John and Susan Houser

Healing the Effects of Long Term Stress The adrenels are part of the endocrine or glandular system. These bean-shaped glands sit on top of the kidneys and produce a variety of hormones that regulate energy production, fluid balance, immune function, and other important processes.

There are two parts to these glands. The adrena.l cortex produces mineralocorticoids which regulate body fluids, glucocorticoids which mediate the effects of stress and suppress inflammation, and sex hormones, such as estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. The adrenal medulla produces epinephrine and norepinephrine, which helps to regulate energy and help us deal with stress.

The adrenal glands help the body deal with stressful situations by adjusting the internal biological factors in response to external pressures. They create what is called the fight-or-flight response, the reaction we have when we are scared, startled, stressed, or worried. Adrenal hormones provide the energy we need to meet life's challenges. They also reduce inflammation and regulate fluid balance. Constant stress, especially when coupled with poor nutrition, can deplete adrenal glands, resulting in adrenal fatigue. In our modern society many people feel under constant stress and pressure. Financial pressures, traffic jams, busy schedules and relationship problems all take their toll on the adrenals. Caffeine and sugar also tend to deplete the adrenal glands by overstimulating them. As a result, adrenal weakness is very common in modern society.

Severely depleted adrenals cause a person to feel tired, tense and exhausted, a burned out sensation. Specific symptoms of adrenal exhaustion include severe fatigue, difficulty relaxing or feeling peaceful, disturbing dreams and restless sleep patterns, nervousness, anxiety, heart palpitations and a sensation of pressure in the chest that is often interpreted as a cardiac problem. Persons suffering from adrenal fatigue will tend to have dark circles under their eyes, a quivering tongue and pulsing pupils in their eyes. Other symptoms include dryness, blood sugar imbalances, inflammation, difficulty breathing, tension headaches and excessive allergic reactions. There is a class of herbal remedies that have been scientifically proven to help exhausted adrenals recover by mediating the effects of stress. Known as adaptagens, these herbs reduce the effects of stress by acting on signals from the hypothalamus and pituitary gland which trigger the production of stress hormones from the adrenal gland. By reducing the production of stress hormones from the adrenals, adaptagens give the adrenal glands a much needed rest.

Two of the very best adaptagens are eleuthero root and schinzandra berries. Eleuthero (formerly known as Siberian ginseng) and schizandra berries have a calming effect on adrenal function and keep the adrenals from being overstimulated.

Suma is another herb shown to have adaptagenic properties. Suma has been called Brazilian ginseng because of its tonic properties. Suma Combination combines suma with eleuthero root, astragalus, ginkgo, and gotu kola. In combination, the herbs in Suma Combination reduce stress levels, enhance immune function and improve memory and concentration.

AdaptaMax is another valuable adaptagenic formula. It combines a variety of adaptagenic herbs including: Korean ginseng, eleuthero root, rhodiola, ashwaganda, gynostemma, schizandra, and suma. This formula can be used to reduce stress responses, enhance immunity, reduce oxidative damage, brighten moods and support the immune system.

Nervous Fatigue Formula is a valuable product for exhausted adrenals, chronic fatigue, restless sleep and chest pains brought on by anxiety and stress. According to Chinese tradition, it helps calm the spirit, promotes deeper sleep, reduced stress levels, a calmer mind and more energy. It is particularly indicated for people who are tired after a long bout with stress but cannot sleep peacefully through the night.

There are also formulas that act directly to nourish depleted adrenal glands. One of these is NutriCalm, which provides vitamin C and B-complex vitamins vital for nervous and adrenal function. It is helpful for reducing anxiety levels, nervous tension and the tendency to overextend one's energy.

For severely depleted adrenals, there is Adrenal Support. Combining some of the same anti-stress vitamins found in Nutri-Calm with schizandra and other adrenal-supporting herbs and nutrients. Adrenal Support also contains adrenal tissue substance. It nourishes and rebuilds the adrenal tissue, as well as supporting adrenal function.

It is very important to avoid sugar and caffeine when recovering from stress and adrenal burn-out. Where caffeine and sugar cravings are a problem, licorice root can help. It supports adrenal function and stabilizes blood sugar levels and energy. Target Endurance can also be used to increase energy levels in people who crave sugar and caffeine.

With herbal and nutritional support, rest and good nutrition, it is possible to recover from adrenal burn-out. For more information talk to an herb specialist to help you develop the program that is right for you.

For Educational Purposes Only Seek appropriate professional assistance for all serious health problems. Handout prepared by Tree of Light Publishing P.O. Box 911239, St. George, UT 84791 (www.treelite.com)2004 May be reproduced provided it is not altered in any way. Adrenals - contact the Raleigh Herb Shop

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AdaptaMax Powerful Adaptagenic Formula for the Adrenal Glands

In our modern world people rarely get the opportunity to relax and unwind. As a result, they are often plagued by stress-related health problems. Chronic stress can contribute to problems like fatigue, anxiety, nervous tension, muscle pain and stiffness and depression. Over time, it can contribute to digestive weakness, immune weakness, chronic inflammation, restless and disturbed sleep patterns, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease and weight gain.

