If you’re like most people, you are familiar with mornings when you can’t seem to get going. The cause could be almost anything, such as pressure at work, difficult situations at home, or staying up too late. Whatever it is, a lack of energy may prevent you from enjoying activities and hurt your quality of life.
While your lack of energy should be addressed, the result is often the same. You might feel tired all the time and want to sneak away to sleep. Fortunately, this problem may be easy to fix, at least temporarily.
Many plants contain organic compounds that may provide a variety of benefits. Some botanicals, like the following eight herbs and extracts, may offer temporary feelings of energy that might help put the pep back in your step.
1. Mint Tea
Mint tea may include ingredients from up to 23 species in the Lamiaceae family, including spearmint and peppermint.
Widely available in most grocery stores, mint teas contain menthol and a rich blend of flavonoids, vitamins, and minerals. Menthol may increase mental alertness and reduce fatigue.
Flavonoids are antioxidants and have anti-inflammatory qualities and other benefits. Mint teas also contain rosmarinic acid, which may have antiviral and antibacterial properties. These properties make mint a popular ingredient in many DIY detox recipes.
2. Ginseng
Several species of ginseng grow in Asia and North America. These include Korean, Chinese, and American ginseng. All are members of the Panax genus.
Ginseng contains ginsenosides, an organic compound that may have a range of benefits, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It may help boost energy by increasing levels of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in the body. ATP is a storehouse of organic energy needed for metabolic processes. By increasing the level of ATP, you may experience a corresponding boost in energy.
You can buy this botanical in liquid, tea, and powder form.
3. Rhodiola
Rhodiola Rosea grows natively in parts of North Asia and was traditionally used by indigenous people for a variety of benefits, including increased cardiovascular health.
Rhodiola may reduce the destructive effects of age-related conditions and may increase oxygen levels in the blood. More oxygen in the blood may help increase alertness and boost energy levels.
You can find Rhodiola online or in stores that carry botanical products.
4. Kratom
Kratom is an herb that is popular in Southeast Asia. It comes from the Mitragyna Speciosa tree, which is native to that region. Kratom is used socially and in traditional medicine in some cultures.
Kratom contains alkaloids that may affect the sympathetic nervous system, which controls a number of responses and processes in the human body. This effect may lie at the heart of kratom’s effects.
Kratom can be soothing, and it can be energizing. These effects depend on the type of kratom used, the amount, and the individual user.
The three main kinds of kratom—red, white, and green strains—have similar but slightly different effects. Green and white strains may hold the most energy-boosting potential, with red being a more soothing strain, but much depends on the individual user.
You can buy kratom in stores specializing in quality botanicals and from online retailers.
5. Black Seed Oil
This botanical is an extract of black cumin, or Nigella Sativa, a plant native to the Middle East.
Black seed oil may have several beneficial properties. It contains many phytochemicals, like thymol and thymoquinone, among others. These compounds may have anti-cancer, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. Black seed oil also contains oleic acid and other fatty acids that may help your body metabolize nutrients better, leading to a temporary energy boost.
You can purchase it online or in select natural food stores.
6. Maca
Maca is a botanical extract made from the roots of the Lepidium Meyenii plant, a plant native to mountainous regions of the Andes. This South American herb contains unique compounds, including appropriately named macaenes and macamides. These organic compounds can be classified as fatty acids and may be responsible for maca root’s properties.
Maca may have many beneficial effects. It may increase circulation and raise the level of oxygen in the blood. Both of these effects may provide a temporary boost in energy.
You may find maca root online or in specialty botanical stores.
7. Guarana
Guarana comes from Paullinia Cupana, a plant native to the Amazon River region. Indigenous people of this tropical climate employ guarana for a variety of benefits. It contains a high level of caffeine and other active ingredients, including theophylline and theobromine.
People who cannot tolerate coffee or tea due to compounds other than caffeine may benefit from the energy-boosting qualities of guarana. Guarana may have additional benefits, too, including anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties.
Many commercial energy drinks blend guarana with other substances. You can purchase guarana extract online and at stores specializing in nutritional substances and imported botanicals.
8. Catuaba
Catuaba is an extract that comes from the bark of several different Amazon trees. The two most common trees are Trichilia Catigua and Erythroxylum Vaccinifolium.
The active ingredients in catuaba include alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, plus yohimbine. These alkaloids, including catuabine A and B, may work the same as caffeine. Flavonoids and tannins may provide anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial protection and more. Yohimbine may increase blood circulation, particularly in the genitals, help with weight loss, and increase mental clarity. These combined effects may result in a temporary energy boost.
Catuaba can be ordered online or in stores that carry imported botanicals.
Use Nature Wisely
If you lack the energy needed to participate in regular activities, consider trying these botanicals. Use them carefully and treat them with respect. Follow all directions on product packages and avoid combining different botanicals. By understanding how these products work and using common sense, you may safely add them to your life and use the power of nature to put some pep back in your step.
AUTHOR’S BIO:
Tess DiNapoli is an artist, freelance writer, and content strategist who writes for Kratora. She has a passion for yoga and often writes about health and wellness, but also enjoys covering the fashion industry and world of fitness.
