He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herbs for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth…Psalm 104:14

Hello folks! Well, we’ve almost made it through February—now we can look forward to spring. Hopefully, what I’m writing about today will help some of you be able to better enjoy springtime when it comes. I wish to write this time about adrenal health and those who suffer from adrenal fatigue or exhaustion. For the last year or even longer, I have unknowingly had this problem, but thanks to some health care providers (mainly integrative medicine and alternative methods) I am on the mend. The following information comes from a book written by Suzy Cohen — “The 24-hour Pharmacist. Honest Advice and Amazing Cures from America’s Most Trusted Pharmicist.”

Our Amazing Adrenals—one of these glands sits on top of each kidney, each one weighing less than a grape. Adrenal glands use vitamins, enzymes, and cholesterol to create about a dozen hormones that rejuvenate and energize our bodies, including cortisol (a stress hormone); DHEA (which makes sex hormones and balances cortisol); estrogen, progesterone and testosterone (the sex hormones); and, of course adrenaline, aka epinephrine (which gives us that burst of energy to overcome challenges and cope with stress). In fact, during extreme stress, the adrenals help us “power up” in the famous “fight or flight” reaction that sharpens our senses, increases our heart rate, and slows our digestion.

After months or years of burning the candle at both ends, the body simply runs out of ways to respond to daily stressors. This is what many of us know as “burnout.” During this final stage of adrenal fatigue, an individual can suffer from extreme tiredness, lack of libido, irritability, depression, anxiety, weight loss and apathy. Recovering from adrenal exhaustion can require significant time and patience, but dietary and lifestyle changes can set you on a path of recovery.

This next statement is from me (Alice) who found myself in “burnout.” I could not understand why I held so much fluid and felt exhausted much of the time. I visited Nature’s Essentials located in Danville, and was tested and found out my adrenals were exhausted. I then went to my integrative medical doctor in Lynchburg, and after testing was told the same thing. Since I am a chiropractic patient with Dr. Matthew Schrier in Keysville, I also know that his son Daniel understands Chinese Herbal Medicine. I decided to let him be one of the people to help me with this problem. I began taking a natural thyroid supplement (not synthetic) and added to that rhodiola, selenium, a good B-Complex manufactured by Life Extension, and Chinese Herbal Tea that nourishes the adrenal glands. I am feeling much better. I’d like to write more about this next month. I hope this helps someone out there. Until next time.

Alice Russell, also known as “Me Me,” resides in the Randolph/Saxe area. She can be reached at letstalkherbs@gmail.com.