Muscle Building Made Easy
Herbs That Increase Stamina
Stamina, which is also called endurance in athletic circles, refers to the ability to
remain active for a prolonged period as well as the capacity to recover from fatigue
as quickly as possible. Of course, the definition of prolonged period varies
depending on the particular activity – mere minutes for high-intensity interval
training while hours for low-intensity exercises like walking.
Regardless of your definition of stamina, you will benefit from the following popular
herbs. These plants have been proven via scientific and anecdotal evidence to boost
levels of stamina when taken in the right forms and dosages. Of course, the
importance of following a healthy diet, getting sufficient sleep and engaging in
moderate exercise, among other healthy lifestyle habits must also be emphasized in
this regard.
Ginseng
Both American and Asian ginsengs have been shown to
boost the immune system and, thus, to indirectly improve
levels of stamina. Think of it this way: When your body is
stronger to fight against illnesses, it is better able to
synthesize macronutrients and, thus, to produce
energy necessary to perform strenuous physical activities.
Also, you will experience faster recovery times from fatigue.
Ginseng can be consumed in various forms with your
choice boiling down to your personal preferences as well
as the availability of the supplement.
The roots can be dried and then sliced before
using in soups and teas as well as chewed as is
When making soup, we suggest approximately
2-3 grams of powdered ginseng or 5-8 slices of
dried ginseng.
Keep in mind that the longer the steeping period, the
stronger the tea will be although honey can also be
added to sweeten the mix. There are also fresh ginseng
slices for addition to dishes as well as ginseng
powder for baking purposes. On a side note a product
that I recently tried with moderateresults in both stamina & strength had both gingseng
& tribulus within it.
Licorice
Also known as sweet root for its natural sweetness – 50 times sweeter than sugar, in
fact - licorice has been used for thousands of years for dietary and medicinal
purposes. In terms of boosting levels of stamina, it works in an indirect manner in
that by putting the digestive system back in order, it boosts the immune system and
detoxifies the body. The herb is used in the adjunct treatment of peptic ulcer, among
other stomach issues.
The licorice supplements in the market come from the unpeeled and peeled dried root
of the plant. Your choices include teas, tablets and capsules as well as extracts and
tinctures. You may also just chew on a piece of licorice root, if desired.
We must caution against taking licorice supplements for more than a week without your
doctor’s approval. Side effects do occur even with herbal preparations so caution is
essential. In most cases, 1 to 5 grams of dried licorice root as an infusion or
decoction for 3 times a day is sufficient for stamina-boosting purposes.
Ginkgo
Ginkgo biloba is one of the most studied and bestselling herbs in the world today and
for good reasons, too. The herb contains two types of chemicals, namely, flavonoids
and terpenoids that have potent antioxidant properties. The leaves also contain
substances that aid in blood circulation that, in turn, boost stamina in athletes.
You can enjoy the health benefits of ginkgo via standardized solid extracts, capsules
and tablets as well as liquid extracts, tinctures, and dried leaves. You should
experience positive results within 4-6 weeks, which should grow more pronounced as
the weeks roll on.
Learn more about this herb at http://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-ginkgo-biloba.html
We suggest using these herbs in moderation. Too much of a good thing can become toxic
and it certainly applies to medicinal plants.