Adrenal exhaustion

It recently occurred to me, that over the past five years I have been prescribing an increasing amount of restorative adaptogenic herbs.

Adaptogenic herbs are a group of herbs which enable us to increase our resistence to stress. They are primarily used in the treatment of stress induced fatigue, both preventively and symptomatically.

Adaptogens are similar to the old-fashioned tonics and are prescribed at times in our lives when stress is high during particularly difficult times of change. By strengthening the adrenal gland, the adaptogenic herbs enable the body to cope with the adverse effects of long-term stress. They help us to
avoid reaching a point of collapse – also referred to as adrenal exhaustion.

A great number of adaptogenic herbs also stimulate the immune system, and have a discernible influence on increasing our sense of wellbeing. Indeed one of the most, reassuringly common comments I hear from patients after a few weeks of taking an adaptagenic blend of herbs is “I finally feel like my old self again.”

This category of gentle, but invigorating herbs include Rhodiola (my favourite), Siberian Ginseng, and Withania, Bacopa, Gota Kola and Liquorice root (no, not the sweet commercial type!).

Let’s have a peak at just two of these herbs.

Siberian Ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus)
Siberian Ginseng is essentially a restorative herb. It increases energy and resistance in those who are debilitated or stressed and increases our ability to withstand adverse physical conditions.

Clinical trials using Eleutherococcus on healthy individuals have shown increased performance and stamina. Mental and physical output is increased, proof readers are quicker and make fewer errors and labourers have improved work capacity. Siberian Ginseng contains plant sugars that act directly on the adrenal gland to prevent hypertrophy (enlargement) and excessive adrenal hormone production, namely our chronic stress hormone, cortisol. Eleutherococcus has been widely used by athletes in the Soviet Union for its ability to increase concentration and improve performance.

Rhodiola
Rhodiola has an extensive traditional use throughout Europe as an adaptogen to help to cope with stress. Clinical studies of Rhodiola have shown reduced symptoms of stress and fatigue. This wonderfully restorative herb improves mental clarity, as well as physical and mental stamina.

In an open label trial of 101 adults reporting “life-stress”, the use of 200 mg of Rhodiola twice a day for a four-week treatment period investigated the benefits of offsetting the negative impacts of stress.

Results found improvements, which were observed in a little as three days, and continued at week 1 and week 4, and “all tests showed clinically relevant improvements with regards to stress symptoms, disability, functional impairment and overall therapeutic effect”.

In Russian scientific literature, evidence shows Rhodiola improves speed and strength during track and field activities, swimming, speed skating and ski-racing, as well as in weightlifters, wrestlers and gymnasts!

A typical adrenal gland tonic I may put together at the clinic to treat a patient suffering from debilitating fatigue related to stress, would be a combination of Rhodiola, Siberian Ginseng, Withania (or Gota Kola) and Licorice.

This herbal tonic would always be prescribed with a high dose B complex and magnesium.