11 Adaptogens That Boost Energy and Banish Brain Fog

Re-energize with Ashwagandha Tea

Feeling draggy and drained? Put the pep back in your step with an earthy flavored Indian herb that ups stamina. “Ashwagandha balances your adrenals so they can better regulate stress hormones and restore your energy”, says Will Cole, D.C., functional medicine expert and author of Ketotarian. When enjoyed daily, ashwagandha cuts stress-induced fatigue by 80% in five days, Japanese research found. Simply stir 1⁄4 tsp. of powdered ashwagandha into a cup of tea, then sweeten with honey. 

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Fight Fatigue with Nature

Here’s another good reason to stop and smell the roses: England’s University of Essex researchers found that colorful flowers like peonies, gerbera daisies and hyacinths double as fatigue fighters. In fact, gazing at pretty blooms for just two minutes twice daily triggers the release of revitalizing brain waves, upping your energy by up to 35%.

Boost Your Energy with Thankfulness

Jotting down your blessings in a daily gratitude journal elevates your energy and mood by taming fatigue triggering stress, say University of California at San Diego scientists.

Speed Weight Loss with Reishi Coffee

Trade your regular cup of joe for a slimming version made with mushroom extract, and you’ll shed weight faster— no matter what diet you’re following. “Reishi mushrooms alter the bacteria in the gut to reverse weight gain”, Dr. Cole explains. Indeed, by simultaneously fostering the growth of helpful, slimming bacteria and activating fat-burning enzymes in the liver, a daily dose of reishi can help you shed 59% more subcutaneous fat—the jiggly kind that contributes to cellulite—in eight weeks. 

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Stay on Track with a Scale

Weighing yourself daily can help you lose 81% more over the course of a year than if you stepped on the scale less frequently, according to a study in the Journal of Obesity. Regular check-ins help you pinpoint (and reverse) extra pounds before they derail you.

Silence Joint Pain with Turmeric Chicken

Spice up your dinner with turmeric and you’ll dial down joint pain while firing up your taste buds. The Indian spice contains a compound called curcumin, which Cornell University scientists say quells pain, swelling and stiffness better than a prescription. The spice reduces inflammation by 73%, allowing injured nerves, tendons and muscles to heal. Sprinkle 1⁄2 tsp. of ground turmeric over your food daily (it tastes great with chicken and rice) to get the perks.

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Soothe Sore Joints with Sesame

Warm a dollop of sesame oil and massage it into sore joints. The soothing oil delivers compounds (sesamin and episesamin) that ease pain and swelling by 45%.

Breeze Through Menopause with Maca Smoothies

Maca root, a Peruvian herb, disrupts the estrogen fluctuations that trigger insomnia, hot flashes and depression. It’s so effective that researchers report adding just 1 tsp. to your daily diet reduces menopausal symptoms by as much as 84%! To get the benefits, stir the powder into your morning smoothie. 

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Stop Hot Flashes by Breathing

A study in the journal Menopause found that taking six deep breaths (as if inhaling the scent of fresh flowers) a minute for 15 minutes cuts the frequency of hot flashes in half.

Banish Brain Fog with Schisandra

To power through busy days, try Schisandra. Swedish researchers found that the anti-inflammatory berry stimulates the central nervous system to noticeably sharpen your focus. Opt for 250–500 mg. daily. 

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Sharpen Your Brain by Coloring

For a quick (and fun!) pick-me-up, grab some colored pencils and break open an adult coloring book. British researchers discovered that as little as two minutes of coloring significantly increases mental energy and enhances concentration by stimulating the brain’s alertness center.