Natural energy: what are the benefits?

A cup of coffee, a jar of energy drinks are the fastest and most convenient ways to cheer up. However, in large doses, these stimulants deplete the body. Much safer and more useful – natural energy, plants that increase efficiency and relieve fatigue without devastating consequences for the body.

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Herbs that have a tonic effect are much milder than synthetic stimulants, they are less toxic and addictive more slowly. By the way, these advantages are available only in plants in a whole state (which are used in the form of decoctions or infusions), and during extraction (isolation of active substances from them), many of these qualities are lost. Recall some well-known and half-forgotten biostimulants.

Plants-psychostimulants

The most famous among them are ginseng, lemongrass, golden root (Rhodiola rosea), aralia, eleutherococcus, leuzea.

Studies have shown that these plants do not just cause a surge of vivacity and increase efficiency. After taking them, the body’s resistance to adverse external influences increases. Accelerates adaptation to physical and mental overload, cold, heat, nervous stress, lack of oxygen and other extreme factors. Therefore, plants of this group are called adaptogens. Preparations from these plants restore the altered functions of the body to normal. Therefore, adaptogens are most effective in mental and physical overwork: they increase efficiency by 1,5–2 times. Moreover, unlike doping, they do not turn off the regulatory functions of the nervous system. Their intake increases concentration, memory, improves appetite and, oddly enough, sleep (the latter, of course, if the drug is used in the morning at a moderate dosage).

Adaptogens should not be used in case of increased nervous excitability, hypertension, acute infectious diseases, high temperature.

kitchen herbs

Of course, there are a lot of spices, among them – onion, garlic, ginger, pepper, rosemary, coriander, horseradish, mustard … Each spice has a specific aroma, and the taste is most often sharp, burning. They have long been considered excellent tonics. And the oils contained in spices have antioxidant properties. The neutral chemicals in hot spices also have an antibacterial effect. Studies have shown that the natural compounds found in onions and garlic help lower cholesterol and blood pressure. According to other studies, these spicy foods help prevent cancer and boost the immune system.

Biogenic stimulants

Biogenic stimulants are substances that accumulate in the tissues of plants and animals under the influence of adverse environmental conditions. The most famous plants in which they are found are aloe and stonecrop (hare cabbage). Biogenic stimulants boost metabolism, activate the protective and regenerative functions of the body.

According to some reports, the main role in these substances is played by carboxylic acids: succinic, oxalic, malic, citric, tartaric and others. Probably, this also explains the tonic properties of grapes, rhubarb, gooseberries – champions in the content of succinic and malic acid.

Hormonally active plants

Licorice and string are the most famous of the plants that stimulate the production of hormones in the body. Licorice roots contain acids that are similar in structure to the hormones of the adrenal cortex. Therefore, licorice root has corticosteroid-like, anti-inflammatory properties, normalizes metabolism, relieves fatigue.

Pollen also has a hormonal effect. It is a natural, physiologically active food product. In addition to important nutrients and trace elements necessary for maintaining health, pollen contains phytoandrogens (male sex hormones) of plants. They have an anabolic effect, increase muscle strength and stimulate mental work.

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