I am wondering if anyone has had any positive experience of taking licorice to encourage, and increase their low cortisol ? My early morning cortisol has been low for a while now, and at each Saliva report, the increase in the early morning sample is small !!
So I'm thinking of trying some licorice ! I am aware there is a risk of a possible increase in Blood Pressure, which is why I'm cautious, but I would love to hear from anyone who has had some success from taking it, even if low and slow ?
Thank you !
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C70rol
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There's also a risk that it will possibly lower your cortisol. Adaptogens are unreliable in their effect.
What are you doing to raise your cortisol? Taking lots and lots of B vits, vit C and salt? Those ar the things that adrenals love the most. And, a high protein breakfast first thing.
I have never heard that about Licorice , I was led to believe that Licorice was the only adaptogen to raise cortisol. I knew about all the other adaptogens, and in fact my low cortisol is a result of a functional doctor prescribing an Adaptogen , ensuring me that it was a balancer for the adrenals.
How easy it is to trust these functional doctors
But I respect your advice and certainly don't want to lower my cortisol any further !!
Yes - I do have lots of C vits and the B vits, salt and a high protein breakfast !
You're welcome. But, I would trust an functional doctor even less than a normal one, ater some of the things I've read on here!
I could be wrong about licorice, I've never tried it myself. But, after bad experiences with ashwagandha and ginseng, I wouldn't try another adaptogen.
Ashwaghanda alongside ginseng drops was what was prescribed to me by a 'Well Known' functional doctor !!!........These doctors disrupt the lives of people like us for a long period of time . It can be very costly, in more ways than one !
I’ve had some odd experiences with Ashwagandha. The one I bought from Amazon with excellent reviews caused insomnia. However, I happened to get a few capsules from somebody at Whole Foods who was sampling it and that really helped me sleep. Who knows!
I tried some Licorice drops too just for a day. My cortisol levels are low too but it just made me more anxious. My blood pressure is quite low I could do with raising it.
Thank you Serndipitious . - low cortisol is a real burden! I'm sure you'll agree. My blood pressure , my temperature and sometimes, blood sugar is low! But I am able to get some help now and again from an acupuncturist. But he is not cheap, so I don't see him very often. Do be wary of taking adaptogens , taken over a period of time they WILL lower your cortisol. And it's a slow climb back up again !!!
Yes I feel tired and lack energy especially in the mornings. I often think low cortisol is a symptom of something else and if we just treat the symptoms it won’t get us anywhere and it could make us worse. But then sometimes I end up trying things anyway. The only other adaptogen I tried was Holy Basil. Maybe that lowered it? Is this something your acupuncturist told you?
I’m intrigued by the acupuncturist approach. Quite scared of needles. How can they help?
How did you find out you had low cortisol? Have you had a Saliva test? Do you take any adrenal cortex/glandulars?
Holy Basil is also an adaptogen . That's also likely to further lower your low cortisol!
My acupuncturist, is also a doctor, and like most doctors they don't know anything about weak adrenals. But he knows about the meridians that would strengthen the weaknesses in the body, caused by low adrenals .in my last appointment I wanted help for my neuralgia that I'd had for most of the Lockdown. It worked and I'm pain free now.
I'm not bothered about needles if he can get my health strengthened !!!
Yes I’ve taken an adrenal saliva test a few times now. I tried Seeking Health’s Adrenal Cortex but didn’t feel any change. I took Holy Basil years ago but yes it could have had an effect.
When you say you had neuralgia was that brought on by something? A B12 deficiency perhaps? Yes I am funny with needles but it wouldn’t stop me from trying it. I’ve heard it’s great for fertility issues too.
The neuralgia was brought on by a weakness in the top of my spine from an old whiplash injury, which surfaces when under stress. The stress at the start of lockdown for me, was my husband going into hospital for an operation, which had some complications when he was sent out, and I couldn't get any help from the hospital or my doctor, and there was no one I could talk to for help. And of course Covid itself brought on enough stress in those early days.
I’m sorry to hear that, gosh yes things were so difficult and stressful for everyone and especially so for some people. Glad you got through it and hope your husband is doing well.
I do think adrenal issues are secondary to something else. I think it was something I learned from a Dr Datis Kharrazian Facebook Live. Now how to sort these out is another thing.
Sorry Scrumbler, slightly off topic but you recommended a Magnesium cream some time ago. I can’t find that post anymore. Would you mind telling me which one it is? Thanks
Hi Scrumbler, I too have been toying with licorice drops, (Baldwin & Co), I thought they might be gentler than tablets. This is why I wanted to hear from anybody who might have gone down the Licorice route. I have also tried different supps and also found matters were made worse,
But I looked on several sites (Google), and most say that Licorice is helpful for low cortisol! So I am tempted. I've tried to raise my thyroid meds and that wasn't good. So obviously the adrenals aren't strong enough for that yet! So I'm just plodding along and taking lots of rests !
Also, I’ve been following the work of Ari Whitten and he also believes that fatigue isnt related to Adrenal Fatigue. Low cortisol is a secondary issue.
He says many of us have circadian rhythm disruption which can affect how our bodies make energy and how our mitochondria use light for energy. A lot of practitioners are recognising that mitochondria are the key to getting our energy up. Well not NHS doctors but alternative practitioners. Another one to look up sorry lol.
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