Has anyone ever been helped by adaptogens...ever?!?

So this is was my second go around with licorice root. Each time I took it for 3 months. The outcome and results were the same. I felt better initially for like 2 weeks and then I started to feel worse, much worse. I developed melasma, and then slowly the anxiety intensified to the point of feeling panicky especially after any physical exertion.


I can only guess that licorice stimulated my ACTH hence the melasma and according to blood tests both my testosterone and potassium dropped which is one of the noted side effects of LR and probably contributed to anxiety.

I thought potassium was associated with cortisol levels. So if your cortisol was low to begin with decreased potassium would make you feel worse. I could also see where the increased cortisol would drive down or waste potassium and sodium.
If people with AF or adrenal insufficiency are already challenged with aldosterone and potassium issues then why is licorice root recommended by so many books and websites as a good adrenal adaptogen.

It made me wonder about the other adrenal friendly adaptogens...everything from Ashwanganda to seriphos. Has anyone ever felt better or felt they were on the road back to recovery with any of these supplements or herbs?

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