There is no single reason for fatigue. Sometimes, an imbalance of thyroxine can cause you to feel fatigued while in other cases, iron deficiency can contribute. In some people, it is simply the result of very long workdays with little to no rest. In new parents, the stress of everyday life coupled with lack of sleep can cause extreme fatigue and tiredness.
Whatever be the cause of fatigue, including a few herbal supplements can help. Do note that these should always be used in the right dosage as recommended by a natural medicine practitioner. Some of the herbs can be harmful when consumed indiscriminately. Here are some herbs and plants that can help you.
1. Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is said to give people the strength of horses. In ayurveda, it is considered Sanjeevini or an eternal life giver. The dried roots of Withania somnifera plant are used here as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent.1
2. Cocoa
Chocolate has a host of benefits. Mood enhancement and relief from fatigue are the most prominent ones. Isn’t it great that a food we love to eat is also one that is beneficial? In people with chronic fatigue, cocoa helps fight off some of the symptoms.2
3. Coffee
If you feel fatigued and need a stimulant, there isn’t another food that is comparable to coffee. Don’t overdo it, though! A cup of coffee in the morning can make you feel fully awake and help you fight off feelings of fatigue. Caffeine is also found in tea in some quantity, but the maximum benefit is obtained from coffee.3
4. Ginseng
Ginseng is one of the most widely known supplements for treating chronic fatigue. It has the ability to enhance performance and lift up the spirits in no time.4
5. Siberian Ginseng
Siberian ginseng is a variation of the regular ginseng. Also known as Eleutherococcus, it is an adaptogen that is excellent at fighting off fatigue. The best bit is that it lifts not just the physical fatigue but the metal fatigue as well.5
6. Ephedra
This herb has to be consumed with caution as too much of it can become toxic. In limited doses, ephedra has the ability to fight off fatigue and keep you active. However, an overdose can be fatal. Keep this herb well out of the reach of children.6
7. Rhodiola
This is another herb whose extracts often make an appearance in homeopathy. Rhodiola is a known adaptogen – it helps the body adapt to stress conditions. It also acts as an anticancer and antioxidant agent. Further research is needed to figure out the correct dosage to fight fatigue, but a doctor can give you a supplement containing rhodiola extracts.7
References
| ↑1 | Biswal, Biswa Mohan, Siti Amrah Sulaiman, Hasanah Che Ismail, Hasmat Zakaria, and Kamarul Imran Musa. “Effect of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) on the development of chemotherapy-induced fatigue and quality of life in breast cancer patients.” Integrative cancer therapies 12, no. 4 (2013): 312-322. |
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| ↑2 | Sathyapalan, Thozhukat, Stephen Beckett, Alan S. Rigby, Duane D. Mellor, and Stephen L. Atkin. “High cocoa polyphenol rich chocolate may reduce the burden of the symptoms in chronic fatigue syndrome.” Nutrition journal 9, no. 1 (2010): 55. |
| ↑3 | Brain, Marshall, Charles W. Bryant, and Matt Cunningham.”How caffeine works” How Stuff Works (2000). |
| ↑4 | Bach, Hoang Viet, Jeongseon Kim, Seung-Kwon Myung, and Young Cho. “Efficacy of Ginseng Supplements on Fatigue and Physical Performance: a Meta-analysis.” Journal of Korean medical science 31, no. 12 (2016): 1879-1886. |
| ↑5 | Huang, Lin-Zhang, Bao-Kang Huang, Qi Ye, and Lu-Ping Qin. “Bioactivity-guided fractionation for anti-fatigue property of Acanthopanax senticosus.” Journal of ethnopharmacology 133, no. 1 (2011):213-219. |
| ↑6 | Powers, Michael E. “Ephedra and its application to sport performance: another concern for the athletic trainer?.” Journal of athletic training 36, no. 4 (2001): 420. |
| ↑7 | Ishaque, Sana, Larissa Shamseer, Cecilia Bukutu, and Sunita Vohra. “Rhodiola rosea for physical and mental fatigue: a systematic review.” BMC complementary and alternative medicine 12, no. 1 (2012): 70. |