No one really knows why if you’re searching for a herb for fatigue, you’d have to exert some energy and go up to the mountains to find this one.

It’s official name is Rhodiola rosea.

You can find it in the Alps. In the mountains of Great Britain and Ireland.

In the Rocky Mountains in America. In Central Asia and Europe. And in Scandinavia and Iceland.

Everywhere you go you’ll find the same plant with yellow flowers in mountains up to an elevation of 2280 meters. The plant is also called Golden Root.

An Herb For Fatigue May Be An Adaptogen

Rhodiola rosea is one of a number of plant adaptogens that helps the body adapt in situations where the best action is to normalize body functions.

For example, if the blood sugar is a wee bit too high, an adaptogen could help bring the blood sugar back into the normal zone temporarily.

If the blood pressure is a wee bit too low, an adaptogen could help bring the pressure up and normalize it temporarily.

If the body is too cold – as it might be in Iceland, Scandinavia, or other mountain climates, it’s good to know that there’s an herb for fatigue that will also help you warm up. That’s how an adaptogen acts.

Generally speaking, an adaptogenic herb is an herb for fatigue. For example, Siberian ginseng, Chinese ginseng, Brazilian ginseng – and other ginsengs of other countries are always known as an herbs for fatigue.

Medicinal Constituents Of Golden Root

But today’s women and men want to know more than just that Rhodiola rosea is just an adaptogen. They want to know the medicinal constituents inside the plant that do something specifically for fatigue and tiredness.

Some of the other medicinal constituents inside this herb for fatigue include:

1. Rosaridin

This inhibits monoamine oxidase (MAO) A and B.

When this enzyme is inhibited it’s possible that issues such as depression may improve. And everyone knows that when someone is depressed, you can always expect tiredness and fatigue.

One clinical trial showed significant improvement for those with depression with a few capsules a day.

2. Rhodioloside, Rosin, And Rosarin

A polyphenol not yet connected with the prevention of disease or health benefit. However, many polyphenols are linked to reducing effects of free radicals and only time will tell us what these do.

3. Proanthocyanidins

This is a strong antioxidant found to be 50 times more effective than vitamin C. When you can quench free radicals you can expect at least a little bit more energy. This explains part of the anti-fatigue effect.

4. Quercetin And Kaempferol Ingredients

These can have positive effects on the immune system.

Let’s Do A Review Study, Say Modern Day Scientists

But as always, don’t expect scientists to agree with you that Rhodiola rosea is an herb for fatigue.

In one review study in May 2012, scientists wanted to give their verdict on this herb that many cultures have used for thousands of years.

This is the latest trend in medical science. Since there are thousands and sometimes tens of thousands of studies on almost any known medical topic, university scientists think that someone should evaluate all of them on a topic.

They felt the need to act as the ultimate say-so and tell everyone that what the peoples of all these mountainous cultures were doing for thousands of years was either right or wrong.

I don’t know about you, but to me this seems quite a bit haughty with a big dose of pride. If a culture found an herb beneficial over the years, they would keep using it.

On the other hand, if they didn’t find an herb beneficial over time, they would stop using it.

It’s really a simple process.

What The Researchers Discovered About The Herb For Fatigue

They found 206 research studies in the medical literature on this herb for fatigue.

Right there you know that if the herb was studied 206 times, the herb had quite a bit of value to the different cultures.

The scientists decided that most of these 206 articles didn’t meet their high standards. They discounted 195 of them.

Of the remaining 11 trials, two used healthy individuals and gave them the herb to see what would happen. The volunteers felt an improvement in physical fatigue.

Three other studies showed the herb effective for mental fatigue. But of course the haughty scientists warn that all these studies are biased.

After all, all the thousands of people who used this herb for fatigue over the centuries were living in a dreamland, you know?

You can read more about the scientists’ bias and their conclusions in the journal BMC Complement Altern Med, May 29, 2012.

