Oregano oil is derived from the leaves and flowers of oregano (Origanum vulgare), a hardy, bushy perennial herb, and a member of the mint (Lamiaceae) family. It’s native to Europe, although it grows in many areas around the world.
The plant grows up to 90 centimeters (35 inches) high, with dark green leaves that are 2 to 3 centimeters (.7 to 1.18 inches) long. The ancient Greeks and Romans have a profound appreciation for oregano, using it for various medicinal uses. In fact, its name comes from the Greek words “oros” and “ganos,” which are words for mountain and joy — oregano literally means “joy of the mountain.”
It was revered as a symbol of happiness, and it was an ancient tradition to crown brides and grooms with a laurel of oregano. There are over 40 oregano species, but the most therapeutically beneficial is the oil produced from wild oregano or Origanum vulgare that’s native to Mediterranean regions.
Beware, though, as many of the oregano oils sold in grocery stores are not made from this variety, and may have little to no therapeutic value.
Opt only for oregano oil made from Origanum vulgare and Thymus capitatus, a variety that grows in Spain. To obtain oregano oil, the dried flowers and leaves of the wild oregano plant are harvested when the oil content of the plant is at its highest, and then distilled. The resulting oil is golden to dark yellow, with a strong spicy odor.
Uses of Oregano Oil: I highly recommend adding oregano oil to your arsenal of natural healing tools, as it has a wide range of uses. This herbal oil is a powerful antimicrobial that can help fight off infections. Oregano oil also has antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties.
Other ideal uses for oregano oil are: • Treating foot or nail fungus. Put a few teaspoons of oregano oil in a basin of water and soak your feet in it. You can also dilute the oil (mix a drop with a teaspoon of olive or coconut oil), and then apply it on your nails or skin. • Help in killing parasites and easing infections. Dilute the oil (mix a drop with a drop of a carrier oil such as coconut oil), and place it under your tongue. Hold it there for a few minutes, and then rinse it out. Repeat this at least four times a day. • Alleviating sinus infections and colds. Put a few drops of oregano oil in a pot of steaming water, and then inhale the steam. I also encourage using the antiseptic powers of this herbal oil to clean your home. Here’s one way how: combine four drops of oregano oil with 10 drops of lemon oil and a quarter-cup of white vinegar, and then add to a bucket of water. Use this mixture to wipe and clean surfaces.
Benefits of Oregano Oil
Oregano oil has wide-reaching health benefits, but is most associated with respiratory and immune system health. It is known for helping prevent and treat infections, such as: • Urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by bacteria like E. coli, Proteus,and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. • Respiratory infections brought on by Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria strains. • Yeast infections, even those that are resistant to the commonly used antifungal drug Diflucan. • Parasitic infections caused by the amoeba giardia — it was even found to be more effective than antibiotics like Tinidazol. • Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection — A team of Indian and British researchers found that oregano oil has strong antibacterial properties that can help kill this deadly superbug.
Oregano oil has also shown promise in preventing food-borne illnesses caused by pathogens like listeria, salmonella, E. coli, and Shigella dysenteria. Adding it to foods not only helps kill the bacteria, but may also alleviate food poisoning symptoms.
An animal study from University of Arizona researchers also found that oregano oil can help kill norovirus, which causes gastroenteritis. Oregano oil is also a prized antiseptic essential oil in aromatherapy because its proportion of phenols is said to be the highest of all aromatic plants.
