Home Remedies and Herbs for Adrenal Gland Disorders

Adrenal gland disorders interfere with the normal function of your adrenal glands, which are small glands located on top of each kidney. Your adrenal glands produce crucial hormones including cortisol.¹

Cortisol is the primary hormone that’s responsible for the stress response, a survival mechanism commonly known as “fight-or-flight”. Having the right amount of cortisol in your body is necessary for healthy survival.^2,3

Adrenal gland disorders cause your adrenal glands to make either too much hormones or not enough, depending on the disorder. For example, those with Addison’s disease produce too little cortisol, while those with Cushing’s syndrome produce too much.¹

What Causes Adrenal Gland Disorders?

There are several different types of adrenal gland disorders, each with their own adrenal gland disorder causes. Adrenal gland disorders causes can include:

• Genetic mutations
• Infections
• Problems in other glands
• Some medications
• Tumors

Scientists still don’t know what causes the tumors associated with adrenal gland disorders. Tumors on adrenal glands usually aren’t cancerous, but they might still cause excess levels of cortisol and other hormones.^4,5,

Adrenal Gland Disorders Symptoms

Adrenal gland disorder symptoms depend on whether the disorder produces too much or too little hormones. When the disorder produces too many hormones, as with Cushing’s syndrome, adrenal gland disorder symptoms can include:

• High blood pressure
• High blood sugar
• Skin problems like acne
• Muscle and bone weakness
• Irritability and depression

When disorders produce too little hormones, as with Addison’s Disease, adrenal gland disorder symptoms can include:

• Weight loss
• Weakness and fatigue
• Nausea/vomiting
• Low blood pressure
• Dizziness when standing up
• Salt cravings
• Depression

Natural Remedies and Herbs for Adrenal Gland Disorders

Adrenal gland disorder natural remedies can help to alleviate certain symptoms. Here are some adrenal gland disorder natural remedies to try at home:

• Licorice Root - Licorice root is commonly used as a natural remedy for adrenal fatigue.
• Maca: Maca is an adaptogen herb that has positive effects on adrenal functions. Maca can help to balance out adrenal activity in those suffering from adrenal gland disorders.
• Fish Oil - Fish oils are a natural anti-inflammatory that can help lower adrenal inflammation associated with adrenal gland disorders. 
• Cordyceps - Cordyceps are one the top adrenal gland disorder natural remedies. Cordyceps are traditionally used as an adrenal tonic to help balance adrenal gland activity.
• Eleuthero - Eleuthero has positive effects on adrenal glands by lowering stress levels and reducing cortisol production.
• Vitamin B5 - Vitamin B5 supplements can help to regulate cortisol levels in those suffering from adrenal gland disorders.

References

1. https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/adrenalglanddisorders.html
2. http://dujs.dartmouth.edu/2011/02/the-physiology-of-stress-cortisol-and-the-hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal-axis/#.Vr5NLyArKVM
3. http://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/understanding-the-stress-response
4. https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/adrenalgland/conditioninfo/Pages/types.aspx
5. https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/adrenalgland/conditioninfo/Pages/symptoms.aspx