Are you constantly tired and exhausted? If yes, you could be suffering from adrenal fatigue. Fortunately, several herbs could help you get back on your feet again.
The adrenal gland produces a variety of hormones that are vital for us to live. When we get overworked by too much stress, our adrenal glands produce cortisol, the stress hormone. When stress levels remain high for an extended period of time, the adrenal gland gets overworked and eventually stops producing the hormones we need.
Thus, adrenal fatigue occurs, resulting in body aches, chronic fatigue, weakness, weight loss, and many other symptoms.
Many herbs are effective in treating adrenal fatigue. These herbs offer a safe and natural alternative to regulating your cortisol levels and promoting healthy adrenal glands.
This report will go through the 10 best herbs you can try against adrenal fatigue. We’ll also learn why they work best and how to use these herbs to maximize their benefits.
Factors That Can Lead To Adrenal Fatigue
We listed the top factors that affect the adrenal glands that can lead to adrenal fatigue.
1. Stress
Stress is considered the top factor that leads to adrenal fatigue. When you are constantly stressed, your adrenal gland produces too much stress hormones, adrenaline and cortisol, until it gets exhausted and stops. “Adrenal insufficiency” occurs when there’s inadequate production of adrenal hormones, leading to fatigue.
Cortisol works by giving your body heightened energy. When you have insufficient levels of it, you feel muscle weakness, fatigue, body aches, lightheadedness, and many others.
2. Low Blood Pressure
Aldosterone is another adrenal hormone that affects the balance of sodium and potassium in the blood. Adrenal insufficiency leads to low production of aldosterone, resulting in low blood pressure and high levels of potassium. When this occurs, you’ll experience fatigue, muscle twitches, seizures, or a life-threatening disease called hyponatremia.
3. Low Blood Sugar Level
Low cortisol levels due to adrenal insufficiency also lead to low blood sugar (glucose) levels or hypoglycemia. Glucose is your body’s main energy source. You experience fatigue, nausea, headache, irregular heartbeat, and many others when you have hypoglycemia. This is particularly dangerous for people who have diabetes, obesity, and other metabolic diseases.
4. Reproductive Hormones Level
The adrenal glands are also responsible for producing androgens and estrogen, our body’s reproductive hormones. Stress build-up can deplete the function of adrenal glands and inhibit their ability to regulate these hormones, resulting in adrenal fatigue. Too much estrogen, especially in menopausal women, can cause fluctuations in your cortisol level.
How Can Herbs Fight Off Adrenal Fatigue
Adaptogenic herbs are your best option when fighting off adrenal fatigue. These are herbs that contain compounds that can bring homeostasis or a state of balance in the body. Adaptogens can increase or decrease chemical compounds and reactions in the body according to your needs.
For instance, when you’re feeling stressed, adaptogens can reduce your cortisol levels. If you have adrenal fatigue, adaptogens can increase cortisol levels to give you energy. Adaptogens work in all forms of stress, whether physical, mental, biochemical, or environmental.
Meanwhile, some herbs are helpful because they can regulate your reproductive hormones when adrenal insufficiency occurs. Herbs with phytoestrogens can regulate the estrogen hormone. Too much stress affects estrogen levels and can also lead to adrenal fatigue.
Many herbs also help promote the proper functioning of the adrenal glands by keeping your stress and anxiety levels low. Remember that the less stressed you are, the healthier your adrenal glands will be. We’ll learn more about these herbs below.
The 10 Best Herbs For Adrenal Fatigue
We listed below the 10 best herbs for adrenal fatigue that you should use now. They will get you back in shape and will make you feel energized again.
- Licorice Root
- Maca Root
- Golden Root
- Siberian Ginseng
- Holy Basil
- Schizandra Berry
- Ashwagandha
- Bergamot
- Lavender
- Sage
1. Licorice Root
Licorice root is an adaptogen that can help increase your cortisol levels when experiencing adrenal fatigue. It can fight off adrenal fatigue due to glycyrrhizic acid, a compound that can trigger cortisol production.
Licorice can help regulate normal cortisol levels during stressful situations and boost your energy. The glycyrrhizic acid can also normalize your blood pressure and sugar levels, preventing hypoglycemia.1
Aside from drinking licorice root tea, herbalists also recommend taking a low-dose tincture at night.
2. Maca Root
Maca root is another effective adaptogen that can help you against adrenal fatigue. Maca is a stimulant that helps stabilize your blood glucose and cortisol level, resulting in improved energy.
Maca is also rich in essential amino acids to boost your reproductive hormones leading to better endurance, vitality, and libido. It’s also commonly used to treat sexual dysfunctions and promote hormone balance.
You can mix maca powder into your daily smoothie, coffee, or hot cocoa to jumpstart your day.
Read More: Herbs For Hormone Balance You Should Try
3. Rhodiola
Rhodiola is another commonly used adaptogenic herb effective in alleviating stress and anxiety. It can even improve your quality of sleep. Studies show that taking rhodiola benefits individuals suffering from chronic and prolonged stress. Significant improvement was already observed as early as 1st week of treatment.2
Rhodiola supplements are available from 100 milligrams to 500 milligrams. Start with a low dose to see how it affects you, and watch out for any potential side effects.
4. Siberian Ginseng
Siberian ginseng, also known as eleuthero, is another adaptogenic herb that regulates cortisol production. Studies show that ginseng has superior efficacy in combating stress than any other adaptogen.3
Ginseng contains ginsenosides, potent antioxidants that create homeostasis (a state of balance) in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. It boosts immunity, balances hormonal changes due to stress, and regulates blood pressure and glucose metabolism. Thus, it helps you fight weakness, tiredness, poor focus, and memory associated with adrenal fatigue.
