Download Adrenal Fatigue…

Adrenal Fatigue…. What the heck is it and could I possibly
have it?
Posted on July 12, 2013 by Beth Salwaechter
Okay folks, have you noticed any of the following signs and symptoms of adrenal fatigue? If
you live in the modern world I sure bet you have.

















Insomnia/poor quality of sleep
Difficulty getting up in the morning
Craving for salt or salty foods
Continuing fatigue not relieved by sleep, aka lack of energy
Eyes sensitive to sunlight due to low aldosterone (sodium and potassium imbalance)
Decreased immune response – Think reoccurring sinus and respiratory infections
Increased time to recover from illness, injury or trauma
Vertical ridges on finger nails
Unexplained hair loss
Increased PMS or increased difficulty with menopause
Decreased libido
Infertility
Lower back pain, especially in the morning – caused by too much cortisol production
Arthritic pain and/or muscle and joint pain
Mild depression
Tendency towards increased fears, anxiety, depression, confusion – difficulty
concentrating
Decreased ability to handle stress – including sounds, noises, even aromas
If you are like me, you may be stressed out from time to time. This is a reality of our everyday
life. We run around doing too many things, agree to too many commitments, all the while our
brain is going through our never ending list of things to do at home, at work, etc (okay, maybe
that is just us women). We all suffer from some amount of raised blood pressure throughout the
day. But this stress, our dietary choices and lifestyle habits can severely burn out your body –
more specifically our adrenals. I have experienced this first hand.. I was tired, agitated, had
hormone imbalances and well, was burnt out.
We are not supposed to feel this way, this ain’t normal folks! Your adrenal glands are there to
help your body cope with stress and survive. I bet when you look back over shoulder, there is
no lion chasing you down for dinner. So then why all the prolonged chronic stress?
So, what is adrenal fatigue? It is not a standard medical diagnosis. It is a collection of signs
and symptoms known as a syndrome that is often dismissed by allopathic doctors. The closest
diagnosis is “Adrenal Insufficiency” which is of much greater pathology and less common.
I am here to tell you, “Adrenal Fatigue” is a real and common phenomenon and with each
reduction in adrenal function every organ and system in your body is more profoundly affected.
Changes occur in your carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism, fluid and electrolyte balance,
heart and cardiovascular system and even sex drive.
What causes all this prolonged chronic stress? Well life…. But let’s take a look at some of
these stressors.. And by stressors I mean anything real or perceived as a stress.













Cumulative Stress – work, financial, home
Sleep Deprivation
Death of a loved one or divorce
Chronic Pain and illness
Illness/infection – acute and chronic
Attachment to emotional responses to events
Intense physical exertion
Environmental toxins
Poor Diet
Fear/anxiety
Prescription and non-prescription drugs
Women – Low progesterone due to perimenopause, menopause, or a hysterectomy
There are also diseases of the adrenal glands that cause problems; Addison’s Disease,
Cushing’s Disease and Schmidt’s Disease. These are not common.
“All stresses are additive and cumulative. The number of stresses, whether or not you
recognize them as stresses, the intensity of each stress and the frequency with which it occurs,
plus the length of time it is present, all combine to form your total stress load. ~ “James L.
Wilson, N.D., D.C., Ph.D.
Just What are Adrenal Glands and what do they do for me?
Now that I have talked about signs and symptoms and the causes for adrenal fatigue, you
probably would like to know what your adrenal glands are and what they do that is so important.
You have two adrenal glands, one on top of each kidney. They are about the size of walnuts.
Your adrenal glands work interactively with the hypothalamus and pituitary gland to ensure we
can remove ourselves from danger and keep our bodies in homeostasis. Remember that word,
homeostasis, it is important.
There are two parts to the adrenal glands: the cortex and the medulla.
The cortex is the outer portion of the adrenal gland. It produces DHEA, small amounts of
testosterone and estrogen, Cortisol and electrolytes called Aldosterone. The medulla is the
inner portion of the glands and it produces the building blocks for the reproductive system to
create male and female hormones. The medulla also secretes epinephrine and norepinephrine
which controls the Sympathetic Nervous System.
When you are under chronic stress, the level of cortisol increases thus….







