Tag: plantmedicine

Unraveling Adrenal Fatigue

The human body is a wonder of resilience. It has a threshold for abuse which offers us a realm to swing hammers, throw balls, labor children, process trauma, run, and even still, recover from illness and injury. Paired with it’s uncanny tolerance, is the body’s unending grace.

Understanding Your Engine

Your adrenal glands are essential staffers of the larger endocrine system. These baby carrot sized glands sit just atop your kidneys. They regulate the production of more than fifty hormones like cortisol, epinephrine and neoepinephrine. It is this hormone regulation which is crucial in many other daily functions.

Like any other ecosystem, the human body relies on balance and symbiosis to keep things running as they should. Too much cortisol or too little testosterone; these things matter. The adrenal glands work in a close partnership with the Hypothalamus and the Pituitary gland to form the HPA-axis.

Watch Your Mileage

This emergency response system is called the fight or flight response, and it is entirely useful in surviving a threat. Many people have developed patterns and habits that expose them to constant stress. In a situation where the perception of being under threat is a common occurrence, the adrenal glands can become overworked. This is referred to as Adrenal Fatigue.

Adrenal Fatigue is the unintended consequence of your body essentially crying wolf too often. The stress you face may certainly be real; but the necessary response to daily annoyance need not be the equivalent of needing to outrun a hungry lion. When we don’t take time to monitor our stress levels and make careful measured responses to the reality in front of us, we allow our adrenals to sound the alarm bell unnecessarily. The frequent use of this emergency system reduces its effectiveness while simultaneously flooding the body with too many hormones. Each of these hormones has to be processed once released. That means your liver and kidneys and digestive track all have to work overtime to metabolise the surplus. As you might imagine, this can cause other issues in a domino effect.

Get a Regular Tune-up

Before you allow reading about stress hormones to elevate yours, let us offer some reassurance. Most people experience some form of Adrenal Fatigue in their life. It is a condition to be aware of; as it can cause real disruption in your health. Most importantly, it is completely reverseable. By paying attention to the patterns of thought that can work your mind into a stressful frenzy, you can fine tune your own stress response system. We talk at length about ways to mitigate daily stress in our recent entry Let’s Address Your Stress.

Our formula is simple. Tend to your thoughts and emotional needs, move your body and hydrate and nourish yourself. We offer several herbal options to help you deal with various types of stress here. We also have an incredible proprietary formula of herbs known to help nurture the adrenal system specifically. Roots to Remedie’s Adrenal Herbal formula offers support for optimal adrenal gland health and promotes a more balanced physical and emotional stress response. It can help optimize energy levels while promoting a healthy mood and healthy response to stress and contains high quality herbs including: * Ashwagandha Root helps regulate your body’s stress hormone, cortisol, which can make you feel more calm and potentially soothe adrenal fatigue. It can also help modulate cellular sensitivity to stress hormones, thereby encouraging a healthier response to stress overall. * Rhodiola is an adrenal adaptogen which supports the functioning of the adrenal glands and encourages a healthy response to stress. It can support the body’s natural resistance and help with adrenal fatigue. * Eleuthero Root for improved concentration, reduced stress and fatigue, and enhanced overall immunity.

In every wonder of creation is a pattern which points out other wonders. It is a rule of replication or law of attraction. In Finding Family Unity we discussed how every necessary cellular aspect of a mighty oak tree is contained in the tiny seed from which it begins. A single brain cell is a near exact miniature of the entire universe. You get to actively participate in the patterns you create for your health. It is your input or withholding that will determine how high the cost will be for your body to absorb on your behalf. Your body is your own sacrificial lamb which you may choose to treat with reciprocal kindness and appreciation.

Value Your Vessel 💚 – Roots to Remedies

The Well Planned Home Apothecary

When a fever strikes, it never phones ahead for a reservation.  A concussion doesn’t check the calendar for convenience.  Midwives and Doulas can attest that babies born without induction, do so on their own schedule and are oblivious to the existence of a due date.  When illness makes a visit, most are unprepared.  We start scrambling to make it go away immediately, but with no real confidence or direction. Whether it is you or your child who needs healing, in the moment of distress is a challenging time to make decisions. 