If you’ve been searching for a solution for tiredness, you might want to check out the End Tiredness Program.

It’s a guide put together to increase your energy day by day.

Herbal remedies have been used for thousands of years to help with a wide variety of ailments, including low energy.

If you’re tired all the time and can’t seem to find a solution, perhaps an herbal remedy will help boost your energy level.

If you want to try herbal remedies, be sure to use products from a reputable source.

It is also a good idea to talk to your healthcare provider before trying any of these remedies and stop taking them if you notice any side effects.

1. Cayenne

If you like hot spices on your food, season your dishes with cayenne pepper and you just might see your energy level improve. Cayenne is a member of the pepper family. It is a good source of antioxidants as well as B vitamins, calcium and potassium.

Cayenne is thought to help improve circulation and, as a result, help oxygen travel through the bloodstream more effectively.

This results is more energy. Cayenne is also said to help boost metabolism and it is thought to act as a catalyst that can increase the effectiveness of other herbs when it is added to an herbal formula.

2. Ginseng

If you search for herbs to boost energy, you will undoubtedly come across ginseng. This is an herb similar to ginger that is often used to relieve stress.

It is also believed to strengthen the immune system, freeing your body to use its energy for daily activities rather than to fight illness.

In Asia, ginseng is often used as a general tonic to strengthen the body. It is said to help prevent illness and it is even reported to have a positive effect on the treatment of low libido.

Ginseng comes in ground form which can be taken in a capsule or used to make a tea. It is very important to follow the directions on the product label when taking ginseng to boost energy. Too much of this herb can have a counterproductive effect by causing insomnia.

If you have any kind of medical condition, including low or high blood pressure, be sure to consult with your doctor before taking ginseng.

3. Ginkgo Biloba

Another well-known herb that can help boost energy is ginkgo biloba.

It’s most common use is to help people with memory by increasing the flow of blood to the brain, but the increase in blood flow can also help to boost energy and mood.

Ginkgo Biloba has antioxidant properties than can help the immune system function better, which may also result in more energy.

The leaf of the Ginkgo Biloba plant is usually dried and crushed into a power to use in capsule form.

Don’t use this herb if you are on blood thinners or are taking aspirin to thin your blood because this herb has blood-thinning properties of its own.

4. Licorice

Licorice has long been known for its effect on the adrenal glands, the glands that secrete hormones when you are under stress. Licorice stimulates the adrenals to produce more adrenaline, which will give you more energy.

In Chinese medicine, licorice is often recommended to combat chronic fatigue.

Licorice is available in many forms, including powders, pills, capsules and teas. Use caution when taking licorice and do not use it for long periods of time.

If you are in doubt about how to use this herb, consult a health care provider who is knowledgeable about nutrition and herbal remedies.

5. Green Tea

Green tea boosts energy in a few ways.

First, it contains caffeine, but not as much as you would get from a cup of coffee, so it will boost your energy without the crash of a highly caffeinated drink.

In addition, green tea is rich in antioxidants that can help boost the immune system.

The best and easiest way to use green tea is to make a cup of tea.

If you want the best tea, try organic loose-leaf tea. Green tea bags and green iced tea products are also widely available.

6. Astragalus

Astragalus or astragalus root is an herb that is used in traditional Chinese medicine to boost the immune system and enhance the body’s energy.

The herb is said to enhance strength and regulate metabolism.

Astragalus is available in powered form or as a tincture or tea.

Consult with a medical professional before using astragalus if you are taking antiviral medications because the herb can increase the effects of such drugs.

Astragalus should also not be used by people who are taking an immunosuppressant or those who are on blood thinners because astragulus can also thin the blood.

Other Ways To Increase Energy

In addition to herbal remedies, there are many other ways to increase energy. Diet, exercise and other lifestyle factors affect the amount of energy you feel each day.

Many more ideas on how to increase your energy can be found in the “End Tiredness Program” ebook.