Adrenal Hormones - 5 Herbs to Balance Hormones Naturally

Are you having trouble balancing your hormones?  You’ve tried prescription drugs, but you’re having negative side effects.  Or the drug isn't working? Are you interested in a more natural approach? You’ve tried balancing hormones naturally and it's still not working for you? Well, we want to give you the top five adrenal hormone balancing herbs for women. These herbs will help balance the hormones that are commonly affected in adrenal fatigue sufferers.

Top 5 Herbs For Adrenal Hormone Balance

1. Shatavari

Shatavari is an herb mostly used in ayurvedic medicine. It is known as a female tonic and it's good for all female hormones. This herb supports energy levels and is a very nourishing herb that supports adrenal hormones.

2.  Tulsi or Holy Basil

Most people have seen this herb used in teas. Tulsi is energizing so it's a good morning tea. It supports your adrenals and nervous system.

3. Chaste Tree Berry

Chaste Tree Berry is mostly used for female hormones. These female hormones are often affected by adrenal fatigue. So Chaste Tree Berry is good for balancing menstrual cycles and the hormones LH and FSH number.

4. Licorice Root

Licorice Root supports healthy estrogen levels. It supports adrenal hormones and it’s very nourishing. It makes for a great tea. If you have frequent sugar cravings this is a great way to curb those cravings. Licorice root also promotes liver detox.

5. Rhodiola

Rhodiola is very supportive for adrenal hormones, your thyroid and energy levels.

So, there you go the top 5 adrenal hormone balancing herbs for women.

Now, we’d love to hear from you. You are a part of our community and your shares could be just what someone else needs to hear. So please take a moment to drop us a line below.

We’d love to know. What herbs are you most interested in trying?

Or which of these herbs have you tried and been most supportive?

Love, 

Dr. Holly German

Holidays with Adrenal Fatigue: 5 Tips to Survive and Thrive

Why is it that when we are supposed to be celebrating tradition and spending quality time with family and friends we find ourselves ridiculously busy, stress and on the verge of burnout? The holidays can be a challenging time even for the healthiest of people. When you have adrenal fatigue the added stress that the holiday season brings can lead to major adrenal burnout and flare-ups. Here are 5 secrets to surviving the holidays with adrenal fatigue (and make sure you stay till the end, we want to give you a special holiday gift. It's a lifesaver).

Tip #1 byof

Bring Your Own Food. The holidays are filled with get-togethers focused around food. If you are suffering from food intolerances or allergies as a result of your adrenal fatigue, you most likely have had to give some foods up along the way. If so, you know how frustrating it can be to go to these gatherings. Bringing your own food means that you can still enjoy food and you don’t have to feel like you’re missing out the entire time.

If you’ve been following me for a while you know that on my adrenal fatigue healing journey I gave up many foods. Actually, the only thing I never gave up eating is vegetables. I gave up dairy, meat, sugar, gluten, grains, you name it I tried it. Not just for a couple weeks, but for months and sometimes even years at a time. And just for the record I am not suggesting that or believe you need to give up a bunch of foods in order to heal your adrenal fatigue. But I get what you’re going through and that’s why I always bring food with me, wherever I go.

I am not suggesting that or believe you need to give up a bunch of foods in order to heal your adrenal fatigue. But I get what you’re going through. That’s why I always bring food with me, wherever I go.

What are your favorite alternative food choices that you don’t want to live without during the holidays? Do you have a good or funny story about sharing your specialty foods with your loved ones?

Tip #2 Boost Your Immune System

During the holiday we do more traveling to the mall, to the supermarket, to events and get-togethers which all bring opportunities to come into contact with germs and other icky bugs that might be lurking around. And because as adrenal fatigue sufferers we already have compromised immune systems, we might be more susceptible and find ourselves constantly “under the weather” at this time of year.  Not good! Getting sick would put a huge damper on our capacity to celebrate.

