DIY: Adrenal Cocktail Collection

Written by Rustina and Lindsey

Do you always feel tired and sluggish, 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.

Dr. James Wilson, Ph.D., coined this term, although the allopathic world does not accept it. 

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 release 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 “the stress hormone” because your body creates more of it when stressed out. If you experience chronic stress in your life, this can create an imbalance. If your cortisol levels are out of balance, it will also throw melatonin and serotonin out of balance. Those can then impact your eating habits, energy, sleep, mood, and every other hormone in your body. Check out our blog, Natural Ways to Reduce Stress & Anxiety, for more information.

Many things 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

To learn more, check out our blog, One Simple Screener for Adrenal Fatigue.

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 mental and physical health. One theory is it could occur from a 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).

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

What is an Adrenal Cocktail?

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

• 375mg of potassium
• 460mg of sodium
• 60mg of wholefood vitamin C — check out our blog, What You Need to Know About Vitamin C Supplements 

About the Ingredients

Grapefruit (or, in this case, grapefruit juice) 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 brings in the sodium needed. Check out our blog, Everything You Need to Know About Salt.

Cream of tartar brings in the potassium needed.

Raw honey contains minerals, vitamins, enzymes, and powerful antioxidants. It has antibacterial, 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 can help support the circulatory and metabolic systems to help improve adrenal fatigue symptoms (1). If you have sluggish circulatory symptoms such as water retention, especially in the legs, check out our blog, Helping Your Lymphatic System (and Why it Matters).

Earthley’s Master Tonic is perfect for total body support when life gets too busy. If you’re feeling run down and need 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 Collection 

(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 
• 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

• ½ cup or 4 oz. of orange juice 
• ¼ tsp. of cream of tartar 
• ¼ tsp. of fresh ground Himalayan sea salt 

5 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 grapefruits, 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

For more tips, check out our 9 Tips for an Adrenal Health Diet blog.

Directions:

Step 1: Mix all ingredients.

Step 2: Drink. Some suggest the best time to take it is at 10 am and 2 pm or 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?