In today’s stressful, fast-paced world, depleted energy levels is an issue faced by most people.
Here are four tips that you can do yourself to help boost your energy and increase your vitality.
Ginseng
Ginseng has been heralded as an excellent health tonic and energy booster, the effects of which are similar to caffeine but without the jitters and after-slump. Ginseng is often used in Chinese medicine and as an acupuncturist, I rate ginseng quite highly as a great health and energy tonic.
Personally, I have been using ginseng fairly consistently for a few years and notice improvements in my energy levels, focus of mind and improved circulation.
Ginseng can be obtained from most health stores in tablet or liquid form. However, the best way to take ginseng is in it’s natural from. Therefore, use natural, dried ginseng root for the best effects.
How to take ginseng:
Add 3-4 shavings to a cup of green tea, add hot (not boiling) water and cover. Leave to steep for around 8 minutes and drink. If you do not cover then, much of the goodness of the ginseng will evaporate. Once finished, you can add hot water to the tea leaves and ginseng for a second time.
Ginseng cautions:
Do not take ginseng if you have high blood pressure. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Do not take ginseng if you have a cold or flu. Do not take every day, 3-5 times per week is plenty. Give yourself 2-4 weeks break if taking regularly. Be sure not to have ginseng after about 2 pm as it may otherwise affect your sleep later that evening.
Royal Jelly
Royal jelly is a bee product resulting from secretions that are used as nutrition for bee larvae, as well as food for the queen bee.
Royal jelly is packed with goodness and is especially high in B vitamins as well as many other beneficial minerals, vitamins, amino acids and enzymes. It contains natural antibiotic and antibacterial properties and is said to be effective for many ailments including asthma, insomnia, stomach ulcers, liver and kidney disease, immune problems and skin disorders of various kinds. Besides all these incredible benefits, royal jelly is also an excellent energy booster.
Barley Water
From a Chinese medicine perspective, the kidneys can be seen as the primary generator of energy. When we get depleted, we use the energetics of our kidneys and exhaust our adrenals. Pearl barley water can be a good tonic to help nourish the kidneys.
Although barley water is not a direct energy booster, by supporting and nourishing the kidneys, a person may restore optimal functioning and increase energy and vitality. The best way to take barley water is to make it yourself to get the most goodness from the drink.
How to make barley water naturally:
Pour pearl or pot barley into a saucepan until the bottom of the pan is just covered with the barley. Add water, bring to the boil and simmer for two minutes. Strain, transfer the grain to a pitcher and add fresh boiling water, lemon and a little honey. Cover and allow to steep for 15 min. Sip throughout the day.
Early to Bed, Early to Rise
Going to bed late is a known cause or contributor of exhaustion and fatigue. Even if a person is getting a straight eight hours or more of sleep, if the person is retiring after midnight then the quality of sleep will not be as good as the hours that one might obtain before the clock strikes 12 am.
Some sources state that each hour of sleep received before midnight counts for two after. This is why people will still feel tired even after an adequate amount of sleep (seven to eight plus hours), but the sleep period commenced after midnight.
From a Chinese medicine perspective, one explanation for this is related to the rhythms and the movements of qi, blood and body fluids during a 24hr period. According to Chinese medical theory, between the hours of 1-3am, the blood is said to move back into the liver to help nourish and replenish. If a person is up and about at this time, then the blood is not able to efficiently feed the liver.
For more great, natural tips to boost your energy naturally, check out this video.
This article is for information purposes only and by no means constitutes as medical advice. You should do your research and consult your doctor before incorporating any of the products mentioned above into your diet and daily routine.
