Herbal Stimulants: Activate Vitality That Fortifies!
Herbal stimulants are not "stimulants" by the traditional sense of the word.
They are herbs and roots that offer short term brain and organ stimulation through their medicinal nature. They give you energy but do not "take away" from the body.
They are a great enhancement to the Chinese herbs and Ayurvedic herbs which provide a more deeper, long lasting energy over time, increasing longevity as oppose to diminishing it.
They are perfect in any herbal tea formula to give the extra boost to drive the energy building properties of other herbs. This is the essential concept behind herbal tea alchemy.
Nourish vs Deplete!
The herbal stimulants we are talking about Do Not provide temporary energy that wears down the adrenals and nervous system but actually increase vitality by nourishing the body, removing energy blocks and relaxing the nerves.
It is custom for one to think of a "stimulant" as something you drink or take to jump start the body, like coffee. But over time these substances are depleting and actually give you less than you started with, decreasing one's inherit energy and "jing".
And the sand in the hourglass eventually runs out!
The reason why coffee, black teas and all other drug stimulants are so popular is because they cause an immediate alkalizing effect on the body which makes you feel a temporary euphoria with a heightened state of awareness and seemingly endless energy.
The problem is that these compounds have an "acid biochemistry" that causes, shortly afterward, an addictive effect towards the other side of the acid/alkaline balance. That is they promote acidity and make you crave ACID forming foods which diminish energies and throw the system out of harmony.
An occasional Yerba mate' tea or green tea is not going to cause long term health issues. It is just a matter of drinking these milder stimulants in moderation or blended with other more nutritious teas and cleansing herbs.
Stimulant Herbs:
Here is our list of favorite root and herb stimulants, some of which also overlap into the herbs and spices, category.
1) Ginger
Ginger has been used for thousands of years in Indian and Asian countries, this powerful spicy root warms and open the muscles, invigorates the entire circulatory system, and increases the flow of blood throughout the body. It expands and drives other herbs used with it deeper into the tissues.
2) Gotu Kola
Gotu Kola is considered, in parts of India, as "the most spiritual of all herbs" and is used by yogi's to increase meditative states. It is known for it's abilities to enhance brain power, balancing the right and left sides of the brain. It cleans the blood and support and strengthens adrenal health. It is regarded as one of the most rejuvenating plants among the
Ayurvedic herbs,
and high among the herbal stimulants.
3) Cayenne
Cayenne is one of the other spicy herbal stimulants that is known to increase blood flow and is particularly beneficial to the heart muscle, ensuring open, even circulation. For this reason it is one of the top "heart herbs" known. It is also used to aid digestion, soothing yet stimulating the flow of digestive juices. Great to use with cleansing herbs to kill unwanted parasites or candida.
4) Cloves
Cloves are herbal stimulants that have antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and antiseptic properties. They are a warm and aromatic herb that can also fall into our
herbs and spices
category, they are however more of a stimulating herb that works with the kidney, spleen and stomach meridians to create warmth and improve digestive functions and assimilation.
5) Ginkgo
Ginkgo is commonly known to enhance memory and improve the brain through cerebral blood circulation. It speeds blood flow to the arteries and capillaries that protects against free radical damage with it's potent antioxidant constituents. Ginkgo is used also to promote an uplifting, increased sense of well being! Learn more about Ginkgo biloba benefits and how to wildcraft your own leaves.
6) Sassafras
Sassafras has a rejuvenating effect on the whole body via it's cleansing properties and it's powerful anti-viral oil that stimulates the liver. Should not be used over an extended period of time but once in a while it's delicious flavor and pleasant feeling is a great attribute in herbal tea preparation.
7) Ginseng
Ginseng is probably one of the most popular among the top herbs known for it's energizer yet restorative effects on the entire body and system. It is stimulating, but not in a depleting sense, as with caffeinated substances, and has powerful adaptogenic properties that promote equilibrium and natural life-force energies. It is one of the top
Chinese herbs,
but we think it deserves top rank under our herbal stimulants for the above mentioned.
Great for those undergoing great mental or physical exertion, it improves one's abilities to deal with stress. Also a great reproductive tonic and overall life promoting root. There are many types of ginseng available. We like to use Korean ginseng in our herbal formulas, I love the taste and smell.
Ken sometimes just chews on it like a candy snack. Deciding on which ginseng you resonate the most with is a personally thing. Let your intuition and senses be your guide!
8) Nutmeg
Nutmeg is popular among the
herbs and spices
around the world in tradition and folklore. This potent clove is known for its effects on stimulating brain activity, improving focus and concentration but achieving a state of mental calmness and relaxed alertness. It should be taken in moderate doses over shorter periods of time to avoid toxicity to liver.
9) Mint
Mint is actually one of my favorite all time herbal stimulants. It really works to improve and clear the senses and increase the flow of energy in a very pleasant way. It is a great blend with these other herbs mentioned to provide a subtle but nice vitality activator.
