7 Natural Energy Boosters

Do you muster every ounce of energy you have just to lift your limbs out of bed, experience a daily afternoon crash that only lifts with a caffeine boost, or feel a general sense of fatigue throughout the day? According to research, you are not alone. Fatigue is the second most common complaint to doctors in North America.

Unfortunately, many people turn to caffeine to boost their energy levels. That approach provides short-lived energy at best. At worst, it may cause damage to your body in the form of caffeine addiction, blood sugar fluctuations and adrenal gland depletion that makes you more vulnerable to stress. Since caffeine continues to work for about 12 hours, that afternoon coffee may leave you lying awake counting sheep when you are ready to sleep.

Nature offers many energy-enhancers. Some of the best include: bee pollen, royal jelly extract, Siberian ginseng, spirulina, gotu kola, ho shou wu, and cayenne.

1. Bee Pollen
Bee Pollen is touted as a source of perpetual youth in many of the world’s great books, including the Talmud, Bible, Koran, scrolls of the ancient Orient, Greece, Rome, Russia, the Middle East. Ancient Greek athletes ate bee pollen regularly to increase their strength and vitality. More recently, the USDA discovered that bee pollen even has anti-cancer properties.

Bee pollen is packed with 22 amino acids, natural antibiotic factors, DNA/RNA (the genetic coding of plants), 18 enzymes (to aid digestion and other bodily functions), glucosides (natural sources of energy in the body), plant hormones, 27 minerals and at least 16 vitamins, it is no surprise that it increases energy and vitality. Avoid bee pollen if you suffer pollen allergies or if you are allergic to bees.

2. Royal Jelly
Royal jelly is the natural result when bees combine honey and pollen. It is a powerhouse of B-complex vitamins. It also contains many other vitamins, minerals, hormones, enzymes, 18 amino acids, and natural antibacterial and antibiotic substances. It has traditionally been used to address bronchial asthma, pancreatitis, liver disease, insomnia, stomach ulcers, kidney disease, bone fractures, immune problems, and skin disorders, but royal jelly is also effective for increasing energy.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Gideon Wayne F.

3:27AM PDT on Mar 12, 2013

You forgot Chia seeds as a natural source of energy. Long distance runners have been using this for some time. Its not called 'Aztec running food' for nothing

March 12
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Josh V.

8:18PM PST on Nov 7, 2012

Some other natural energy boosters are dark chocolate, acai, camu camu, cupuacu, gerana extract, natural caffeine and green tea extract. There is a product called Velocity that has all of these in one capsule at ReviewVelocity.com

November 7
send a green star

Mario A.

10:36AM PST on Jan 26, 2012

i'm saving this and going to try a few also

January 26
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Tiffany Y.

12:21PM PST on Nov 18, 2011

I did not know that about bee pollen and royal jelly! Will have to try it out! Thanks!

My favorite natural energy juice http://www.lifefoodstore.com/go-juice/ - may need to add some bee pollen to the regimen!

Thanks for the article!