If you’ve read about how to make your own herbal tinctures and extracts, you know it’s really rather easy to do! I love making my own herbal remedies because it allows me to customize for my needs, as well as save money. When I was working to heal adrenal fatigue, I learned about adaptogenic herbs that can help, so here, I’ll show you how to make an adaptogenic herbal extract to heal adrenal fatigue.
How to heal adrenal fatigue
I told you recently about how I recovered from severe adrenal fatigue. I designed a protocol for myself that took me from cranky and exhausted, with my hair even falling out, to feeling so much better. The protocol I used to heal adrenal fatigue included:
- sole water
- fat bombs
- liver
- ensuring adequate rest
- reducing stress by saying “no” to things I couldn’t manage, implementing daily quiet/prayer time, and choosing joy
- reducing electronics exposure, particularly at night
- adaptogenic herbs
What are adaptogenic herbs?
Adaptogenic herbs (adaptogens) work synergistically with your body to bring it into balance. They adapt to your body’s needs, providing energy, but also bringing calm. Best of all, they reduce stress and balance cortisol levels in order to reduce strain on the adrenal glands.
If you are working to heal adrenal fatigue, this herbal extract is just what you need! Here’s what it contains:
Rhodiola– Reputed to be more powerful than other adaptogens, rhodiola supports mental and emotional health by improving the ability to deal with stress, as well as increasing blood flow to the brain. It also combats the effects of excess adrenaline.
Rhodiola is also helpful in improving sleep and acts as a sedative when taken in high doses. It improves immune health by strengthening killer cells, and helps to combat infection and stimulate detoxification. It is even anti-cancer, as it helps to prevent tumors, is antimetastatic, and antimutagenic.
Astragalus– Another effective adaptogen, astragalus is helps to support the nervous system and negate the effects of stress. It is quite nutritive, as it contains protein, calcium, magnesium, silica, iron, and vitamins, all of which help to strengthen the body as a whole and impart energy.
Astragalus can be used as a sedative and is also helpful as an antidepressant and antianxiety. It helps to regulate hormones, especially estrogen.
Ashwagandha– Also helpful for calming the nervous system and promoting restful sleep, ashwagandha boosts strength and vitality. It modifies the harmful effects of stress on the body and promotes calmness.
Ashwagandha is excellent for stress, anxiety, depression, panic attacks, insomnia, and exhaustion.
Eleuthero– Known as “Siberian Ginseng,” eleuthero increases vitality, improves mental and physical performance, and protects against stress. It lowers blood-pressure and has powerful anti-fatigue effects.
Eleuthero supports memory and concentration and promotes optimal adrenal function.
If you want to make the ultimate tonic to heal adrenal fatigue, grab the above herbs and a bottle of booze and let’s do it!
You’ll need:
- 16 oz of vodka or other good, strong grain alcohol.
- 4 oz rhodiola root, like this
- 4 oz astragalus root, like this
- 4 oz ashwagandha root, like this (this is 2 oz, you’ll need two.)
- 4 oz eleuthero root, like this
- A clean, quart-sized jar with a tight-fitting lid.
Put 4 oz of each herb in the jar, then fill the rest of the way with vodka. Affix the lid tightly and give it a gentle shake to distribute the herbs.
Let the jar sit in a cool, dry place for six weeks (shake it once or twice a day during this time), before straining and putting in a tincture bottle like this.
I take a dropperful in the morning, and sometimes later in the day if I can remember.
It’s not impossible to heal adrenal fatigue! In fact, adding in adaptogenic herbs like those in this extract will have you feeling better soon.
A couple of notes:
- Extracts are twice as strong as tinctures, so I prefer making them for the higher level of efficacy.
- If you’re gluten-intolerant, look for an alcohol labeled gluten-free.
- I’ve linked up top to one pound bags of each herb, and lower to smaller amounts. If you team up with friends to make this extract, you can probably save money by buying in larger amounts.
- Use the whole root, versus root powder because the powder will not be as strong and will be difficult to strain.