Be pro-active about your health this season.  Keep yourself healthy by doing a few things to boost the immune system. Go to sleep just a bit earlier than usual each night. Cut down on the sugar intake when you aren’t out celebrating and (this is one of my favorites) use essential oils to protect yourself. Personally, I use the Doterra Oil called Onguard. This oil can be used internally to support the immune and respiratory system and can also be used externally as a non-toxic cleaner to protect against environmental threats. I use it at the first sign of the sniffles or as a preventive by diffusing it in the house or adding a few drops of distilled water and spraying down germ-infested areas like the airplane seat or grocery cart. I am not saying to walk around being a germaphobe to the point where you create anxiety for yourself or others, but simply being prepared can reduce your risk AND make you feel more in control and empowered.

My other favorite immune boosting ritual is drinking Echinacea tea or taking an Echinacea extract, which you can find at a health food store. Some people like Emergen-C or Airborne which are also great options. What essential vitamins and supplements support your immune system? Make sure you don’t forget to take them.

Tip #3 Don’t Fall Into the Crazy Trap

When everyone around you is running around like a crazy person trying to get everything done it’s easy to feel like that is what you are supposed to do too. Just because our society buys into the belief that this time of year has to be crazy, doesn’t mean that it’s true, or that it has to be true for you—no matter what the people around you are doing.   I am telling you that it is possible to avoid that trap. What if you could be that person in line at the supermarket or at the mall while everyone else is huffing and puffing, saying rude things to the checker or just acting annoyed, who is stays cool, calm and collected? You can be an example of what else is possible. And as Gandhi would say “Be the change you want to see in the world”.

Tip # 4 Do Your Shopping Online

We have such a luxury now that didn’t exist even 10 –years-ago where you can pretty much buy anything online that you need. So unless you enjoy being out and about this time of year or you have a great deal of patience consider doing all your shopping this year from the convenience of your own cozy couch. Get yourself a cup of your favorite tea, put on some calming music and shop away.  There are lots of options for online shopping these days—it’s not Amazon or nothing. So if you like to shop small or local, check to see if your favorite physical shops have websites…these days you’d be surprised at how many do!

Tip #5 Emotionally Prepare for Your Loved Ones

No matter how close we are to our loved ones or how much we love seeing them during the holidays, it doesn’t negate the fact that family has the ability to bring up a lot of our old “stuff” including limiting beliefs about ourselves, insecurities, failures, etc.

Prepare yourself emotionally by taking some time before you see them to center yourself. Say positive affirmations to yourself. Remind yourself how amazing you are and that your old choices no longer define who you are. Get plenty of sleep and visualize yourself having positive and loving interactions with these people.

I have just given you 5 easy tips to surviving the holidays with adrenal fatigue.

Now I’d love to hear from you. What things do you do to guarantee more fun and less stress during the holidays? How do you avoid flair up during the holidays? What has been the most helpful piece of information shared here?

Please share this blog with friends, family and/or colleagues you feel could benefit from this information.

All my best,

Angela

Test for Adrenal Fatigue - 3 Simple Ways to Test

Wondering if your low energy and chronic fatigue could be adrenal fatigue?  But, you don't want to pay for testing just yet? We want to help you test for adrenal fatigue for free and in the convenience of your own home. So we are going to give you 2 free at-home tests today. This way you can get some answers before you spend any money. We also want to tell you about the most comprehensive medical test for adrenal fatigue out there.

We recommend you get some answers soon. If you think you have adrenal fatigue you don’t want to ignore it as this condition can lead to many chronic health conditions if left untreated.

Go ahead and start with these 2 at-home tests for adrenal fatigue. But, please keep in mind that the best diagnosis is one that looks at the whole picture. For example, a range of tests, symptoms, and signs.

This will require 2 things:

1. Patience on your part

2. A practitioner that has experience and thorough knowledge of the various systems of the body.

Okay, so back to the tests.

Test #1 - Orthostatic Hypotension Test

1. Take blood pressure after lying down for 2 + minutes

2. Then take blood pressure immediately on rising

In a healthy person, the blood pressure will drop momentarily upon standing and then quickly come back to a higher level.

