Do you feel like you just drag through your day, with no energy to complete your projects? All you can think about is going to bed or getting that 5th cup of coffee to boost your energy because you’re so tired. But when you do get to bed, you wake up still feeling tired.
One of the first things to look at is changing your daily habits that contribute to fatigue. Eating fast food, processed food, sugars, caffeine, energy drinks, and overeating is not good for your body, it causes adrenal fatigue. Eat a wide spectrum of organic greens, grains, nuts, fruit, wild-caught fish, wild game and beef. Eating this in addition to using adaptogenic herbs will help you balance your system.
Adaptogenic Herbs
Adaptogenic herbs will give you sustained energy and vitality while allowing your mind to think freely, calmly and without excessive stimulation. These are plants with properties that exert a normalizing influence on your body, that’s neither habit-forming, over-stimulating or inhibiting normal body function but rather exerting a generalized tonifying effect. They increase your resistance overall against physical, chemical and biological stressors.
Ginseng (Panax Ginseng) is a well-known energy booster. This herb provides an all-around remedy for just about any ailment including boosting energy, lowering blood sugar and cholesterol levels, reducing stress, promoting relaxation, treating diabetes and managing sexual dysfunction in men. Ginseng is an adaptogen which means this herb actually nourishes rather than strains the adrenal glands allowing it to produce energy the way your body is naturally designed to do so. Panax ginseng comes in capsules or tinctures.
Green tea (Camellia sinensis) is the healthiest beverage on the planet. It is full of powerful antioxidants and nutrients that have powerful effects on the body such as polyphenols, flavonoids, and catechins. Green tea contains more than just caffeine it also has the amino acid L-theanine which is able to cross the blood-brain barrier. Drinking 1-2 cups a day boosts your energy levels.
Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) also known as the maidenhair tree is one of the oldest species of trees in the world. The trees can grow more than 130 feet tall and can live for over 1,000 years. Ginkgo is an effective memory and energy aid improving mental clarity due to increased blood and oxygen flow to the brain. This herbal ally has strong anti-inflammatory properties. It reduces oxidative stress in your body, purifies the blood and increases blood flow in the brain, giving you energy. Ginkgo is available in capsule form, tablets, liquid extracts and dried leaf for teas.
Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza) boosts your energy level, endurance, and stamina by relieving adrenal gland stress and supporting the adrenal system during times of excessive stress by keeping it in balance. Licorice contains glycyrrhizic acid which stimulates adrenal secretions ensuring that normal function is maintained. By enhancing cortisol activity, glycyrrhizin helps to increase energy and ease stress. Licorice root is taken as a tincture or a decoction. Licorice root tincture dosage is 2 to 5 ml, three times daily or dried root dosage is 1 to 5 g as a decoction (boiled), three times daily.
Cacao (Theobroma cacao) is the raw, unprocessed form of chocolate. Cacao beans are a superfood, offering a wealth of antioxidants and essential vitamins and minerals. The beans are full of theobromine, a compound that works similarly to caffeine. Theobromine is a stimulant that can boost your energy levels and increase your concentration. Unlike caffeine, research shows that theobromine has little to no effect on sleep. You can consume cacao tea later in the day without fear of being up all night. Cacao raw chocolate contains about four times the antioxidant content of processed dark chocolate, which is 20 times more than blueberries and 119 times more than bananas.
Rhodiola (Rhodiola Rosea) also known as Golden Root is a great help if you are feeling low and less energized during the day. This herb increases the oxygen-carrying capacity of our red blood cells. This makes it particularly effective at increasing energy, vitality and stamina during times of stress. An excellent remedy for stress, rhodiola is effective in strengthening the body making it more resilient to the physical and emotional challenges that lie ahead. The typical daily dosage range for this supplement is between 100 and 400 mg. Buy a high-quality supplement that contains 3% Rosavin and 1% Salidroside as these are the active compounds.
Eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus) also known as Siberian ginseng, helps boost the immune system, reduce inflammation and relieve pain. It is also a powerful antioxidant and helps the body adapt to stress. Eleuthero boosts energy, stamina, lessens fatigue and helps the body use what energy it has more effectively. Take eleuthero twice a day just not too close to bedtime, as it could cause insomnia. The dried roots are ground up and made into a decoction by boiling the root in water. Eleuthero is also taken as a tincture.
