DIY: Adrenal Cocktail

By Rustina and Lindsey, Contributing Writers

Do you feel tired and sluggish all the time, even though you’re getting plenty of sleep? Does your mood fluctuate throughout the day? Do you crave salty foods? Do you need caffeine in the mornings before your day can move forward?

You could be suffering from adrenal fatigue.

This term was coined by a Dr. James Wilson, PhD, although the term is not accepted by the allopathic world. 

The adrenals are important little glands that rest on top of your kidneys. They produce and release many hormones including the ever so influential, cortisol. Have you ever been stressed before? I thought so. During those times of stress, the adrenals were releasing cortisol in your body. Cortisol is a steroid hormone made from cholesterol. If you feel “wired but tired” at night, struggle to wake up in the morning, or have a mid-afternoon crash, your cortisol levels may be off.

Cortisol is known as “the stress hormone” because your body creates more of it when you are stressed out.  If you experience chronic stress in your life, this can create an imbalance. If your cortisol levels are out of balance, it’s going to throw melatonin and serotonin out of balance also. Those can then impact your eating habits, your energy, your sleep, your mood, and every other hormone in your body. (If you are looking for more ideas, check out 7 Ways to Naturally Balance Your Hormones)

There are many things that can affect our adrenal health, and working with a holistic doctor is a great way to determine what you are facing. The idea of adrenal fatigue is that the adrenal glands can sometimes function below the necessary level during times associated with intense stress or following chronic infections like bronchitis, flu, or pneumonia. 

Other signs of possible adrenal fatigue include:

• abnormal fatigue
• blood sugar roller coaster
• excessive crankiness
• weight gain or loss
• insomnia or other sleep disturbances
• lack of interest in sex
• hair loss

It is very important to keep our adrenal health in control. Since the adrenals produce and release hormones the effects can be seen throughout our health, both mental and physical. One theory is it could occur from lack of the necessary components to make hormones and energy in the cells (like cholesterol, sodium, potassium, or the hormone that helps make other hormones, DHEA).

A great way to help support adrenal health is drinking an adrenal cocktail. This mixes the needed minerals and vitamins for a good balance that allows the body’s cells to function well. The recipe is pretty simple, and I’ll share a list of great juice options underneath also!

What is an Adrenal Cocktail?

To be considered an adrenal cocktail, there has to be 3 requirements met per the Root Cause Protocol:

• 375mg of Potassium
• 460mg of Sodium
• 60mg of Wholefood Vitamin C 

About the Ingredients

Grapefruit Juice

Grapefruit is well known for its many benefits, and its juice is also helpful. In the adrenal cocktail, grapefruit provides the vitamin C needed to help make sure the minerals get to the liver to nourish the adrenal glands. It also provides some of the potassium.

Grapefruit juice additionally has vitamin A to support eye health, gut lining health, and more.

Real Salt

This brings in the sodium needed.

Cream of Tartar

This brings in the potassium needed.

Raw Honey

Raw honey is full of minerals, vitamins, enzymes, and powerful antioxidants.  It has anti-bacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties.

It also:

• Helps aid digestion
• Strengthens the immune system
• Helps reduce allergies
• Stabilizes blood pressure
• Balances blood sugar
• Calms nerves
• Relieves pain
• Helps support ulcer reductions
• Eases sore throats
• Helps reduce symptoms of colds

So why local, raw honey?

Raw honey is great, and local, raw honey is even better!  Local, raw honey contains pollen that is specific to your area. This can really help those local seasonal allergies. Taking a spoonful of raw honey once or twice a day is a great help. Start a few months before allergy season for the most benefit.

Cayenne Pepper

This can help support the circulatory system and the metabolic system to help improve the adrenal fatigue symptoms (1). If sluggish circulatory symptoms such as water retention in the legs especially, read about Helping Your Lymphatic System (and Why it Matters).

Master Tonic

Earthley’s Master Tonic is perfect for total body support when life gets too busy. If you’re feeling run down and in need of support, Master Tonic is here for you! This herbal remedy has nutrients to support all your major organs that need help when you’re overworked. 

This tincture is designed to support every part of your body. It supports the adrenals, which allows for a healthier stress response. This means you can feel calmer and more able to deal with stress. It also can boost your immune system, making you less likely to get sick and rebound faster when you do. Master Tonic even supports your liver to help your body detox naturally.

Adrenal Cocktail Recipes 

(with suggested additions and substitutes below)

Kate’s Adrenal Cocktail:

• 1 1/2 cups grapefruit juice (about 2 – 3 large)
• 1/4 tsp Real Salt
• 1/8 tsp cream of tartar
• 2 tbsp raw honey (try this one)
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
• 10 – 20 drops Master Tonic (optional)

Watch her mix it here: 

https://youtube.com/shorts/0DBAvI0V6-I?feature=share 

 

Basic Adrenal Cocktail Recipe:

Ingredients:

• ½ cup or 4 Oz of Orange Juice 
• ¼ tsp of Cream of Tartar 
• ¼ tsp of fresh ground Himalayan Sea Salt 

Alternative Recipes:

Option 1 

• ¾ tsp Cream Of Tartar
• ½ Lemon, juiced
• ¼ tsp fresh ground Himalayan Sea Salt

Option 2

• ¾ tsp Cream Of Tartar
• 1 Lime juiced
• ¼ tsp fresh ground Himalayan Sea Salt

Option 3

• ½ cup of Coconut Water
• ½ Lemon juiced
• ¼ tsp fresh ground Himalayan Sea Salt

Option 4

• ½ cup of Coconut Water
• 1 Lime juiced
• ¼ tsp fresh ground Himalayan Sea Salt

Option 5 

• ¼ tsp of Cream of Tartar 
• 1-2 Grapefruit juiced (8 oz)
• ¼ tsp fresh ground Himalayan Sea Salt

Optional add ins for flavor, texture, and additional nutrients:

• 1 – 2 tbsp raw, organic honey
• ½ cup cream or coconut cream
• 1 cup coconut water or aloe vera juice

If you are looking for more tips about Adrenal Health, check this blog out!

Directions to make these recipes:

Step 1: Mix all ingredients together.

Step 2: Some suggest the best time to take it is at 10am and 2pm, or in between meals to help balance energy crashes.

Disclaimer: This post is not intended as medical advice. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA, and nothing in this post is intended to diagnose, treat, or cure anything.  If you have questions, please do your own research or seek advice from a health professional.

 

Have you ever felt like adrenal fatigue fits your symptoms?