In adrenal fatigue, the blood pressure stays low for an extended period of time. This leads to dizziness and lightheadedness.

Orthostatic hypotension is when a person's blood pressure falls dramatically when suddenly standing up or stretching. In medical terms, it is defined as a fall in systolic blood pressure of at least 20 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure of at least 10 mm Hg when a person assumes a standing position.

Test #2  - The Iris Contraction Test

The iris test for adrenal fatigue is a simple test that measures your body’s stamina to respond to light.

This test will only take a few minutes and all you will need is a dark room, a flashlight, a mirror and a watch or clock. Essentially you will go into a dark room or closet with a flashlight, mirror, and watch or clock. After being in the dark for a couple of minutes, you will shine the flashlight on the side of your eye and look for how your eyes respond to the light.

For the full list of instructions on how to conduct this test, check out this blog…

Test #3 - Adrenal Stress Index

The Adrenal Stress Index test is the most comprehensive test for adrenal fatigue available. This is a saliva test that you would get through a Naturopathic doctor or a functional medicine practitioner. This is not something you can get from a traditional medical doctors office or an endocrinologist. We want to be clear that this test is not free. But, the great thing is that you get the kit from the doctor’s office or it’s sent to you in the mail and you can do the test in the convenience of your home.

An adrenal stress index test looks at 4 cortisol readings. You will take 4 saliva samples; first in the morning, second around noon, third in the afternoon, and the fourth in the evening. These readings are looking to see if your cortisol rhythm in keeping within the normal circadian rhythm. The normal circadian rhythm is elevated in the morning, declines and goes lower in the afternoon. In adrenal fatigue people either have high cortisol levels because their stress response is really intensified all the time or they can be flat-lined. This would result in a feeling of fatigue.

Most Adrenal Stress Index tests also test for DHEA, a hormone that the adrenals produce that is a precursor to your sex hormones. It is important that you get a test that tests both cortisol and DHEA.

If signs and testing show that in fact, you have adrenal fatigue, here at healyouradrenalfatigue.com we want to help you get the tools you need to heal so you can get your life back. We have put together a starter kit of great resources. This kit includes a shopping list, a daily healing routine, recipes and more. We want to give you the starter kit absolutely free so you can take the uncertainty and overwhelming feelings out of the equation. All you have to do is enter your name and email below and it's yours.

Now we’d love to hear from you in the comments below. What are your burning questions? How can we help you? You’re not alone, so reach out and your comments or questions could help someone else on their healing journey. So take a moment now to drop us a line below.

Love, 

Dr. Holly German and Angela

Increase Your Nutrient Absorption with Adrenal Fatigue

Ever wonder why you eat well, but still don’t feel well? Most likely poor nutrient absorption is the culprit. When you have poor nutrient absorption you can’t access the nutrients from your food or supplements. This is an issue because adrenal fatigue happens to be a condition of depletion. You need extra nutrients right now and this nourishment is essential for recovery. So if you want to stop wasting your money on expensive foods and supplements, that you aren't benefiting from, you need to understand this. Poor nutrient absorption is a result of poor gut health. How does our gut health become poor? There are several reasons why and we want to share those with you now.

You must rule out these issues or address them, to heal your adrenal fatigue. So here we go:

1. Poor Digestion

Do you have poor digestion? Why is digestion such an issue for adrenal fatigue sufferers? Here's why. When we are in a stressed our bodies actually push blood and energy to the muscles in our arms and legs to fight or flee. That doesn’t leave much energy for digestion. For tips on improving digestion naturally check out this vlog.

Years of poor digestion harms the walls of the gastrointestinal tract. This leads to poor gut health.

2. Leaky Gut

Leaky gut is a condition that occurs when the lining of the intestines becomes permeable. Bacteria, toxins, incomplete digested proteins & fats, "leak" out of the intestines and into the blood stream. When these substances "leak" out into the bloodstream this triggers an autoimmune reaction. This leads to a myriad of gastrointestinal problems such as bloating, excessive gas and cramps, fatigue, food sensitivities, joint pain, skin rashes, and autoimmunity. Learn more about Leaky Gut here...