Why Knowing Now Matters

Natural wellness has a large population of fair weather fans.  As long as we feel great, why not root for it.  If a fever or rash or sudden bout of anxiety shows up, it takes someone confident in both the human immune system and the cooperative power of nature to stay to course.  We always encourage individual research to find your own path and the right answers for you. 

By investing the time in educating yourself in the ways of sustainable wellness and natural remedies; you will gain the confidence to apply that information when someone is sick and the environment is stressed.  Being prepared removes much of the pressure when the time arrives to take action.  

Our Ideal Home Apothecary (Click on herb title for a list of products that contain the herbs)

#1 – Goldenrod

Goldenrod is an herbal Goliath.  It functions like a broad spectrum antibiotic, without the drawback of changing microbial dna to form superbugs. It has shown especially useful in afflictions of the kidneys,  bladder and urinary tract.  Also unlike synthetic antibiotics, Goldenrod won’t negatively affect your gut microbiome.  This allows your immune system to be nurtured and supported to gain the advantage over intruders.  This incredible herb, mislabeled an intrusive weed, also has effective cancer killing properties.

#2 – Vitamin C

        Just about everyone knows to reach for some vitamin C when you feel a sniffle coming on.  It is time tested advice.  Vitamin C boosts the immune system, shortens the severity and duration of colds, improves cataracts, helps wounds heal, is great for skin, hair and nails, is a cancer fighting antioxidant, increases bone density and reduces your risk for stroke.

#3 – Elderberry

        Elderberries are a powerful immune system booster. They are proven to ease colds and the flu, speed recovery, and fight infections. This is because they not only give a jolt to the immune system but also balance and support its regulation. 

#4 – Dandelion

        Dandelion leaf and root are both powerful parts of this common “weed.” The leaf can be used in bitters, while the root is a hepatic herb for detoxifying. They purify the body and liver by flushing out toxins and excess water. Dandelion  can improve bone health and promote weight loss. It also has diuretic and laxative properties. Additionally, studies have shown it lowers cholesterol, reduces inflammation, fights anemia, prevents liver damage, and lowers oxidative stress. Others even suggest that it could

lower blood sugar levels, fight cancer, and even treat jaundice.

#5 – Skullcap

        One of my personal favorite herbs!  This beauty has anti inflammatory and antioxidant abilities.  It calms anxiety and an overstimulated nervous system.  Skullcap is helpful in reducing fever, as a sleep aid and hormone balancing measure.  It can also reduce heart disease and even treat epilepsy and muscle spasms. 

#6 – Chamomile 

        Chamomile is a calming herb for many different ailments. It is antispasmodic, helping to prevent and ease spasms in the stomach and body. It fits into most of the essential medicinal categories: digestive health, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and sedative. This little flower does it all. 

#7 – Peppermint

        Who doesn’t love the smell and taste of peppermint?  It isn’t just pleasant to the senses.  Peppermint boasts an array of benefits including: relaxes the digestive system and improves stomach discomfort, eases headaches, opens sinus and lung passageways, is a powerful antimicrobial, reduces depression and improves mood, is effective against parasites and is amazing for oral hygiene and health.         

#8 – Aloe Vera

        Aloe Vera is both adaptogenic and a superfood.  This means it is nutrient dense, boasting a host of vitamins and minerals and has the ability to adapt to our particular cellular needs.  This amazing plant enhances immunity, normalizes digestion, soothes and heals skin disorders and improves heart health.  Aloe is also antimicrobial, antifungal and can slow the aging process.

#9 – Medicinal Mushrooms

        The properties contained in these wonders of nature are formidable and vast.  So much so, we dedicated an entire entry to them here. Some balance hormones, most are adaptogenic, many are effective in cancer treatments. We love mushrooms for wellness and feel you will too!