Aside from using the steam method to help relieve coughs and other respiratory illnesses, you can also use it to: • Ward off insects. Carvacrol in oregano oil works as a natural insect repellant. Try putting a few drops on outdoor furniture, or apply a diluted mixture on your skin when heading outdoors. • Relieve bug bites and rashes, including poison ivy rash. Apply oregano oil diluted with olive oil on the affected areas. • Help heal cold sores, dandruff, and other skin conditions. Some experts also advocate using a diluted version to treat acne and rosacea. • Ease sore throat. Simply add a few drops to a glass of water. It can help alleviate toothache as well. • Help relieve muscle and joint pain, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), sprains, and cramps
Learn more about the benefits of essential oils and how you can incorporated them safely and with confidence. I am passionate about educating others how to seek healthy alternatives. You can attend one of our educational classes HERE
Wholesale Club Pricing
If you are not yet a wholesale member yet, (in my opinion this is better value than Costco or Sams Club), then I would personally like to invite you can join our team to take advantage of these great savings promotions, and additional benefits available to doTERRA members. JOIN & SAVE
Wholesale Customers who are not Wellness Advocates would need to contact their doTERRA sponsor to enroll someone or simply ask how you can host a class or upgrade your account to enroll someone their self !!
As a Wellness Advocate, you can enroll members, friends, a family from your back office or from your personal doTERRA website (which all Wellness Advocate members have). It offers a great way to offer insight and information to people regarding the membership and the products and has some great recipes and project ideas too. CHECK OUT OUR SITE HERE
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
The Wellness Program is a simple, almost effortless way for you to targeted support for the wellness track you are on.
Are you looking for Better Sleep? There is a Wellness Program just for that! Are you looking to support Immunity, Respiratory, Mind & Mood, or is someone focused on Pain relief. Well with these specific health goals in mind you can get the exact products you need for what you want to achieve.
As a Wholesale club member, you can benefit greatly and not have to worry about changing your order or learning about a new product. doTERRA has removed the hassle of figuring out which essential oils and products to use. You also get members-only access to our training and regular consultations and support.
There’s no need to repeat the same pattern of scrambling to put together the perfect oil regimen yourself when you can just sign up for a Wellness Program!
How It Works
Automatically get a new kit every month while you’re in the program.
Choose your program.
Pick from Immunity, Mind & Mood, Relief, Sleep, or Respiratory.
Use your products.
Each month, you receive a new kit of specialized products for your program.
Own your health.
Start seeing real results as you integrate essential oils into your daily routine.
Repeat or pick a new program, start the same program again, or pick a different one for a new set of powerful benefits.
The doTERRA Ancient Oils Collection is inspired by the peoples of the distant past. The Collection comes in a beautifully designed, natural wood box and includes six essential oils used by the most important people in the world as for their health benefits and to improve wellbeing in ancient times—CPTG® Myrrh, Frankincense, Galbanum, Hyssop, Cistus, and Common Myrtle.
Take pleasure in these captivating oils.
MyrrhCommiphora myrrha 5 mL: Ancient records show that Myrrh was deemed so valuable that at times it was valued at its weight in gold. Myrrh has been used throughout history in perfumes and religious ceremonies, and for its internal and external health benefits.
FrankincenseBoswellia carterii, Boswellia sacra, Boswellia papyrifera, Boswellia frereana 5 mL: In addition to its notoriety in the New Testament, the Babylonians and Assyrians would burn Frankincense in religious ceremonies and the ancient Egyptians used Frankincense resin in everything from perfume to salves for soothing skin.
GalbanumFerula galbaniflua 5 mL: Egyptians used Galbanum for incense and embalming. The Roman and Greek civilizations used it in beauty products and perfume. Hippocrates used it for its other benefits. Galbanum was even mentioned in the Bible.
HyssopHyssopus officinalis 2.5 mL: Hyssop, a member of mint family, was regarded by both the Greeks and the Hebrews as a sacred herb. It is mentioned several times in the Old Testament and is known as one of oldest herbs used by human beings.
CistusCistus ladaniferus 5 mL: Also known as Rock Rose, Sun Rose, Rose of Sharon, and Labdanum, use of Cistus for perfume and incense was known in Biblical times. For centuries, Cistus has been used during meditation and for other benefits.
Common MyrtleMyrtus communis 5 mL: Common Myrtle, also known as Corsican pepper, has been used for thousands of years as a symbol of love, honor, happiness, and generosity. Its benefits were well known as early as 600 B.C. In the Bible, it was used in purification ceremonies.