Increasing glucose levels
Fat redistributes from thigh/buttocks to abdomen & lower neck
Insulin resistance, fluid retention, high blood pressure
Decline in musculoskeletal quality and function
Thyroid function decreased
Reproductive hormones disrupted
Persistent stress reduces growth of probiotic bacteria (good bacteria)
As adrenal fatigue worsens it lays the foundation for other seemingly unrelated conditions such
as frequent respiratory infections, allergies, rhinitis, asthma, frequent colds and a number of
other health problems such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, hypoglycemia, adult
onset diabetes, and auto-immune disorders.
In summary, adrenal fatigue is a real syndrome in our modern world. We are constantly put
under pressure by ourselves and things beyond our control. This is cumulative and can wear us
down over time. Everyone has stress, but when it is chronic, our adrenal glands take a huge hit.
To meet the demands of cortisol production, our bodies take what they need to stay alive; it is
primal survival. So, male and female hormones start to diminish, as well as their precursors,
progesterone and Pregnenolone. With adrenal fatigue, the sex hormone level often falls
because your adrenal glands are not able to manufacture adequate levels of hormones. One
function that sex hormones serve is to act as antioxidants that help prevent the oxidative
damage caused by cortisol. The lower the sex hormones, the more damage to the tissues,
which causes rapid aging. Thus, you are no longer in homeostasis. There’s that word again. I
told you it was important.
As far as taking what they need to make cortisol, the adrenal glands, when fatigued, will cause
you not to lay down mineral deposits correctly because they are using them to make cortisol (ah
yeah, think your hair, it is not needed for survival, thus the thinning hair). And those reoccurring
infections that linger… well, your adrenals are burning through any vitamin C you make intake.
Testing for Adrenal Fatigue
Your adrenal glands are each no bigger than a walnut and weigh less than a grape, and they
are responsible for one of the most important functions in your body ~ managing your stress on
a day-to-day, hour-by-hour basis!
When your adrenal glands are overtaxed, a condition known as adrenal fatigue or adrenal
exhaustion sets in, which in turn can set a cascade of disease processes into motion. When
your adrenal glands are secreting excess cortisol, you are increasing your acidity in your body,
causing more inflammation… thus creating more cortisol to deal with the inflammation… This is
a vicious circle!
It’s estimated that up to 80 percent of adults experience adrenal fatigue during their lifetime, yet
it remains one of the most under-diagnosed illnesses in the United States.
Paraphrased from Dr. Mercola’s article below…….”We are now seeing increasing numbers of
“tweens,” teens, and young adults with adrenal fatigue. In one recent month, at least a dozen
women in their early 20s had levels of sex hormones that were almost identical to women in
their 80s and 90s! Women tend to be hit harder with adrenal fatigue than men… and why…
well… The adrenal glands contribute about 35% female hormones premenopausal and almost
50% postmenopausal. Without proper functioning adrenal glands, pregnancy cannot occur.
Women often have exhausted adrenal glands by the time they reach their mid-30s or early 40s
due to a stressful lifestyle. For example, cortisol blocks progesterone receptors making them
less responsive to progesterone. Progesterone, which is normally produced by the adrenal
glands, comes to a halt in favor of cortisol production. Low progesterone production leads to an
imbalance of estrogen to progesterone. With reduced progesterone to offset estrogen, the body
may experience estrogen dominance. It is not a coincidental finding that we see multiple
conditions associated with excessive estrogen such as ~PMS, fibroids, and premenstrual
syndrome in women in their mid-30s and early 40s. The adrenals need to be addressed and
treated properly. Most postmenopausal women who are experiencing hair loss have an adrenal
function problem.” http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/07/14/adrenaltesting.aspx
Clinical testing involves either blood, hair, or saliva testing. The best way to do this is to have
your blood or saliva collected through-out the day so you can get a good picture of your cortisol
levels throughout the day. This will show the circadian rhythm of cortisol levels.
**Dr. James Wilson
Cortisol is the highest in the morning and the lowest in the evening before bedtime. Taking four
samples of cortisol between 6 to 8 a.m., 11 a.m. – 12 p.m., 4 to 6 p.m., and then between 10
p.m. – midnight is the most accurate way to test saliva for cortisol levels.
Clinical Tests
Blood tests – fasting cortisol, DHEA, Pregnenolone
Blood hormone tests measure the hormones circulating outside the cells; not how much of a
particular hormone is getting into the cells. These tests will not show specific organ
dysfunction, which is why these tests help in the big picture, but saliva testing is the better.
