We all have those days where we feel tired, sluggish, and unenthusiastic about anything except crawling back into bed. While the key to maintaining energy naturally lies in staying hydrated, eating nourishing foods, and getting enough rest at night, sometimes, we just need an extra boost to get ourselves through the day. Caffeinated beverages like coffee wake us up temporarily, but they come with jitters, high blood pressure, and the inevitable crash when our supply runs out. Thankfully, you don't have to choose between caffeine and fatigue—there are plenty of natural supplements that can promote long-lasting, sustainable energy.

Energizing Herbs & Other Natural Supplements

Eleuthero Root

Eleuthero root (also known as Siberian ginseng, though not related to true ginseng) is one of our favorite energy-enhancing supplements and has been used as a natural stimulant for centuries. Practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine have long believed in its ability to enhance spiritual energy and improve stamina. As more scientific studies have been conducted, eleuthero has been found to help increase energy by aiding the efficiency of our body's metabolism by improving oxygen consumption and utilization of fatty acids. It also helps prevent fatigue by decreasing the amount of lactic acid buildup during physical activity.

• Cut & Sifted Eleuthero Root
• Herb Pharm® Eleuthero Root Extract

Bee Pollen

Bee pollen is the mixture of flower pollen, nectar, and bee saliva that is stored in the honeycomb, and it has been found to have several energizing effects. Bee pollen has been shown to enhance metabolism, stimulate production of red blood cells, and increase blood circulation to the brain, all of which are associated with healthy levels of energy. In addition, it can increase absorption of nutrients, and it contains vitamins B1, B2, and B6, which help your body extract energy from food and support the nervous system.

• Bee Pollen Granules

Asian Ginseng

Asian ginseng has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 4,000 years as a natural stimulant. The root has been found to aid in metabolic adaptation, which allows your body to adjust its metabolic processes to the amount of energy your body is expending. It also assists in the function of mitochondria, the cellular organelles responsible for energy production. Ginseng contains ginsenosides, which can stimulate the nervous system in the brain and promote feelings of energy.

• Red Chinese Ginseng
• Herb Pharm® Asian Ginseng Extract

Cordyceps

Another of our favorite supplements, the Cordyceps mushroom, supports energy production in a myriad of ways. Taking cordyceps can help your body to increase oxygen absorption and improve blood flow, both of which help to reduce fatigue during physical activity. Cordyceps can also help regulate our metabolisms, allowing our body to produce higher amounts of energy when needed.

• Myriad Mycology® Bioavailable Cordyceps Powder
• Host Defense® Cordyceps Powder
• Host Defense® Cordyceps Capsules
• Host Defense® Cordyceps Extract

Maca Root

Maca root (also known as Peruvian ginseng, though it is not related to true ginseng) has long been used as a food and medicine by the natives to the Andes region. Maca root is interesting in that it approaches the problem of fatigue from a few different angles. It can help prevent blood sugar spikes and crashes, which are a common cause of lethargy. High stress levels are also associated with fatigue, and maca has been shown to have positive affects on the adrenal system and support the body's stress response.

• Maca Root Powder
• Herb Pharm® Maca Root Extract
• Solaray® Maca Root Capsules

Brigham Tea

Brigham Tea (also called Mormon Tea) is a species of ephedra indigenous to the Western United States, and got its name when Latter-Day Saints pioneers, led by Brigham Young, used tea brewed from its stems as a caffeine-free alternative to coffee. The plant contains natural stimulants such as ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, which can steadily increase and maintain energy without the subsequent crash associated with caffeine.

• Brigham Tea Cut & Sifted or Powder

Formulas for Energy

Dr. Christopher's Bee Power Energy

In contrast to the shocking jolt of energy that comes from caffeinated beverages, this popular formula provides your body with nutrients that help support long, sustained energy and vitality. The formula contains several energy-boosting herbs and natural ingredients such as eleuthero root, bee pollen, and Brigham Tea.

Winnie Schwinn® Axis

Formulated by a Master Herbalist, this elixir provides a variety of benefits, including support of the thyroid and adrenal glands, and can provide a boost of natural energy. The formula contains several herbs and mushrooms associated with improved stamina, including cordyceps, maca, and ashwagandha.

MycoBotanicals® Energy

This formula by Host Defense® blends the energizing benefits of eleuthero and green tea with stamina-enhancing mushrooms such as cordyceps, chaga, and reishi. Chaga and reishi contain long polysaccharides which nourish the body and help it convert food into energy, reducing fatigue.

Conquer You Cacao® Brain Blend

This drink mix is a favorite of our customers! Formulated to support the brain, this elixir is also a great way to boost energy. Cacao is high in theobromine, which blocks adenosine receptors (the receptors responsible for feelings of tiredness), resulting in a gentle, long-lasting energy boost. The Brain Blend also contains cordyceps, reishi, and lion's mane, all of which can help regulate blood sugar and prevent fatigue. It also comes in a version with cayenne.

Matcha, Yerba Mate, and Guayusa: Caffeine Without the Crash

If you still love caffeine, but could do without the jitters and the inevitable drop in energy, try ditching the coffee and energy drinks and try one of these healthy alternatives. While matcha, yerba mate, and guayusa all contain caffeine, they are associated with gentler, more sustained energy, and many drinkers of these teas report that they do not experience a caffeine crash like they do with coffee.

When it comes to matcha, this may be because it contains L-theanine, which helps slow the release of caffeine into the bloodstream. It is also rich in antioxidants and vitamins and can have a variety of health benefits, including brain, heart, and liver health.

Yerba mate is also rich in antioxidants, which promote a sustained release of the caffeine the plant contains. It also contains theobromine, a stimulant with a longer half-life than caffeine, which helps to prevent the sudden crash caffeine normally provides. Yerba mate is a very nutritious herb and has been shown to have positive effects on your health, including reducing cholesterol and improving blood pressure levels.

Guayusa contains both L-theanine and theobromine, providing similar effects to those outlined above. It is also rich in polyphenols, which help to further slow the release of caffeine into the bloodstream. Like matcha and yerba mate, guayusa is rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and other nutrients, and is associated with several different health benefits, such as blood sugar regulation.

Conclusion

As our lifestyles grow increasingly busy and hectic, it can be hard to find the energy needed to get through the day or week. Low energy is often a sign that our body needs something, like more of a specific nutrient or additional rest, but even the healthiest of individuals will sometimes need a natural boost. If you're looking for some extra energy support, try one of the natural herbs, mushrooms, formulas or teas outlined above. You may find that you gain just what you need to tackle your day.