Cortisol is a steroid hormone that your adrenal cortex releases whenever you're under stress. Its major functions are to raise blood sugar, suppress immunity and aid metabolism. If you suffer from long-term stress, cortisol can build up in your bloodstream and have a negative effect on your health. Herbal supplements may help decrease cortisol levels. Consult your health care provider before you start an herbal treatment.
Herbal Actions
Herbal supplements for decreasing cortisol work in different ways. Nervine herbs will ease tension and anxiety, helping to lower cortisol levels by reducing stress. Herbs called adaptogens help the adrenal glands minimize their response to ACTH, a hormone that stimulates the release of cortisol. Check with a knowledgeable practitioner for advice about dosage and supplement preparation of these herbs.
Ginger
Ginger, or Zingiber officinale, is a perennial herb native to India. It is a major component of Indian ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine supplement formulas. Practitioners use it to treat nausea, diarrhea, stomach upset, fevers and coughs. A study published in the October 2004 issue of the "Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin" found that ginger root, known as Zingiberis Rhizoma in Asian medicine, significantly inhibited ACTH and cortisol levels in healthy male volunteers. Avoid large doses of ginger during pregnancy and do not combine it with anticoagulant medicine.
Wild Yam
Wild yam, or Dioscorea villosa, is a climbing vine with heart-shaped leaves and white flowers. Traditional healers use the rhizomes to treat colic, diverticulitis, rheumatism and nervousness. The plant contains steroidal saponins that are the raw materials used to make steroidal hormones and oral contraceptives. In his 2003 book, "Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine," clinical herbalist David Hoffmann, FNIMH, AHG, recommends wild yam as an adaptogen that lowers cortisol by acting directly on the adrenal cortex and supporting its response to ACTH. Do not use this herb during pregnancy.
Skullcap
Skullcap, or Scutellaria lateriflora, is a North American perennial with spikes of purple flowers. It has a long history of medicinal use in treating epilepsy, hysteria, anxiety and insomnia. Herbalist David Hoffmann recommends skullcap as a nervine tonic to support the adrenal glands and reduce stress. Whether your stress is short- or long-term, skullcap may help reduce cortisol levels by relieving tension and nourishing your central nervous system. Do not combine skullcap with other antidepressants or anti-anxiety medicine.
References
- "Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin"; Comparison of the Effects of Sho-hange-ka-bukuryo-to and Nichin-to on Human Plasma Adrenocorticotropic Hormone and Cortisol Levels with Continual Stress Exposure; Fumihiko Katagiri, et al.; October 2004
- "Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine"; David Hoffmann; 2003
