Multiple herbs act like natural fat burners and energy-boosting sources. However, before we dive into the numerous benefits of these herbs, I’m going to start with a warning:
There Is NO Magic Pill
There’s a multi-billion dollar industry built on the premise that you’re going to find a magic pill. The truth is there is no magic pill or magic solution. I am going to be talking specifically about whole foods in supplemental form. These herbs have been used for thousands of years in some cases.
[pullquote]These herbs work only in conjunction with getting plenty of sleep, exercise, and eating healthy.[/pullquote]
I take whole food herbs, and that is what I will be discussing with you, not the ones created synthetically. The herbs given here are clinically proven, have historical use, and work well.
You cannot just sit on your couch, gorge on junk food, sleep for 6 hours or less, and expect to magically shed fat by popping a few herbs. While these herbs work as a supplement to your healthy lifestyle, they are NOT a substitute for getting plenty of sleep, eating quality foods, or physical activity.
Supplements Are Just Supplemental
They supplement a healthy lifestyle. If you aren’t getting enough sleep, your hormones will get exhausted and you’ll have vicious food cravings and an increased appetite. If you aren’t feeding your body quality foods, your metabolism will not work efficiently and you will be bogged down with chemicals.
If you aren’t exercising or indulging in physical activity, you’re making your body weaker, sluggish, and more prone to sickness and disease. Ultimately, it’s the lifestyle that is the most important. Remember that these herbs do work for fat loss, increasing energy, and boosting health, but they will not work without the foundation of these other lifestyle factors.
Here, we’ll explore 6 such magical herbs:
1. Matcha
Matcha literally means powdered tea, and it’s a special form of green tea usually grown in Japan. Unlike traditional green tea, where the leaves are infused into hot water via tea bags and then discarded, with Matcha, you’re actually consuming the entire chlorophyll-rich leaves that have been handpicked, steamed, dried, and ground into a fine green powder.
Matcha contains epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a very potent antioxidant. This antioxidant increases fat oxidation by 33%. EGCG inhibits fat cell development, increases fat excretion, and revs up your metabolism.
Matcha tea provides an energy boost without the coffee crash headache, thanks to the relaxing properties of L-theanine. L-theanine counterbalances the jittery effects of caffeine.
2. Cordyceps Mushrooms
Cordyceps mushrooms come from an Asian mushroom known as Cordyceps Sinensis (C. Sinensis), which sprouts from the body of dead caterpillars in the wild. Cordyceps is categorized as a medicinal mushroom with thousands of years of use in Chinese medicine. This herb is gaining popularity as a pre-workout supplement and in several athletic competitions.
Oxygen intake is crucial to supplying nutrients to the muscles, preventing fatigue, and buildup of lactic acid. Cordyceps works by improving oxygen circulation. This leads to increase in stamina and endurance.
[pullquote]In conjunction with sleep, nutrition, and exercise, these mushrooms will help you burn off that excess body fat.[/pullquote]
Studies show that Corydceps efficiently increases your insulin sensitivity. The opposite of that is insulin resistance, and a classic sign of having insulin resistance is excess belly fat.
Cordyceps is what’s called an Adaptogen, which are a group of non-toxic, non-habit-forming substances that help your body adapt to your environment. For example, if you’re experiencing a lot of stress, adaptogens help your body adapt to that stress and handle it better.
This is why it works so great as a pre-workout supplement, because working out puts stress on your body and this herb helps your body to better cope and handle that stress.
NOTE: Be cautious of the brand you buy. With the ever-increasing demand for this scarce mushroom, some manufacturers are using fake versions, or cutting it with soy, in order to meet the demands.
3. Ginseng
Ginseng is a popular and well-known herb. Don’t expect speedy results with ginseng, as it is subtle. It is an adaptogen and has been studied in the Journal of Diabetes. It is shown to boost energy levels, speed metabolism, and increase weight loss and insulin sensitivity. It also helps regulate your blood sugar levels.
4. Cinnamon
Cinnamon is beneficial for improving the way your body regulates blood sugar levels. Remember that it is imperative to have stable levels of blood sugar. According to a research at Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center, not only does cinnamon reduce blood sugar levels in people with Type 2 Diabetes but also triglycerides and LDL levels (bad cholesterol).
I buy cinnamon in bulk and add it to my smoothies. Additionally, I sprinkle cinnamon on fruits and use it while cooking. I also mix 1/2 or 1 tsp of cinnamon to a glass of water and drink it.
5. Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne pepper is extremely beneficial, and I sprinkle it into my water as well. Cayenne is a good source of vitamins A, B, and C. It contains potassium and manganese.
Cayenne contains capsaicin, which gives pepper it’s heat, and it has been found to aid the body in digesting and utilizing proteins, regulating body temperature, easing arthritis, promoting weight loss, and improving circulation. According to the American Chemical Society, cayenne has also been found to shrink fat tissue and lower blood fat levels.
Another reason it’s so beneficial is because of thermogenesis. Thermogenesis boosts your metabolism and burns calories at a higher level.
Above all, it helps in digestion. I have a sensitive digestion system and cayenne promotes the production of anti-inflammatory compounds that start to coat the gut again and to heal internally. Whenever my stomach hurts, or I have bloating and/or indigestion, a dash of cayenne into a glass of water relieves much of this pain and discomfort.
6. Cacao
In its natural form, cacao is a seed. Everything chocolate comes from seeds called cocoa beans. Contrary to popular belief, chocolate is NOT bad for you. In its raw form, it does not contain any sugar or dairy.
Cacao (chocolate) is one of the most delicious and healthy super foods that exist. It’s beneficial for PMS symptoms, for metabolizing glucose, keeping the heart healthy, easing depression, and also helps as a delivery agent for many other super foods like mushrooms, goji berries, and spirulina.
The composition of cacao seeds make it even more beneficial:
- Magnesium – Boosts heart and brain health, alleviates muscle cramping and alkalinity, improves bone strength
- Vitamin C – Supports the immune system
- Zinc – Improves immunity and boosts the liver, pancreas, and skin
- Phenylethlamine – Improves focus and suppresses the appetite
- Tryptophan – Enhances the mood
