Favorite High Cortisol Herbs
Stress sucks (usually). It affects all aspects of our health, including pieces you didn’t even realize. Chronic stress can impact your hormones, your hair growth, the quality of your skin, your energy, your immune system and more. It can ramp up your anxiety, cause problems with your sleep, and ruin your symptoms of PMS.
When I use the word “stress,” I mean anything that is physical, mental, emotional, environmental or otherwise that is messing you up. Of course there are good stressors - such as healthy exercise, planning a wedding you’re psyched for, and the travel day of a vacation. I’m not talking about that.
I’m talking about the persons, places, and things that increase your cortisol (and adrenaline) over and over and over again. (Blah).
First, you have to recognize the stress you’re feeling and experiencing. There are a lot of ways to help reduce the impact on your body including minimizing or eliminating the top things causing the most stress (if you can).
This includes foundational work first as herbs, vitamins and nutrients can’t do “the work” for you.
Improving your circadian rhythm and sleep
Working to feel safe and finding joy or having routine play
Addressing blood sugar issues
Processing your emotions and trauma
Releasing exercises such as somatic therapy
Eliminating the things holding you back - alcohol, sh*tty food choices, drugs, smoking
Keep in mind, these things are an ongoing process and not required but wow are they helpful! On top of this, I have favorite herbs or nutrients that help ADD to the process of reducing cortisol, feeling calm, and improving sleep.
My favorites:
Magnolia (honokiols = active ingredient): This has been shown to reduce anxiety and the perception of stress while helping to deactivate cortisol.
Ashwagandha (Sensoril=form): an Ayurvedic herb that is known as an adaptogen, helping your body adapt better to all the stressors. It’s considered calming, supportive of the thyroid, helpful for body pains, and brain fog due to stress.
Passionflower: A sedating herb that helps when your insomnia is due to overthinking or when you can’t shut your mind off (thus raising your cortisol!).
Phosphatidylserine: a phospholipid that is in each and every one of your cell walls! It also seems to reduce the stress signal that makes cortisol.
L-theanine: this non-stimulating amino acid analogue found in green and black tea is known to help improve calm and focus. It usually ‘kicks in’ quickly to diffuse a stressful situation.
<Legal Notice because duh: Of course, do your due diligence. Talk with your practitioner. It’s generally not suggested to take them while pregnant or breastfeeding as they haven’t been studied in either population. Ashwatgandha should not be used with hyperthyroid and passionflower should not be used if you’re on an MAOI medication.>
For me, personally, I use Cort-Eaze and take 2 before bed. I will also use a dropperful of Relax Liposomal when I need passionflower (plus it has some melatonin and GABA). You can use code DRJONES for 10% off.
These herbs/nutrients can also be taken individually as needed. For example, you might do ashwagandha in the morning as general stress adaptogen support and l-theanine as needed if your day gets crazy. If you’re ruminating at 3am, passionflower to the rescue!
Don’t let stress take over your hormones or your life!