Directions for Use
Diffusion: Use three to four drops in the diffuser of your choice.
Topical use: Apply one to two drops to desired area. Dilute with a carrier oil to minimize any skin sensitivity. See additional precautions below.
Possible skin sensitivity. Keep out of reach of children. If you are pregnant, nursing, or under a doctor’s care, consult your physician. Avoid contact with eyes, inner ears, and sensitive areas. Galbanum, Hyssop, Cistus, Common Myrtle: Not for internal use.
During these colder months we aren’t able to get out in the yard or on the road as much. But that doesn’t change who we are! We are Bikers, we travel and get out of the house as often as we can, but now of course like so many others during this continued and extended pandemic, only as needed (“Freedom over Fear”).
But we are not Rebels without a cause! We are intelligent adults, we respect our family, friends, and others and when appropriate we do wear our masks while in close proximity to others when off of our property. And I always make and have hand sanitizer available when we are away from a water source (and we use it).
Let’s talk about some of the things we can all do to stay healthy during these closed in, dry winter months.
2. I have also added more house plants (which will keep me busy and out of the fridge), and have added pebbled humidity trays.
3. We keep our immune system strong with regular daily vitamins and supporting essential oils.
4. We keep our surfaces clean, wash our hands often and I have hand sanitizer available in the pockets of our coats, our cars, purses, and back-packs with OnGuard oil to help kill germs and keep us healthy.
6. And as I mentioned we do wear our masks. But for our extended use (like when we are traveling or on the airplane I like to place One-drop of Breathe or OnGuard on a felt dot inside the mask to help support our breathing and overall health.
You can learn more about all of the different ways to use the essential oils in your collection by attending any or all of our online workshops!
What do you do to mitigate risk?
Some risks, such as your age, you can’t change. But there are things you can do to minimize your risk of catching and getting very sick with the virus or any other contagious germ:
Maintain a healthy weight and stay as physically fit as you can. Staying physically healthy, eating nutritiously, reduce sugar intake, etc.
Limit the number of people you come into contact with, gatherings of large groups with strangers isn’t encouraged right now anyway… but you could make extra steps to avoid those situations
Sit/stand side-by-side or behind other people, rather than facing them and avoid loud talking or singing with others
Meet people outdoors, rather than indoors
Keep interactions brief
Wear a face covering on public transport, in shops or crowded indoor places
Increase ventilation indoors if you have visitors – open a window, diffuse essential oils, turn on circulation or ceiling fans
Increase humidity in the air through humidifiers, water diffusers, whole house humidifier.
If you would like to learn more about using essential oils in your home instead of toxic chemical air fresheners (which can contribute to headaches and other issues), please search this site for other information on essential oils or contact me directly and I would be happy to help you.
Learning more about how essential oils work for our wellness goal is a Journey…
Not unlike a Road Trip, there maybe some planning involved.. we may need to pack or prepare differently for different destinations. Well the same would be true when we are looking to support our bodies with nutrition and natural options like pure essential oils.
Do you want to learn more about how different essential oils can help you target important body systems?
The integumentary system consists of the hair, skin, nails, and exocrine glands. Your skin protects you from harmful elements in the environment, and it can be adversely affected by toxins, artificial fragrances, pollution, and other irritants….
The nervous system is your body’s communication channel. The nerves send and receive messages that allow you to think, feel, process sensory information, and control movement.
The respiratory system is responsible for your breathing and consists of the lungs, airways, and trachea.
Important Body Systems
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
With the ability to positively affect mood, Melissa essential oil is often used internally to reduce tense feelings, promote relaxation, and calm feelings of nervousness.*
Melissa Education Graphic
Description
Melissa officinalis, also known as lemon balm, received the name “Melissa” because of its sweet, fresh, citrus-like fragrance, which was known to attract bees (Melissa is Greek for “honey bee”). As one of our rarest and most expensive oils, Melissa oil has a wide range of health benefits and uses.* Melissa is used as a flavor in teas and ice cream as well as with some fish dishes. Melissa has long been used to help calm feelings of tension and nervousness, when ingested. Diffusing Melissa oil at night can help initiate a restful sleep environment. Melissa oil may also help support a healthy immune system, when taken internally.*
Uses
Diffuse at night or rub on forehead, shoulders, or chest.
