Herbs That Restore Adrenal Function

Feeling tired, depressed, sick all the time? Read this!

Herbs That Restore Adrenal Function

The adrenal glands are two tiny organs that sit on top of the kidneys and produce hormones and neurotransmitters. The cortex, or outer layer of the glands, produces cortisone, cortisol, aldosterone, androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone; the medulla, or inner section, produces adrenaline and noradrenalin. These hormones regulate the body's stress response and many other functions. When the adrenals are overstressed, you may experience fatigue, appetite loss, depression and a compromised immune system. Herbs can help reduce stress and restore optimum adrenal health.

Astragalus
Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus), also known as milk vetch, is an important herb in Western and traditional Chinese medicine, where it is used as a tonic for the immune system. James Balch, M.D. and Phyllis Balch note that immune deficiency is a symptom of "adrenal burnout," and they recommend astragalus to improve adrenal function and reduce stress. Do not take astragalus if you have a fever.

Milk Thistle
Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is an herb indicated for treating liver problems or for toning the liver. Balch and Balch recommend it because a properly functioning liver will reduce the body's toxin load and relieve stress on the adrenals.

Valerian
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) is a popular herb to treat sleep disorders that relate to stress. Valerian may calm the nerves, promote sleep and enhance adrenal health.

Borage
Borage (Borago officinalis) is an aromatic herb used in cooking and herbal medicine. Borage essential oil has mild anti-depressant actions and is used as a general tonic and to treat stress. Balch and Balch state that borage tones and balances the adrenals. Borage contains alkaloids that may damage the liver if taken in excessive amounts over a prolonged period.

Siberian Ginseng
Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus), also known as eleuthero, is considered to be an adaptogen, that is, an herb that regulates hormone production and helps the body cope with stress. It is used to treat disorders that result from adrenal exhaustion, including poor memory, low endurance and immune deficiency. In the book "Medical Herbalism: the Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine," herbalist David Hoffmann recommends Siberian ginseng, citing the herb's eleutherosides, chemicals that bind to hormonal receptors, as the core ingredients in the plant that impact the adrenal medulla.

Licorice
Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) contains glycyrrhizic and glycyrrhetic acids, which have a chemical structure similar to the natural hormonal steroids produced by the adrenal glands. Glycyrrhizic and glycyrrhetic acid bind to the cortisol and aldosterone receptors and mimic the effects of those hormones. Licorice has been effective in treating Addison's disease, a disorder of the adrenal glands. A study published in the 2007 issue of the Annals of Clinical Biochemistry found that the glycyrrhizic and glycyrrhetinic acids in licorice enhanced the adrenal production of hormones and prevented kidney failure in a patient with Addison's disease. Licorice can raise blood pressure and should not be taken if you have hypertension.


Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/91634-herbs-restore-adrenal-function/#ixzz162RqjzTE