Why Adrenal Tonics & Adaptogen Herbs could be the Home-educators Best Friend!

As a home-educator I don’t need to tell you that this life offers more scope for interactions with family members in the home, and that the increased number of interactions allows for more intensity, conflict and meltdown. You already know this. You probably also know that these moments involve activation of the fight or flight response.

The fight or flight response is what kept us safe in hunter-gatherer days where survival depended on our ability to fight or flee danger of death involving predators. The breathing rate increases to take more oxygen into the blood, and the heart rate increases to deliver more blood to the muscles. Blood is redirected from organs including, the gut and brain, so that the muscles have maximum strength and power.

Our nervous system and hormones, (neuro-endocrine system), work in synergy to provide the energy need through adrenaline and cortisol. Cortisol is destructive and breaks up proteins to provide this survival energy, depleting resources that could have been used by the immune system for example.

The part of our brain that takes over control is our most primitive brain, or reptilian brain, closely associated with our emotions and so we feel intense fear.

ALARM – RESISTANCE - EXHAUSTION

All of this happens during the alarm phase, and after the initial shock has passed the body will go into recovery, however, remains on high alert. Once the stressor is removed, the body leaves the danger zone and restores calm.

In biological terms the sympathetic nervous system response has completed its job and tones down, allowing the parasympathetic division take over – this is also know as rest, digest and restore.

If the stress continues, the body remains on high alert for longer periods, even years, (leading to the stress related diseases like high blood pressure and heart disease). We may not know it, but our heart rate stays elevated and stress hormones are still being released to stay in this active alertness. The brain doesn’t have access to all its faculties, digestion is way below par, and resources are being drained beyond what can be matched by our diet – or ineffective digestion.

Additionally, a fear brain has more trouble achieving deep nourishing sleep, (as it’s prioritising survival), so we can wake feeling unrefreshed.

Our body is sacrificing everyday processes in the name of survival. We literally are functioning in survival mode. No wonder if feels that way! Everything is a threat, everything is a trigger.

We are anxious, irritable, critical, lacking creativity, and feeling massively overburdened.

If this RESISTANCE phase continues without pause for full recovery, the body will reach the EXHAUSTION phase. This is where we no longer even look like we’re coping. The neuro-endocrine system has exhausted its resources and has nothing left to mount a stress response. We’re so depleted, there’s barely enough energy to get out of bed in the morning, let alone out of the house! Every exertion requires extreme periods of recovery.

Attending a home-ed group is followed by at least 2 days recovery, and the social calendar is non-existent. You desperately climb into bed at 7pm or wish for that luxury. You barely see the children’s grandparents for fear of judgement. The children’s needs have priority and it’s hard for them to see you struggle. Housework doesn’t get a look-in, and time for yourself? What’s that!?! How does one even find the brain capacity to organise such a luxury?

This type of deep fatigue is often referred to as burnout and is a real risk for home-educators. I’ve been there myself for sure. I prefer the term, ‘Depleted Mother Syndrome’ because it says what it is on the tin. It’s a syndrome that can include anxiety, depression, and frequent mum meltdowns. Plus, so many other non-specific signs that your body feels like it’s cracking up. Literally. With dry inflamed skin, other inflammatory issues, digestive trouble, and frequent infections. There are just not enough resources to cover these body systems adequately.

How do they work?

Tonic herbs are herbs that tone and strengthen the body either generally benefitting the whole body, or more specifically to a particular part.

Adaptogens were so named because they help the body adapt to stress. They come in handy during the resistance phase, where the body seems to have adapted well to frequent stress but in fact is never getting the chance to recover. The adaptogens aid the body in its recovery. They are non-toxic, non-stressful, (some foods & drugs are very stressful for the body), and give more than they demand, (stimulant drinks, plus some foods, drugs & herbs are taxing).

Adrenal tonics have an affinity for the adrenal glands and so when depleted, dysregulated or exhausted can be built back up to strength with a consistent course of nourishing plant medicines. They work relatively slowly over time, drip feeding gently and allowing the body to recover its strength and integrity, as well as rebuilding its stores.

Adrenal tonics are especially necessary in the exhaustion phase and highly preventative of burnout at the resistance phase.

The Ginsengs

In terms of re-energising when depleted – desperately wishing for more energy – the ginsengs are examples of adaptogenic herbs that can come in handy. As with any herb, each has its own unique action profile and will be matched to the person accordingly.

Korean ginseng is probably best avoided as it’s one of the more stimulating herbs so can be overtaxing. Siberian ginseng is much gentler. It was first explored by Russian scientists trying to find an agent to increase performance, stamina, endurance, concentration, and rapid recovery – think athletes, soldiers and explorers. Indian ginseng, or ashwagandha, as you may know it, is fantastic as a rejuvenation herb in debility states, especially from nervous exhaustion and generally being always on the go. American ginseng comes into play with chronic fatigue states especially involving mental depletion, where high cognitive performance is required.

Of course, there are many other herbs classed as adaptogens, and also medicinal mushrooms such as reishi; my daily 3pm delight! (mix 1tsp with hot milk for a coffee-life treat!).

Adaptogens have an overall non-specific normalising effect on the body, allowing it to regain its equilibrium, and access to resources and faculties of everyday necessity.

Adrenal tonics

Adrenal tonics include liquorice, borage, and nettle seed, the latter two easily grown or found in the UK.

When the body has reached a state of exhaustion, it requires a period of convalescence in order to return to its pre-stress state. This is easier said than done. However, we can incorporate elements of convalescence even if we can’t have an extended period of full rest and care.

Convalescence has 4 pillars: rest – gentle short walks – simple easy-to-digest foods – deeply nourishing whole plant medicines.

Nettle is an incredible nutritive, densely packed with minerals, vitamins, even oils and proteins. Borage has the ability to nourish the adrenals, and provides the oils which nourish the brain, nerves, hormones and immune system. There’s an old saying from war days, ‘Borage for Courage’ as soldiers would put a sprig of it in their pockets. It is strengthening in times of need.

The need for recovery is also supported by many other tonic herbs, like vervain which encourages the body into the rest, digest and restore phase, (parasympathetic dominance). Or hawthorn that strengthens and widens blood vessels to allow more waste removal and nutrient delivery to cells. Plus, cat’s claw, high in antioxidants, mopping up the free-radicals before they cause more damage and signs of aging.

A rule of thumb in herbal medicine is that for every year you’ve suffered with a health issue, you’ll need to dedicate a month of recovery. I struggled for about 7 years with exhaustion. I recon I could have recovered in 7 months with the herbal programme alone, however, I needed to address the source of the stress and that took a little more time, focus and active engagement. I needed to address the real cause: Family dynamics.

Road to Recovery

In the end it took a combination of herbs with lifestyle medicine. I learned how connect to myself and how to communication better, how to walk towards and transform conflict, adopted better de-escalation skills and fair decision making, worked on my boundaries and distributing responsibilities.

I learned emotional regulation tools, through NVC, mindfulness, Byron Katie, Mind-Body connection work and meditation.

When I look back, I see why most of our HE life involved creating outdoor meetups, especially in nature, (or skate parks!), woods, rivers, fields, beaches – just being out in the elements is restorative for our nervous system.

As is being in the company of others who get us. Know where we’re coming from and why we do what we do. Free of judgement. Our culture has made it challenging to find and even to create these spaces.

I can offer you this space of acceptance. To be fully seen and heard in what’s important to you. Your struggles, efforts and challenges. I can accompany you on your road of restoration.

I’d really love to work with you!

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