Diffuse Melissa essential oil to create a relaxing environment.
Add to moisturizer or a spray bottle with water and spritz on face to rejuvenate skin.
Directions for Use
Diffusion: Use three to four drops in the diffuser of your choice. Internal use: Dilute one drop in four fluid ounces of liquid. Topical use: Apply one to two drops to desired area. Dilute with a carrier oil to minimize any skin sensitivity.
Cautions
Possible skin sensitivity. Keep out of reach of children. If you are pregnant, nursing, or under a doctor’s care, consult your physician. Avoid contact with eyes, inner ears, and sensitive areas.
Primary Benefits
May help to support a healthy immune system when taken internally*
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Calms tension and nerves proving very
powerful during anxious moments
Add to moisturizer or spray bottle
for spritz to face for invigorating boost
Lessens feeling of stress apply
topically , help to sleep
Mean Green Immunity Roller
Super Strong- SUPER Charged- Immune Supporting Roller Blend. ADULT STRENGTH!!! * add all the oils in a 5ml roller bottle and top off with a carrier oil. You will need: 10-drops Cilantro, 10-drops Thyme, 10-drops Oregano, 10-drops Melissa
Emerald Showers Roller
– Mood Boosting Roller! * add all oils in 5ml roller bottle and top off with carrier oil. Safe for the whole family! You will need: 2-drops Basil, 5 drops-Bergamot, 5-drops Green Mandarin
Detox and Cleanse Roller
Roll over Liver in the AM & PM to detox & reset and support your healthy liver. *add all oils in a 5ml roller bottle and top off with carrier oil. Healthy Adult blend (consult with Dr. before using if you have a compromised liver). You will need: 5-drops Cilantro, 5-drops Coriander, 3-drops Rosemary, 2-drops Thyme, 2-drops Cardamom
Green Clean Spray
Hand and Surface Sanitizing Spray!! Make in a recycled 15ml bottle or double the ingredients and make in a 30ml spray bottle. *add all oils in bottle and top off with water or alcohol (rubbing alcohol or vodka is a good choice). You will need: 10-drops Oregano, 10-drops Tea Tree, 10-drops Rosemary
Would you like a .pdf of these recipes and FREE labels?
Sign-up or check your email for our Newsletter this month and I will send them to you! I will also have them published on our VIP Members only page for your FREE download!! (message me if you need help on would like more details)
For the corporate use of doTERRA International LLC. File distrobution and third party use/sales are restricted.
The oils in this blend have been studied for their strong abilities to kill harmful bacteria, mold, and viruses. This blend can be diffused into the air or be used to clean and purify household surfaces.
Primary Benefits
Supports healthy immune and respiratory function when used internally*
Ingest to support the body’s natural antioxidant defenses*
Vetiver oil is distilled from the roots of the vetiver grass which has long been used to prevent soil erosion due to it’s impressive root system. Vetiver essential oil has long been used as a fixative in the perfume industry. It has an aroma that is very earthy, sweet, and woody. (You can learn more about the Vetiver Plant Here)
The plant is harvested for it’s roots which are stream distilled for the oil. This oil is very viscous (thick like honey) although it does thin out when mixed with other oil and can actually be added to almost any blend.
Uses
dōTERRA Vetiver has a unique, exotic aroma that’s sweet, woody, caramel, and smoky making it ideal for calming emotions and focusing your thoughts. These properties make Vetiver Oil ideal for use in massage therapy. It can also be rubbed on the feet before bedtime to promote a restful night’s sleep. When taken internally, Vetiver can support a healthy immune system.*
Add 1–2 drops to tea or hot drinks during winter time to promote immune-supporting properties*.
