Adrenal Insufficiency

Why it works: AI is a hormone-deficiency disease: the adrenals can’t make enough cortisol (and often aldosterone). The proven fix is replacing those hormones; adaptogens don’t restore adrenal ou...

Instructions: There are no evidence-based instructions for using ashwagandha to treat AI because it’s not an accepted/validated treatment. If you have AI, follow guideline-based therapy: daily g...

Warnings: Do not replace prescribed steroids with ashwagandha. Untreated or undertreated AI can cause adrenal...

Studies: For adrenal insufficiency: No RCTs show benefit of ashwagand...

Why it works: What it does have evidence for: Rhodiola is an “adaptogen” used for stress-related fatigue and subjective stress; several randomized and/or controlled trials show modest improvemen...

Instructions: If you and your clinician decide to trial rhodiola as an adjunct for stress-related fatigue, typical instructions come from the EU monograph and clinical trials:. • Formulation: St...

Warnings: Do not replace or reduce prescribed steroids with rhodiola. This can precipitate adrenal crisis—a me...

Studies: (All of these evaluate stress/fatigue or mood—not adrenal in...

Why it works: The active licorice constituents (glycyrrhizin → glycyrrhetinic acid) inhibit the enzyme 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11β-HSD2). That enzyme normally inactivates cortis...

Instructions: What the evidence suggests:. • Adjunct to cortisone/hydrocortisone: A small crossover study in 17 Addison’s patients found that 3 days of co-administration of licorice increased co...

Warnings: Predictable adverse effect profile (pseudoaldosteronism):. • Hypertension, hypokalemia, edema with s...

Studies: Mechanistic & pharmacodynamic evidence (strong):Lancet h...

Why it works: TCM rationale. In TCM, many endocrine complaints are mapped to “Kidney-yin deficiency.” LWDHW is the base yin-tonifying formula created in the Song dynasty; it’s widely used and of...

Instructions: Who decides & pattern-match first: In TCM practice, a registered practitioner confirms that your presentation fits Kidney-yin deficiency; LWDHW is not a one-size-fits-all tonic. Me...

Warnings: Never replace or reduce prescribed steroids. Replacing hydrocortisone/fludrocortisone with an herbal...

Studies: For other conditions (indirect/adjunct clues—not proof for A...

Why it works: TCM rationale. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, adrenal insufficiency symptoms map loosely onto “Kidney Yang deficiency.” Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan is a classic formula that “warms and t...

Instructions: Common forms & typical “teapill” dosing used by TCM clinicians:. • Eight small pills, three times daily (brand-dependent). Kamwo Store. • Some practitioners advise before meals and...

Warnings: This formula often contains processed aconite (Fu Zi), a potentially toxic herb.. • Aconitum alkaloi...

Studies: Direct evidence for adrenal insufficiency in humans:None loc...