Anxiety Relief Using Adaptogenic Herbs

Adaptogenic herbs, just the words give the vibe they should be taken seriously.

They should but with a light heart. These herbs are your best friends if you have any of the cyclical and life paralyzing health conditions that doctors are scratching their heads over like fibromyalgia, fatigue, anxiety, hormone imbalance, blood sugar swings, auto-immune conditions, etc.

Many health seekers choose adaptogens instead of steroids, anti-depressants, anti-anxiety, or other medications that may cause permanent health damage from side effects. They'd rather nourish their immune system than crash it.

Adaptogens are life giving and they support the entire body. They are kind of like chameleons; they can change their action to fit the demands of an individual's body. In general, they are immune modulating, energy boosting, inflammation quenchers, and adrenal gland fuel.

The adrenals are the little walnut sized glands that sit on top of your kidneys. They are like the body's spark plugs because they give us zip and keep us running. They are also key players in hormone balance, inflammatory response, thought and mood, and intestinal performance. Even though they are small, they have a gigantic responsibilities.

When in full gear, they give us the mo-jo to push beyond exhaustion or keep us in high alert when in danger. Because the modern day humans run around like a chickens with their heads cut off and don’t take the time to rest and recover; everyone should consider supporting their adrenal glands.

If you life in a civilized nation, there's a 95% chance that includes you.
You decide. Here are a few indicators your adrenals can't keep up with the daily demands of life:

* Can't get your buns out of bed in the morning but you’re wired at night
* For women: PMS, hot flashes, infertility
* For men: Low T (testosterone), you feel like less of a man
* You’d rather scrub your bathroom tile with a toothbrush than have sex
* Either you can’t poop or poop is spastic. 2-3 movements a day is normal
* Any autoimmune challenges: eczema, lupus, diabetes
* Your body hurts over 50% of the time without injury
* Feelings of anxiety, panic, depression
* If you don't eat, crabbiness sets in
* Under stress you want to escape and avoid rather than deal with the problem
* The bags under your eyes look as if you haven’t slept for months
* Your finge
ails split vertically
* When you stick out your tongue it quivers, even when trying to hold it still
Many medical and health professionals are moving towards the belief that the adrenals are at the core of all dis-harmony in the body. The encourage their patients and clients to support these little glands because they are an imperative component in any health recovery program and will speed up progress by light years.

There is one important thing that health practitioners may not tell you about these herbs, you must be mindful on which herbs you choose. You know you've chosen the incorrect one if you feel wired up at night, anxious, or have low blood sugar episodes.

It is good practice is to first get an adrenal function test prior to taking any herbs so you don’t compound your current health challenge. If you have an integrative doc, ask him/her for a 12-hour cortisol test with DHEA.

If your doc thinks you’ve been smoking funny stuff and has no idea what you’re talking about, you might find one who can speak your language. The best doctors who will be on the same page as you practice functional, orthomolecular, or anti-aging medicine.

Reason for getting an adrenal test? Certain herbs should be used for high cortisol and others for low.

Of course there are some that will do double duty also but honestly, it’s best to know what you’re targeting. There are a thousands adaptogenic plants and they are loved by Chinese and Ayruvedic Practitioners. Remember, "adaptogen" means they support immunity, stress, and can do the ‘ol presto chango to do what your body needs. That’s why they are great, they are broad spectrum and are multi-functional.

Learning about herbs can be confusing and overwhelming, so here are just a few to start playing with to keep it simple.

Here are 5 top choices:

Ashwadandha: Just the name alone is fun: ASH-WA-GAN-DA. Say it 6 times super fast and you’ll smile for sure. This herb is best for high cortisol situations. If a person knows when they are spiking (from the tests), do it then. If you are spiking at night and waking at 3 am taking it late evening might be helpful to get a full nights rest. This one is also helpful if there is no desire to do the wild thing.

Eleuthero: Also known as Siberian Ginseng. If you have low cortisol, this herb might be your consideration. If you have low blood sugar - hypoglycemia - do not use this herb. It lowers blood sugar. This is great for a diabetic but a problem for a hypoglycemic. This herb is a rock star for everyone else and is especially great for people who are so burned out they aren’t making cortisol anymore.

Licorice Root: This is a tonic herb for the adrenals that is a great mate for eleuthero. It tastes fantastic and can even be used as a tea. People with adrenal fatigue often have low blood pressure. This herb will help raise it up so upon quick standing the room won’t spin anymore. People with high blood pressure should not use this herb. It is perfect to enjoy as a tea first thing in the morning.

Rehmannia: This little adrenal tonic is pretty much a-ok for high or low situations and super duper for blood sugar folks. A little harder to find, but a great choice for overall adrenal support.

Lycium Barbarum: Just like rehmannia, this little treasure can be used by everyone. It’s not really an herb though, it’s a fruit that the Chinese have been using for eons to support kidney and liver chi. It is potent for repairing insulin resistance and unclogging a sluggish liver. Men who’ve had trouble with impotence may find they are chasing their wife around the house about a week after loading this little gem. The liquid form is preferred over the whole dried berry because if the adrenals are in trouble, so is digestion. The liquid is assimilated much faster, that means feeling better in short order. Note, only use lycium barbarum that comes from the Chinese Ningxia Provence.

Become friends with the adaptogens, learn about them, and use them.

Get tested before using targeting herbs like ashwaganda or eleuthero so you’re knowing which tool to use for the job. You wouldn’t use a screwdriver to do a hammers job would ya?

If you don't have severe adrenal fatigue, tonics like licorice and rehmannia alone might do the trick to put some additional spring in your step.
The lycium barbarum can be used by anybody in any situation. Unlike ashwagandha or rehmannia, it tastes good and you'll look forward to taking your adaptogens every day.