5 Chinese Herbs That Lower Cortisol
When we endure prolonged periods of high stress, it can lead to a condition known as adrenal fatigue or ‘burnout.’ The adrenal gland, responsible for producing stress-related hormones, becomes depleted after prolonged stress. This depletion results in increased feelings of exhaustion and overwork. Adrenal dysregulation can manifest as either insufficient or excessive levels of cortisol.
This article with discuss Chinese herbs that lower cortisol and aid adrenal regulation along with acupuncture therapies that support the body’s response to stress.
Sini Decoction and Adrenal Regulation
“Sini Decoction” is a traditional Chinese medicinal formula comprised of herbs that lower cortisol. This specific decoction is traditionally utilized to address conditions related to the spleen and stomach, often employed for symptoms such as abdominal discomfort, poor digestion, bloating, and lack of appetite.
The formula typically contains specific herbs that aim to regulate and support the function of the spleen and stomach. However, the exact composition and usage may vary based on individual diagnoses made by a qualified practitioner of Chinese medicine.
In 2014, a randomized controlled trial evaluated the Sini decoction in comparison to a control group and a group that received a corticoid. The Sini decoction included monkshood, dried ginger, and honey-fried licorice. The corticoid utilized was hydrocortisone, cortisol directly given to the body.
The researchers administered the therapies for 7 days and collected adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol levels before the study, 3 days after the therapies, and 14 days after the therapies. ACTH is the precursor to cortisol in the body and therefore can indicate future cortisol synthesis.
The study found no significant difference in ACTH levels between the corticoid and Sini decoction group. The groups that received the corticoid or the Sini decoction behaved similarly and had higher cortical levels in comparison to that of the control group.
Therefore, the study suggested that the Sini decoction can improve adrenal dysregulation.
Read More: How 3 Chinese Herbal Remedies and Acupuncture Can Fight Anxiety
Managing Cortisol with Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is known for its adaptogenic qualities and aiding the body in managing stress by regulating physiological processes. It’s used to reduce cortisol levels, boost energy, and enhance overall well-being.
With anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, it’s employed to address issues like anxiety, fatigue, and potentially support cognitive function and immune health.
Researchers in 2019 investigated Shui Qie’s effect on stress-relief through a randomized controlled trial. Shiu Qie in Chinese medicine is also commonly known as ashwagandha.
Over 60 days, 60 adults were randomly assigned to receive either a placebo or 240 mg of standardized Shiu Qie extract once a day. To measure their stress, participants had their cortisol levels collected and they also completed the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21).
Ashwagandha intake was found to produce a greater reduction in cortisol compared to placebo. Additionally, the ashwagandha supplementation was associated with a statistically significant reduction in the HAM-A scale. These findings suggest that Ashwagandha’s reduction in cortisol helped regulate the participant’s stress level.
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Panax Ginseng & the HPA Axis
Cortisol is regulated through communications between the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland, and the adrenal gland. This pathway is referred to as the HPA axis. Through modulation of this axis, herbs can regulate cortisol as well as other stress-related hormones. For example, hyperactivity of the HPA axis leads to elevated blood cortisol levels.
Panax ginseng, a well-known Chinese herb, can act as a supportive tool for mood and stress regulation. Much of the research on this role is focused on the HPA axis.
A review in 2019 collected current research focused on Panax ginseng’s mechanism of action as an antidepressant. Modulation of the HPA axis can help relieve depression as well as other mood disorders.
The summary noted that mice that received ginsenosides extracted from Panax ginseng not only had improved sleep but had lower cortisol levels in blood serum. In a normal 24-hour cycle, cortisol should be the lowest at night to help support sleep. The researchers suggested that by lowering the cortisol levels, the ginsenosides helped calm heightened cortisol levels that might have been disrupting sleep.
Researchers in an animal study in 2012 directly evaluated the effect of ginsenoside Rg1 on cortisol levels after inducing stress in mice. Ginsenoside Rg1 is a major constituent of Panax ginseng thought to carry neuroprotective effects.
In comparison to controls, the mice that received the ginsenoside had reduced cortisol levels during the mild stress and increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). BDNF is a protein that helps promote the growth and health of nerve cells and is often negatively correlated with cortisol levels.
Read More: 5 Surprising Facts About Ginseng | The 4 Life-Changing Powers of Ginseng
Acupuncture to Reduce Cortisol and Support Sleep
Acupuncture can help regulate various physiological processes in the body, including stress response and hormone levels like cortisol. When acupuncture needles are inserted into specific points on the body, it helps stimulate the nervous system, prompting the release of neurotransmitters and endorphins.
This stimulation reduces stress and promotes a sense of relaxation while impacting cortisol levels. By promoting relaxation and balancing the body’s energy flow, acupuncture may contribute to lowering cortisol levels over time.
To explore the underlying mechanism of how acupuncture benefits patients with chronic insomnia, researchers in a randomized controlled trial in 2021 measured plasma cortisol levels after acupuncture therapies in comparison to a control.
These therapies included either acupuncture or electroacupuncture at four therapeutic points. The control group received acupuncture or electroacupuncture, however, at three points that were not related to chronic insomnia relief.
The study randomly divided the 60 patients to either receive the control or therapeutic acupuncture for three sessions a week for four weeks.
Compared to before the treatment, plasma cortisol levels in the treatment group were significantly down-regulated while plasma melatonin levels were up-regulated in comparison to those in the control group. Cortisol is a hormone that can disrupt sleep when down-regulated while melatonin is a hormone that helps support sleep onset.
Through this hormone regulation, therapeutic acupuncture was thought to help support the patients’ sleep.
The study additionally measured scores on the Pittsburg sleep quality index (PSQI) and fatigue severity scale (FSS) to evaluate sleep quality and daytime fatigue. Compared with before the therapies, the PSQI scores and total FSS scores decreased significantly in the therapeutic group, suggesting chronic insomnia relief.
A randomized controlled trial in 2021 also explored cortisol levels in patients with chronic insomnia, compared acupuncture to Estazolam tablets. Estazolam is a prescription sedative medication prescribed for insomnia.
The researchers randomly divided 60 patients into an observation group or a control group for 4 weeks. The observation group received acupuncture once every other day, 3 times a week while the control group received Estazolam tablets (1 mg) before bed every night.
The researchers measured serum GABA, serum cortisol, and PSQI ratings. GABA is a relaxing neurotransmitter that can be supportive of sleep.
The study found acupuncture to be similarly effective as Estazolam for PSQI ratings. The serum GABA levels were higher, and the serum cortisol levels were lower in both groups after the four weeks.
Therefore, this study shows that acupuncture is equally as effective as Estazolam for chronic insomnia relief.
Read More: Top 10 Benefits of Acupuncture | This is Your Brain on Acupuncture
Take-Aways
Research highlights how Traditional Chinese Medicine, including both herbal remedies and acupuncture, effectively mitigates stress and stress-related ailments by directly influencing cortisol, the primary stress hormone. While the considerable reduction in stress levels underscores the effectiveness of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the additional evidence provided by blood labs in this article further solidifies the efficacy of these practices.
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