Best Chinese Herbs for Adrenal Fatigue

These days, trying to stay on top of a successful career, a clean home, a vibrant social life, and healthy habits can feel impossible. We burn the candle at both ends to try to have it all, which leaves many of us feeling burned out.

But burnout is more than a buzzword – it’s a reality, and conditions like adrenal fatigue are becoming increasingly common.

Adrenal fatigue is more than just feeling “tired.” It’s a range of symptoms triggered by chronic physical, mental, and emotional stress that leave you drained, unfocused, and struggling to keep up with daily life.

The good news? Chinese herbal medicine offers a natural solution to combat stress, restore balance, and rebuild your energy naturally. Whether you’re feeling overworked, overstimulated, or just plain exhausted, here are some of the best Chinese herbs to reclaim your energy.

What is Adrenal Fatigue?

Adrenal fatigue is the term given to a group of symptoms related to long-term physical, mental, or emotional stress. The most common symptom is fatigue, particularly upon waking that lasts throughout the day. Intermittent “crashes” throughout the day are also common.

The core idea behind adrenal fatigue is this: chronic stress overstimulates your adrenal glands, which are small but mighty organs located above your kidneys. These glands produce cortisol, the hormone responsible for the fight-or-flight response.

When we’re confronted with potentially dangerous situations, this is helpful! But when it happens regularly during non-dangerous, everyday stressful situations (like traffic or checking email), this overworks the adrenal glands, over-stimulates the nervous system, floods our systems with cortisol, and leaves us with a host of symptoms:

What are the symptoms of adrenal fatigue?

• Fatigue
• Poor stress response
• Unbalanced moods
• Anxiety
• Cognitive issues or “brain fog”
• Increased energy levels in the evenings
• Cravings for salty and sweet foods
• The need to overuse caffeine and other stimulants
• Weakened immune system
• Insomnia
• Frequent urination
• Loss of muscle tone
• Poor circulation
• Depression
• Weight gain
• Decreased libido
• High blood pressure
• Premature aging
• Unregulated blood sugar

Adrenal Fatigue Treatment in Chinese Medicine

Let’s attack adrenal fatigue with TCM’s holistic approach. Rather than focus only on the adrenal glands, Chinese herbal medicine also improves other closely related factors – like hormonal systems, immunity, and the body’s natural resilience to stress.

Perhaps the most important tie to adrenal health in TCM is the Kidney system, which governs energy, vitality, and resilience. When chronic stress depletes Kidney yin, yang, or qi, it creates an imbalance that manifests as adrenal fatigue. For example:

Adrenal Fatigue and Kidney Vitality

The adrenal glands are most closely related to the Kidney system in Chinese medicine. To have a healthy adrenal and Kidney system, we need a balance in yin and yang, specifically Kidney yin, Kidney yang, and Kidney Qi.

Unfortunately, chronic stress depletes all of these vital energies. Which imbalance you are most susceptible to will depend on your body’s constitution and the other health issues you might be facing.

Adrenal Fatigue and Kidney Yin Deficiency

Adrenal fatigue with a root in Kidney yin deficiency is often accompanied by heat or dryness-related symptoms. You may struggle to sleep at night as your mind is reckless and anxious, despite feeling exhausted. You may notice that you feel more irritable and anxious, rather than tired. You may also notice signs like headaches and skin conditions that are worsened when stress and exhaustion are high.

Adrenal Fatigue and Kidney Yang Deficiency

Adrenal fatigue related to Kidney yang deficiency tends to come with other cold or yang deficiency symptoms. Along with feeling exhausted, you may also feel cold, lethargic, and just want to curl up and get cozy rather than face the day. You may notice digestive issues like bloating and loose stools.

Adrenal Fatigue and Kidney Qi Deficiency

This pattern of adrenal fatigue is milder than the other two and relates mostly to energy. We tend to feel tired, sleepy, lethargic, fuzzy-headed, or simply unmotivated with low Kidney qi. Those with Kidney qi deficiency may also notice issues like low back soreness or weakness. When you can get enough downtime or sleep, you tend to feel better.

Chinese Medicine and Adrenal Fatigue from a Western Medicine Perspective

Aside from balancing yin and yang, Chinese medicine has a scientific basis that supports those with adrenal fatigue. Here’s how Western medical research views the benefits of Chinese medicine for adrenal health:

Chinese medicine reduces stress and cortisol levels

Adrenal fatigue occurs when the adrenal glands secrete too much cortisol in response to daily stressors. Studies show that Chinese medicine calms the nervous system to ease reactivity, reduce the frequency of adrenal cortisol release, and reduce overall stress.

Chinese medicine regulates the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis

According to research, several different Chinese herbal compounds were found to regulate the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal gland axis, thereby changing stress behaviors that correspond to adrenal fatigue.

Chinese medicine relieves the symptoms of adrenal fatigue

Studies show that adrenal fatigue symptoms like high blood pressure, insomnia, weight gain, brain fog, and anxiety can all be alleviated with the help of Chinese medicine.

Best Chinese Herbs for Adrenal Fatigue

As with all conditions, there is no single Chinese herb for adrenal fatigue because each person (and their root cause) is different. But, when you understand your symptoms and the pattern of imbalance they reveal, you can find a formula that is best suited to you.

Chinese Herbs for Adrenal Exhaustion and Adrenal Health

If your main symptoms are fatigue and general stress, a balanced formula that supports adrenal health is for you.

Chinese Herbs for Chronic Stress and Adrenal Fatigue

If you suffer from high levels of chronic stress, or are going through a particularly challenging time, these herbs can help.

Chinese Herbs for Energy and Adrenal Fatigue

Chinese herbs help to fight the most common symptom of adrenal weakness: fatigue.

Get Natural Relief for Adrenal Fatigue with Chinese Medicine

Whether you suffer from adrenal fatigue or simply want a better way to manage your stress and protect your health, Chinese herbal medicine can help.So, if you had 10% more energy, what could you achieve? Put your goals in the comments below, then shop our collection of formulas designed to reduce stress, fight fatigue, and restore your natural energy.