How to support for your energy levels and stress management with herbal medicine

Adaptogenic herbal medicine works by supporting your adrenals.  The adrenals step up to support many body functions when we are tired, stress and under nourished.   This is what our adrenal glands are designed to do, but in our busy world, we often rely to heavily on this function.  After a while, without adequate rest, sleep, enjoyment and nutrition, our adrenals cannot continue to support us.  

Known as adaptogens, these herbs provide our adrenals with the increased ability to support energy levels and help you manage stress.   Many people need this support to get through a difficult period, or give them the energy needed to make the necessary changes to their diet and lifestyle for long term improves to their health and wellbeing.

While these herbs have been used traditionally for hundreds of years, research now explains their role in modulating the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis to support our stress response.  Also each herbs has many active constitutes with specific roles, for example Withania helps our bodies reduce cortisol levels and improves thyroid function. 

In our herbal dispensary at Elemental health we have a range of adaptogenic herbs.  We may blend 3 or 4 of these herbs into a personalised blend to support specific indications.    

1.     Schisandra

2.     Withania

3.     Astragalus

4.     Bacopa

5.     Rehmannia 

Schisandra – Schisandra chinensis

This popular Chinese herbs is described in Traditional Chinese Medicine as “having the ability to increase resistance of physical and emotional stress and promote allostasis”.  It works on the HPA axis, liver and digestive system.  There is extensive research being conducted for its neuroprotective abilities.   

I use this herbs for women with hormonal imbalance and brain fog related to a sluggish liver, adult acne, men with low energy and low libido, weight management and insulin dysregulation.  

Ashawgandha - Withania somnifera

This ayurvedic herb, often referred to as a rejuvenator, has been used traditionally in Indian “to promote physical and mental health and improve vitality and longevity”.   

I love this herbs for anyone with low energy, low mood, insomnia, mild anxiety, and brain fog associated with chronic stress, high cortisol, low iron and hypothyroid disorders.  

Withania also have valuable application in male fertility with research supporting its anti-oxidant role enhancing sperm quality. 

Astragalus - Astragalus membranaceus

Astragalus is been used in traditional Chinese medicine to support spleen function, liver health and cardiovascular health.  It modulates both the cellular and humoral immune responses.

When a client is experiencing recuring infections, poor immune function and chronic fatigue, this is herb that comes to mind.   

Brahmi - Bacopa monniera

Another Ayurvedic herbal medicine used traditionally to “profoundly enhance mental and cognitive processes when experiencing stressful conditions and general performance”.   

Bacopa is indicated for anyone with nervous exhaustion, forgetfulness, trouble focusing and staying on task, low mood, and mild anxiety.  It has many mechanism of action but one is modulating the neurotransmitter dopamine, which plays a role in mood, energy and cognition.   It is perfect for students sitting exams and perimenopausal women with brain fog. 

Rehmannia glutinosa

This amazing adaptogen is known as the trophrestorative for the adrenal glands.   

Rehmannia is indicated for anyone who has “hit the wall” and can no longer go on. They have been under chronic stress for too long, nutritionally depleted and their adrenals are no longer able to support them.  They are usually low in cortisol,  struggle to get out of bed, cannot function without stimulants such as tea, coffee, nicotine and alcohol and they often also suffer from insomnia.  I often use this herbs, with others, when treating clients with autoimmune disease. 

Herbal medicine can be taken as a tincture, tablets or as tea.  If you would like to try a herbal medicine blended specific for your health goal send us an email at info@elementalhealth.net.au and we will arrange a time to speak about your needs.