Energy is the force that drives every function of our minds and bodies. Energy levels can be affected by factors such as inadequate sleep, poor diet, stress and health conditions like anemia and hypothyroidism. There are a number of herbal remedies for increasing energy levels, most of which can be purchased at your local supermarket or drugstore for under $20.
Guarana
Guarana is a plant native to the Amazon Basin that is prized for its energizing effects. It contains about twice the caffeine of coffee beans and is often added to Brazilian soda and energy drinks instead of pure caffeine.
According to the National Institutes of Health, guarana improves both the precision and speed with which attention-requiring tasks are performed in a way that plain caffeine does not. Like other caffeine-containing substances, guarana can cause jitteriness, insomnia and other side effects when consumed in excess.
Korean Ginseng
Korean ginseng is an herbal supplement derived from the root of the Panax ginseng plant. It has been used for millennia in traditional Chinese medicine for its tonic effects and is included in many over-the-counter energy supplements.
Korean ginseng is an adaptogen, helping protect the body against the physical effects of stress, such as adrenal fatigue. It also may be used to help control blood sugar in people with diabetes and for its immune-enhancing properties. Korean ginseng is generally considered safe and is not known to cause the unwanted cardiovascular effects typical of most stimulants.
Yerba Mate
Yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) is an herb popular in the South American countries of Uruguay and Paraguay. It is brewed into a tea for its energy-enhancing effects and is traditionally drunk from a gourd through a metal straw.
Caffeine belongs to a family of compounds known as xanthines. Unlike regular tea, yerba mate contains several compounds from the xanthine family, including theobromine, theophylline and caffeine. Due to its mild monoamine oxidase inhibiting effects, yerba mate may be less likely than coffee to cause jitteriness and other side effects. It also contains a number of essential minerals, including manganese and magnesium.
Sida Cordifolia
Known in India as "Bala," Sida cordifolia is a plant native to Texas and other Southern states. Its stems contain ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, both potent stimulants. Unlike ephedra sinica--which was withdrawn from the American market in 2004--Sida cordifolia contains much less ephedrine and is therefore less likely to cause adverse health effects when used in moderation.
According to the National Institutes of Health, Sida cordifolia has anti-inflammatory effects that make it useful for relieving allergy symptoms and inflammatory types of pain. Because it contains ephedrine, Sida cordifolia should not be taken by those with cardiovascular disease or other chronic health conditions.
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