#10 – Ginger

          For over 2000 years, Chinese medicine has recommended the use of ginger to help cure and prevent several health problems including; morning sickness and nausea, respiratory issues, cold and flu, colon and ovarian cancer, pain and inflammation and swelling. It is known to strengthen immunity, promote energy circulation in the body and increase our body’s metabolic rate. 

#11 – Nettle

          Another adaptogen, Stinging Nettle is also categorized as being anti-tumor, anti-spasmodic, astringent, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, hemostatic, hypotensive (calming), nutritive, kidney/ and adrenal restorative.  Used in natural medicine, Nettle has been observed to improve allergies, hemorrhoids, arthritis, asthma, blood deficiency, eczema, fatigue, hypothyroidism, menstrual cramps, sluggish metabolism, urinary tract infections, as well as strengthen hair, teeth and bones.

#12 – Cinnamon

          The aroma of cinnamon is identifiable the world over.   In every country, cinnamon is used for flavor and for health.  Cinnamon is a warming spice which fends off high blood sugar and lowers blood pressure. It has broad spectrum antimicrobial activity, making it an excellent ingredient in dental care.  It fights infections and viruses, while also tempering inflammation.  Cinnamon is believed to improve mental function and is a strong antioxidant. 

Making Empowered Choices

This is a solid place to start.  Having these items on hand makes implementing them much more likely when they are needed most.  No worried partner or parent wants to venture out in the middle of the night to a 24 hour drugstore in search of comfort.  Create your place of comfort ahead of time so when you or they are sick, the focus can be on the patient’s recovery, rather than what needs to be gathered to even collect your thoughts.  Preparedness breeds confidence.

Be Bold 💚 – Roots to Remedies

Garbage In, Garbage Out

If you have ever experienced an upset tummy after receiving bad news or a headache after a frustrating day at work, you know the correlation between how you feel physically and emotionally.  Nervousness, insomnia, and anxiety can be significant signals your body has become overloaded with the fallout negative feelings cause, and it’s time to consider a detox.

Most natural-minded people have a fairly good understanding of the harmful effects environmental toxins have on the body.  Chemicals and heavy metals are pretty widely accepted as being adverse to human health.  The amazing thing is, we’ve all been outfitted with an incredible filtration system. 

Most people don’t realize that when your body is processing excess hormones it adds a huge additional burden to your personal purification engine.  When you worry, for instance, your endocrine system excretes cortisol.  This hormone is useful in a true fight or flight scenario, but repeated dosages are difficult on the liver and kidneys.  When these organs become sluggish from the additional cortisol (or estrogen or testosterone), it becomes harder for them to efficiently do their job. This, in turn, causes an imbalance in your gut flora. When your microbiome is out of sync, parasites and yeast flourish.

One of the best ways to bring your emotional and physical health into attunement is through cleansing or detoxing.  First, do what you can to tidy up your thoughts. If a news story makes you feel tense, turn it off.  If a particular person grates on your nerves, avoid them until you feel better.  Make time to pray and meditate and go for a walk daily.  Give your attention to the uplifting and the positive.  Next, hydrate hydrate hydrate.  There is just too much research on this so I’ll spare you the sermon. 

Finally, support your amazing body and the organs that do so much for you! You can show some love to an overworked system with high-quality herbs and improved nutrition. The great thing about using nature’s cupboard for detoxification that it can be a continuous process, as it was always designed to be. Our ancestors knew this and incorporated bitter vegetables and herbs in their diets. In the modern era of drive-thrus, frozen breakfasts, and boxed dinners, most people aren’t even aware that dandelions are edible. This shift in basic nutrition has caused us to miss out on the continuous dosing of these herbs/foods and their vital benefits.

Look, nobody likes cleaning the house, but everyone loves the comfort of one. Detoxing doesn’t have to be daunting. If you’re imagining restrictive diets of spicy lemon water or handfuls of synthetic pills, come to the light. What your body craves are plants that support your own onboard automated cleaning crew.

Be sure to check out our own amazing line of detox products here.

Be Well, Roots to Remedies