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Strengthens, supports, or increases output of adrenals.
Categories of Herbs Affecting the Adrenals
Adrenal Tonic - Generally herbs that strengthen or support the adrenal glands. May stimulate cortisol or increase the output of the adrenal cortex (cortisol and/or the renine-angiotensine-aldosterone system (RAAS).
Adaptogen - Herbs that regulate cortisol rhythms, increasing or decreasing as necessary. Many adrenal tonics are also adaptogens.
Adrenergic - Herbs that stimulate adrenaline receptors
Alpha / Beta blockers - Herbs that block adrenergic receptors
Adrenal Hormones
The principal energy stimulating hormone produced by the adrenal cortex is cortisol. The main hormone secreted by the adrenal medulla is adrenaline.
Cortisol generally raises awareness and energy levels. It begins to rise around 4am, and wanes around sunset. It activates the sympathetic nervous system, and raises blood sugar.
Adrenaline helps the body respond to an immediate threat to survival (or sudden bad news). Where cortisol is a long term stress hormone, adrenaline is for an immediate short term event.
Cortisol is associated with anxiety:
Increases blood sugar => causing weight gain
Increases energy use in brain (alert) => Sharpening senses
Increases strength
Adrenaline is associated with terror:
Puts body into hyperdrive
Heart thumping, raises blood pressure
Increased breath rate, airways dilated
Reduces circulation to all non-essential organs (vasoconstriction of digestion, skin, etc), dilates vessels to to brain, lungs and muscles (vasodilation).
Alert, sharpens senses
Adrenal insufficiency
Adrenal insufficiency is a functional medicine term for the ineffectiveness of adrenal gland hormones. It is characterized by symptoms of:
Fatigue
Stress intolerance
Lower metabolism & body heat.
Low blood pressure, postural hypotension
Difficulties with blood sugar regulation, weakness & atrophy of muscles
Thin skin, hair
Anemia
Brain fog
Steroids can suppress adrenal function. Note that adrenal insufficiency does not mean that adrenal hormone (cortisol) levels are low.
Adrenergic herbs stimulate an adrenaline response by stimulating adrenaline receptors (receptor agonists). These may be used to 1) Constrict blood vessels causing runny nose, 2) Dilate bronchial tubes (bronchodilator), or 3) Stimulate energy. Examples include:
Green tea (Camellia sinensis)
Coffee (Coffea sp.)
Horehound
Ephedra/Ma huang (Ephedra sinica)
There are several types of adrenergic receptors:
Alpha receptors - Make the heart beat faster, the pupils of the eyes dilate, and the muscles contract. Alpha blockers helps muscles to relax.
Beta receptors - Similar effects to alpha plus bronchodilation
Alpha and Beta Blockers (Receptor Antagonists)
Continual stimulation of fight or flight mode manifests in tachycardia, diaphoresis, and pallor with coldness of the extremities and deep fatigue.
Psychologically, melancholy is the result of long standing anxiety. Alpha and Beta blockers can dampen adrenergic receptors, countering the effects of adrenaline (epinephrin). Blockers can relax muscles, and relieve continual anxiety states. Example herbs include:
Mimosa
Rose
St. John's wort
Rhodiola
Holy basil
Blocking adrenergic receptors in the lungs can reduce coughing (antitussive).
Prana is the Sanskrit word for vital life energy (Qi in Chinese Medicine, pneuma in Greek). Many herbs stimulate your energy, or improve the flow of prana through your body. Generally, prana needs to be increased in spring after a sleepy winter.
Rajasic foods stimulate desire or nervous energy. Red meat, high protein food, garlic and onions stimulate desire. Rajasic foods include chili peppers, coffee, and anything that stimulates movement.
An herb that strengthens spleen function by improving strength of the blood. Spleen tonics Builds agni, brighten the person's appearances & firms up tissues.
Expectorants help you eliminate mucus from the lungs. These herbs often work by increasing the quantity of mucus, or thinning the mucus. Expectorants are indicated when phlegm congests the lower respiratory tract.
Herbs or spices with volatile essential oils that present strong aromas. Aromatic oils shock, refresh and numb tissue, with the end result of relaxing, opening and clearing stagnant fluids in tissues.
Herbs that promote stabilization of physiological processes and homeostasis. Adaptogens increase the body's ability to resist the damaging effects of stress and promote or restore normal physiological functioning.
Expectorants help you eliminate mucus from the lungs. These herbs often work by increasing the quantity of mucus, or thinning the mucus. Expectorants are indicated when phlegm congests the lower respiratory tract.
An herb that produces more blood cells in the body, or otherwise improves blood cell quality or hemoglobin content. Helpful for anemia and other types of deficiency.
Restores the proper function of the body by cleansing the blood and balancing blood chemistry. In Ayurveda terms, they pacify Pitta in rakta. They were traditionally used to revitalize and detoxify after a long winter.
Prana is the Sanskrit word for vital life energy (Qi in Chinese Medicine, pneuma in Greek). Many herbs stimulate your energy, or improve the flow of prana through your body. Generally, prana needs to be increased in spring after a sleepy winter.
Rajasic foods stimulate desire or nervous energy. Red meat, high protein food, garlic and onions stimulate desire. Rajasic foods include chili peppers, coffee, and anything that stimulates movement.
In Ayurveda, oily refers to anything moistening. More specifically, oily refers to building substances that increases fat, or are themselves fatty. For example, sugar is Oily.
Herbs or spices with volatile essential oils that present strong aromas. Aromatic oils shock, refresh and numb tissue, with the end result of relaxing, opening and clearing stagnant fluids in tissues.
Geriatric conditions typically involve low agni / metabolism, poor circulation, weakness & debility, muscle weakening, poor digestion, a drop in sex hormones, and connective tissue degradation in bones & skin.
John Immel, the founder of Joyful Belly, teaches people how to have a
healthy diet and lifestyle with Ayurveda biocharacteristics.
His approach to Ayurveda is clinical, yet exudes an ease which many find enjoyable and insightful.
John also directs Joyful Belly's School of Ayurveda,
offering professional clinical training in Ayurveda for over 15 years.
John's interest in Ayurveda and specialization in digestive tract pathology was inspired by a complex digestive disorder acquired from years of international travel,
as well as public service work in South Asia.
John's commitment to the detailed study of digestive disorders reflects his zeal to get down to the roots of the problem.
His hope and belief in the capacity of each & every client to improve their quality of life is nothing short of a personal passion.
John's creativity in the kitchen and delight in cooking for others comes from his family oriented upbringing.
In addition to his certification in Ayurveda, John holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Harvard University.
John enjoys sharing Ayurveda within the context of his Catholic roots,
and finds Ayurveda gives him an opportunity to participate in the healing mission of the Church.
Jesus expressed God's love by feeding and healing the sick.
That kindness is the fundamental ministry of Ayurveda as well.
Outside of work, John enjoys spending time with his wife and 6 kids, and pursuing his love of theology, philosophy, and language.
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
The information and products on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any
disease.
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