Herbal Stimulants

The word stimulant evokes images of endless energy, heightened awareness, and sensory arousal. 

But many of the common stimulants we think of actually deplete natural vitality and decrease one’s inherent energy. Many stimulants over activate the adrenals. Long term use not only wears one’s body down but actually dulls the very vitality we seek to emulate by using them.

The problem extends beyond ingested stimulants. A barrage of stimulation comes from our instagram, social media, TV, movies, news stories, radios all assault and over load our nervous system receptors. Our entire environment is geared to over drive

We can actually increases that vitality we like to think of by nourishing the system, relaxing the nerves, and removing energy blocks. Over a period of time, we can learn to elevate our body’s natural energy levels (a base line, rising our set points).

Though we have horribly abused stimulants in our culture, stimulants can have amazing benefits when used properly. They can: 

• awaken the senses

• nourish the inner energy levels

• activate internal organs 

• build up the body’s inner reserve of resources to better fight off infection and disease

• used over a period of time, you will notice a overall toned effect, feeling stronger

Herbal stimulants will not replace coffee rush, which is a completely different level of stimulation. Herbs increase cellular vitality and aliveness, where others can give you a temporary boost, but take away from the energy at large (at another time). They are, however, activators. They won’t give you the rush of those stronger, harsher stimulants our culture is most familiar with; but you’ll reconnect with an inner energy that is always available to you.

Some examples of when herbal stimulation is great to use include:

• Flu/cold, in acute stages of illness, to activate body’s natural defense system.

• Digestive issues and/or constipation

• Needing sexual stimulation, male or female

• For someone having “the blues”, generally feeling down or depressed.

You would NOT want to use stimulants for:

• long term illnesses with extreme weakness. There are no reserves to draw on, so you want to first nourish with mild toning herbs, and as energy builds, add in mildly stimulating herbs.

• dealing with eruptive skin disorders. Stimulants aid in elimination, which can temporarily worsen a condition.

• hypertension or chronic nervous disorders.

Some of the strongest and most addictive stimulants are herbs, or derived from herbs. 

• coffee beans, nicotine, cocaine, yerba mate, black and green tea, kola (used in the making of Coca cola), and guarana all are of plant origin, all are certainly natural, and all have very beneficial properties if used correctly. 

Powerful plants are powerful teachers. They can work with us when used with caution, or act against us when abused. Many of the benefits of herbs are their subtle, yet potent properties. But we, as a society, have learned to pack a punch. We distill out the most potent parts, strip the medicine of its neighboring parts that could help balance their effects, and separate everything from its whole. When ANYTHING is taken out of its system of checks and balances, chaos is a potential byproduct.  The same is happening in our food world, or virtual worlds. We have learned to make everything addicting, to get a quick, temporary hit, but lose all nutrition or moral. This whole idea of stepping back, taking our time, and healing from the inside out is much more potent than wearing ourselves out with overloads of individual hits.

Watching how nature heals itself can be incredibly mind blowing! There is so much we can learn from living things. As much as we know how to dissect and study, we have yet understood how to create, to harness life: really, we are just trying to manipulate it. But seeing how nature interacts as intended can be an incredible teacher. (and creates some of the best inventions!)

These herbal stimulants flow gently, surely, strong and deep. One usually doesn’t sense a quickening of energy, but rather a steady flow of vitality. This foundational strength originates in the inner organs and flows out.

”Remember those days when you were a child and you woke up, and morning smiled.” – Taj Mahal 

That is the feeling we are striving for.

Stimulant Formulas

An * asterisk is used to mark each stimulant in the formula.

Female Toner

• 1 part wild yam

• 2 parts licorice root

• 1/2 part ginger*

• 1 part cinnamon*

• 1/2 part dong qui*

• 1/4 part orange peel     

Male Toner

• 3 parts sassafras*

• 3 parts sarsaparilla*

• 1/2 part ginger*

• 1/16part clove*

• 1 part cinnamon*

• 1/8 part saw palmetto

• 1/2 part ginseng

Digestive Aide Tea

• 3 parts fennel

• 3 parts Peppermint *

• 1/2 part coriander *

• 1/2 part ginger *

• 3 parts comfrey root

• 4 parts licorice

• 1/16 or less clove *

Cold Care Tea

• 1 parts elder

• 1 part yarrow

• 1/4 part ginger *

• 2 parts slippery elm

• 4  parts licorice

• 1 part cinnamon *

• 1/2 part ginger *

• 2 parts comfrey

• 1 part white oak

Flu Formula (for capsulating)

• 1 part golden seal powder

• 1 part myrrh powder

• 1 part prickly ash *

• 1/4 part cayenne *

• 1 part slippery elm powder

Sinus Formula (Sauce)

• Grated horseradish *

• Ginger *

• Honey *

• Vinegar

  • Note: grate fresh horseradish and ginger.

