Caffeine is one of the most addictive substances ever, and yet, we treat it as a necessity rather than as a narcotic. Yes, in small and even moderate amounts, caffeine can provide a whole lot of good to the body, but more often than not, people abuse caffeine in such a way that they mess up their body by consuming too much coffee on a daily basis. This is why you hear stories of heart palpitations, IBS, and irritability from people who claim to ‘love coffee’.
So what’s the solution? Well, it turns out that there are a ton of all-natural alternatives to caffeine and coffee, with many of them providing so much more benefits than downsides. Here are some of the best alternatives to caffeine.
Kratom
Kratom vendors online will tell you that different strains provide different benefits, depending on the needs of the person taking it. For stimulation, most people go for the White Vein Kratom, which is known for its uplifting and energizing effects, with many people favoring White Sumatra and White Maeng Da.
However, some people also use Green Strain kratom for stimulation. Often used for its euphoria-providing properties, green strain kratom has also been known to make people more sociable and chatty, with many green strain users saying that it’s an effective tool against social anxiety, which in turn, allows them to be more open, sociable, and eager to interact.
While the stimulating effects of Kratom can be mild –especially if you’re a long-time user who’s dosing at a responsible pace –they can last for hours, which is why many people prefer it over coffee or caffeine’s quick bursts of energy.
Chicory Root
Here’s the thing about chicory root: it doesn’t actually contain any stimulants, nor has it been known to be stimulating in and of itself. Yet, chicory root “coffee” is consumed regularly in many parts of the country, with some people even swearing to it as an all-natural caffeine substitute. So what gives?
Well, as it turns out, while chicory root has none of caffeine’s stimulating effects, it does have coffee’s flavor and aroma, especially when roasted, and for most people those are enough to provide a placebo effect that tricks their brain into stimulating itself.
But other than providing you with an all-natural energy boost, chicory root is also well-loved for its antihyperglycemic properties and its beneficial digestion benefits, making it an all-around drink that energizes, lowers blood sugar, and keeps your tummy healthy and happy. Basically, it’s all the benefits of coffee without the heart palpitations or the IBS!
Ginseng
Ginseng root has been a staple of traditional Chinese medicine for literally a millennia, with TCM practitioners claiming that ginseng is used to “supplement the five viscera” (spleen, lung, heart, liver, and kidneys) and sharpen the mind.
Modern science is still catching up the wisdom of the ancients, but you’ve probably already seen ginseng in popular multivitamin brands, herbal supplements, and even energy drinks. That’s because, while we’re still waiting for a why, the efficacy of ginseng as a stimulant, memory enhancer, and even as an aphrodisiac, are undeniable.
All that being said, ginseng can affect some people in an adverse way, so before starting any kind of ginseng regimen, get advise from your doctor or local TCM expert.
Peppermint Tea
This might be confusing for some people because peppermint tea is usually consumed to help people sleep, not as a stimulant. However, new research is showing that peppermint tea can be very useful in improving physical activity and replenishing oxygen concentrations in the brain.
And, it turns out, peppermint tea’s highly refreshing and uplifting taste does wonders to the nervous system: much like chicory root, peppermint tea encourages the brain to release more energy from the body’s reserves, providing you with a burst of energy that can last for hours.
Here’s another great thing about peppermint tea: you can grow the leaves on a window-sill planter! In fact, they’re so easy to grow that they can take over an entire garden if you’re not careful, so make sure to harvest and enjoy regularly!
B Vitamins
For many people, a constant lack of energy and a chronic case of fatigue and poor concentration (and, in some cases, even mood problems) can all be traced to a simple explanation: vitamin B deficiency. As it turns out, many people actually lack a B-vitamin rich diet, which in turn, robs the body of an essential mineral that can help keep it energized.
As much as possible, try to eat more lean meats, fortified grains, nuts, and seeds, as these foods have all been known to contain high amounts of the vitamin B complex. Make this a part of your diet, and you’ll see your energy levels, concentration, and even your mood, improve drastically.
Start Your Day Right with Kratom!
Every reputable Kratom vendor online will tell you that Kratom is, perhaps, one of the safest alternatives to caffeine, and they’d be right! As one of the most powerful herbs on the planet, Kratom and its wide variety of strains can offer different benefits to different people, from acting as an all-natural stimulant and focal supplement to providing muscle relief and relaxation.
Each strain of Kratom is different, so learn as much about all of them as possible by visiting our FAQ page!