None of the standard laboratory tests typically used by most doctors are designed to detect
adrenal fatigue in its varying degrees of severity. Blood serum tests for estrogen, progesterone
and other hormones does not tell the free amount present which is what is important.
Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis
Hair analysis will reflect a 3 to 4 month trend. This test is good to see the sodium/potassium
ratio. This is a primary indicator of adrenal function. The lower the sodium to potassium ratio,
the more trending towards adrenal hypofunction, aka adrenal fatigue However, this test does
not reliably detect heavy metal toxicity and can be misleading with most trace minerals. This
takes us to Saliva Hormone testing.
Saliva Hormone Testing
Saliva hormone levels are more indicative of the amount of hormone inside the cells where
hormone reactions take place. Saliva tests are noninvasive (No Needles) and you do not even
have to go to the laboratory for this. You can do this in your own home and send your samples
in to be tested. Doctors can ask for these tests, but there are some companies that do not
require a doctor’s signature to perform them. The problem with that is you need to be able to
interpret the results, if you are not working with your doctor or naturopath.
Testosterone and DHEA-S levels are two of the most reliable indicators of biological age. When
testosterone and DHEA-S levels fall below the reference range for a person’s age, you have an
indication of increased aging. Mix this combination with decreased cortisol and the picture is
that of adrenal fatigue.


Adrenal stress index measuring cortisol – 4 to 6 samples over a 24 hour periodMeasure
DHEA-S levels. The DHEA-S level is a director indicator of the functioning of the area
within the adrenal glands that produce sex hormones. The adrenals are the primary
source of DHEA-S (not necessarily DHEA).
Saliva test for testosterone, estrogens, and progesterone can also be performed.
Note: If you are using trans-dermal hormone replacement, neither blood or saliva test results
are accurate indicators of your tissue levels of those hormones. Your symptoms will be a better
indicator.
Simple at home tests to see if you could be suffering from Adrenal Fatigue
Iris Contraction
Equipment required: chair, small flashlight, mirror, a watch (with a second hand), and a dark
room.
In a darkened room, sit in a chair in front of a mirror. Holding the flashlight at the side of your
head, shine it across one eye (not into the eye). Watch what happens in the mirror.
You should see your pupil contract immediately after the light hits the eye. The pupil will
normally stay contracted, but if you have adrenal fatigue, the pupil won’t be able to hold its
contraction and will dilate. This dilation will take place within 2 minutes and last for about 30-45
seconds before it contracts again. Time how long the dilation lasts and record it along with the
date. Retest monthly as it serves as an indicator of recovery.
Low Blood Pressure and Postural Low Blood Pressure
If your blood pressure drops when you stand up from a lying position, this almost always
indicates low adrenals. This can be measured with a blood pressure gauge (a
sphygmomanometer), which you can buy at a drug store. Make sure to purchase the type that
doesn’t require a stethoscope to take your blood pressure.
Make sure to do this test when you are well hydrated or it could give you a false positive. Lie
down quietly for about 10 minutes, then take your blood pressure (while still lying down). Then
stand up and measure your blood pressure immediately upon standing. Normally blood
pressure will rise 10-20mmHg from standing up. If your blood pressure drops, you likely have
adrenal fatigue. The more severe the drop, the more severe the adrenal fatigue.
Sergent’s White Line -This is only present in about 40% of people with Adrenal Fatigue, but if
the test is positive, it’s a “slam dunk” confirmation.
With a ballpoint pen, take the cap end of the pen and lightly stroke the skin on your abdomen,
making a mark about 6″ long. Within a few seconds, a line should appear. In a normal reaction,
the mark is initially white, but reddens within a few seconds. If you have Adrenal Fatigue, the
line will stay white for about 2 minutes and will also widen.
Testing Resources
There are quite a few companies out there that do saliva testing. I have listed a few. If you
work with your doctor or naturopath, they may have one they use.
http://www.zrtlab.com
http://www.labrix.com/SalivaryHormoneTesting
http://myhormones.com/salive-test-kit/
Resources:





http://kalishresearch.com/patients/index.html
http://healthylifedoctors.com/custom_content/c_94958_laboratory_testing_for_adrenal_f
atigue.html
http://www.projecteve.com
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/07/14/adrenal-testing.aspx
Wilson, N.D., D.C., Ph.D., James L. (2001) Adrenal Fatigue, The 21st Century Stress
Syndrome. Petaluma, CA: Smart Publications.
