Adrenal Q&a's
Updated Aug. 16th, 2019
A little bit about the Adrenal Glands
Our adrenal glands are located in the abdomen above the kidneys and are the sole provider of cortisol to our body. In addition to cortisol, they produce some androgen, aldosterone, norepinephrine and epinephrine. Cortisol is widely known as ‘the stress hormone’ and is produced day-to-day.
Cortisol is highest first thing in the morning and tapers off throughout the day, reaching its lowest point between 5pm and 8pm. Chronic stress can cause problems by signally the adrenal glands to produce higher amounts of cortisol than normal. The continued stress put on the glands can cause them to fall behind and create a cortisol deficit or to respond with inappropriate levels of cortisol that swing from high to low. Anyway you look at it, if the adrenals are not supported in their balanced production of cortisol, health problem ensue (fatigue, insomnia, weight gain, mood swings, compromised immune function, insulin resistance, thyroid dysfunction and more!)
What do Adaptogens do?
Adaptogenic herbs or adrenal support formulas can be very effective at balancing cortisol levels and decreasing unwanted stress related symptoms. However, not all adaptogens are created equal – and what works for one may not work for another. The following herbs can be used in isolation or combined (as seen in many popular and effective adrenal support formulas) to address these specific needs:
Holy Basil – Holy basil is especially important for individuals with dysglycemia (or blood sugar imbalances) and cravings and/or emotional eating in relation to stress or caused by cortisol irregularities.
Rhodiola Rosea – Rhodiola is another herb with a long history of use for treating stress-induced fatigue, to improve mental performance, and elevate mild depression and anxiety. Rhodiola is more commonly useful for those that find themselves getting angry or frustrated when ‘stressed out’.
Relora – Relora is actually the proprietary combination of two plants; Phellodendron Amurense and Magnolia. Relora has been shown to help control irritability and mood swings associated with cortisol imbalance, as well as improve sleep and concentration difficulties associated with stress.
Astragalus – Astragalus addresses the fatigue and weakened immune system aspects of stress and cortisol imbalances. It is often included in immune support formulas for this reason.
The Ginsengs – [Ashwaghanda, Eleutherococcus, Maca and Panax Ginseng] Ashwaghanda can be particularly effective for stress-related insomnia or sleeping problems. It also supports the production of thyroid hormone, as thyroid issues often go hand in hand with adrenal dysfunction. Eleutherococcus, Maca and Panax ginseng are helpful for energy, as well as increasing libido and helping to support balanced androgen production (sex hormones).
Licorice – Licorice is a very effective cortisol balancer, although slightly less popular as it can increase blood pressure. Like Holy Basil, the use of licorice has been linked to improved glucose control and fat modulation, as well as improving immune function, decreasing inflammation and balancing sex hormones (often exacerbated with cortisol imbalances). For those with low blood pressure (do you get dizzy when you sit up quickly?), licorice might be the right choice for you.
Schisandra – Schisandra is an adaptogenic herb especially useful for reducing fatigue and improving mental performance and memory decline related to stress. It can also help to support stress related immune compromise, such as chronic cough or asthma. This plant also has an affinity for the liver, helping to support liver function and repair liver damage.
A note about B vitamins - B vitamins can be very useful for supporting healthy adrenal function, as well as reducing symptoms associated with cortisol imbalances, such as anxiety, depression, ruminating/obsessive thinking and blood sugar control. B vitamins work best in combination with other B’s, so when stress is an issue a B complex has to be included in your supplement protocol.
I have been feeling overwhelmed and tired lately, maybe my adrenals are the reason. This is something I hadn't thought about before. Great read!
Hello Brenda,
Many forget about their adrenal health or haven't even heard of it before. It's definitely an important part of our bodies to take care of since they are easily effected by stress. Glad our article could help you and we hope the natural remedies have been working for you.
Have a healthy day!
This is a great article! I love learning about the adrenal glands and how to support them! I find this topic so interesting because I definitely am someone who gets stressed easily so I am always looking for ways to better adapt and support my body and my mind's health and well being. I love B vitamins so it is encouraging to know that they support adrenal function as well as reducing symptoms associated with cortisol imbalances!
Hello Olivia,
We're glad you enjoyed this article and furthered your knowledge about your health. Many aren't fully aware of the importance of adrenal gland health; therefore, we're glad this article can help.
Have a healthy day.
It is extremely important for us to support our adrenals. In a time like right now where there is large amounts of daily stress, this information you’ve provided can help people make choices to either support their current self care routines. Herbs have such great benefits and I’ve seen improvements with many of them myself. Thank you for the information and taking the time to provide us with such a depth of herbs to choose from!
It’s also very good that you’ve provided information about the adrenals, what they are and how to support them. We all need a road map and it’s wonderful all these herbs are available here as well as sourcing can be a challenge and overwhelming when first starting!
Hello Shalla,
Thank you, we are happy to hear you've been enjoying our articles, especially this one on adrenals. Adrenal health isn't talked about much, but as you know, they play an important role in our overall health and are very sensitive to stress. Herbs support adrenals well for most people. If you'd like to learn more about each herb, check out our supplements articles as well:
https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/supplements/
Stay healthy & well!
This article was very helpful and addressed many concerns. It was very beneficial to see each supplement and specifically how they help with regulation of the stress hormones. I'm glad to see that there are several different things that can be taken naturally to help ease stress and trigger stress hormone production. This article has been very helpful and has served as a great guide for natural stress management. Thank you NN for always providing great information and educating others on natural health!
Hello Rose with Thorns,
We're glad you've enjoyed learning about adrenal health, it's a topic not many people have heard much on. Adaptogens, along with other natural remedies, are great ways to further support your adrenals, as well as lowering day-to-day stressors. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and take aways.
Stay healthy & well!
I agree with RoseWithThorns: This article was very helpful and several questions that I brought to the table. I also feel that it was very beneficial to see each supplement and specifically how the supplements help with regulation of the stress hormones. Love that there are natural solutions with physiological effects that can aid in stress management! Thank you for taking the time to provide this detailed mini-guide; it's a great resource!
PS I think I'm going to try incorporating Holy Basil into my routine; I love the taste and was unaware of its adaptogen status!
Hello Rachel,
Adrenals are an interesting topic; however many don't know the importance of them or how to care for them. We are glad you found this article to be beneficial in learning, it's a pretty robust list. We hope holy basil works well for you, if you'd like to know more about its benefits, you can read through this article: https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/supplements/holy-basil/
Have a healthy day!
This article presents a helpful compilation of Q&A's addressing common questions about adrenal health. It covers a range of topics, including adrenal fatigue, cortisol levels, and adrenal support. The article provides clear and concise answers that are easy to understand, making it accessible to readers seeking information about adrenal gland function and related concerns. However, it would have been beneficial to provide more comprehensive answers in certain sections, as some topics were touched upon briefly. Nonetheless, this article serves as a useful resource for those looking to gain a basic understanding of adrenal health and its implications.
Hello, Nathaniel,
Happy you enjoyed this article, not many know the importance of adrenal health or what the adrenals do for us. With so many living stressful lives everyday, the adrenals are bombarded more and more. Thank you for your comment and that you enjoyed learning how to care for your health naturally. If you'd like to learn more about the suggestions outlined in this article, check out our supplement articles as well: https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/supplements/
Have a healthy day.