occurs when people are stressed out at work or home. During periods of excessive stress, our adrenal glands become overworked and produce excess levels of cortisol in response to the bodys fight or flight response. This prevents the adrenal glands from producing other hormones we need.
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Tcm Approach To Adrenal Gland Exhaustion
THE ADRENAL GLANDS RESPONSE TO CHRONIC STRESS CAN PRODUCE A RANGE OF MENTAL AND PHYSICAL AILMENTS
The adrenal glands are located at the top of each kidney. In describing the function of these glands, physiologist Mr. Walter Cannon, in 1915, discussed it in relation to the bodys reaction to stressful situations as a fight-or flight mechanism. When the pituitary gland receives a high stress signal, the adrenocorticotropin hormone is released into the bloodstream, stimulating the liver to provide the body with stored carbohydrates which in turn provide extra energy and increase muscle tension, blood pressure, heartbeat, respiration.
The adrenal glands consist of two regions called the cortex and medulla, each of which performs different functions:
- The adrenal cortex secretes hormones that effect the bodys metabolism and physiological characteristics. Cortisol and corticosterone, both corticosteroids, and the hormone aldosterone are secreted from the adrenal cortex directly into the bloodstream.
- The adrenal medulla helps the body handle emotional and physical stress by secreting the hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine, or adrenaline and noradrenaline. These hormones contribute to the bodys fight or flight response by increasing blood pressure and blood flow, relaxing smooth muscles and increasing the bodys energy supply by stimulating the release of blood sugar, or glucose, from the liver.
What Are The Symptoms Of Adrenal Fatigue
Since the medical establishment does not yet recognize adrenal fatigue as a real illness in the body, finding medical literature on the aliments associated with this dysfunction will be time wasted. However, below is a small list of symptoms that is often associated with adrenal fatigue.
- Anxiety/Depression
- Trouble Falling Asleep
- Craving for Salt
If you suffer from any of the following symptoms and nothing seems to fix them despite your best efforts, there may be a possibility youre suffering from adrenal dysfunction.
In combination with taking the Chinese herbal stress adaptogens below, following a correct healing diet and using a quality sea salt in all of your cooking is crucial for full recover from this disorder. Be sure to read our post on how to increase Jing and Kidney function which explains powerful diet strategies that can help restore youth and vitality to the body.
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Putting It All Together Treating Adrenal Fatigue
One of the strengths of Chinese medicine is treating complex multi-symptom conditions such as Adrenal Fatigue. While your doctor might not have much to offer, your Chinese medicine practitioner will. The unique person-centered diagnosis offered by Chinese medicine can lead to a treatment that is tailored to your exact situation.
Chinese herbs and acupuncture will likely be the main treatments involved. In my clinic I also like to discuss diet and nutrition, and other things that people can do at home for themselves such as breathing or relaxation techniques or self-acupressure.
So if you know anyone who has been suffering for exhaustion and stress, and is under the weather, give Chinese medicine a go!
Using Chinese Medicine For Treating Adrenal Fatigue
Though it may seem like hullabaloo to rely on old medicinal techniques, Chinese medicine is one of the few ways for treating adrenal fatigue directly.
How so?
In Chinese medicine, adrenal fatigue is directly related to the kidneys, a major player in your renal system.
Consequently, the adrenal glands are located above the kidneys and aid in proper functioning of these organs.
Chinese medicine traditionally treats this imbalance with Yin energy building herbs like Rehmannia root for a course of 60-120 days.
Following that, you drink a Yang tonic made of fenugreek with milk or tea damiana tea mixed with cinnamon, dried ginger, and lemon and ashwaganda, a bittersweet herb that improves sleep, mixed with milk.
It is also recommended to change your diet if your present lifestyle has you noshing on high-fat, high-salt foods and drinking too much alcohol these are counterproductive when treating adrenal fatigue.
Eat foods that are rich in vitamins and nutrients, like eggs, avocados, beans, barley, cheese, blueberries, celery, sesame seeds, asparagus, and sweet potato.
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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.