Fortunately, there are ways of helping to reduce stress levels and improve overall health in the process. One of these stress-reduction aids is adaptagenic herbs. Adaptagen was a word coined by Russian scientists to describe the effects of eleuthero root (sometimes known as Siberian ginseng). Scientists in Russia discovered that eleuthero root improved athletic performance, enhanced energy and immune function, and even reduced the number of mistakes made by clerical and office workers. They found the plant accomplished these feats by reducing the output of stress hormones and improving the body's ability to cope with both physical and emotional stress. They even learned that eleuthero root helped prevent Soviet cosmonauts from getting space sickness from weightlessness, a fact that was later passed on to U.S. astronauts.

Since the benefits of eleuthero root were discovered, other herbs around the world have been found to possess adaptagenic effects. AdaptaMax combines many of these herbs into one formula. AdaptaMax can be taken by anyone who desires to improve physical endurance, immune function and the ability to cope with and adapt to the stresses they face in life. AdaptaMax contains eleuthero root and 12 other adaptagenic and tonifying herbs, as follows:

Rhodiola rosea is another herb form Russia which has been discovered to posses powerful adaptagenic properties. Russian studies show it enhances both mental and physical performance. It is antidepressant and has a cancer-preventing effect.

Korean ginseng has long been prized in the Orient for its ability to enhance overall health, especially in the elderly. It improves digestive function, glandular activity and increases energy and stamina. It is warming and stimulating.

Ashwaganda, used in Ayurvedic medicine as tonic, has been called Indian ginseng, because of its tonic and restorative properties. It helps restore vitality to people who are suffering from overwork and nervous exhaustion. It also helps with recovery from long term stress.

Rosemary has a tradition in western herbalism as a tonic for the brain, improving cognitive function and memory. It contains powerful antioxidants that help protect the body form free radical damage.

Gynostemma pentaphyllum is as adaptagenic herb from China. It balances the energy system of the body.

Schizandra is another powerful adaptagenic herb. Used in Chinese medicine to balance and harmonize the organs of the body. Schizandra helps with many of the health problems brought on by chronic stress, including disturbed sleep patterns, fatigue, shortness of breath, loss of concentration, forgetfulness and irritability.

Astragalus is considered a general tonic in Chinese medicine and is often used in place of Korean ginseng in formulas. Modern research shows it enhances immune function, increases endurance, lowers blood pressure and balances body fluids.

Reishi mushrooms enhance the immune system, aid liver and cardiac function and reduce allergic responses.

Suma has been called Brazilian ginseng. It is an adaptagenic herb that regulates blood sugar, enhances energy and aids the immune system. It also has anticancer properties.

Ginkgo has been researched extensively in Europe as a circulatory aid and antiaging herb. It enhances cognitive function and circulation to the brain. It also aids general, peripheral circulation.

Alfalfa is a nutritive herb and a rich source of trace minerals. It is used as a general tonic. It aids pituitary gland function.

Kelp is a seaweed that is rich in iodine and trace minerals. It is known for its ability to feed the thyroid gland.

One final ingredient in AdaptaMax is the mineral chromium, which is very important for balancing blood sugar levels and for preventing cardiovascular disease.

Use and Dosages: Take 2 capsules with a meal, two to three times daily.

Selected References The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants by Andrew Chevallier PDR for Herbal Medicines by Medical Economics Company Suma, Today's Herbs, Aug 1989 Reishi Mushrooms by Terry Willard Chinese Herbal Medicine by Daniel P. Reid For Educational Purposes Only Seek appropriate professional assistance for all serious health problems. Handout prepared by Tree of Light Publishing P.O. Box 911239, St. George, UT 84791 (www.treelite.com) 2004 May be reproduced provided it is not altered in any way.

Susan's Raleigh Herb Shop 6320-132 Capital Blvd. Raleigh NC 27616 919-875-1005

Thyroid Problems Herbs and Supplements for Thyroid Imbalance The thyroid is a very important endocrine gland. Located at the base of the neck, it secretes two hormones which help regulate the body's metabolic rate---thyroxin (T4) and tri-iodothyronine (T3). T4 and T3 are released in about a 4:1 ratio (4 times more T4 than T3). T3 is the more active form. T4 is converted to T3 in peripheral tissues, particularly the liver, so liver malfunction can affect thyroid function. The enzyme required for this conversion needs selenium--a mineral deficient in many diets. Problems with the thyroid gland are extremely common. It has been estimated that as many as one and a half billion people in the world are at risk for thyroid problems. Hypothyroid (low thyroid function) is the most common thyroid malfunction, but it is also possible to have a hyperactive thyroid gland. We'll address both in this handout. Hypothyroid When the thyroid function is low, the metabolic rate diminishes. Symptoms of low thyroid include dry skin, fatigue, loss of sexual desire, lowered body temperature, and weight gain. Lack of iodine is one cause of poor thyroid function, since iodine is critical for the gland's activity. Iodine is a very rare nutrient in land plants but is common in fish and sea vegetables like kelp, dulse, bladderwrack, and Iris moss. Adding foods rich in natural iodine to the diet will often improve thyroid function. Kelp, in particular, is very beneficial for the thyroid because it contains di-iodotyrosine. Two molecules of this substance are attached by the thyroid peroxidase enzyme in the thyroid to form T4. So, kelp contains a precursor to the thyroid hormone, making synthesis of thyroxine easier.

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Raleigh Herb Shop
Owner-John Houser, Herb Specialist
919-875-1005

6320 - 132 Capital Blvd.
Raleigh, NC 27616