Adaptogens for Stress Related Decline
Legacy signals
Legacy popularity: 2,683 legacy views
To understand how adrenal fatigue develops, it is important to understand the original, evolutionary function of the adrenal glands. The adrenals are apricot-sized glands located on top of each kidney, and are important control centers for many of the body's hormones and stress response. The outer layer, or cortex of the gland, produces hormones including cortisol, DHEA, estrogen and testosterone. The center of the gland produces adrenaline, the hormone for which they are named.
Our ancestors, experienced occasional demands of stress, sometimes extreme but followed by rest. Today we're constantly over-worked, under-nourished, exposed to environmental toxins, experience relentless mental worries and fears, pushing ourselves mentally and physically.
Cortisol, one of the adrenal’s key hormones, helps us meet these challenges by converting proteins into energy, releasing glycogen and counteracting inflammation. For a short time, that's okay. But at sustained high levels, cortisol gradually tears your body down and is the main reason we gain weight around the midsection.
Sustained high cortisol levels destroy healthy muscle and bone; slow down healing and normal cell replacement; strip our bio-chemicals needed to make other vital hormones; impair digestion, metabolism and mental function; interfere with healthy endocrine function; and weaken your immune system. Adrenal dysfunction may be a factor in many related conditions, including fibromyalgia, hypothyroidism, chronic fatigue syndrome, arthritis, premature menopause and others.
Adaptogens are herbs that help the body achieve an adaptive response to stress and increase the body’s ability to cope with stress more effectively. Adaptogens can increase stamina, strengthen immune, balance cortisol levels and relieve stress. Since all of our critical physiological systems depend on and are influenced by the Hypothalamus – Pituitary – Adrenal (HPA) axis in concert with the sympathetic nervous system, the health of our glands, tissues and organs are greatly affected as well. The immune, neurological, endocrine, and neurotransmitter systems cannot stay in good working order if we are constantly exposed to situations that trigger the physiological stress response. This is were the adaptogens are getting a lot of attention, because as they are so appropriately named, these herbs help our body adapt to stress, and help curtail stress related decline in overall health.
Go to www.tunguskamist.com/drspindler for oral adaptogenicmed sprays!
Article author
About the Author
Further reading
Further Reading
Article
***Surviving Radiation the Wise Woman Way
We are adapted to survive mild exposures to radiation. After all, the sun is a kind of controlled nuclear bomb and it releases a lot of radiation. Of course, this radiation, and man-made radiation, can also cause cancer and a host of short- and long-term health problems.
Related piece
Article
7 Benefits of Eating Raw Foods
"Raw Foods" is a popular phrase these days that is often misunderstood, yet represents a powerful, grass roots health movement. Some people shun the idea, not knowing what it means. Others embrace the idea, not knowing what it means. And that's no wonder, since there are many different interpretations of what it means to be on a raw food diet. Personally, I advocate a plant-based raw food diet. In other words, I suggest eating green leafy vegetables, sea vegetables, other vegetables, nuts, seeds, sprouted seeds, and fruit.
Related piece
Article
***Herbs that Ease Anxiety and Fear Nettle, Oatstraw, Motherwort, and more....
In the wake of the terrorist attacks (9-11), many women find that they are fearful, anxious, nervous, or depressed. In this series of articles adapted from her best-selling book New Menopausal Years the Wise Woman Way (available through www.ashtreepublishing.com, herbalist Susun S Weed shares her favorite herbs and home remedies for dealing with fear, anxiety, nervousness, grief, depression, rage, fatigue, and sleeplessness. Her Wise Woman remedies are simple and safe to use, easy to find and buy, and amazingly effective.
Related piece
Article
***Herbal Adventures with Susun S Weed Brassicaceae 'aka' Cruciferae family
Herbal Adventures with Susun S Weed Brassicaceae family 'aka' Cruciferae (crucifix) family as seen printed in www.sagewoman.com
Related piece