Use as a massage oil to calm emotions.
Take a warm bath with a few drops of Vetiver essential oil for deep relaxation.
Diffuse with Lavender, doTERRA Serenity®, or doTERRA Balance® to calm emotions and lessen stress.
Use a toothpick to help get the desired amount out of container if Vetiver is too thick to get out of the bottle. A little goes a long way.
Directions for Use
Aromatic use: Use three to four drops in the diffuser of your choice or apply to a personal inhaler or the felt pad of a charm or leather strap for the aromatic use. Internal use: Dilute one drop in 4 fl. oz. of liquid. Topical use: Apply one to two drops to desired area. Always safer to dilute with doTERRA Fractionated Coconut Oil to minimize any skin sensitivity.
**These statements has not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
How do we use it?
The earthy aroma of this oil aromatically blends well with black pepper, geranium, orange, ylang ylang, bergamot, lavender, mandarin, rose, grapefruit, clary sage, jasmine, sandalwood, patchouli, cedarwood, lemon, ginger, and lemongrass.
Vetiver oil may be used to treat most skin problems and is also know to naturally help reduce swelling and could be recommended to those managing aches and pains, sprains, muscle or joint stiffness, and similar problems. Widely used to scent household products including but not limited to detergents, soaps, cleaners, window coverings, baskets, and table or floor matts.
Click on Image for doTERRA Spotlight Article
doTERRA CPTG quality means we are confident in using this internally and topically for use in soaps, toiletries, diffuser and aromatherapy, massage oil, balms, tonics, homeopathic products, air fresheners, lotions, face lotions, inhalants, deodorants, skin care products, hair products, shampoos, conditioners, beard and hair oils, household cleaning products, detergents, candles, body sprays, body creams, ointments, bath salts, perfumes, and colognes. For a relaxing and stress free evening at home, we use Vetiver as a massage oil for the body, a beard oil for my husband, in a rollerball blended with Lavender, doTERRA Serenity®, or doTERRA Balance® and rolled on our feet before bedtime to promote a restful night’s sleep*.
You can also add a few drops of Vetiver essential oil to a warm bath for a deeper relaxation.
BUNDLE THESE TWO NOW to get started with a popular Home Essential Kit and the Vetiver Oil just CLICK HERE
Safe over $80! Large 15ml bottles, Wholesale Membership, Petal Diffuser included!
The term “Adrenal Fatigue” was formulated in 1998 by naturopathic doctor, James Wilson, PhD. This syndrome was explained as a collection of related symptoms caused by insufficient adrenal gland function.
In other words, when the adrenal glands operate inadequately, complications arise and Adrenal Fatigue syndrome can develop. Usually the onset of adrenal fatigue is attributed to prolonged stress and chronic infections due to hormonal changes, immune response, and metabolic changes.
Those suffering may not present any physical signs of illness but will still feel generally fatigued, have trouble cognitively, and experience strong food cravings. Sleep does not solve this exhaustion, so it is common to see an increase in the intake of coffee, sugar, and other stimulants to sustain energy throughout the day. Unfortunately, this is counterproductive for adrenal fatigue.
We will be going over more detail on how these habits affect this complicated phenomenon throughout this presentation.
But first… What do the adrenals even do?
The adrenal glands are two glands located above the kidneys and are made of two different parts. Both are responsible for hormone production, but differ greatly.
The Adrenal Cortex
The adrenal cortex produces hormones (such as cortisol and aldosterone) that are
essential for life. Cortisol works to regulate our metabolism, immunity, and stress
response, while aldosterone helps control blood pressure and proper cardiovascular
function.
The Adrenal Medulla
The adrenal medulla produces non-essential hormones, or ones that are not vital for life. This does not mean that this component of the adrenals is not important, however. In fact, the adrenal medulla is incredibly valuable for dealing with physical and emotional stress and contributes to our fight-or-flight response of our parasympathetic nervous system. The most notable chemical messenger produced in this part of the adrenals is adrenaline.
