Top Herbs and Foods that Give You Energy

Are you are feeling fatigued, tired, exhausted, or just want more energy so you can get more done in your day? 

Here are the top herbs, supplements, and foods for boosting your energy and some great helpful tips on increasing your energy levels.

You will find in this article:

• Top herbs
• Top Foods
• Tips and advice

Top Herbs and Supplements that Give You More Energy

Now let's look at some of the best herbs and supplements that can help you have more energy.

1. Ginseng

Ginseng has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries to increase energy.

Modern studies on Ginseng have shown it can help to combat fatigue and increase energy. A 2018 study concluded that "Ginseng is a promising treatment for fatigue."

Another study concluded that ginseng extract can increase physical and intellectual work capacity.

For more information go to Korean Ginseng Root.

2. Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha is an adaptogen. One of the benefits of Ashwagandha is increased energy.

It also was found to help improve heart and lung capacity thus boost endurance and energy levels.

For more information go to Ashwagandha herb.

3. Mushrooms

Mushrooms such as turkey tail, maitake, shiitake, cordyceps, snow fungus, lion's mane, reishi, and Chaga have been used to help enhance mental clarity and concentration, support immune function, and to naturally increase energy and improve endurance, in Asian countries for thousands of years.

Herbal Roots 8 Mushrooms Blend contains all 8 mushrooms species to provide you with all benefits mushrooms can offer.

See mushrooms - energy boosters.

4. Garlic

A study on Garlic as an anti-fatigue agent concluded that "The anti-fatigue function of garlic may be closely related to its many favorable biological and pharmacological effects. 

For more information go to organic garlic.

5. Milk Thistle

Milk thistle (silymarin) is a natural herb commonly used to help detoxify the body and support liver health.

The liver helps remove toxins from our blood, aids in the production of hormones, and releases sugar into our blood to give our bodies a steady level of energy.

Since too many toxins building up in the liver can lead to extreme tiredness (fatigue), anything that helps cleanse the liver may help to improve our energy levels. Scientists think that milk thistle creates a detoxifying effect, which is why it may be beneficial for liver health.

For more information go tomilk thistle.

6. Black Elderberry

Elderberry fruit is a rich source of phenolic acids, which have significant antioxidant properties.

Elderberry may help aid with digestion. Elderberry has a high amount of fiber, which is important in converting the food we eat into energy. Fiber helps process food more slowly and evenly, leading to smoother and more consistent energy levels.

For more information go to black elderberry.

7. Cranberry

The cranberry fruit is high in antioxidants.

Cranberries can help improve the flexibility of the arteries, which enhances the circulation and improves blood flow. Better circulation can help boost energy levels.

Herbal Roots Cranberry also contains Nettle which can boost iron in red blood cells to help transport oxygen throughout your body and support a healthy energy level.

For more information go tocranberry with nettle.

Now, let's talk about food...

Top Foods that Give You More Energy

Too much-processed foods, fast food, and junk food can have a negative effect on your energy. Your diet, in general, should be based with whole, natural foods that give you more energy and keep you healthy.

Here are some of the top foods you can eat to help you recharge your batteries and feel better overall:

Green Tea

If you cut back on all the coffee, energy drinks, or caffeinated sodas you drink throughout the day and drink more green tea, you will find you have more sustained energy without getting the jitters.

You can drink Green tea hot or iced, and since it's not as bitter or acidic as coffee, you don't have to add a ton of cream, sugar, etc. to make it taste good. 

While coffee does contain antioxidants, green tea contains a much higher concentration of antioxidants.

Green tea contains the amino acid L-theanine that helps keep you mentally focused and alert, while also having a calming effect. 

Green tea is also great for later in the day because it won't disturb your sleep the way coffee does.

Beans

Kidney beans, chickpeas, navy beans, black beans, pinto beans, and the like, are a great source of carbohydrates, protein, and fiber. Because beans are slowly digested they help you maintain a stable blood sugar level which gives you constant energy.

Beans also contain B vitamins which assist your body in converting food into energy. 

Nuts

Raw nuts such as pistachios, almonds, walnuts, cashews, and macadamia nuts make a great high energy snack. They are a great source of protein, carbohydrates, and healthy unsaturated fats.

Nuts are also rich in antioxidants, omega-3, and omega-6 fatty acids, as well as other minerals and vitamins, such as iron, manganese, vitamin E, and B vitamins.

