Waking up in the morning can be tough.
especially if you’re someone who struggles with low energy levels.
You hit the snooze button on your alarm multiple times, dreading the thought of getting out of bed and facing the day.
Your body feels sluggish and your mind foggy.
You know that you need to get moving and start the day, but where do you find the energy?
Most people turn to coffee.
It’s long been the go-to energy booster for millions of people worldwide for centuries.
But it may not be the healthiest choice.
Many coffee drinks are high in sugar and can cause a sudden spike in energy levels, followed by a crash that leaves you feeling worse than before.
Fortunately, coffee isn’t the only option for waking up and getting the day started.
There are many natural alternatives you can take to boost energy levels WITHOUT caffeine or afternoon crashes.
And we’re not just talking about tea.
We’re talking about time-tested plant medicines that have been used by cultures around the world far longer than coffee to provide sustainable energy and elevated mood for all-day productivity.
Here’s a breakdown of 5 of the most powerful and potent all-natural plant medicines for waking up with focus and supercharging your energy.
- Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is an Ayurvedic herb that comes from the roots of a low-growing evergreen shrub that is found in India and Southeast Asia.
It’s known as an “adaptogen.”
Adaptogens are nontoxic plants that help our body better manage stress and anxiety, which can lead to fatigue and low energy.
In a 2012 study, Ashwagandha decreased stress and cortisol levels in 60 patients who received it vs. the placebo group.
And in a 2015 study, 50 athletes were given Ashwagandha and it showed significant improvements in their endurance.
Ashwagandha can be taken in two forms:
- Capsules
- Powder
With capsules, you simply swallow them like any other supplement.
With a powder, you can mix it into food.
Here is a tasty and super healthy recipe you can make with Ashwagandha powder and a variety of other natural, nourishing ingredients:
Golden Milk
- 1 cup of whole milk or nut milk (cashew,
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp ashwagandha
- 1 tsp coconut oil or ghee
- 1 cinnamon stick
- A pinch of nutmeg
- A pinch of ground black pepper
- Sweetener (honey, maple syrup, agave)
How to make the Golden Milk recipe
In a small saucepan, add coconut oil, turmeric, ashwagandha, cinnamon stick, nutmeg, and black pepper. Then warm up for a couple minutes on medium heat, stirring so it doesn’t burn.
Lower heat and add your milk, stirring out any clumps. Let that warm through for about 5 minutes.
Once it’s finished pour into a cup and add your sweetener to taste.
- Kratom
Kratom is a member of the coffee family and is native to Southeast Asia.
But even though it’s part of the coffee family, it’s 100% caffeine-free.
The people of Thailand are well-known for having cultivated kratom for thousands of years as a natural pain-killer and energy booster. Laborers working all day in the sun would take kratom to relieve their aches and push through 12-14 hour workdays.
Kratom is quite possibly the most powerful natural plant medicine for energy on this list.
It’s made by crushing the leaves into a fine powder.
Kratom powder is then either mixed into a drink or stuffed into capsules and swallowed.
The remarkable part of kratom is the variety of strains.
Green strains of kratom enhance feelings of well-being and are slightly relaxing. In small amounts, it provides a wonderful energy boost. And in larger amounts, it provides a moderate sedative effect.
White strains of kratom crank up the energetic effects to a whole other level. If your primary purpose for using kratom is more energy, focus, and productivity, this is the strain you want. As an added bonus, many users report feeling more outgoing and confident when taking it.
Red strains of kratom provide strong sedative and pain-relieving effects. It’s often used by those with chronic pain, insomnia, or injuries.
For a coffee alternative with excellent energy-boosting properties, we recommend taking green or white kratom in the morning.
You can mix it with water or juice, such as orange juice (which may actually enhance its effects).
Or, you can blend a fruit and veggie smoothie and when you have about a quarter of the smoothie left, mix in your kratom powder and drink the rest.
- Maca
Maca is a cruciferous vegetable that grows in the Andes, oftentimes referred to as Peruvian Ginseng.
It’s packed full of vitamins and minerals and has been known to improve one’s mood, increase fertility in men, and help with menopause for women.
It’s also an adaptogen like Ashwagandha.
When it comes to energy
Maca has gained traction in the fitness community in recent years, becoming especially popular among bodybuilders and athletes.
The reason is likely due to the fact that Maca helps to balance the hormones in men and women leading to heightened and sustained energy levels.
Maca comes in a powdered form, capsules, and liquid tinctures.
The taste is very earthy and nutty so it goes great in oatmeals, pancakes, and lattes.
- Ginseng
The first record of Ginseng use was 2,000 years ago in China.
Today, it is one of the most cultivated herbs in the world, the most popular varieties being Panax Ginseng, Asian Ginseng, and American Ginseng.
The list of benefits is long, including helping to reduce inflammation, improving brain functions like memory, boosting the immune system, reducing stress, and (as you could guess) boosting energy.
Panax Ginseng is the best for raising your energy levels. Daily doses of 1–2 grams of raw ginseng root or 200–400 mg of extract are suggested. It’s best to start with lower doses and increase over time.
- Lions Mane
Lion’s Mane is the only fungi on this list.
It’s technically not a “plant” but its medicinal properties are so great, we had to include it on this list, especially because it makes for such a good morning wake up supplement.
It’s a powerhouse when it comes to boosting cognitive functions like memory.
It can aid in nerve regeneration.
It’s anti-inflammatory.
It aids gut health.
And it’s another adaptogen!
Lion’s Mane is so beneficial when it comes to increasing energy because of the antioxidants it contains.
The more antioxidants in our body, the easier it is for the energy to be transported where it needs to go.
Lion’s Mane also helps reduce lactic acid which can cause fatigue.
You should be aware that some people report feeling tired from lion’s mane, but this is an outlier. However, it’s important for us to be transparent. Everyone reacts to mushrooms and other supplements differently.
The vast majority of people experience elevated levels of energy, mood, and cognitive ability when taking Lion’s Mane.
It should be said that everyone reacts to mushrooms differently and some find that Lion’s Mane makes them tired, so don’t be worried if it happens to you.
Lion’s Mane is often consumed as a powder mixed into liquid or in a capsule.
And there you have it!
The top 5 energy-boosting alternatives to coffee for all-day productivity without the afternoon crash.
As always, you should do your own research and seek the advice of medical professionals before taking any supplements.
But these are the ones we recommend.
And while we can’t vouch for anyone else’s version of these products, we can tell you that Kratom from Brave Botanicals is high-quality, pure, and 3rd-party tested.
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