10) Prickly Ash Bark
Prickly ash has a well documented use in Chinese history and medicine. It is said to warm the "middle burner", increasing circulatory flow, easing digestion and boosting immune response. Also helpful to eliminate parasites, increase energy levels and cleanse the body at it's center.
11) Cinnamon
Cinnamon is valued throughout history for its flavor and sweet, aromatic scent. This incredible bark is also top among herbal stimulants and great addition to any of your
herbal tea recipes.
It has demulcent qualities that also are a great balance with other
herbs and spices
and
nutritive herbal tea
blends. It's oils are antimicrobial and warming to the body. Cinnamon is high in antioxidants, making it a wonderful addition to any of your recipes or teas.
12) Long Pepper
Long pepper has been used with
Chinese herbs
for centuries to increase the potency and intensity of a tonic root herbs. Cook it up in decoctions with all those
Ayurvedic herbs
as well. Incredibly heated and stimulating to the entire system.
These herbs energize the body in steady flow that is strong yet gentle.
"Stimulation therapy can awaken the senses, nourish the inner energy levels, activate the internal organs, and build up the body's inner reserve of resources to better fight off infection and disease." Rosemary Gladstar
Getting off of Coffee!
You can break the coffee drinking cycle, not by stopping cold turkey, but by adding in
herbal tea recipes
using Chinese herbs or Ayurvedic herbs, and/or herbal stimulants.
Every day or week you decrease the amount of coffee you use until you pretty much are just drinking herbal stimulants and tonics that are delicious and flavored with wonderful herbs and spices.
For some people who have long time addictions to coffee, I understand it can be hard. Another way to do it is to move to something a little less acid based and caffeinated like green tea or other teas.
It may take awhile, but if you stick with it, your "life energy" will support you with the kind of health andlongevitywe all seek!
It is not to say that these traditionally used stimulant substances (like: coffee beans, nicotine, coca leaves, black and green tea, yerba mate, and guarana) do not have there place.
They are all derived from natural plant sources, but power plants are powerful messengers and with respect and in moderation can be powerful teachers!
Natural Alkaloids:
Another great way to experience the long lasting effect of alkaloids that do not deplete adrenals and nervous system is to eat more
green leafy vegetables.
That's right, "eat your vegetables", but not just any, the green chlorophyllrich ones!
They are natural alkaloids that replenish and make you "feel high" but don't have an acidic biochemistry that will come back to haunt you later.
Super juicingis a great way to begin moving away from more harmful stimulants.
When I make our
juicing recipesin the morning I feel clear headed and my body feels euphoric because I am actually feeding all my cells what they want to maintain deep, long lasting energy levels!
Ginger has been used for thousands of years in Indian and Asian countries, this powerful spicy root warms and open the muscles, invigorates the entire circulatory system, and increases the flow of blood throughout the body. It expands and drives other herbs used with it deeper into the tissues.
Gotu Kola is considered, in parts of India, as "the most spiritual of all herbs" and is used by yogi's to increase meditative states. It is known for it's abilities to enhance brain power, balancing the right and left sides of the brain. It cleans the blood and support and strengthens adrenal health. It is regarded as one of the most rejuvenating plants among the
Cayenne is one of the other spicy herbal stimulants that is known to increase blood flow and is particularly beneficial to the heart muscle, ensuring open, even circulation. For this reason it is one of the top "heart herbs" known. It is also used to aid 
Cloves are herbal stimulants that have antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and antiseptic properties. They are a warm and aromatic herb that can also fall into our
Ginkgo is commonly known to enhance memory and improve the brain through cerebral blood circulation. It speeds blood flow to the arteries and capillaries that protects against free radical damage with it's potent 
Sassafras has a rejuvenating effect on the whole body via it's cleansing properties and it's powerful anti-viral oil that stimulates the liver. Should not be used over an extended period of time but once in a while it's delicious flavor and pleasant feeling is a great attribute in 
Ginseng is probably one of the most popular among the top herbs known for it's energizer yet restorative effects on the entire body and system. It is stimulating, but not in a depleting sense, as with caffeinated substances, and has powerful adaptogenic properties that promote equilibrium and natural life-force energies. It is one of the top
Nutmeg is popular among the
Mint is actually one of my favorite all time herbal stimulants. It really works to improve and clear the senses and increase the flow of energy in a very pleasant way. It is a great blend with these other herbs mentioned to provide a subtle but nice vitality activator.
Prickly ash has a well documented use in Chinese history and medicine. It is said to warm the "middle burner", increasing circulatory flow, easing 
Cinnamon is valued throughout history for its flavor and sweet, aromatic scent. This incredible bark is also top among herbal stimulants and great addition to any of your
Long pepper has been used with
You can break the coffee drinking cycle, not by stopping cold turkey, but by adding in
