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Are you a coffee drinker?
You might be surprised but I don’t drink coffee. In my 20’s, I tried coffee but never really got into it.
Many of my friends and acquiantances ask “what do you do to wake up?” For a long time, I didn’t have a good answer.
When I began studying herbs I came across several plants that are considered stimulating (for example, peppermint, rosemary, and lemon). You undoubtedly have tried or smelled these. You probably know they have somewhat gentler effects as far as stimulants go.
Over the past year, I had numerous discussions with a friend of mine who recently became a pharmacist. As a young practitioner, you often deal with an unpredictable and sporadic schedule, and a heavier workload.
So how do you protect your mental and adrenal health? How do you stay sharp and healthy?
The last few days have been hectic for me, and on Monday I turned to one of my herbal allies.
My students know I love talking about adaptogens as a group of plants. Our society overstimulates adrenal glands by sleeping too little and working too much. Learning about these amazing protectors is essential.
I previously wrote about Tulsi/Holy Basil and Ashwagandha.
Two of my favorite books on adaptogens are David Winston’s “Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina and Stress Relief” and Donald Yance’s “Adaptogens in Medical Herbalism: Elite Herbs and Natural Compounds for Mastering Stress, Aging and Chronic Disease.”
Today I’d like to tell you about Rhodiola.
Rhodiola is known as Rhodiola rosea or Arctic Rose. It originally comes from Siberia.
Typically, adaptogens are considered to be building herbs. They make your constitution stronger, and protect your body in dealing with the stress of daily living.
In contrast to other adaptogens, Rhodiola is more stimulating and known to protect nervous system. These actions make you sharper and more aware. That’s why I consider Rhodiola my “coffee substitute”.
The following are 3 situations when you might want to try Rhodiola:
1. Chronic stress and fatigue
As I mentioned, Rhodiola is an adaptogen. By itself and in combination with other adaptogens it’s used for patients who are tired, experience chronic stress, stress-related and mental and physical fatigue.
2. Immune depletion from overworking or over-exercising
Rhodiola protects the body from chemical and radiation damage. It decreases the effects of stress on the body. Rhodiola appears to increase exercise endurance, sport performance and antioxidant capacity.
3. Depression and neuroprotection
Rhodiola is stimulating. As a result, this plant is better in those with depressive tendencies rather than tendencies to hyperactivity. It has been used for patients with mild to moderate depression, as well as those with anxiety and mood disorders.
I use Rhodiola tincture – tinctures are alcoholic extracts made out of plants. There are a number of herbal product manufacturers who make Rhodiola tincture.
In general, I wouldn’t recommend this plant to anyone with bipolar disorder, hypomania, or paranoia.
Questions: Have you ever tried Rhodiola before? What are your caffeine alternatives?
7 Comments
Steve
September 18, 2016 - 4:12 pmYerba mate
Lana Camiel
September 21, 2016 - 5:34 pmThank you, Steve! Do you use Yerba mate daily?
Curious Mayhem
September 19, 2016 - 2:42 amYears ago, as a kid, I watched some people drink Postum. I don’t even know if it still exists. Today, I use a similar blend called Dandy Blend.
Lana Camiel
September 21, 2016 - 5:44 pmThank you for your comment! 🙂 I’ve never heard of Postum before, but looked it up. It sounds like it is available again. I am familiar with Dandy Blend – based on my recollection it’s mostly roasted dandelion roots and sometimes chicory roots, right? I have been buying another one recently called Reishi Roast. Are you familiar with it?
Curious Mayhem
September 26, 2016 - 2:50 amI’ve never heard of Reishi Roast, Lana, but I will look for it. Dandy Blend is indeed dandelion and chicory. It’s funny, because these substitutes all have their roots (pardon the pun) in wartime rationing. The German word for it is “ersatz,” or substitute. Now we actively look for them as alternatives, rather than look down on them as poor substitutes.
Lana Camiel
September 28, 2016 - 5:38 pmIt’s very interesting that you mention wartime rationing. With the latest news on lower harvests for coffee growers we might need to explore these options again. Plus, many are super valuable medicinally.
Eithu
December 3, 2016 - 4:24 amDo you recommend any Coffee substitute that is safe to consume during nursing?