Dietary needs for Adrenal Fatigue



Avoid concentrated sugars, nicotine, alcohol, partially hydrogenated fats, artificial
sweeteners, deep fried foods and allergenic foods (dairy, grains, etc).
Hydrate the body. Hydrate with clean water, not from plastic. Coconut water is a good
source of electrolytes.
Improve your nutrition!
o Eat clean protein, good fats (think saturated fats – coconut oil, palm, butter,
refined avocado oil, olive oil, flax seed oil), grass-fed/finished meats, clean fruits
and veggies and high fiber carbohydrates.
o High fiber has been shown to stabilize blood sugar and possibly pose less stress
on the adrenals – but get this from good sources. This could be nuts, berries,
vegetables, quinoa; there are quite a few sources. You would be amazed at the
fiber in some vegetables.
o Eat lots of leafy greens and salads or try juicing your vegetables!
o Eat fried foods only occasionally (I mean really really occasionally!)
o Increase your Trace Minerals. Kelp and Dulse are great sources of minerals, salt
and iodine. Himalayan Sea Salt is also wonderful.
o Try Spirulina or Chorella. I get mine from www.sunfood.com. Mine are in tablet
form. I just remember to take some when I am walking through the kitchen
getting another glass of water. They are both superfoods. Spirulina is one of
nature’s most perfect, nutrient rich foods and there has never been a more
delicious way to get high quality nutrition into your body. Spirulina is a renowned
source of protein, chlorophyll, trace minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, and is also a
world-class immune system booster. Plus spirulina is known to protect against
and detoxify radioactive particles and can help balance your body’s pH
(alkalinity).
o Eat raw nuts and seeds – only a handful: filberts, cashews, almonds, Brazil,
Macadamia nuts, pecans, walnuts, chestnuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds
and flax seeds.
o Avoid the white: white sugar, white flour! Get your carbs from vegetables.
o Avoid stimulants such as caffeine (coffee, black tea, colas) and energy drinks.
o (I recommend following the nutritional advice and guidelines at
www.westonaprice.org - Terri)
The Digestion Connection
Cortisol and adrenaline are used to balance your blood sugar when it is low. As your blood
sugar drops due to skipped meals, delayed meals, or eating the wrong foods (processed,
refined grains and HFCS), your adrenals will be forced to produce even more cortisol and
adrenaline.
If the adrenals are exhausted and unable to produce enough cortisol or adrenaline, then your
blood sugar will continue to drop! This brings on the cravings, hypoglycemia, PMS, inability to
focus, ADD and weight gain.
When your digestive system is irritated and inflamed, your body’s natural response is to
eliminate the inflammation. Cortisol, produced by the adrenals, is generated to reduce
inflammation. So, the continual irritation in your digestive system causes your adrenal glands to
produce more cortisol. This is more work for the adrenal glands and contributes to the
overproduction of cortisol and adrenaline racing through your body.
This contributes to the vicious cycle, because elevated levels of cortisol begins to erode the
intestinal lining. This leaves you susceptible to hidden food allergies, yeast, fungus, and candida
overgrowth. These all contribute to digestive difficulties, which further inflames the intestines
and causes more work for the adrenal glands.
What did I do
I went paleo for 2 years. Yes, two years with no grains whatsoever, no dairy, no fried foods, no
sugar and no legumes. Most of my diet was equal portions of fat and protein with a lot of
veggies. This helped to create a better relationship with me and food. I learned what it took for
me to be satisfied and not hungry. Funny, when you eat enough good quality fat, protein and
veggies, you stay full and you do not crave really bad things, well, at least most of the time you
do not. This way of eating helped me in so many ways. I lost 80 pounds and started to actually
feel better. Now when I slack, I know it. I feel horrid.
Another good dietary plan is the GAPS diet. This is the Gut and Psychology Syndrome. What
you eat impacts you and this protocol intends to heal digestive disorders and psychological
issues subsequent to those.
Your gut is tied to your overall emotional, physical, mental and immune health.
Lifestyle Ah, how do we deal with the stress when we are already stressed out?




