For all of our family that are returning from the Contact in the desert I know that your energy stores are low. Here are some herbs and foods that help you recover your energy... we all can use a pick me up after attending a major festival like COTD.
--- Herbs
1. Eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus):
Eleuthero has many benefits with the risk of possibly raising blood pressure. It helps to boost the immune system, reduce inflammation, and relieve pain, it is a powerful antioxidant and helps the body adapt to stress (herbs in this category are called adaptogens). Eleuthero boosts energy, stamina, lessens fatigue, and helps the body use what energy it has more effectively. Feel free to take eleuthero twice a day, just not too close to bedtime, as it could cause insomnia. This herb is excellent for combating fibromyalgia pain and fatigue. However it does pose some risk, due to it's stimulating nature, of elevating the blood pressure to dangerous levels if you already are prone to high blood pressure.
NOTE: if you have unregulated high blood pressure, it’s best to avoid this herb there are many other alternatives.
2. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera):
Ashwagandha is an Ayurvedic herb from India which pairs well with eleuthero. Like eleuthero, ashwagandha is an adaptogen, lessening the effects of stress on the nervous system, which cuts back on the adrenaline, ‘fight or flight,’ response, leaving us with more energy for daily use. It also helps relieve depression (a big drain on energy), stabilize blood sugar, and reduce inflammation. When the body isn’t using resources to combat these early stages of illness (i.e. inflammation and blood sugar issues), then there’s plenty left over for us. Try 600-1,000mg twice daily. This is an excellent herb for type II Diet controlled diabetics. It pairs well with the bitter melon and the supplement chromium pilconate for blood sugar utilization.
3. Oil of Oregano (Origanum vulgare):
Most Oregano sold in the United States is actually Mexican Sage... and while it has a similar taste the benefits are vastly different. Make sure you source the species Origanum Vulgare to ensure you are getting real Oregano oil. It's very fragrant and powerful. Sometimes, dormant viruses can be the cause of chronic or acute fatigue; you may have no other symptoms, or you may have symptoms you wouldn’t normally identify with a virus: skin eruptions, rashes, unexplained pains, and achy joints. Cleaning out the liver with some detoxing herbs is a great place to start.
A twice daily dose of oil of oregano (1-2 drops in 8oz of water twice daily—for a bonus healing infusion, add two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to the water for its healthy bacteria and its reputation for internal healing and detoxifying). Oil of oregano also has extremely high levels of antioxidants which help protect the body from chronic conditions. It boosts the immune system, aids in digestion (good digestion=higher energy as more nutrients are absorbed), and helps rid the body of parasites (yet another potentially hidden cause of chronic fatigue).
Oil of Oregano detoxifies the Liver, which is the master filter of all that can harm your body... pair it with Vitamin D, Fresh Ginger and Garlic, and the supplement L-Lysene to destroy viruses in your body.
And then there’s just general common sense:
Get lots of sleep. Eat only when you’re hungry and try not to overeat (a taxed digestive system=sleepiness). Cut back on coffee and, instead, try green or black tea or yerba mate. Exercise, but don’t exhaust yourself if you suffer from chronic low energy. Just do what you can. What you can do is enough. Take breaks. Have fun (have fun!).
Finally, laugh a lot and drink plenty of clean pure water (well, preferably not at the same time…)