Brain Tonic

• 1 part Gotu Kola *

• 1 part Peppermint *

• 1 part Gingko

• 1/4 part Rosemary

Constipation

• 3 parts peppermint

• 2 parts psyllium seed

• 2 parts fennel

• 1 part slippery elm

• 1/2 part ginger

• 1/8 part senna

• * Cayenne to taste

  • * Infuse 1 tsp per cup for 20 min and drink 3 cups per day or as often as needed

  • if these do not work, add in senna and/or cascara. But try not to depend on these, as they can be a bit harsh (but still way better on your body than metamucil, which has been equated to an SOS pad)

  • As a little tea: a bit of cayenne in a cup of warm lemon water almost always works too.

Liver/Lower Bowel Tonic, Road Trip Medicine

This excellent formula includes:

• Dandelion

• Gentian

• Barberry

• Burdock rt.

• Oregon Grape

• Ginger

• Comfrey rt.

• Sarsaparilla

• Fennel

• Fenugreek seeds

• Flax

• Cascara Sagrada

• Red Clover

• Slippery Elm

• Rhubarb Rt.

Mental  Stimulation

Excellent for those times when it is necessary to have your mind clearly focused. Students especially benefit from the long term benefits of gentle herbal stimulants. 

Buzz-On Capsules

Two capsules as needed

• 1 part guarana * 

• 1/2 part ginger 

Brain Power Teas

Brain Formula 1

• 1/2 part ginger*

• 1 part guarana*

• 1 part ginkgo*

• 3 parts peppermint*

• 2 parts gotu kola*

• 1/16 stevia (to taste)

This does include one of the caffeine rich herbs in it: Guarana, a little herb from South America. Though rich in caffeine, has no other major alkaloids in it. (Coffee has over 13 different alkaloids). Guarana dilates the capillaries of the brain, increasing the flow of blood, sharpening the senses. It is great for those late night cram sessions and for long distance driving. Though rich in caffeine, it has none of the side effects of coffee. But it too must be used sparingly and only when needed.

Brain Formula 2

• 3 part peppermint*

• 1 part gotu kola*

• 1 part ginkgo leaf*

• 1 part ginger

• 1/4 part sage*

• 1/8 part rosemary*

Wonderful “brain food”. It has no caffeine and is best used over a long period of time to revitalize a “tired” brain!

Zoom Balls

These wonderful little energy nuggets are great for the back packer, student, or long distance traveler.

• 1/2 cup honey

• 1/2 cup sesame seed butter (or any of your favorite nut butters)

• 1 Tbs bee pollen

• 1 Tbs royal jelly extract

• 1 Tbs ginseng

• 1 Tbs Guarana (optional, has caffeine)

• To preference:

  • Coconut

  • Chopped nuts

  • Carop chips

  • Chocolate chips or cacao nibs

1. Start with a base honey and sesame seed butter. Mix this together well.

2. Add Bee Pollen, Royal Jelly extract, Ginseng

3. If you wish to add Guarana for the Zoom effect

4. Add Coconut, Chopped nuts, and carob chips

5. Roll into balls or press into bars.

For the “Blues”

Sometimes we all need a little rescue from the blues. People’s emotional energy often drops simply because their physical energy reserves are low. As the physical body is brought into balance with a regulated diet, the emotional self stops seesawing and stabilizes. 

• 2 part Borage

• 2 part peppermint*

• 4 part Huckleberry Ieaf*

• 1 part Ginkgo*

• 1 part Gotu Kola*

• 1/4 part Rosemary*

• 1/4 part Sage*

Some of the gentlest stimulating herbs: peppermint, gotu kola, ginger and cinnamon

The Gift of Tea to a Friend in Need

The following is an example of a mildly stimulating, uplifting tea that would benefit a sick or hospitalized person. When visiting friends in the hospital, it is important to be centered, (stable but lively) full of life. Flowers and herb teas are a powerful and very soothing token to bring. Choose your tea wisely. It should be a combination of things lovely, nourishing, and uplifting.

• 2 parts borage flowers – for courage

• 3 parts roses – nervine

• 1/2 part lavender – strengthening

• 4 parts chamomile – fortifying

• 1 part alfalfa – nourishing

• 1 partnettle- nourishing

• 1 part comfrey- healing

• 4 parts peppermint – uplifting*

• 1/2 part ginger – warming*

• 1/16 stevia – sweetness

• 4  parts hibiscus- joy

• 1 part cinnamon- warmth*

Some of the hottest selling herbal products in the market place are herbal stimulants andherbal diet aids? In the drug trade, the most popular drugs are speed and uppers. The world is racing on. There is so much stimulation around us we are no longer able to be impressed. It is hard to get anyone’s attention more than a fleeting second, though that is where lasting memory sits.