What if I told you, you don’t have to buy expensive supplements or go on crazy elimination diets in order to heal your gut, detox your body or improve your digestion. Would you want to know more? It took me years and thousands of dollars before I realized that some of the most powerful and inexpensive remedies to treat adrenal fatigue symptoms were right under my nose. I am going to share with you 5 kitchen remedies to treat adrenal fatigue symptoms and my favorite ways to easily incorporate these into your diet.
#1 Turmeric
This vibrant colored and highly aromatic spice used often in Asian cooking belongs to the ginger family.
The main active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin which gives turmeric many of its healing and cleansing properties.
To start, turmeric is a potent antioxidant packed with vitamins A, C, and E.
Vitamin C is key for adrenal fatigue sufferers because the more cortisol you make the more vitamin C is used. During the stress response the body burns up many times the daily requirement of vitamin C. So as stressful events increase, the need for vitamin C also increases.
Another reason turmeric is a great remedy for adrenal fatigue is because of its anti-inflammatory effects.
As you probably already noticed, inflammation is common with adrenal fatigue and autoimmune diseases. Inflammation is the result of an overactive immune system. Particularly with chronic autoimmune disease, the amount of inflammation present is determined by the hormone cortisol. Cortisol is produced by the adrenal glands, so when the adrenals are weak your body is more prone to inflammation.
The anti-inflammatory potency of turmeric has been compared favorably to anti-inflammatory pharmaceutical drugs…minus all the side effects.
Ways to Consume Turmeric:
Add small amounts (a teaspoon) to your daily smoothies
Make a yummy dish, once or twice a week that uses turmeric. My favorite is a red lentil curry dish like this one
#2 Clove
Clove has been used for thousands of years in India and China as not only a spice and condiment, but as medicine.
Like Turmeric, clove is a powerful antioxidant. It is also anti-fungal, antibacterial, antiseptic and a natural pain-reliever.
Inflammation and digestion are common issues for most adrenal fatigue sufferers and clove comes to the rescue as it’s capable of addressing both.
For example, clove relaxes the smooth lining of the GI tract and stimulates the secretion of digestive enzymes. As a result, clove helps alleviate vomiting, diarrhea, intestinal gas, irritability and stomachaches.
Clove is also a good source of manganese, omega-3 fatty acids and fiber.
Ways to Consume Clove:
I prefer to consume clove by incorporating it into my food and drink. It’s not something I want in my smoothies, but that’s just me. Here are a couple great recipes to try. If you like chai tea you can make a big batch on Sunday and enjoy a cup each morning.
#3 Garlic
Garlic is a plant in the same family as the onion. The compound allicin is responsible for garlic’s many health benefits.
Garlic is a potent natural antibiotic and boosts the function of the immune system. Garlic is high in vitamins and minerals, many of which are on the recommended list of vitamins important for those suffering from adrenal fatigue. To name a few: manganese, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Selenium and fiber. Garlic also has decent amounts of copper, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, iron and vitamin B1.
High doses of the allicin compounds have been shown to protect against organ damage from heavy metal toxicity.
For example, a 4-week study of employees of a car battery plant who had excessive exposure to lead, found that garlic reduced lead levels in the blood by 19%.
Toxicity is an issue for adrenal fatigue sufferers because the body has a hard time cleansing and detoxing when digestion is slow, the lymphatic system is sluggish, inflammation is high and blood flow is compromised.
Ways to Consume Garlic:
Chopped up fine and sprinkled on toast with butter or olive oil
Chopped up fine in fresh, homemade guacamole or salsa
Add chopped up garlic to almost any savory food recipe, soup, pasta sauce, curry, chili, roasted vegetables or stew
If I’m suffering from a severe cold, I’m not afraid to throw a whole clove in my mouth, chew it up and swallow
#4 Ginger
Traditional Chinese medicine has relied on ginger for more than 2,000 years. Ginger is a pungent spice known historically for increasing blood flow and for its anti-inflammatory properties. It is especially known for its effectiveness in eliminating intestinal gas and for treating chronic ingestion, common issues for adrenal fatigue sufferers.
Ginger also has the ability to reduce muscle pain and soreness and menstrual cramps.
It is also known to help fight the flu and common cold. Adrenal fatigue sufferers typically have a compromised immune system. Having a cheap and easy remedy like ginger for these seasonal bugs, is key.
Ways to Consume Ginger:
Chai Tea (already mentioned)
Make a Wintery Tonic by adding a chunk of ginger to boiling water, add honey and fresh lemon
Red Lentil Curry (already mentioned)
Try other recipes with fresh ginger like yummy soups or stir-frys
#5 Thyme
For many of us who suffer from adrenal fatigue, getting the proper amount of vitamins and minerals for healing and optimal health can be challenging. Luckily, thyme is packed with Vitamin C and Vitamin A.
If you feel a cold coming on and your immune system needs a boost, thyme is a perfect supplement.
Thyme is also a good source of copper, fiber, iron and manganese.
Way to Consume Thyme:
Homemade Pasta Sauce
Make your own Thyme Tea recipe here
I just shared with you the top 5 adrenal fatigue remedies already in your kitchen and my favorite ways to incorporate them into your diet.
Now, I would love to hear from you. Share a comment below. Have you tried these magical herbs or spices as healing remedies? If so, what was your experience? And what are your favorite ways to incorporate these herbs and spices into your diet? Your comments could help someone else on their healing journey.
All my best,
Angela
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