Choosing the best herbs for fitness and weight loss can make the fitness process faster and easier to achieve.
Herbs and supplements can provide motivation, help with burning fat, relieve stress, balance hormones and much more. If you are having difficulty getting or staying motivated to get fit, then consider the following herbs to help you on your journey to getting fit and losing excess weight.
Most of the following herbs –with the exception of green tea and cordyceps – are adaptogens which can be taken on a regular basis. It is often recommended to take a day off once a week from taking the herb.
Adaptogens are the secret weapon of athletes – consider the attributes of each and determine which one is best for you.
Note: Start with only one adaptogen herb at a time. If it is not making a difference after 6-8 weeks, try another one.
Ashwagandha
This herb is one bodybuilders will like as it increases strength and endurance with consistent use. Studies show it increases maximum oxygen intake by up to 13% while also increasing endurance by 10%.
Muscles need oxygen to have more energy during a workout which increases peak performance for longer periods of time.
Eleuthero (Siberian Ginseng)
This herb is known for increasing strength and stamina. It is a tonic that that boosts energy, lowers stress, increases mental and physical performance and also helps the body maintain balanced glycogen levels. Regular use can improve memory, vigor and longevity. Soviet athletes have used it to enhance training for the Olympics.
Cordyceps
This isn’t actually an herb, but a tiny mushroom that increases lung capacity. It increased ATP productions by dilating the bronchial passageways which improves cellular energy levels. Cordyceps also fights fatigue, prevents muscles weakness and relieves soreness.
Green Tea
Green tea is great for increasing energy and metabolism. It is good for heart health, helps the body maintain and increase muscle mass and also increases burning fat. It leads to decreases in body fat, especially in the abdominal area. Green tea is loaded with anti-oxidants and nutrients that support improved health
Gynostemma (aka Jiaogulan)
This herb, a relative of the cucumber, is commonly consumed as a tea due to its delicious taste. The herb increases tolerance to fatigue, strengthens the heart and help with oxygen levels that have been depleted during exercise
The herb dilates blood vessels and increases cardio output, which stimulates the release of nitric oxide that helps the body reach peak performance levels.. The improved delivery of oxygen throughout the body gives muscles more energy and endurance.
Maca
This is a powerful adaptogenic herb that is popular with peri-menopausal and menopausal women as well as men. It balances hormones, provides a higher tolerance to stress and increase muscles to recover faster from a workout.
The herb also increases endurance and muscular stamina throughout the day. It has anabolic muscle building abilities that increase muscle mass and strength.
Astragalus
This potent herb helps lower the stress hormone, cortisol while also boosting immunity. It strengthens muscles, improves metabolism and protects the cardiovascular system. It also acts as an anti-inflammatory and helps prevent and treat diabetes.