Spinach

Many consider spinach to be a superfood because it's packed with nutrients like calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, vitamin A, B vitamins, vitamin C, and vitamin E, vitamin K, etc.

A recent study done on spinach showed that it helped decrease drowsiness and fatigue.

Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes, have more fiber than white potatoes giving them a lower glycemic index, meaning they digest slower and give you a more steady energy supply.

Sweet potatoes are a good source of vitamin A, vitamin C, beta carotene, iron, and magnesium – which are all essential for energy production.

They are also delicious.

The Modern-Day Energy Crisis

Today's hectic lifestyle, with people working long hours at a stressful job (sometimes 2 jobs) can leave us very drained by the time we get home and feeling too tired to do much more than sit on the couch and watch Netflix.

Also eating on the run and getting too little sleep is all too common these days and makes the problem even worse.

Let's take a look at some simple things you can do to help increase your energy level.

5 Natural Energy Boosting Tips

Tip 1: Eat More Fresh Raw Fruits and Vegetables

One of the most simple things you can do that will help you see an almost immediate improvement in your energy levels, is to include more fresh raw fruits and vegetables in your diet. According to a study done by the CDC's Division of Nutrition "Only 1 in 10 adults get enough fruits or vegetables", "As a result, we're missing out on the essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber that fruits and vegetables provide."

Here are ways to get more fruits and vegetables in your diet every day:

• Eat some melon,
• a grapefruit, a
• an orange, etc. with breakfast. 

Bring apples, bananas, grapes, pears, or any other fruit you like to work or when you are on the go and eat them as snacks, rather than chips or candy bars. 

You can also eat:

• carrots,
• cucumbers,
• zucchini, etc. as snacks.

Always have a big raw vegetable salad with lunch and dinner.

Tip 2: Reduce Sugar Intake

Sugar may seem to give you more energy, but what actually happens it you get a fast blood sugar spike followed by a crash.

What many people do at that point is to eat another candy bar, cookie, cake, etc., to bring it back up and this becomes a vicious cycle. If you're thinking that this sounds similar to a drug, where you keep needing a fix to feel better - you're right. Actual brain scans have shown sugar affects our brain very similar to certain types of drugs.

As in tip #1 above, replacing high sugar snacks with fruit such as an apple, orange or banana will give you much more long-lasting energy and also be much healthier.

Tip 3: Exercise

Getting your body moving even when you feel tired and don't feel motivated will actually make you feel energized after the workout and help you sleep better later that night. 

It doesn’t matter if it's running, weight training, calisthenics, or just going for a brisk walk, there is always something you can do to get your blood pumping and more oxygen in your lungs.

Tip 4: Drink More Water

Just like fruits and vegetables above, most people aren't getting enough water.

Everyone has heard that you should drink eight glasses of water a day, but few do it. Many people drink a lot of coffee (which is a diuretic) and/or soda and energy drinks (full of sugar and chemicals), but not enough water.

Dehydration can make you feel tired and less alert. Drinking enough fresh, clean water throughout the day, every day can help you stay energized.

Tip 5: Get More Restful Sleep

Not getting enough sleep or just plain poor quality of sleep is one of the biggest causes of tiredness, lethargy, and moodiness. 

Most people should be getting seven hours of good, restful sleep each night, some may need a bit more while others may need a bit less.

Some things you can do to help you get more and better quality sleep are:

Take a leisurely walk, or a warm bath before bed time to de-stress your mind and relax your body.  Get to bed earlier, give yourself more time to wind down and fall asleep.

Don't use your electronics too close to bedtime. According to the National Sleep Foundation "Using TVs, tablets, smartphones, laptops, or other electronic devices before bed delays your body's internal clock (a.k.a., your circadian rhythm), suppresses the release of the sleep-inducing hormone melatonin and makes it more difficult to fall asleep."

Reading an actual physical paper book before bed is a much better choice to help you fall asleep.

Learn More - Studies & Resources

1.Ginseng as a Treatment for Fatigue. A study and review of the two types of Panax ginseng (Asian [Panax ginseng] and American [Panax quinquefolius]) as treatments for fatigue.  

2. Actoprotective effect of ginseng: improving mental and physical performance. A thorough investigation done in the Actoprotective effect of ginseng.

*This article is intended for informational purposes. The statements above have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.