Adrenal +™

TCM herbal formula for adrenal insufficiency, burnout, fatigue, premature aging, and declining mental and physical performance — tonifies Kidney yin, yang, and jing (essence); tonifies qi and blood; strengthens Spleen and Stomach; regulates the endocrine system

⚠️ Contraindicated during pregnancy and nursing. Not recommended for exterior or excess conditions — do not use in cases of active infections or inflammations. Use with caution in patients with yin deficiency as this formula is warm in nature. May be taken with a small amount of salt to enhance Kidney-tonic properties. Patients with a pacemaker or taking antiarrhythmic drugs or cardiac glycosides such as Lanoxin (digoxin) should NOT take this formula — Fu Zi (Radix Aconiti Lateralis Praeparata) may interact with these drugs by affecting heart rhythm and potentiating contractile strength.

CLINICAL APPLICATIONS

* Adrenal insufficiency or low adrenal function

* Premature aging

* Diminished sexual and reproductive functions

* Patients who are "burned out," with fatigue, no energy, lack of interest, lack of drive and satisfaction

Background: The adrenal glands — two triangular glands on top of the kidneys — are responsible for the production and release of cortisol in response to stress. Chronic stress or poor stress management leads to adrenal insufficiency or adrenal fatigue, with clinical manifestations including anxiety, depression, fatigue, intolerance for stress, increased allergy and sensitivity to foods and chemicals, and a tendency to feel cold. In TCM, these conditions reflect excessive consumption of qi, blood, yin, yang, and Kidney jing (essence), accompanied by deficiency of the Spleen, Stomach, Heart, and Kidney.

Key herb-level clinical data:

— Ren Shen (Radix et Rhizoma Ginseng): most effective and potent herb to tonify qi; strengthens Lung and Spleen; excellent adaptogenic functions — helps the body adjust to various stressful situations; improves mental and physical functions; clinically: marked effectiveness in improving memory and learning ability; 30 children with low IQ showed mild to moderate improvement in classroom performance; 27 patients with impotence — 15 regained normal function, 9 moderate improvement, 3 no effect; 24 patients with low sperm count — 70% increase in sperm count, 67% increase in sperm motility; patients with declining pituitary gland function successfully treated with Ren Shen + Zhi Gan Cao for 2–3 months; increases total IgM count

— Shu Di Huang (Radix Rehmanniae Praeparata): nourishes Kidney; benefits qi; increases plasma levels of adrenal cortical hormone

— Ba Ji Tian (Radix Morindae Officinalis): strengthens Spleen and Kidney; stimulating effect on the pituitary gland and adrenal cortex — increases plasma levels of corticosteroids; improves physical performance — significant capacity to increase body weight, muscle strength, and physical endurance vs. placebo

— Zhi Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae Praeparata cum Melle): tonifies qi; harmonizes formula; glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhetinic acid clearly enhance the overall duration and influence of cortisone; used with Ren Shen for declining pituitary function

— Ze Xie (Rhizoma Alismatis): settles turbidity in the Kidney; diuretic — counteracts potential cellular water accumulation from long-term Zhi Gan Cao use

— Shi Chang Pu (Rhizoma Acori Tatarinowii): opens sensory orifices; improves mental functioning and alertness; laboratory studies show improvement of memory

— Da Zao (Fructus Jujubae): tonifies qi and blood; strengthens Lung and Spleen; improves physical performance — significant capacity to increase body weight, muscle strength, and physical endurance vs. placebo

— Gou Qi Zi (Fructus Lycii): nourishes Kidney; benefits qi; highly effective for low sperm count and poor motility; increases non-specific immunity — promotes phagocytic activity by macrophages and increases total T cells

— Wu Wei Zi (Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis): tonifies Lung; prevents leakage of Lung qi; reduces loss of fluids from the Kidney particularly via spermatorrhea; stimulating effect on reproductive organs — increases weight of testicles in males and induces ovulation in females