3. Dysbiosis

Dysbiosis is a condition in the digestive tract. The most common contributing factors are parasites or candida overgrowth. Do you wonder if  you might have a parasite?

Have you done a lot of international travel? Have you been suffering from chronic digestive symptoms since then? I don't recommend trying to treat parasites without testing.  The test I recommend is a comprehensive parasitology and stool analysis x3.

As for Candida, Candida lives naturally in your intestines but when it overproduces it can lead to dysbiosis and leaky gut. Candida overgrowth can be the reason for intense cravings for sweets, chronic allergies, white coating on the tongue, brain fog, hormone imbalance, and so much more.

Well there you go, now you know what is keeping you from absorbing nutrients critical to your healing, poor gut health. And you know the 3 causes of poor gut health. To improve nutrient absorption and heal your adrenal fatigue, you need to rule out or address these 3 causes;  poor digestion, leaky gut and dysbiosis.

Now we’d love to hear from you in the comments below. What do you believe is standing in your way of absorbing nutrients? Have you been told you have leaky gut, a parasite, dysbiosis? What remedies have you tried? Or share some advice about how you’ve dealt with these obstacles. We are a healing community and your share will support others on their healing journey. So take a moment to drop us a line below.

Love,
Dr. Holly German

For more great health tips check out our friends at https://www.positivehealthwellness.com/

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Energizing Without Coffee

One of the most obvious symptoms of adrenal fatigue is just that.. fatigue. If you have been struggling with this condition, then the thought of finding energy with stimulants like coffee might seem far fetched. For me, coffee was a crutch I leaned on for years.

I won't lie, I consider myself a coffee lover at the core of my being. However,  when I was struggling with adrenal fatigue and hormonal imbalance, my relationship with coffee NEEDED to change. Making an adjustment to my relationship with this adrenal depleting stimulant was an integral part of my recovery.

And just as coffee is a habit, I started creating some new morning habits that ignited energy  from within.  I used the tips below to support my body (and my recovery) while I made the transition.

Key Tips for Energizing Without Coffee

1.Nix the "I'm tired" mentality.

The more you tell yourself, "I'm exhausted", and "I NEED a coffee right now",  the more it becomes true. Instead of focusing on how tired you are, start affirming "I'm full of vibrant energy", "I am healthy and energized". Say affirmations like this to yourself (with heart!) 5 times and I know you'll feel a shift. It might seem silly, but this is powerful!

2. Use food as fuel.

Food actually is fuel, but sometimes we don't really see it that way. When you eat the right foods, in the right amounts- it should actually energize you, not make you tired. Having a healthy, protein-rich breakfast and keeping healthy snacks on hand to help control your blood sugar throughout the day is one of the best ways to use foods to fuel good energy throughout the day. Click here to learn more about how to eat to beat fatigue!

3. Drink adaptogenic herbal tea.

These will actually energize your body, while providing great nutrition for you and your adrenals. Some of my favourite adaptogenic teas include Tulsi or Holy Basil, Ashwagandha, Rhodiola, Reishi Mushroom, Lemon Balm, Ginseng, Nettle and Schisandra Berries.

4. Find comfort in coffee-like alternatives. 

When switching from coffee, I found that even though the adaptogenic teas I was drinking were lovely, they weren't quite filling the dark and creamy void of coffee. I found that roasted dandelion root tea, matcha or chai rooibos tea were really nice alternatives. I'd often froth up some coconut milk and enjoy these tea's latte style, this helped a lot!

5. Stay hydrated! 

Dehydration is a pretty exhausting state for the body to be in; staying hydrated can actually help your raise your energy levels. Make sure to drink at least half your body weight in ounces of water daily, and remember to sip slowly (instead of chugging) so you can maximize nutrient absorption.

Check out our Co-Founder Angela, discussing more tips and tricks on how to get energized without coffee!