Adrenal Exhaustion Herbal Remedies
How to Identify and Treat Stress Symptoms without Drugs
Jul 16, 2007
The Day planners of the modern world are filling up faster than pint glasses on St. Patrick's day. Priorities have become mixed up, sleep has become an afterthought and time for loved ones is scheduled in, as though it's a trip to the dentist. Stimulants have become an essential part of many peoples lives, masquerading as crutches to support a busy lifestyle.
The Internet is a meeting place for families and friends, laptops a 21st century soul mate. Although stress has been a part humans lives as long as it was necessary to survive and as anything has evolved through the ages, fending for survival can now only be related to fighting through traffic during rush hour or exhausting the bodies resources to meet a deadline.
The human body is equipped with ways of dealing with these stresses through an impulse that science has deemed the "fight or flight response". This response is the bodies solution to stressful or dangerous situations and provides the extra energy to fight for your life or flee the situation. Through the actions of two vital hormones in the body which are released from the adrenal glands crowning the kidneys, the body makes physical changes to help survive amongst various stresses or threats that are encountered on a daily basis.
Adrenal Exhaustion deals not with the action of these hormones, rather the duration in which these chemicals are stimulated and produced. Over stimulation has led to something which can be deemed "adrenal exhaustion". This over exertion leaves the glands unable to meet the demands that the body and it's environment requires of them. The effects of this exhaustion are numerous, but most importantly leave the body unable to mount a "flight or fight" response thus leading to negative physical and emotional consequences on the well being of the body.
Symptoms of Adrenal Exhaustion
The red flags the body uses to communicate adrenal exhaustion are numerous and exhaustive in themselves. As this article only scratches the surface of this ailment, only the most prominent symptoms will be addressed and further reading and research is strongly encouraged. Holistic doctors are equipped to test the saliva for hormones relating to adrenal exhaustion, and can further assess other symptoms that may be shown in the body. Some of the most obvious signs are as follows:
- Sleep becomes non-refreshing
- Cloudiness in the mind
- Excessive fatigue
- Depression
- Poor digestion (sometimes most poor with meat)
- Low blood pressure
Dr. Bruce Rind has a thorough and comprehensive website devoted to the symptoms related to low adrenal and thyroid function.
There are many methods and natural treatments for adrenal exhaustion:
Reduce Sugars and Stimulants
The Adrenal Glands are hard-wired for many purposes in the human body. Other than dealing with stress, these delicate glands also help balance blood sugar. Though there seems to be much debate over the treatment for this ailment, it is clear that sugar as well as stimulants work the adrenal glands beyond the stresses of daily life.
Changing eating habits to a low sugar menu and eliminating caffeine and other stimulants greatly reduces the workload of the adrenal glands. Eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables, whole grains and low in synthetic and natural sugars is recommended. Alternative sources of energy can be found in yerba Mate as well as herbs such as ginkgo and ginseng.
Although yerba mate and green tea are wonderful alternatives to coffee and black tea it must be remembered that they do seem to contain caffeine and should be eliminated completely if adrenal exhaustion is a concern. There is some debate over whether yerba Mate contains caffeine or a similar chemical and further research is recommended. It can be found in most natural food stores across North America and is making it's way into major grocery chains in larger cities and towns, otherwise there are many websites on which it can be ordered.
Those with adrenal exhaustion should consult their holistic doctors before making the switch completely from coffee and tea to yerba mate.
Exercise and Nutrition
A daily supplement of a high potency multi-vitamin as well as a B complex should help assist exhaustion. Eating a diet rich in vitamins and minerals should be considered. Foods and drinks such as spirulina, yerba mate as well as green vegetables, berries and whole grains are known to have high levels of these elements.
Richard Shames, MD and Karilee Shames recommend in their book, feeling fat, fuzzy or frazzled a high dose of B5 and B6 vitamins for adrenal exhaustion as well as brisk exercise. Though there is some debate over whether exercise such as yoga is more beneficial as it involves a much more calming atmosphere for the body and mind.
Adaptogenic Herbs
These are herbs that assist various function in the body to adapt to stress, hence the name adaptogenic. By increasing immune function, mental clarity, as well as increasing general well being these herbs can provide some relief.
- Asian Ginseng: Panax ginseng is one of the herbal world's most valuable allies. It has been used by traditional Chinese doctors for centuries and the claims to it's benefits are many. It has been touted that panax ginseng provides a wide spectrum of results that all help the body deal with stress in it's environment as well as having a direct influence on the adrenal glands. The contraindications are few, though it should be known that ginseng and stimulants should not be mixed.
- Licorice: Not referring to licorice candies and teas, full strength un-altered licorice extract is known to resemble cortisol, one of the hormones managed by the adrenals. Taking licorice can apparently help adrenal production by acting as a mimic.
