Adrenal Insufficiency (adjunctive support)
Also known as: adrenal insufficiency, Addison's disease, low cortisol
Adrenal insufficiency means the body cannot make enough cortisol — it needs lifelong steroid replacement, and illness or vomiting can trigger a life-threatening crisis. Chinese medicine supports the underlying qi-yang deficiency, kidney depletion and heart-spleen patterns for energy and wellbeing — it never replaces or adjusts steroid therapy.
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Lifestyle & Diet
- •Carry your steroid emergency card and injectable kit; teach family how to use it.
- •Double steroid doses during illness per your doctor's sick-day plan.
- •Wear medical identification.
- •Salty fluids help during hot weather or exertion.
Cautions & Contraindications
- •Herbal therapy must never replace or adjust steroid dosing.[]
- •No fasting, extreme exercise or 'adrenal reset' protocols.[]
When to reassess or seek care again
Review every 4–8 weeks: energy, weight, blood pressure, sick-day plan understanding.
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Sources & Further Reading
Clinical guidance, red flags and safety notes on this page draw on the following current sources alongside the classical references above.
- NHS · 2024
- NIDDK · 2024
- Healthdirect Australia · 2024
Educational reference for licensed practitioners. Not a substitute for individual clinical assessment. Refer to conventional care for any red-flag or undiagnosed presentation.