Speaker: Jill Stansbury. The role of the pituitary, adrenals and thyroid in cortisol production and regulation is described. Diseases associated with cortisol abnormalities include adrenal insufficiency, cognitive impairment and osteoporosis. This talk describes botanicals that can influence blood cortisol levels and their effect on sleeplessness, adrenal dysfunction and regulation of female hormone levels. Botanicals include Bupleurum, ginseng, ashwagandha and licorice.