The adrenal glands also produce the sex hormones estrogen and progesterone as well as various neurotransmitters such as dopamine.
When the proper production of these hormones are disrupted, adrenal fatigue can develop.
Because of the multitude of responsibilities these little glands have, adrenal fatigue
can manifest very differently depending on the individual.
Some signs of adrenal insufficiency and fatigue include:
Persistent and nonspecific fatigue
Struggle waking up in the morning
Imbalanced energy levels throughout the day
Difficulty handling stress
Food cravings (particularly for salt)
Weakened immunity
Unexplained body aches and joint pain
Depression and anxiety
Dark circles under eyes
Impaired recovery after physical activity
Low blood pressure
Poor circulation and numbness
Light-headedness or dizziness
Weight gain and fluid retention
Decreased libido
Do you suffer from any of these symptoms?
Contrary to popular belief, stress hormones (such as cortisol and adrenaline) are a good thing. When released appropriately, they provide mental clarity, physical strength, and overall brain and muscle efficiency that can be seen even as “super human.”
Have you ever heard of the term “adrenaline rush?”
This term refers to your body appropriately responding to stress by activating it’s fight-or-flight mechanism. It can be used to propel you out of danger, help someone in a pressing situation, or conquer a fearful situation.
However, when our body unloads adrenaline when we are not in a tasking situation, such as just sitting at a desk working on your computer, then our body is not using it’s stress hormones correctly.
On the other hand, chronic stress suppresses adrenal function as the adrenal glands become unable to continue producing the cortisol needed to recover from stress.
Stress can be caused by a number of things, such as:
The body’s response to stress includes a surge of cortisol, a boost of energy, an increase in blood sugar, lagged immune function, and the breakdown of stored protein and carbohydrates.
As you can tell, this is not ideal when not in an immediate damage as it leaves us susceptible to complications like insulin resistance, decreased immunity, muscle wasting, and thyroid complications.
The rise and inevitable drop of stress hormones impacts the thyroid by slowing thyroid production and the conversion of thyroid hormones to their active, and usable, forms.
If the thyroid does not operate properly, many of the common symptoms of adrenal fatigue are present, such as:
Fatigue
Depression
Weight gain
Muscle aches
Brain fog
Low libido
Unfortunately, due to the similarities in symptoms of both hypothyroidism and adrenal fatigue, the two conditions can be easily confused.
These glands are seen to work together due to their collective roles in supplying essential hormones throughout the body. In fact, it is not uncommon for those suffering with thyroid dysfunction to also have weakened adrenals.
Most endocrinologists examine a patient solely on their TSH levels, but ignore other important markers of imbalance. This misunderstanding leads to skewed lab results and the failure to diagnosis accurately.
Comprehensive thyroid testing includes measurements of the following hormones:
Free T4
Free T3
Reverse T3
SHGB (sex hormone binding globulin)
Leptin
Tissues levels
And the basal metabolic rate
Without looking at all of these factors in thyroid function, the prescribed treatment may be unfit for the patient. For example, if a patient is advised to take synthetic hormones for hypothyroidism and are still experiencing fatigue, they may want to revisit testing, including their adrenal function.
In today’s conventional medical model, there is no formal adrenal fatigue testing. This is where functional medicine becomes crucial for an accurate and comprehensive diagnosis.
In short, functional medicine is a systems-oriented approach that employs a personalized medicine approach to identify, understand, and treat the underlying cause of a disease.
Therefore, functional medicine practitioners take the signs of adrenal fatigue very
seriously being that this disorder can be both a cause and a result from imbalance
within the body.
