More stress and hectic schedules leave people tired and to look for ways to get more energy. You drink coffee, and then after a few hours, you feel more tired. Sounds quite familiar? While our top recommendations are to eat a healthy diet, work out daily, get enough sleep, and healthy lifestyle choices, some supplements, including herbal ones, can boost your cognitive health and energy.
Always remember that these herbs can react with other prescribed medications and cause serious side effects, so always consult your health provider before taking them.
Ginseng
As we know, ginseng is a popular herbal supplement that’s efficient in energy-boosting properties. There are two different kinds of ginseng, American ginseng and Asian ginseng. These two types have various health benefits like American ginseng, which is the most stimulating and helps release mental fatigue. It also allows you to focus.
Compounds like ginsenosides, eleutherosides, and ciwujianosides are said to give ginseng its energy-enhancing benefits. However, ginseng comes with a few side effects like insomnia, diarrhea, blood pressure, and increased heart rate.
Sage
According to the studies, sage (salvia) has decent cognitive benefits in adults. If used as a supplement, sage can improve mood, alertness, memory, and attention. Sage has compounds that act as antioxidants, which buffers your brain’s defense system. In a study, sage has helped to improve memory in adults in low doses. Higher doses enhanced mood, alertness, and calmness.
Guarana
Native to the Amazon, the shrub has more antioxidants than green tea. These antioxidants protect the nerve cells in your brain and boost energy. You’ll also find it in energy drinks ingredients due to its stimulating effects. Bodybuilders use this herb to build up lactic acid and prevent muscle soreness.
Although guarana is considered safe, in some cases, if taken in high doses, it may lead to side effects like increased heart rate and anxiety.
Maca
This ancient root vegetable has tons of antioxidants, amino acids, vitamins, and fatty acids. Maca helps your body adapt to environmental stress, such as a busy schedule, hectic job, or illness. The herb helps to balance hormones, increase fertility, and relieve menopausal symptoms.
With this, Maca has iodine that supports the thyroid gland to produce hormones. Iodine also helps in enhancing metabolism, mood swings, blood pressure. But if you have a thyroid disorder, you should consult your health provider before taking the herb as it may have side effects.
Rhodiola Rosea
This plant has been used for hundreds of years in traditional medicine systems. It helps to improve endurance, alertness, and memory. It helps to calm your body and stress response, so you don’t have to waste your energy on anxiety or stress throughout the day.
Also, it decreases both physical and mental fatigue. A recent study has also found that Rhodiola helps those experiencing emotional exhaustion, lack of efficiency to work, mood disorders, and mental fatigue. However, it’s vital to note that the research on Rhodiola is relatively new and demands more study to prove its effectiveness.
Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is a herb in Ayurvedic remedies since old times. It has powerful effects on brain functions. It is to relieve stress, improve concentration, and increase energy levels for over 3000 years. Its botanical name is Withania Somnifera, but it is also known as a few other names, including winter cherry and Indian ginseng.
Cortisol is the stress hormone released in response to stress and when your blood sugar level is deficient. According to some studies, Ashwagandha can decrease cortisol levels. Among all, this herb helps to reduce stress levels both in animals and humans.
Schisandra
It is a berry that has energy-boosting and stress-busting benefits. Schisandra gets these properties due to a compound called Lignans, which is present in various plants and has anti-cancer properties. Schisandra is an adaptogen; hence it helps you to improve stress, energy levels, and concentration.
According to a few studies, Schisandra can help people with Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease improve overall cognitive function and thinking speed. So if you’re looking for a mental boost through a herb, Schisandra could be a good option.
Shilajit
Shilajit is a herb that grows on rocks from plant decomposition. As a supplement, Shilajit is used to boost energy and restore vitality. It has abundant minerals and nutrients, and that’s why it is considered a great supplement to boost energy and overall health.
Apart from this, Shilajit is known to relieve chronic fatigue syndrome, which causes extreme tiredness in the body. Other benefits of this herb include improving heart health and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
Our Final Thoughts
Go to any store, and you’ll see various supplements and vitamins claiming to be energy boosters. There are many natural ways to deal with your stress, and these herbs can aid in the process. However, it’s highly recommended that you never take any of the mentioned herbs without consulting your health provider. It’s because these herbs may have significant side effects on humans.
Apart from this, we always say you can try lifestyle changes and healthy habits to enhance your energy levels naturally. If you often feel stressed, it’s good to talk to someone and lighten your load. Also, a few relaxation therapies like meditation and yoga can help to achieve peace of mind. Some people smoke or drink as they feel it’s their way to deal with stress, but this might be doing more harm than good. Avoid smoking and consuming alcohol as these can cause insomnia, which causes even more stress.
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