Chronic stress can lead to adrenal fatigue. It doesn’t have to be an acute situation. Low-level stress that continues long enough can cause these glands to malfunction. At least that’s what a number of holistic healers believe.
Adrenal fatigue is usually not picked up by mainstream medical doctors, who generally don’t believe it’s real.
But alternative practitioners disagree. In fact, if you visit one of these professionals, complaining of fatigue, back pain, joint problems, muscle aches and inability to get a good night’s sleep, they’re very likely to tell you about your exhausted adrenals. This condition can also cause irritability, depression and other mood changes.
What Causes Adrenal Fatigue?
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Adrenal fatigue is different than adrenal failure, a life-threatening condition typically treated with hormone replacement. The latter is recognized by regular doctors, who call it Addison’s Disease. If you’d like to learn more about what some consider a modern-day epidemic, below you’ll see one of the best resources, which contains information on the steps you can take to potentially reverse this condition.
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Many alternative health experts believe there’s a middle ground, between perfect health and adrenal failure. This is when someone has overworked adrenals, which can trigger disease-causing inflammation. Once this process is set in motion, it’s difficult to reverse. But it appears to be possible. Twice I was diagnosed with adrenal fatigue, and then managed to regain my health.
Adaptogens and Adrenal Fatigue
Adaptogens are a category of plants that some herbalists believe have wide-ranging positive benefits. One of them is the ability to help us handle stress, both physical and mental. These herbs, or more commonly herbal blends, are often recommended for adrenal exhaustion.
I don’t want to give you the mistaken impression you can take one of these supplements, and expect a cure. For best results, you’ll probably need to work with your practitioner, and come up with a multi-pronged approach. For me, a combination of clean eating, mercury filling removal, homeopathy, herbs and essential oils nudged my body to start healing itself. I also had to remove the source of stress. This included cutting a destructive “friend” out of my life. I wish her well and I pray for her, but I no longer spend time with her.
Herbs for Adrenal Fatigue
Please understand that I’m not a doctor. Just a wife and mother who’s recovered from adrenal fatigue. So whatever I say is not to be construed as medical advice. All I’m doing is sharing my personal story of living with this condition. Also, I can’t make any claims that a particular product or health regimen can help anyone else.
There are a number of excellent herbal products that contain adaptogens. Some of the most popular adaptogenic remedies for adrenal fatigue are astragalus, eleuthero, ginkgo and gotu kola, which are some of the medicinal plants found in the adrenal exhaustion remedy shown below. This herbal remedy also contains wood bentony, licorice root and spearment, as well as lavender and passionflower, two herbs noted for their natural sedating properties. (Many people who’ve experienced chronic stress have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep.)
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In order to stay well, I continue to take adaptogenic herbs. Following my practitioner’s advice, I rotate them, so they don’t lose their effectiveness. This is why I never buy more than a month or two supply at any one time. It’s also why I try different brands with different ingredients.
Oftentimes, I’ll take an adaptogenic adrenal support formula for about four to six weeks, until it seems as if it’s done its job. My holistic healthcare provider assures me that my body knows when a remedy is no longer needed, as you tend to stop taking it and more onto something else.
Disclaimer
These statements have not been approved by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. People with health concerns should discuss them with a doctor. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use herbal remedies, unless directed to do so by a healthcare professional.
I’m not a healthcare professional, so all of the above statements are my personal opinion, and are not intended as medical advice.
