Herbal Remedies For Energy That Actually Work
Feeling tired during the day is a pretty common complaint, and coffee is usually the solution. According to the National Coffee Association, 62% of Americans drink coffee every day, with an average of more than three cups a day. However, there are other ways to get more energy. Some herbal remedies can help, and are a good alternative to people who don't like coffee, are sensitive to caffeine, or don't want caffeine in their diets.
Check with your doctor first to rule out any possible underlying health problems linked to your fatigue. If there's no underlying condition, you can try these herbal remedies, but ask your doctor first to make sure it's okay for you to take them, especially if you regularly take prescribed or over-the-counter medications (via the Mayo Clinic).
Coffee can boost your energy, but it's not sustainable. Have you ever drank a cup of coffee only to feel tired again — sometimes more tired than before — just a few hours later? The energy boost you get from coffee doesn't last long, according to Parsley Health.
It's a good idea to find alternatives to caffeine if you're experiencing the jitters, nervousness, anxiety attacks, and trouble sleeping. According to Everyday Health, caffeine can cause these symptoms, especially if you have an anxiety disorder.
Ready to try some alternatives? Here are some herbal remedies for energy that might work for you.
Herbal remedies for energy
Best Health recommends putting a couple drops of peppermint oil on a cloth. Then, with the cloth close to your nose, take some deep breaths. You can also take a bath with peppermint oil and rosemary oil. Two drops of peppermint oil and four drops of rosemary oil make for an energy-infused bath.
Nontoxic plants, also called adaptogens, can help boost your energy, according to Well+Good. These fatigue-fighting plants are ginseng, maca, and ashwagandha. A 2018 systematic review of 10 different studies found that Panax ginseng is an effective way to combat fatigue. You can find Panax ginseng in supplement, tea, and powder form.
Maca, also known as Peruvian ginseng, is a superfood that contains vitamin C, B vitamins, calcium, potassium, manganese, copper, iodine, iron, and over 20 amino acids (via Well+Good). A 2017 study on maca found it is an effective herbal remedy for fatigue. The Healthy reports that people taking maca root feel more energetic and alert. Maca root powder is a common form, and you can add it to your smoothies or food.
Ashwagandha is also known as Indian ginseng or winter cherry. In a 2017 study, participants were given 600 milligrams of ashwagandha root extract for eight weeks and experienced better memory and cognitive functions.
Try these herbal remedies for energy — after your doctor's okay — and see how you feel after a few weeks. You might get a better and longer energy boost than you get from caffeine, along with some other benefits.