Katherine Nelson Herbal Consultations

CORTISOL is a misunderstood chemical. Cortisol is a steroid hormone, meaning that it is necessary for many bodily functions. Known as the “ stress “ hormone it is produced by the adrenal glands, which are the glands that sit on top of the kidneys. Not only does it help manage stress, it regulates blood pressure, maintains metabolism and modulates immune function. It also controls energy use and blood sugar consumption. Cortisol triggers the pancreas to decrease insulin and increase glucagon, which raises blood sugar levels to provide energy during stress or when needed.

However chronic stress elevated cortisol is not a healthy thing. This is usually due to adrenal fatigue which can lead to weight gain, anxiety and digestive issues. High cortisol contributes to fatty liver, high blood pressure and heart inflammation - MYOCARDITIS.
Basically the adrenals are producing more cortisol than the body can use thereby displacing other necessary hormones such as melatonin, our sleep and rest hormone needed for a good night's sleep.
So once again we have STRESS putting great pressure on the body and ultimately the brain.

Luckily for Humankind we have many remedies that help repair adrenal fatigue and reduce that nasty ongoing inflammation.
Contact me here on fb@ Katherine Nelson Herbal Consultations or drop me an email at [email protected] to start your healing journey.

Ssssoooo….this happened…..
I had a visceral PTSD episode the other day when my friend Dorine took me to the vet to get Poe the Teenage Kitty eviscerated….ooops, I mean “fixed”

To put things into perspective, I lost a Beautiful Cat Creature in March of 2019. He was 4 years old and I am pretty sure had some Maine C**n in him. One day during a hot spell, I heard a yowling in the back alley. I peered over the fence to see Dickens just casually sitting upright on his hunches, one giant paw simply held down on this poor, petrified Cat. There appeared to be no claws, no gnashed teeth, no aggression from Dickens. Just Dickens being superior. He could not help himself, he was a Gentleman Gangster. I chastised Dickens and he slowly turned to look at me, casually lifted his big paw and let the crying, fearful Cat go. He then cooly stood up and sauntered up to me and the fence. He was an amazing, dynamic being. He passed far too young and although I mourned him, I was still in deep mourning for my Mother so what happened when I took Poe the Teenage Kitty to the vet 7 years later shocked me.

I sat in the backseat of my friend's car with a chill Poe ( that unto itself was odd, sitting in the backseat with him, but there I was ), he just lay in his crate trusting that everything would be okay because I was with him when I suddenly just heaved. I was literally abruptly sobbing. It took me a moment to figure out what triggered this eyewatering explosion, it was certainly a PTSD reaction and this seemed sane to me, but even that did not help. I am a knowledge is power kinda Woman, let us look at the facts type of person and that also did not seem to make any difference.
I was a mess.
I was a wreck.
Only until I got Poe back home safe and sound and out of that crate did the terror inside me subside. But not completely, I was so illogically fearful that something would happen to him. I was even worried that the little bit of anesthesia would hurt him and he would die in the night that I woke many times to check on him. He was fine if not a little concerned that I kept waking him. Needless to say I was exhausted for work the next day. Actually probably for a long few days if truth be told. My body ached and I was overwhelmingly fatigued. This short but fast breakdown shattered me.

What occurred could only be described as cellular memory. My cells were literally imprinted by this long ago tragedy and when an innocuous occasion that may have been a similar event occurred, my body got a sudden jolt. Irrational fear took over my reasoning. I was back in a car with Dickens leading him to his death.
Even though I rationally knew what was happening I could not stop crying…no logic, no reasoning, the avalanche of fears and tears just rolled, my body sagged and my heart purely ached.
Luckily for me I have a remedy for that and I did not let it go on for too long.
I am pleased to report that Poe the Teenage Kitty is his usual self, albeit a wee bit more calm, but still my little snuggle muffin, playful Kitty. And Mister the Cat seems a little less on high alert!!! Poor Bastard!
Ssssoooo…that happened.