What Are The Best Adaptogens For Adrenal Fatigue?

Adaptogenic herbs are healing plants that may help rebalance, restore and protect the body from the harmful impact of stress. We’ve often heard that stress can kill, it literally effects every bodily system. During times of stress we release the hormone cortisol which is the bodies aging hormone. As cortisol rises our body gets into a “fight or flight” response. This is an important reaction as during times of stress we don’t produce digestive acids to break down food and we see an increase in blood pressure. This begins the cascade.

Adrenal fatigue impacts every system in the body including

• Your ability to focus and concentration leading to anxiety.
• Immune system health leading to frequent colds and sickness
• Digestive disorders including irritable bowel disease
• Hormone imbalance as rising cortisol increases blood sugar and decreases testosterone
• Thyroid dysregulation
• Weight gain
• Increased inflammation leading to autoimmune diseases

Luckily adaptogens can help fight adrenal fatigue and handle stress. Here’s some of my favorite adrenal fatigue supplements.

Ashwaganda

Typically used to boost immune system health, ashwaganda is fantastic for lowering cortisol and helping lower anxiety. One study concluded that ashwaganda “due to its multiple pharmacological actions like anti-stress, neuroprotective, antitumor, anti-arthritic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory etc. It is useful for different types of diseases like Parkinson, dementia, memory loss, stress induced diseases, malignoma and others”. Every good supplement for adrenal fatigue should include ashwaganda

So those are some good benefits by using an inexpensive adaptogen. There is also some evidence that suggests Ashwaganda, combined with diet and exercise, can increase body weight.

Holy Basil

I’m a big fan of holy basil tea, otherwise known as tulsi. It has long been used in India  as an “anti-aging medicine”. Studies show that holy basil may be an effective supplement for lowering anxiety while also lowering blood pressure, stabilizing hormone levels and reducing blood sugar.

Licorice root

If you wake up feeling tired and need close to a pot of coffee to get going then licorise root is for you. Known for increasing energy and endurance, licorice root also may increase immune system health and protect the thymus from the damaging effects of high cortisol.

Rhodiola

My personal favorite adaptogenic herb for adrenal fatigue and high cortisol, Rhodiola is backed by a lot of research.  Rhodiola relieves anxiety and may combat aging by suppressing cortisol production.

Have trouble sleeping? Studies suggest that Rhodiola can normalize sleeping patterns and reduce mental fatigue. Athletes may benefit from using Rhodiola as studies show it may increase the use of oxygen, improve memory and protect the heart from stress.

Cordyceps mushroom.

Mushrooms are all the rage right now and for good reason. Cordyceps is a fungus that has antioxidant benefits and has similar health benefits to foods such as blueberries or kale. While coryceps isn’t a traditional adaoptgenic herb, it does have anti-cancer and immune boosting benefits in addition to stabilizing blood sugar and improving detoxification.

There are a lot of other non-tractional adaptogens that can help adrenal fatigue including vitamins C and B which are needed for proper adrenal gland health or other mushrooms like Lions Maine and Reishi for anti-anxiety.  Your diet also needs to be addressed, I advocate a low carb high fat diet as does your sleep patterns. Are you over training? Exercise can be both helpful and hurtful.