Reduce your exposure to petrochemicals and other toxins.
o Bisphenol A, Pthalates, parabens and other petrochemicals all disrupt the HPA
axis (that would be your Hypothalamus, Pituitary, Adrenals Axis). In plan
language, they are all endocrine disruptors. Remember the FDA thinks these
chemicals are safe in small amounts, but they are found in everything – air
fresheners, synthetic scents, cosmetics, soft plastics, new cars, nail polish,
adhesives.. So you think you are still getting these in small amounts?
o
Bisphenol A and Parabens have an affinity for a number of estrogen receptors…
they are Xenoestrogens that your body has no idea what to do with. So, your
body tries to process it in the liver and the liver shoves it into your fat cells to
protect you from the toxin.. Only to crank out more of these xenoestrogens. It’s a
vicious cycle that leads to the tire around the middle look, plus more inflammation
your body has to deal with, thus more cortisol it wants to secrete.
Detox and Cleanse to remove as much of these chemicals out of your body
o Hydrate with pure water
o Take your probiotics
o Boost Glutathione levels – Whey and colostrum from unpasteurized bovine milk
is an excellent booster. Organic walnuts, broccoli, asparagus, watermelon, garlic,
spinach, tomatoes, avocado, and turmeric all contain or create the needed
precursors for intracellular GSH creation.
o Even short term fasting helps
o The Master Cleanse diet or another type of cleanse may help as well.
o Detox Baths are fabulous! I strive to do this at least once a week.
Exercise – in moderation. Too much high intensity exercise causes more cortisol,
epinephrine and norepinhephrine to be produced. Walking, yoga, Tai Chi, low intensity
weight lifting, Pilate are great choices.
Get enough sleep!!!! Seriously, cannot stress this enough. Try to keep a solid sleep
schedule. Lack of sleep tears every system in your body down. You can actually



attribute weight gain, lack of liver function, lack of adrenal function, you name it to lack of
sleep. Work to be in bed before 10:30 pm. At 11 pm if you are still up you will get a
second wind, your adrenals will start producing cortisol and you will be up to 1 am after
that.
Stress reduction with meditation or some other form of stress reducing. Once again, you
can google and all kinds of things will come up!
Try stress reducing with Young Living Essential Oils: Stress Away, Tranquil Roll-On,
Peace and Calming, White Angelica, Joy, Geramnium and Ylang Ylang to name a few!
Take some time for yourself. Do not beat yourself up when one day you have enough
energy for 5 people and the next day you do not. Just take it a little slower. I have read
you should try to sleep when you want to sleep (yeah, I know, I can’t do that in the car
either…)
So far we have talked about what Adrenal Fatigue is, the symptoms and signs, the causes,
testing and dietary and lifestyle changes that can be made to improve the health of your
adrenals (and your health overall). Now… I am going to get into Young Living solutions: what
those solutions are and what worked for me. What works for one person, may not work for
another. Remember to give yourself 2-4 months on a protocol to see how you are doing and
then re-evaluate. Dr. LeAnne Deardeuff states it takes 3-4 months before you see a big change.
Personally, I made changes to my diet and started supplementing with other herbs and
tinctures. These things helped me get through some really rough times with my worn out
adrenals, but I just could not seem to really get over the hump. This is when my naturopath
brought up essential oils. At first she did not specify which brand, so I did my due diligence and
started researching. This led to me questioning my naturopath on why anyone would want to
use the store brands. I did not like some of the things I read about them. Let me remind you, I
did not know a thing about Young Living at the time. THEN, I stumbled upon someone’s blog
talking about Young Living Thieves essential oil blend. I read more about Young Living and
brought my research back to my naturopath. What she told me was “this is the brand she and
her fellow colleagues trust as therapeutic grade.” I first bought Endoflex due to my thyroid
issues. I loved it; I noticed a difference in my energy levels… I was sold – and that started my
love with Young Living. So… on to Young Living Solutions.
Supplementation
There are lots of supplements you could take for your fatigued adrenals, but I am going to
narrow this. No one wants to be overwhelmed to the point you do not feel like you can do this. I
warn you, there are still quite a few, but I have listed what I feel is the most important for your
adrenals.
Super B Feed your adrenals! Adrenal glands eat B vitamins like they are candy, especially when under
stress. Each of the eight B vitamins that make up vitamin B complex is essential in varying
quantities throughout the adrenal cascade, as well as in many other processes from mood to
DNA synthesis to energy production. Most B vitamins act as coenzymes, which means that they
help form enzymes to become catalysts in biochemical transformations throughout your body.
(AdrenalFatigue.org) This is best taken in-between meals. I take this in the morning to help with
energy levels right after I eat breakfast.