— Rou Gui (Cortex Cinnamomi): revitalizes Kidney yang; warms lower body; strengthens Spleen; clinically: 5-day preparation increased white blood cell count by 150–200%

— Fu Zi (Radix Aconiti Lateralis Praeparata): revitalizes Kidney yang; warms lower body; excellent for chronic cold-type disorders of the endocrine, cardiovascular, and musculoskeletal systems

— Du Zhong (Cortex Eucommiae): tonifies Kidney; strengthens knees and lower back; improves endocrine system; increases non-specific immunity — promotes phagocytic activity by macrophages and increases total T cells

— Niu Xi (Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae): tonifies Kidney; strengthens knees and lower back

— Suo Yang (Herba Cynomorii): strengthens Spleen and Kidney

— Xiao Hui Xiang (Fructus Foeniculi): strengthens Spleen and Kidney

— Fu Ling (Poria): strengthens Spleen; dissolves dampness; dispels damp through urination; tonifies middle jiao

— Shan Yao (Rhizoma Dioscoreae): strengthens Spleen; dissolves dampness; tonifies Lung; prevents leakage of Lung qi

— Shan Zhu Yu (Fructus Corni): improves endocrine system; astringent — balanced by Mu Dan Pi

— Mu Dan Pi (Cortex Moutan): sedates deficiency fire of the Liver; balances the astringent property of Shan Zhu Yu

— Yuan Zhi (Radix Polygalae): tonifies Heart; calms the shen (spirit)

— Ba Ji Tian, Du Zhong, Shan Zhu Yu: all improve and regulate the endocrine system

WESTERN THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

* Regulates and improves adrenal glands and endocrine system — Shu Di Huang (adrenal cortical hormone↑); Ba Ji Tian (pituitary + adrenal cortex stimulation, corticosteroids↑); Zhi Gan Cao (cortisone duration↑); Shan Zhu Yu, Du Zhong, Ba Ji Tian (endocrine regulation)

* Improves mental acuity and physical performance — Ren Shen (memory, learning, adaptogen); Shi Chang Pu (memory, alertness); Da Zao + Ba Ji Tian (body weight↑, muscle strength↑, physical endurance↑)

* Restores sexual and reproductive functions — Ren Shen (impotence, sperm count↑, motility↑); Gou Qi Zi (sperm count↑, motility↑); Wu Wei Zi (testicle weight↑, ovulation induction)

* Enhances immune system — Rou Gui (WBC↑ 150–200%); Ren Shen (IgM↑); Gou Qi Zi + Du Zhong (macrophage phagocytic activity↑, T cells↑)

CHINESE THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

* Tonifies Kidney yin, yang, and jing (essence) (Shu Di Huang, Gou Qi Zi, Shan Zhu Yu, Fu Zi, Rou Gui, Ba Ji Tian, Suo Yang, Du Zhong, Niu Xi)

* Tonifies qi and blood (Ren Shen, Da Zao, Zhi Gan Cao)

* Strengthens Spleen and Stomach (Fu Ling, Shan Yao, Ba Ji Tian, Suo Yang, Xiao Hui Xiang, Rou Gui)

* Tonifies Lung; prevents leakage of qi and fluids (Shan Yao, Wu Wei Zi)

* Tonifies Heart; calms shen (Yuan Zhi)

* Improves mental functioning and alertness (Shi Chang Pu, Ren Shen)

DOSAGE

Standard: 3–4 capsules three times daily on an empty stomach with warm water. May increase to 6–8 capsules three times daily if necessary. For maintenance: 1–2 capsules daily.