It’s not advisable to take ginseng before bedtime because it may affect your sleep. You can eat ginseng berries raw. You can also boil the root to make a tea or add it to other dishes like soups.
5. Holy Basil
Holy basil is one of those calming adaptogens. It contains eugenol oil that induces relaxation and causes drowsiness. It improves your sleep quality and normalizes cortisol levels to feel relaxed and energized. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that can lower blood sugar and cholesterol.4
The best way to maximize basil’s benefits is through its extract via low-dose tincture. However, warm basil tea is also great for soothing and alleviating your anxiety and stress.
6. Schisandra Berry
Schisandra Berry is considered a harmonizing tonic in traditional Chinese medicine because it can promote overall health and vitality. It boosts your liver and adrenal function to help the proper production of cortisol and other hormones. It’s also an adaptogen, boosting your body’s immunity against stress and supporting mental endurance.5
You can make schisandra berry syrup that you can use in tea, make an iced drink, or add on pancakes or bread. Simply boil water and schisandra berries in a pot. Reduce heat and simmer until the liquid is reduced by half. Remove from heat and strain. Let cool before transferring to a jar.
7. Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is a well-known Ayurvedic Rasayana that can enhance vigor, vitality, and cognitive function. Ashwagandha is also an adaptogen that helps balance stress hormones and boosts your energy. Like ginseng, it also works well in regulating the normal levels of your reproductive hormones.
Studies show that ashwagandha is a potent anti-stress agent that can help combat stress-induced diseases like arteriosclerosis, premature aging, and more.6
To help you relax and have a good sleep, add ashwagandha powder in moon milk before bed.
8. Bergamot
Bergamot is one of those fragrant herbs popular as an essential oil. Among the active compounds of bergamot that help combat stress are linalyl acetate and linalool. They have sedative effects that calm and relax you, balancing your cortisol levels.7
Bergamot’s essential oil can help boost adrenal function through its anti-inflammatory properties that inhibit oxidative stress, regulate blood sugar levels, and improve your mood.
To use bergamot oil for adrenal fatigue, add a few drops in a diffuser or apply the essential oil to your temples.
9. Lavender
Lavender is another herb that provides both energy and sedation. An imbalance in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis often results in disturbed sleep at night and tiredness during the day. Like bergamot, lavender also has linalool and linalyl acetate that calm you down at night, reducing anxiety and promoting better sleep.8
As an adaptogen, it helps your body cope with physical and mental stressors. Like any essential oil, lavender works best when you inhale it.
To fight off adrenal fatigue, add a few drops of lavender oil to a diffuser. You can also add a few drops to a water solution in a spray bottle. Before bedtime, spritz it around your room, on your pillows, and your blanket for a good sleep.
10. Sage
Clary sage fights off adrenal fatigue by promoting stress relief, balancing estrogen levels, reducing depression, and relieving pain. Studies show that it’s one of the most potent anti-stress essential oils and can be used to treat depression.9
Increased estrogen levels can affect the adrenal glands. Too much or too low estrogen can trigger adrenal dysfunction or fatigue. Clary sage oil contains phytoestrogen, increasing or decreasing estrogen levels according to your body’s needs. During adrenal fatigue, clary sage oil can have an antiestrogenic effect, significantly reducing depression, stress, and anxiety, especially in menopausal women.10
For immediate relief, rub 3 drops of diluted clary sage oil across the back of your neck or all over your feet.
Read More: Best Acupressure Points For Depression
Other Home Remedies To Treat Adrenal Fatigue
You can try these home remedies to help you fight off adrenal fatigue:
1. Eat On Time
The simple practice of eating on time can have a lot of health benefits. Not eating on time or skipping a meal can cause your blood sugar to drop, signaling your adrenal glands to produce cortisol. Long stretches between meals can take a toll on your adrenals. It’s recommended to eat breakfast an hour after waking and always take meals on time.
2. Have A Good Sleep
Having too little or too much sleep is a sign of stress. High cortisol levels will keep you up at night, leading to fluctuating sleep patterns. This creates a cycle where you’re tired during the day but sleepless at night. As the condition progresses, your adrenals work overtime until fatigue sets in.
Getting enough good sleep supports a well-functioning homeostatic process that keeps cortisol at a healthy level. Creating a bedtime routine or drinking herbal calming tea can help you get good sleep.
Read More: 10 Things Not To Do Before Bedtime
3. Enjoy Fresh Air
Fresh air and a walk in nature are also great ways to deal with and relieve stress. Studies show that fresh air can help balance your cortisol and serotonin, the mood-stabilizing hormone. A few hours spent outside jogging, walking, or gardening can help your adrenals slow down cortisol production.
4. Skip Processed Foods and Caffeine
Good nutrition is an effective way to manage chronically elevated cortisol levels. Health experts recommend a diet low in processed foods, sugar, and caffeine to keep a healthy adrenal function. Focus on foods rich in B vitamins, magnesium, and vitamin C. These are some of the vitamins and minerals that can help with energy, cognition, and stress management.
Studies show that eating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish and flaxseed, can dramatically reduce chronic elevations of cortisol and epinephrine, the hormone that can raise glucose levels in the blood.
In Short
There you have it! I hope this list proves beneficial to you as you try to fight off adrenal fatigue. Remember that prevention is always better than cure, so manage your stress before it leads to adrenal fatigue.
Many herbs can help you keep your stress levels at bay. If you are already feeling the symptoms of adrenal fatigue, you can still stop it by taking adaptogenic herbs. These herbs can regulate your hormones, bringing back homeostasis or the balance in your adrenal glands.
Stop adrenal fatigue as soon as you start feeling the symptoms. Try these herbs and see which ones work best for you.
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