Feeling Tired? 4 Herbal Remedies to Help You Feel Awake, Refreshed and More Energised

When it comes to wellness interventions, the term ‘herbal remedy’ isn’t exactly the sexiest buzz phrase on the block. All too often, it can conjure up memories of your grandma raiding her medicine cabinet for an awful-tasting tincture that, she fastidiously assured, could stop a hacking cough in its tracks.
But herbalism is currently undergoing a major rebrand, and whether you’re spiralling with 3am worries or yawning into your shirtsleeve, modern apothecaries like Rachelle Robinett believe there are an abundance of plants that can help us claw back control.
The key, according to the Brooklyn-based herbalist, is knowing which ones to add into your rotation. So if tiredness is currently a daily roadblock, she shares some go-to herbs for hacking your energy levels naturally – no espresso shot needed.
Ginseng
A staple of Chinese traditional medicine, ginseng is a common herb that’s extracted from the roots of the slow-growing panax ginseng plant that’s native to eastern Asia and North America. It’s often referred to as ‘man-root’, thanks to its distinctive taproot with its fleshy arm and leg-like tendrils.
“In herbalism, ginseng is used to treat a laundry list of issues, but I mostly love the fact that it’s both energising and adaptogenic, so it’s a great alternative to a morning flat white,” says Robinett.
“Taking it regularly can give you caffeine-free energy support that helps to bolster both your resilience and stress levels at the same time. I like to think of it as nature’s gasoline: filling your tank while giving you fuel.”
Supporting this theory, a 2018 systematic review on the much-studied effects of ginseng on fatigue concluded that the herb could offer a promising treatment for low energy levels, particularly when administered to people suffering with long-term chronic illness.
Cordyceps
You’d have to be living under a rock to have missed the memo about functional mushrooms, a category of wellness supplements that has exploded in popularity in recent months.
Cordyceps is one such variety that’s been leading the super-shroom charge; a parasitic edible fungi which grows on the larva of caterpillars. According to Robinett, spiking your smoothies with extracts of the plant can be particularly useful if you’ve signed up to a fitness challenge this year.
“Cordyceps is considered a calming adaptogen without being an outright sedative,” notes the herbalist. “Interestingly, it supports and helps recover the HPA axis, making it an excellent herb for improving athletic performance.”
While more conclusive data is needed, a handful of studies have linked cordyceps to some form of boosted exercise capacity, particularly when the supplement is taken consistently over several weeks. “It’s linked to increased oxygenation, circulation and VO₂ max, making it my absolute favourite herb for anyone who goes to the gym,” advises Robinett.
Rhodiola
A lesser-known herb, Rhodolia is a yellow flowering plant that typically grows in cold parts of Europe and Asia. It’s roots are purported to have numerous health benefits for humans, from lowering tech-induced anxiety and soothing stress to boosting flagging midweek energy levels.
“Rhodiola is one of the most energising herbs going, from a caffeine-free standpoint,” says Robinett, “but because it’s quite stimulating, I recommend people start with a lower dose and work their way up.”
“The great thing about this herb is it’s multi-functionality; it gives us energy while supporting mood and dopamine levels, rather like an antidepressant. If you’re on deadline and spending large periods of time sitting at your desk, taking a tincture can help you tap into a flow state and get things done quickly.”
Bacopa
Also known as water hyssop, brahmi and Indian pennywort, Bacopa is a creeping aquatic herb that grows in marshy wetland areas. Not only are its starry-shaped blossoms pretty to look at, but its nootropic qualities are associated with a host of different health benefits, from improved focus to reduced stress levels.
“Bacopa is often used in natural medicine to treat ADHD, or any other kind of attention or focus imbalance,” explains Robinett. “Rather than being energising, it’s more of a clarity inducing, brain fog mitigator. I find that it can be especially useful if you’re struggling to knuckle down on work projects, or just need an extra boost to power through boring admin tasks.”
Indeed, a small 12-week study on 46 elderly adults found that taking bacopa could have memory-enhancing effects during the natural ageing process, with those taking the herb having better delayed word recall memory scores compared to those in a placebo group.
How tap into energy-boosting herbs
Inspired to throw some smart herbs into your current wellness routine? It’s always a good idea to chat to your health practitioner and a qualified herbalist first, as some varieties might interact with certain medications or be unsuitable for existing health conditions.
Once you’ve got the green light though, jumping on the plant-fuelled bandwagon is fairly straightforward. “All of these energising herbs can be found in tincture, gummy or capsule form, which is probably the easiest way to take them,” says Robinett.
Of course, you could always go back to basics and drink them as a herbal tea, but Robinett wouldn’t necessarily recommend clicking on the kettle: “These particular herbs all have pretty strong flavours, so they won’t be a pleasant alternative to a builder’s brew.”