Adrenal insufficiency is a complex endocrine disorder characterised by inadequate production of glucocorticoids and/or mineralocorticoids by the adrenal cortex.
Clinical presentation of adrenal insufficiency is often varied and non-specific, with people commonly reporting:
▪️ fatigue
▪️ weakness
▪️ exhaustion
▪️ dizziness and disorientation
▪️ muscle and joint pain
▪️ muscle cramps
▪️ hyperpigmentation
▪️ gastrointestinal discomfort
▪️ anorexia (lack of appetite)
▪️ nausea
▪️ hypotension (low blood pressure)
▪️ hyponatraemia (low blood sodium level)
▪️ hyperkalaemia (high blood potassium level)
▪️ among other symptoms
These heterogeneous symptoms highlight the need for comprehensive, individualised management strategies that extend beyond conventional hormone replacement therapy.
Nutritional and herbal medicines may offer adjunctive support in managing the symptoms of adrenal insufficiency. This review outlines a range of nutrients and herbal medicines with potential therapeutic relevance in adrenal insufficiency.
Key nutrients include thiamine, riboflavin, nicotinamide, nicotinamide mononucleotide, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, folate, cobalamin, colecalciferol, menaquinone-7, chromium, magnesium, zinc, omega-3 fatty acids, resveratrol, ubiquinol, and carnitine. These nutrients support energy metabolism, adrenal hormone synthesis, mitochondrial function, and immunomodulation.
Additionally, several herbal medicines, including Bacopa monnieri, Centella asiatica, Curcuma longa, Melissa officinalis, Panax ginseng, Passiflora incarnata, Rhodiola rosea, and Withania somnifera, are explored for their adaptogenic, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and anxiolytic properties, which may positively influence stress regulation and symptom burden in affected individuals.
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McEwen B. Supporting Adrenal Insufficiency: Clinical applications of nutritional and herbal medicines. JACNEM 2026; 45(1): 48-57.
If symptoms persist, talk to a health professional. For information purposes only.