Boost Your Energy: Best Herbal Solutions
Do you find yourself yawning and unable to focus? You're not alone. According to a survey conducted by Talker Research for MD Live, the average American spends 1,460 hours a year feeling tired.
Nearly 60% say feeling tired keeps them from enjoying life. For people living with chronic conditions, it can be even worse.
Instead of allowing exhaustion to slow you down, try these herbs for an energy boost. These herbal remedies for energy can help improve your cognitive health, stamina, and focus. Discover alternative energy solutions to a morning cup of coffee today!
Bacopa Monnieri
Bacopa monnieri grows in marshy areas in South Asia. Used in Ayurvedic medicine, it could help improve:
- Sleep
- Anxiety
- Memory
- Epilepsy
- Word recall
- Verbal learning
Its concentration of triterpenoid saponins (bacosides) may cause cognitive-boosting effects. It could also have neuroprotective properties.
Potential side effects include abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and more frequent bowel movements. Make sure to consult a doctor before adding these energy-boosting herbs to your routine.
Guarana
Guarana is an ingredient commonly added to supplements and energy drinks. It's known for its stimulating effects.
Derived from the P. cupana seed, guarana is rich in antioxidant properties. Antioxidants can help neutralize harmful molecules called free radicals. When free radicals interact with your cells, they can cause damage associated with:
- Some cancers
- Heart disease
- Aging
Guarana's antioxidant properties may protect you from free radical damage. As an excellent source of caffeine, it could also boost your mental energy and focus.
It works by blocking the effects of adenosine. This compound helps the brain relax. By binding to adenosine receptors, guarana keeps them from activating.
According to a review in the National Library of Medicine, guarana could impact cognitive performance. However, potential side effects include:
- Shakiness
- Upset stomach
- Nervousness
- Heart palpitations
- Insomnia
- Headaches
- Anxiety
- Seizures
Guarana has a 2 to 8% concentration of caffeine (coffee beans have as high as 3%). Its side effects are similar to those of excessive caffeine intake. Avoid taking it in high doses.
Sage
Sage's cognitive-enhancing effects may improve your memory, focus, and energy. It could also help improve attention, word recall, mood, and alertness.
This herb may work by acting as an acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor. The enzyme breaks down a neurotransmitter that plays an important role in cognitive function. AChE inhibitors may help boost acetylcholine in the brain, which supports cognitive function.
Maca
Supplements containing maca root may boost your energy levels. Maca could help reduce anxiety symptoms and enhance athletic performance.
As you explore these herbs for an energy boost, explore your senior living community's dining program or add these herbs to your kitchen. You can include fresh herbs in your diet by adding them to your favorite dishes. Maca is even available as a tea.
Ginseng
Ginseng is known for its antioxidant, energy-boosting, and anti-inflammatory properties. It could help stimulate brain function and improve mental performance.
This herb contains eleutherosides, ciwujianosides, and ginsenosides -- compounds that may give ginseng its energy-enhancing effects. Adding ginseng to your routine may:
- Reduce fatigue
- Increase mental alertness
- Improve physical performance
As with many herbal remedies for energy, there are side effects to consider. Your heart rate and blood pressure may increase. You could experience insomnia and diarrhea.
Ginseng may interfere with medications you're already taking. These can include medications for heart disease, depression, and diabetes.
Make sure to consult a doctor before adding these natural energy boosters to your routine. They'll ensure you don't select herbs or supplements that may interfere with your medications.
Rosemary
Inhaling the scent of rosemary may help improve cognitive function. Rosemary oil has antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. It could boost cognition, learning, and memory.
Some studies indicate that rosemary oil can improve performance on cognitive tasks. It may benefit older adults by protecting them against Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative conditions. However, more research is needed to fully understand this connection.
Rhodiola Rosea
Rhodiola rosea may improve alertness, endurance, and memory. In some studies, it's helped reduce mental fatigue and stress. It could enhance mood, exercise, and brain function.
Rhodiola is an adaptogen, which increase the body's resistance to stress. Consuming adaptogens may help you manage stress and avoid burnout.
Its adaptogenic properties may help alleviate fatigue. In a study on people with chronic fatigue, rhodiola improved:
- Concentration
- Mood
- Stress symptoms
- Fatigue
- Quality of life
It may offer antidepressant properties to help balance the neurotransmitters in your brain. Rhodiola may offer therapeutic benefits for people with age-related diseases.
As you explore these natural energy boosters, consider rhodiola to improve your sports performance. It may help reduce physical and mental fatigue. However, we need more research to understand rhodiola's potential benefits.
Peppermint
As you explore these energy-boosting herbs, consider adding an aromatherapy practice to your routine. Inhaling peppermint may boost your mental awareness and energy. However, we need more research to understand the use of peppermint oil for cognitive enhancement.
Otherwise, explore your senior living community's upcoming activities and programs. Planting peppermint in a garden may uplift your spirits.
Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha may help you increase energy naturally. Used as an Ayurvedic remedy, ashwagandha contains withanolides. These compounds offer antioxidative and anti-inflammatory benefits.
Taking an ashwagandha supplement may improve your performance on cognitive tasks. It could improve your attention span, mental alertness, and sleep quality.
According to the National Council on Aging, about 50% of older adults struggle to fall and stay asleep. Another 46% take five or more prescription medications, which can negatively affect sleep.
If you're struggling to fall and stay asleep, your mental alertness and cognitive function will decline. Consult your doctor to determine if you need to make changes to your medications. They may also recommend alternative energy solutions like ashwagandha.
Try These Herbs for an Energy Boost
You don't have to struggle through every day feeling exhausted. Instead, consider these herbs for an energy boost. Adding these herbs to your routine will allow you to increase energy naturally.
Living in the best retirement community in Kalamazoo, MI, can also improve your quality of life. Choose LakeHouse Kalamazoo for personalized, attentive care in a warm yet stimulating environment.
We provide individualized care plans that help residents thrive. Contact us today to schedule your tour!