Adaptogens For Adrenal Health
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Parenting can suck. There I've said it! It doesn't mean that I love my kids any less, but they really know how to get on that very last, quarantined little nerve so fast!
Even then, till a few months back, I could go a full day feeling energetic enough to take on anything this tiny gang of three attacked me with. More recently, I find myself struggling in those noon hours, feeling snippy and impatient. I donât know if the uncertainty of the whole COVID-19 situation has affected me more than I like to admit, or the fact that my last born is now grown enough to take the overall notoriety quotient to a new high.
When I tried searching answers to why people feel lethargic in that time of the day, I crossed off all results like, imbalance in blood pressure, spike in blood sugar and so, till I came across âill adrenal healthâ.
The adrenal glands sit on top of our kidneys and support us through stressful situations, which trigger our âfight of flightâ response. Adrenal glands are like good friends, who help us cope and be resilient during difficult times. Illness, sleepless nights, stress at work, oh yes! dealing with toddler meltdowns. Adrenal glands secrete hormones â that work to balance our bodyâs response system.
Sometimes, these life challenges can get overwhelming for the adrenals. Multiple stressful events can tire impact hormone production by the glands. This phenomenon is called adrenal fatigue.
To deal with this fatigue, our adrenals require rest and replenishment. You can guess what I am about to write next. Yes, our modern American lifestyle is incredibly hectic. Lesser hours of sleep and inactivity can weaken the capacity of our adrenals Overtime. This results in us becoming more irritable, stressed and less productive.
Signs That You Could Be Suffering From Adrenal Fatigue
Symptoms and signs may differ for most people, but if your answer to the following questions is âyesâ, there are chances that you may be struggling with adrenal fatigue:
Your capacity to handle stress has reduced
Sleep doesnât relieve your fatigue.
You feel cold very frequently
Tolerance is on the low. You snap in trivial situations
You try to avoid situations where you feel you may become overwhelmed.
Experience lightheadedness and a lowering of blood pressure
You are losing weight and hair.
You are experiencing unexplained discoloration of skin
Managing Adrenal Fatigue
It is of prime importance that you see a professional to properly diagnose and treat any health ailments. There are blood tests and other specific stimulation tests that will show irregular adrenal hormone levels.
But the type of adrenal fatigue that I am talking about is just a mild adrenal imbalance that is caused by too much stress in our daily lives.
What Are Adaptogens?
Adaptogens are herbs that assist your body resist stress. Or in other words, they help our body handle strain in a better way. Think of it this way, when we work out, the body experiences stress. But as we continue, the body improves its ability to deal with the pressures of exercise. Adaptogens âtrainâ your body in a similar way.
They have been in use since the Early Ages when medicine was much about finding cures from nature. The rise of holistic ways of living has awakened a new interest in these herbs. Adaptogenic herbs can be eaten as a part of a meal, brewed into teas, or had as supplements.
Benefits Of Adaptogens
Research has revealed that adaptogenic herbs offer:
Anti-fatigue effects
Antidepressant effects
Anxiolytic effects
Relaxing effects on the central nervous system
Though most adaptogens are safe to use as herbal teas, it is best to consult your physician before you start a course, so as to rule out any counter effects they may have with other medication you may be on.
Adaptogenic Foods That Help Relax Adrenal Glands
Ashwagandha
Used in ancient Ayurveda dating back more than 3000 years, Ashwagandha is my kinda herb. It increases stamina and strength, relieves stress, and promotes good sleep.
It also promotes the death of tumor cells and reduces cortisol levels. The use of Ashwagandha has been recommended for long to support lactation.
Panax Ginseng
Asian ginseng, as it is also called, is one the most stimulating of adaptogens available.
Panax Ginseng supports immunity, improves cognitive function, promotes blood circulation, enhances memory, increases endurance during exercise and helps in detoxification.
Reishi
A mushroom found on dead eastern hemlock trees, Reishi is often called the âmushroom of immortalityâ. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Reishi is dried, and steeped in boiling water to be had as an herbal tea.
Reishi is known to support healthy cholesterol levels, helps in histamine tolerance, improves oxygenation of cells, and supports liver function.
Maca Root
Maca root looks like a radish root. It is cultivated in the Andes mountains of Bolivia and Peru. Very interestingly, it is a staple food of the Peruvians. Maca root is given to children there as it supports cognitive function and strengthens bones.
The root contains amino acids that help in the balance of hormone health in our bodies. It is also rich in potassium, calcium, iron and other essential fatty acids. Maca is an adaptogen that helps enhance moods and increase libido.
Holy Basil
Another adaptogenic treasure from the science of Ayurveda is the Holy Basil. Research shows the Tulsi, as it is called in India, the land of its origin has the following health benefits:
Anti-diarrheal
Antimicrobial
Anti-inflammatory
Anti-pyretic
Anti-coagulant
Anti-arthritic
Improves organ function
Protects and strengthens the heart
Schisandra
The âfive flavor berry is an adaptogen used in Traditional Chinese medicine. It is named so, as it is supposed to be an amalgamation of all five flavors: sweet, spicy, sour, bitter and savory. It is said to benefit all five organs: the heart, the liver, the kidneys, lungs and spleen.
The constituents of the Schisandra berry are found to exert anti-cancer effects through cell cycle arrest and metastasis.
Schisandra is known to boost insulin resistance, treat physical stamina, improve emotional stability and reduce heart palpitations. Enhancing memory power and lowering brain fog properties makes it popular as an anti-ageing adaptogen.
Before you purchase them in extract, tincture or capsule form, do your research to know what exactly the product contains, and the strength of the adaptogen present. Adaptogens are not only good for adrenal health, they are also great in helping us to maintain a sound body and mind.