Some of the many signs practitioners will look for include:
Fatigue
Thyroid imbalances
Unexplained weight changes
Low blood pressure
Unstable blood sugar
Hair loss
Blurred vision
Infertility
The most common diagnostic tool for adrenal testing is a cortisol saliva test, however there are plenty of other ways to test for adrenal fatigue, such as:
Cortisol testing (via saliva, blood, or urine test)
To obtain an accurate diagnosis, it is important to have information from various tests, sometimes conducted multiple times, and to make tracking all of your symptoms a priority.
Adrenal fatigue progresses through four different stages of advancement. Symptoms increase in frequency and severity throughout these stages.
The phases of adrenal fatigue go as follows:
Stage 1: Alarm Reaction
Stage 2: Resistance Response
Stage 3: Adrenal Exhaustion
Stage 4: Adrenal Failure
Up next, we will be discussing each phase in detail.
The first stage of adrenal fatigue is often called the alarm reaction or the “fight-or-flight response,” and is characterized by high cortisol levels.
This stage describes the body’s immediate reaction to a stressor. The body initiates a anti-stress response to overpower the stressor and begin the production and release of cortisol.
At this time, there is very little physical or physiological dysfunction noticeable. Fatigue is considered mild and may not sustain throughout the entire day. Sleep patterns are disturbed and an uptake of caffeine, sugar, and carbohydrates is usually present.
This stage is often categorized with the feeling of being “wired, but tired.” In fact, most people enter this stage of adrenal fatigue many times in their lifetimes!
If you were to get lab testing during this stage an elevation of adrenaline, norepinephrine, cortisol, DHEA, and insulin would be present.
Stage 2, the resistance response, is where the adrenals begin to lose their ability to keep up with the body’s demand for cortisol.
During this stage, fatigue becomes more noticeable and extends beyond the morning/early afternoon into the evening. The body will need more rest than usual to recover and will very rarely feel refreshed from sleeping. Infections, insomnia,
anxiety, and irritability also become more common.
This is where people begin to recognize their symptoms and seek medical attention. There are substantial drops in important hormones, such as DHEA and testosterone, in exchange for the continual cortisol production.
This phase can last a couple months up to several years.
As the adrenal glands are becoming continually less effective, the body’s ever- increasing need for adrenal hormones remains unchanged while the stress is still present.
Stage 3 is where the the body recognizes the decline in cortisol output and focuses on the conserving its energy for survival. To do this, the body begins to slow down and break down existing muscle tissue for energy.
Chronic fatigue is common, as well as:
Reduced exercise tolerance
Longer recovery time
Brain fog
Insomnia
Depression
Increased infections
Weight gain
Lack of sex drive
Less productive during the day
Increased need to rest
If not treated, the body further loses homeostasis, or the ability to maintain stable and function through changes. Luckily, it is uncommon for people to progress beyond this “burn out” to the fourth stage of Adrenal Fatigue progression.
At this point, much of the body’s stress hormones, sex hormones, and neurotransmitters are very low representing the crash after suffering from stress for a long period of time.
As mentioned, it is uncommon to enter this stage of adrenal failure, but it is possible, dangerous, and important to recognize.
Eventually, the adrenals become completely exhausted. This severe advancement of Adrenal Fatigue can manifest very similarly to the clinical adrenal insufficiency disease, Addison’s disease.
Symptoms include:
Sudden pain in the lower back, legs, and abdomen
Digestive distress such as vomiting and diarrhea
Severe dehydration
Low blood pressure
Loss of consciousness
High risk of cardiovascular collapse
Although these symptoms are much more obvious, there is still the chance of misdiagnosis. It is incredibly important to recognize the signs and see a trusted physician. Once Adrenal Fatigue enters this stage, the chance of it becoming fatal is a very serious and relevant concern.
Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to reverse Adrenal Fatigue.
Some include:
Dietary Changes
Adrenal-Supporting Supplementation
Reduce Adrenal Stress
Minimize Exercise/Increase Rest
A Regular Sleep Schedule
Detoxification
Adequate Hydration
Heal Existing Infections
Practice Meditation
A diet full of processed grains, vegetable oils, and sugars, much like the Standard American Diet (SAD), is known to stress the adrenals. Conversely, a nutrient-rich diet including healthy fats and fiber, helps support adrenal health and can aid in Adrenal Fatigue recovery.