Super C – Vitamin C is utilized by the adrenal glands in the production of all of the adrenal
hormones, most notably cortisol. When you are faced with a stressful situation, your vitamin C is
rapidly used up in the production of cortisol and related stress-response hormones. In adrenal
fatigue, your adrenal glands “panic” when they don’t have enough vitamin C available, and, in
what seems like an odd paradox, they release MORE cortisol. This not only increases your
immediate anxiety, but as this state of high cortisol is prolonged, it wreaks havoc on your body.
Best taken in-between meals. I take this twice a day since we excrete out most of this watersoluble vitamin.
Mineral Essence – Here we are feeding our adrenals! They typically have a calming effect on
the body and are especially valuable if you are jittery, nervous, or easily frightened or upset.
Like most minerals, micro minerals and trace elements are absorbed and utilized better when
they are taken in the evening and/or with an acidic food or drink.
MegaCal – Magnesium acts like a spark plug for the adrenal glands and for the energy system
of every cell in the body. It is essential to the enzyme and energy generation necessary for the
adrenal hormone cascade that produces hormones like cortisol to deal with stress. Calcium acts
somewhat like a shock absorber for the body when a stressor hits. It helps trigger adrenal
hormone secretion, facilitate the transmission of messages throughout the nervous system,
calm sensory and motor nerves, activate enzymes that release stored energy in the muscles,
modulate muscle tone (including in the heart and blood vessels), control blood acid alkaline
balance, and regulate the flow of nutrients in and out of the cells. It is so important to survival
that the body takes calcium from the bones when circulating levels are too low. This is best
taken at bedtime.
OmegaGize – The adrenals need Omega 3 oils found in this supplement. OmegaGize also
contains Vitamin D, which helps with the absorption of calcium. Omega 3’s manage
inflammation and quiet the loop that feeds into higher cortisol production.
Progessence Plus – Progesterone is a needed hormone for women. It needs to be in balance
with estrogen. If you are stressed out all the time, your body will rob you of your progesterone to
make cortisol. If you are low in progesterone, adrenal fatigue will really take a toll on you. Best
taken at bedtime. Dr. Purser has stated than nearly 90% of women and teenage girls have low
levels of progesterone. A lot of this can be attributed to accidents; the kind where you fall and hit
your head, where you are in a car accident and have whiplash. Accidents like these can cause
damage to your pituitary gland. Your pituitary gland signals your body to send out signals to
make hormones. If knocked off its stem a little bit or if the head bones have been moved a little
bit so they do not align the way they are supposed to, then the pituitary gland may not function
correctly and hormones can be out of balance ~ thus low progesterone.
Cortistop for Women – Dr. LeAnne Deardeuff states to take this supplement at 5 AM to lower
cortisol. I take 2 of these at night during the high time for your adrenals, 9 to 11pm.
Remember, Cortisol is the hormone released in response to any kind of systemic stress. Its
primary functions are to increase blood sugar through gluconeogenesis; suppress the immune
system; and aid in fat, protein and carbohydrate metabolism. When you are not running for your
life or lifting a truck off of your child, high cortisol levels are damaging.
Thyromin – Thyromin supplement has bovine adrenal and pituitary extracts and four essential
oils that support the endocrine system, the thyroid and adrenals: Peppermint, Spearmint, Myrtle
and Myrrh essential oils. 3 before bed for Thyroid and 2 in the morning for adrenals.
Prostate Health
Young Living’s Prostate Health is uniquely formulated for men concerned with supporting the
male glandular system and maintaining healthy, normal prostate function. Prostate Health is an
essential oil supplement featuring powerful saw palmetto and pumpkin seed oil—ingredients
known for their support of a healthy prostate gland. A proprietary blend of pure geranium,
fennel, myrtle, lavender, and peppermint essential oils provides the body with key antiinflammatory components. These precision-delivery vegetable softgels quickly absorb into the
system, thereby supporting healthy inflammation response and normal urinary tract function. For
maximum benefit, Prostate Health should be taken consistently over time. This is another
supplement Dr. LeAnne Deardeuff recommends for men to balance their hormones.
Essential Oils for Adrenal Fatigue and Support
I love the supplements, really love the supplements, but the essential oils for adrenal fatigue are
amazing. So, let’s get started!
Nutmeg
Nutmeg can raise your energy level. According to Dr. LeAnn Deardeuff, nutmeg and clove both
have corticosteroid activity. They can support the adrenals and help them to heal.
