One of the most common complaints I see in my private practice is fatigue. Many people feel they don’t have enough energy to get through the day, or they finish their day exhausted.
There are many different reasons why a person can have low energy. In today’s video, I focus on energy depletion in the body and what you can do about it. But remember – when addressing low energy in the body, herbs are only a part of the healing process – read and watch to learn more:
I believe that most people are sleep-deprived and are in deep need of rest. If your body is telling you that you’re tired, start listening and get more sleep! This may mean you need to face the voice inside that constantly tells you to do more and be more. Approach this voice with kindness, but don’t give in to it – you’re perfect the way you are, and chances are, if you went to sleep earlier or had a nap, you would function at a higher level anyway.
Many movement practices help to replenish the body and mind, such as yoga nidra and restorative yoga. Look out for more info on those practices in other videos.
Diet and lifestyle are also a big part of this discussion, but beyond the scope of this post. Be sure to eat a whole-foods diet rich in vitamins and minerals, and drink plenty of water to nourish yourself.
Tonic herbs are used within Traditional Chinese Medicine and other herbal traditions to build and supplement areas of deficiency. A deficiency or lack of what we call Qi or prana can be due to a variety of factors, such as overwork, excessive stimulation, or illness. When the body’s vital energy is low, all kinds of patterns can begin to show in the body, such as poor digestive function, anxiety, depression, poor memory and low immune function.
Remember, when using tonic herbs, do not take them if you develop a common cold or other temporary pathogen. The tonic may strengthen the pathogen instead of you!
2 Herbs to Boost your Energy
This root is used in TCM as a Qi tonic. It is a powerful plant with a very low potential for toxicity. It builds what’s called the primal Qi and supports all organ systems, particularly the digestive and respiratory systems. If you’re experiencing lethargy, loose stools and some shortness of breath or a weak voice, Ren Shen may be a wonderful herb for you. Because Ren Shen can cause stagnation when used long-term without other herbs, it’s best to use it for shorter periods with breaks. If you start experiencing an uncomfortable feeling of heat, digestive troubles or a sense of irritability, it’s best to discontinue use of this herb and consult a practitioner.
We can use this herb to boost energy and build a deeper sense of vitality. This herb focuses on building the yin and yang in the body and is very gentle and safe. To use this herb, your fatigue could also be accompanied by a lack of warmth, a weak lower back, and some level of sexual dysfunction, such as infertility or impotence. It can also be used if you have a chronic cough or wheezing.
If you have fatigue, light-headedness, and a history of anemia, be sure to watch my video on how to build the blood for more herbs.
So now you know a few ways to boost your energy and feel more vital. Let me know in the comments below what you do when you feel fatigued, and if you found this video helpful!