In particular, these foods are especially impactful in the fight against Adrenal
Fatigue…
Include:
Healthy fats such as coconut oil, coconut milk, avocado, olives, olive oil, nuts, seeds,
grass-fed butter, fatty fish, and grass fed meats.
* These are incredible tool in stabilizing blood sugar!
Vegetables to provide a variety of nutrients to nourish the whole body, including the adrenals.
Fermented foods for their pro-biotics.
Protein, specifically in the morning. It is recommended to consume approximately 40g of protein in the morning to provide support to the adrenal throughout the day.
Exclude:
Caffeine
Sugar and sweeteners
Starchy carbohydrates
Processed foods (particularly processed meats)
Hydrogenated oils
The increased levels of cortisol that result from the early stages of Adrenal Fatigue also raises our blood sugar very quickly.
This upsets our body’s balancing act resulting in a dump of insulin. This insulin orders our cells to take in as much sugar as possible to regain safe blood-glucose levels. Insulin also signals our bodies to store extra glucose for later use.
However, if our diets continue to provide more sugar than our body ever needs to use, weight gain, inflammation, and health complications can develop.
It is important to address blood sugar stability when healing Adrenal Fatigue due to its pivotal role in energy production.
Vitamins are necessary for most of the body’s natural processes and minerals are
essential for hormone production and utilization.
A few of the most important vitamins and minerals to supplement include:
Sodium –Natural salt (such as Himalayan pink sea salt) is needed for adrenal recovery.
Aldosterone is a hormone responsible for salt regulation and is reduced by Adrenal
Fatigue.
Vitamin C –Not only is it a powerful antioxidant that works to protect the body against free radicals, Vitamin C is also an essential building block for adrenal gland recovery.
Vitamin B- B5, B6, and B12 are specifically involved in cell metabolism, energy production, and fatigue reduction.
Vitamin D – This vitamin is especially important for adrenal fatigue as it is increases the enzyme needed for the production of adrenal hormones. When the body is in a stressed state, the body must choose between replenished the lost vitamin D or producing cortisol. Cortisol is chosen for survival, furthering adrenal fatigue that the cycle continues.
Magnesium – Energy levels are maintained by magnesium and deficiency results in fatigue, depression, and many other Adrenal Fatigue symptoms.
Probiotics – Probiotics improve digestion, immunity, aids in vitamin absorption, and hormone production. It is MOST important to follow a professional’s guidelines specific for you for proper supplementation due to the deficiencies, severity, and stage of your Adrenal Fatigue.
Adrenal Fatigue and sleep dysfunction are closely related. Due to the body’s natural schedule of cortisol secretion, cortisol levels naturally rise and fall throughout the entire day.
Adrenaline and cortisol both increase alertness and affect sleep schedules in a
number of ways. You may experience trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or both.
The best recommendations (other than stress relief) for regaining a proper sleep
routine include:
Creating a sleep schedule for going to sleep and waking.
Resting when you feel tired as much as you can.
Aiming to sleep between 8-10 hours a day.
Avoiding staying up too late or being stimulated close to bedtime.
The obvious problem around Adrenal Fatigue is stress, so it is no surprise that stress relief is one of the most important factors in an optimal recovery.
Some recommendations to manage stress include:
Use Essential Oils
Frankincense – support immune system over thyroid
Thyme – balancing hormones in men and women (phytoprogestorines)
Sandalwood – helps men balance testosterone
Helichrism –
Chamomile & Vetiver – detox bath with epsom salt (10 drops of each to one cup of salt in a soating bath. 3x per week)
Also, if you feel like you need support on this journey, do not hesitate to ask for help!
We hope that this post has exceeded your expectations and that you feel well equipped with the knowledge, resources, and tools to finally combat your Adrenal Fatigue and feel
your BEST!
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