If your adrenals are running low (or you happen to be very ill, stomach flu, sinus issues – you
can do this with any essential oil just about) you can use her Jump Start protocol to make
changes quickly: Take one drop of therapeutic grade essential oil in the cheek every 10 minutes
for an hour, then one drop every waking hour of the day. If you rub the inner cheek lining of the
mouth, it does not leave such a bitter or tangy taste as it would on the tongue and it absorbs
more readily. 2 drops over adrenals and/or under tongue 2 times daily. Nutmeg is best used at
the high time for adrenals 9 pm – 11 pm.
Clove
Works a lot like nutmeg; it has corticosteroid activity. Did you know the ORAC value of clove is
1,078,700 µTE/100g WOW!
Clove is best used at the high time for the adrenals, 9 pm – 11 pm. Dr. LeAnn Deardeuff states
that clove is best used on the adrenal points on the feet.
En-R-Gee
This Essential Oil blend is an uplifting blend of oils that enhances your energy level naturally.
Use it as natural adrenal support or in lieu of caffeine for an uplifting boost. It will also help
with mental alertness and concentration.
En-R-Gee contains Nutmeg, black pepper, rosemary and clove and these are natural energy
enhancers and support the adrenal glands.
This is by far my favorite oil to help with my adrenals. This helps with my energy in the morning,
especially when I really did not want to get out of bed to begin with!
Idaho Balsam Fir
Idaho Balsam Fir is great for anxiety, nervous tension and stress related conditions. It is
physically grounding and relaxing. I love the clean scent of this essential oil!
It may reduce cortisol levels per Dr. LeAnna Deardeuff. She recommends this for both men
and women. You apply this topically to your adrenal area on your back.
If you wake up in the morning and your adrenals ache, Dr. LeAnne Deardeuff states you cortisol
level is too high already! Grab that Idaho Balsam Fir and rub this on your adrenal points on your
back! You can also just put this in your mouth to get into your system even faster, or rub along
your spine.
I put this picture in so you can see where your adrenals
are located – they are on top of your kidneys. So put
your hands around your middle with your thumbs to the
front. Spread the rest of your fingers around your back.
Between your little finger and your ring finger is the area
where your adrenals rest on top of your kidneys.
Mister
Mister contains sage, myrtle, lavender, fennel, peppermint and blue yarrow.
For women, it helps to bring hormonal balance to the body and helps to alleviate hot flashes.
Mister is great for estrogen balance, female problems, hormonal system (male and female), hot
flashes, impotency, infertility (men and women), low libido, lymphatic system, menopause, and
menstrual problems ~ plus so much more.
Dr. LeAnn Deardeuff suggests to use on the inside of the ankles for both men and women, but
this a great essential oil for men with low adrenal function.
Goldenrod
Did you know that during the Boston Tea Party, goldenrod was dumped into the harbor? Yes,
the colonists drank the tea for good health and solitude; and nicknamed it “Liberty Tea”!
Goldenrod is anti-inflammatory, anti-hypertensive, diuretic, liver stimulant. This is all great to
help clean out excess cortisol. It supports the circulatory, urinary and liver functions in the body.
For men, low testosterone means low adrenal function. This is another essential oil to use on
the inside of the ankles for men with high cortisol levels. This is also hormone balancing for men
(as well as women. I just wanted to be able to provide some suggestions for men since it always
appears we are talking about Adrenal Fatigue and women).
Endoflex
Endoflex contains the essential oils geranium, spearmint, sage, myrtle, nutmeg, German
chamomile and sesame seed oil.
What are the Documented Uses for EndoFlex Essential Oil? Addison’s Disease, adrenal
glands, Candida, cellulite, cortisone like, depression, diabetes, diuretic, edema, endocrine
system, fibroids, Graves Disease, Hashimoto’s Disease, balance hormonal system, hot flashes,
kidneys, kidney muscles, Lupus, menopause, painful menstruation (dysmenorrheal), menstrual
cramps and PMS, night sweats, pancreas support, parathyroid, prostate and BPH, respiratory
system, Schmidt’s Syndrome, supports thyroid, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, urinary tract
infection and weight loss.
For men, EndoFlex and Mister Essential Oils are all natural prostate remedies. They all help
decongest and balance the hormones. But since everyone’s body chemistry is different, one
may work better than the other; or a combination of several may help.
