Natural Herb Stimulants: Kratom vs. Yerba Mate & Coffee Alternatives
With as busy as life gets in the day to day grind the majority of people are looking for a way to start their day with a boost of energy and then stay energized throughout the day. While many people turn to coffee or energy drinks to get the job done, others seek out alternative methods that come with less side effects and less of a crash than these popular caffeinated beverages. Also it is just a good idea in general to mix up your energy sources as to not not build up a tolerance. The fact is that several natural stimulants actually contain caffeine in them. Some just contain additional ingredients that can combat the negative effect that exist with caffeine.
Natural Stimulant Alternatives
Kratom or Mitragyna Speciosa is a tropical evergreen plant from the coffee plant family that is grown and harvested in Southeast Asia. As Kratom comes from the coffee plant family it’s no surprise that it’s main function is as a stimulant. Kratom comes in multiple forms but is most commonly consumed as a powder, capsule or crushed leaves. There are several strains of Kratom that have been reported to provide energy each in their own unique way. The top three would have to be
- Super Green- This green vein strain is reported to provide what’s considered in the Kratom world to be a “fast” energy. Which means it’s a strong energy. So much so that many Kratom users use this strains as their preworkout.
- White Maeng Da- Maeng Da actually translates to mean “Pimp Grade”. Not only has this white strain vein been reported to provide energy, it is also known to improve productivity and provide an overall sense of well-being.
- White Horn- This one packs a punch and Kratom users have reported that this one provides ample energy that lasts as well as a boost in productivity.
While there are a few different types of ginseng available on the market today- American Ginseng, Panax Ginseng and Siberian Ginseng, it’s American Ginseng that is most commonly used to help increase energy. American Ginseng is grown in the wild in the United States, mainly throughout the Appalachian and Ozark regions and also in eastern Canada. It’s the root of the ginseng plant that is consumed to help reduce fatigue. Ginseng not only promotes energy, it works to fight fatigue as this root is made up of polysaccharides and oligopeptides which have been reported to lower oxidative stress and raise energy production in cells, this combating existing fatigue.
Yerba Mate is a traditional South American beverage that has quickly become a cult sensation as a health alternative to coffee and energy drinks. Yerba Mate or llex paraguariensis is a plant grown in South America, specifically in the subtropical regions of Paraguay, Brazil and Argentina. The leaves of the Yerba mate plant are rich in caffeine and antioxidants and are brewed into tea. While this tea does contain caffeine, roughly about 80-85 mg of it, it is still less than a standard cup of coffee. This tea also contains the alkaloids theobromine and theophylline which combat the negative effects that typically come with caffeine such as the jitters, upset stomach and muscle tension. Yerba Mate has also been reported to have no afternoon crash like other popular caffeinated beverages. This beverage has also been reported to have a long list of other health benefits such as analgesic properties, relief from seasonal allergies, memory enhancement and immune system support.
Guarana or Paullinia Cupana is a Brazilian climbing plant found in the Amazon. It is the fruit of the Guarana plant that carries the powerful little seeds that each yield as much as 4 times the amount of caffeine of a coffee bean. Guarana also contains molecules called tannins, which have been reported to cause the caffeine to release slowly providing a long lasting effect. The seeds of the guarana fruit are processed into a powder and typically taken in capsule form. Guarana has been reported to provide a strong stimulatory effect, weight loss and work as a cognitive enhancer.
These are just a handful of the most effective herbal stimulants available on the market today. Please check out our available strains of Kratom mentioned above here.
