AYURVEDIC PERSPECTIVE ON ADRENAL-TONIC
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.
Adrenal Dominance
Adrenal dominance is characterized by:
- Stamina & endurance
- Solid muscular build
Adrenergic Herbs - Stimulating Adrenaline Receptors
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).
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