This essential oil blend can be use neat (undiluted) – Apply several drops (2-4) to lower back,
thyroid, kidneys, adrenals, liver, and glandular areas.
Also, for hormonal balance apply several drops (2-4) to ankles, thyroid and adrenal areas 2-3
times per day. The Vitaflex points for reproductive glands are around the ankle.
The chart below shows you where the adrenal points and reproductive glands are on your feet.
Geranium
Geranium is good for fatty liver, circulatory problems, gallbladder, hormone balancing,
menstrual problems (PMS, cramps and minimizing heavy flow), digestion, and insomnia.
But for the Adrenal Glands ~ Dr. LeAnn suggests using a drop in every glass of water you
drink. Geranium is great to help your cells absorb water. With Adrenal Fatigue, your hormone
Aldosterone can be depleted so the Sodium/Potassium balance can be thrown out of whack.
Sclaressence
Sclaressence blend contains the essential oils clary sage, peppermint, fennel and sage.
SclarEssence is good for the hormonal system, both female and male, estrogen, hysterectomy,
impotency (female), low libido (female), menopause, sex stimulant, sterility, ovarian and uterine
cysts. Use this oil blend neat (undiluted) then, apply several drops (2-4) to the inside of the
ankles.
Clary Sage
Clary Sage is antioxidant, sedative, and nerve tonic. Did you know that Clary Sage distilled in
Utah contains 5-7% sclareol!
So what are the documented uses and benefits of Clary Sage as it relates to Adrenal Fatigue?
Menstrual problems and PMS, hormonal imbalance, pre-menopause, high cholesterol,
impotence, insomnia, circulatory problems, kidney disorders, hair loss.
Apply topically on bottom of feet, ankles and wrists.
My Protocol
You might be asking what really worked for me at this point, so I am going to tell you what
worked for me (or may really not care at this point). Now realize, this is a healing journey, and I
am still on it. I believe it takes a while for your adrenals to really heal, especially when you do
get stress piled on you on a day-to-day basis with little down time (yeah, that’s me).
Note – A very wise lady told me to use Copaiba. This oil helps support your body’s response to
injury or irritation. I agree. I drink this in my water all the time. It has the highest amount of beta
carophyllene of any essential oil. Per Wikipedia – Since the widespread plant natural product
beta-caryophyllene is an FDA approved food additive and ingested daily with food it is the first
dietary cannabinoid. So, I guess I see how it would help with injury and irritation (of all forms!).
Morning
Nutmeg inside of cheeks
En-R-Gee and Peppermint on my adrenals
Super B, True Source Vitamins, Super C.
I did use Thyromin in the morning, but now I am back to just using Endoflex on my adrenal
points and thyroid.
Orange essential oil – 8 drops on my stomach. Dr. Purser said this is a great pick-me-up in the
morning and is great to boost your antioxidant levels.
Afternoon
If I start to feel like I am dragging in the afternoon, I put on En-R-Gee and peppermint on my
adrenal points on my back. If it is really bad, I will use more nutmeg.
Bedtime
Progressence plus on my wrists
Clove on my adrenal points on the bottom of my feet
MegaCal – Before bedtime.
Mineral Essence – Before bedtime
OmegaGize or flax seed oil – Before bedtime
Clary Sage/Sclaressence on inside of my ankles (I just use one, not both. I use what I have on
hand). I know my estrogen is lower than it should be do to testing. It is not because of my
adrenals now, just getting older, so I intend to support those ovaries of mine – I am not going
down without a fight!
Cortistop,right before bed. You can use Cortistop for 8 weeks straight and then you need to take
2 to 4 weeks off.
*The information provided on this Blog is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a
substitute for professional medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. Always
seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you
may have regarding a medical condition. The information on this page has not been evaluated
by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Never disregard
medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the Blog.
Resources:
Wilson, N.D., D.C., Ph.D., James L. (2001) Adrenal Fatigue, The 21st Century Stress
Syndrome. Petaluma, CA: Smart Publications.
•Deardeuff, D.C., Dr. LeAnne and David. (2006) Inner Transformations Using Essential Oils.
Orem, UT: Life Science Publishing.
•Essential Oils Desk Reference Second Edition(2001) Essential Science Publishing.
•Deardeuff, D.C., LeAnne (2009) Ultimate Balance – Infusing the Vibrational Energy of Essential
Oils into Chakras, Meridians and Organs. Essential Science Publishing.
http://bethlovesoils.wordpress.com/