Supplementary formulas: Immediate energy boost — use with Vibrant. Long-term vitality restoration — use with Imperial Tonic. Hypothyroidism — use with Thyro-forte. Sexual and reproductive disorders — use with Vitality. Compromised immune system — use with Immune+. Stomach or duodenal ulcers — use with GI Care. Stress and anxiety — use with Calm. Severe stress and anxiety — use with Calm (ES). Stress, anxiety, and insomnia — use with Calm ZZZ. Insomnia — use with Schisandra ZZZ. Obesity — use with Herbalite. Lung weakness and deficiency — use with Cordyceps 3. Poor memory — use with Enhance Memory. Kidney yang deficiency — add Kidney Tonic (Yang). Kidney yin deficiency — add Kidney Tonic (Yin). Male infertility — add Vital Essence.

Nutrition: Increase consumption of fresh fruits, vegetables, grains, seeds, and nuts. Eat more fish and fish oils, onions, garlic, olives, olive oil, herbs, spices, yogurt, fiber, and tofu or other soy products. Sea vegetables such as kelp and dulse replenish minerals including magnesium, potassium, calcium, iodine, and iron. Ensure adequate vitamin B complex intake to process and utilize energy. Decrease alcohol, fats, and highly processed foods. Avoid stimulants such as coffee, caffeine, and high-sugar products. Food allergies or chemical hypersensitivity can drain energy and cause fatigue — additional tests may be needed to rule out allergy.

Tao of Nutrition (Dr. Maoshing Ni and Cathy McNease) — Kidney yang deficiency: Warming foods — chicken, lamb, scallions, sesame seeds, fish, baked tofu, soybeans, walnuts, eggs, lentils, black beans, lotus seeds, a little wine, ginger, cinnamon bark tea.

Tao of Nutrition — Kidney yin deficiency: Cooling foods — mulberries, apples, peaches, pears, fresh vegetables, mung beans, soybeans, tofu, soy sprouts, chrysanthemum flowers.

Lifestyle: Get regular exercise and adequate rest. For relaxation and better sleep, take a warm bath for about 20 minutes before bedtime — sea salt or Epsom salt can be added. Engage in activities such as tai chi chuan, walking, or meditation that allow calming of the mind without creating stagnation or excessive fatigue. Avoid exposure to heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, aluminum, copper, and arsenic — all of which can suppress the immune system and cause fatigue. Those already exposed should take Herbal DTX to eliminate these toxins.

CASE STUDIES

— 66-year-old female (M.H.): Tiredness, weakness, inability to exercise, desire to rest frequently, some anxiety; BP 145/70 mmHg, HR 88 bpm; lab: K 5 mmol/L (high — adrenal stress), anion gap 15.8 mmol/L (high — dysglycemia); cold hands and feet; Kidney qi deficiency with yin and yang deficiencies. Adrenal + 3 capsules 3x/day and as needed after exercising. Result: patient satisfied — noticed significant difference in energy.

— 31-year-old female (L.D.): Fatigue, dizziness, low body temperature, coldness, muscle weakness; BP 100/60 mmHg, HR 65 bpm; Western diagnosis: hypotension and hypoglycemia; decreased thyroid activity and adrenal medullary insufficiency; yang deficiency. Thyro-forte 2.5g/day + Adrenal + 1.5g/day — no acupuncture. Result after 2 months: much more energized, dizziness resolved, no longer felt cold.

Related Reading

Also see: Vibrant – for immediate energy boost | Imperial Tonic – for long-term vitality restoration | Thyro-forte – for hypothyroidism | Vitality – for sexual and reproductive disorders | Immune+ – for compromised immune system | GI Care – for stomach or duodenal ulcers | Calm – for stress and anxiety | Calm (ES) – for severe stress and anxiety | Calm ZZZ – for stress, anxiety, and insomnia | Schisandra ZZZ – for insomnia | Herbalite – for obesity | Cordyceps 3 – for Lung weakness and deficiency | Enhance Memory – for poor memory | Kidney Tonic (Yang) – for Kidney yang deficiency | Kidney Tonic (Yin) – for Kidney yin deficiency | Vital Essence – for male infertility | Herbal DTX – for heavy metal detox | Stress & Sleep Collection.