Feeling low in energy and lacking in get-up-and-go? If you feel like you’ve lost your drive, help is at hand.
Clinical nutritionist Suzie Sawyer shares some top herbs which can help you find your mojo again.
There are plenty of herbs to help increase your get-up-and-go. Sometimes referred to as system boosters, many herbs have natural energy-boosting properties, providing a more sustained and gradual release of energy than, for example, a piece of chocolate or cup of strong coffee.
A good herb to get you going on the energy trail is Rhodiola. Used throughout Eastern Europe as a natural stimulant, it is thought to have anti-fatigue, anti-stress, antioxidant and immune-enhancing effects. Several studies have also shown it can help improve mental and physical performance especially under stress.
GINSENG
Next, if you are looking to boost your get-up-and-go, comes ginseng. Long regarded as something of a wonder herb, and used for centuries in traditional Eastern medicine, it is a highly respected herb which will give your body the injection of energy, you are looking for. Ginseng can be found in a range of energy products, herbal teas and supplements.
GUARANA
Guarana is another great energy booster. Derived from the seed of a plant native to the Amazon rainforest, it can help you to feel more alert as well as reducing mental fatigue. Guarana seeds have twice as much caffeine as is found in coffee seeds, providing support for mental and physical fatigue.
TOP TIP: ARE YOU GETTING ENOUGH SLEEP?
Often when we complain about feeling tired and washed out, a week of early nights can really help revive and refresh. But if you are struggling to get to sleep, Valerian, a sleep-enhancing herb, could provide the answer. Take just before bed. Camomile is another sleep-inducing herb, which is best taken as a tea. To get maximum benefit, buy it loose and use a tablespoon in a cup of boiling water. Cover and infuse for 10 minutes before drinking.
TRY THESE OTHER ENERGY BOOSTERS
- Go for a walk: a change of scenery – even if it’s just the difference between your desk and the office reception – can make you feel a lot livelier
- Get outside: natural light helps to boost levels of the hormone serotonin, which can help to boost energy and mood
- Open the window: a breath of fresh air provides an instant pick-me-up but try to spend some time outside every day
- Stretch it: stretching for two to three minutes loosens muscles, eases joints and improves blood circulation, which increases energy levels
- Be minty: sprinkle two drops of peppermint oil on a handkerchief and sniff for a quick energy-enhancer
- Laugh: chuckling boosts the feel-good hormones in our brains, which in turn increases energy
- Break with routine: take up a new hobby, book a weekend away or simply do something different – boredom and lack of energy often go hand in hand
