Tired and exhausted - natural substances for more vigour in everyday life

These natural substances provide more vigour in everyday life

You drag yourself through the day, no coffee helps and everyday activities become a torment – a constant feeling of tiredness and exhaustion can become a real burden. The reasons for this can be as varied as they are complex: sleep disorders, overwork, intense sporting activity, psychological strain or chronic stress are just some of them. First of all: being tired after a strenuous day, a stressful situation or an intense workout is perfectly normal! Ideally the body then gets its rest period to fully regenerate. If you give it this recovery, enough sleep and well-deserved breaks and still feel completely devoid of energy and exhausted during the day, you should take a closer look at possible causes.

A real way to support yourself naturally in everyday life can be found in nature. We would like to introduce you to our top 3 “pick-me-ups”.

Ginseng

In China, ginseng has been one of the most popular roots for increased vitality for decades. Meanwhile ginseng has become the subject of many studies, which have produced promising results. According to Reay JL et al. (2005), cognitive performance is said to be increased by taking ginseng (1). Contrary to many rumours, this does not apply to physical performance. A number of studies refute this widespread belief (2, 3).

Ginseng is particularly positive as a companion through demanding phases of life. Especially for fatigue and feelings of stress, several studies attribute adaptogenic properties to ginseng (4, 5). Adaptogen means the body's ability to adapt to increased stress situations.

Ashwagandha

With ashwagandha we take a detour into the Indian-originated Ayurveda.
In this system it is hailed as the “queen of Ayurveda” and is particularly praised for its balancing effect during periods of high stress. Ashwagandha is also receiving increasing attention in studies, again with promising results. It is said that, when taken in high concentration, it increases the body's resilience to stress (6). Ashwagandha is also becoming increasingly popular in competitive sports as an aid during mentally demanding competition periods.

Rhodiola

Rhodiola, also known as roseroot, is found in cool, moist mountainous areas. In Russia (Siberia) it has long been known as a useful root for the harsh winters and hard work. Like ginseng and ashwagandha, it is classed among adaptogenic plants. The valuable compounds are also found in the plant's root. These include, among others: rosavin as well as flavonoids and terpenoids. These compounds mean that Rhodiola is an excellent choice in demanding times such as exam periods. A Russian study tested this on medical students during their final exams. You can find the results here.

All three plants have been used for decades in traditional folk medicine and are positively highlighted in numerous personal accounts. Since stress and overload are omnipresent in our everyday lives, we see it as important that science continues to substantiate the potential of these plants with valuable studies.

Sources:

1. Reay JL, Kennedy DO, Scholey AB: Effects of Panax ginseng, consumed with and without glucose, on blood glucose levels and cognitive performance during sustained ‚mentally demanding' tasks. J Psychopharmacol 2006; 20:771–781.
2. Kulaputana O, Thanakomsirichot S, Anomasiri W: Ginseng supplementation does not change lactate threshold and physical performance in physically active Thai men. J Med Assoc Thai 2007; 90:172–179.
3. Allen JD, McLung J, Nelson AG, Welsch M: Ginseng supplementation does not enhance healthy young adults' peak aerobic exercise performance. J Am Coll Nutr 1998; 17:462–466.
4. Scaglione F, Pannacci M, Petrini O: The standardised G115 Panax ginsengC.A. MEYER extract: a review of its properties and usage. Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine 2005;2:195-206.
5. Facchinetti F, Neri I, Tarabusi M: Eleutherococcus senticosus reduces cardiovascular stress response in healthy subjects: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Stress Health 2002;18:11-17.
6. Chandrasekhar K, Kapoor J, Anishetty S. A prospective, randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study of safety and efficacy of a high-concentration full-spectrum extract of ashwagandha root in reducing stress and anxiety in adults. Indian J Psychol Med. 2012 Jul;34(3):255-62. doi: 10.4103/0253-7176.106022. PMID: 23439798; PMCID: PMC3573577.
7.  Spasov AA, Wikman GK, Mandrikov VB, Mironova IA, Neumoin VV. A double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study of the stimulating and adaptogenic effect of Rhodiola rosea SHR-5 extract on the fatigue of students caused by stress during an examination period with a repeated low-dose regimen. Phytomedicine. 2000 Apr;7(2):85-9. doi: 10.1016/S0944-7113(00)80078-1. PMID: 10839209.