Herbs for your Mood

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) Herb Extract

Ashwagandha is also called the "Ginseng of India" and like Ginseng, it is used to enhance the body’s ability to cope with stress and generally to enhance mental acuity, reaction time and physical performance. It has a traditional reputation as an adaptogen, meaning it helps the body to adapt both physical and emotional stress. Ashwagandha is considered a tonic, said to protect the organism from illness through maintaining the healthy balance of physical energies, to improve sexual performance and increase the sense of well-being. Studies show that it may reduce anxiety, bolster the immune system and relieve the pain and swelling associated with inflammation.

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Black Cohosh (Actaea racemosa) Root Extract

Black Cohosh has been used by Native Americans for centuries. They discovered that the root of the Black Cohosh plant can be useful in relieving menstrual cramps and symptoms of menopause, including hot flushes, irritability, mood swings, and sleep disturbances. Today, Black Cohosh is widely used and is approved as a natural remedy for premenstrual discomfort, painful menstruation, and menopausal symptoms in Germany.

Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) leaf extract, 20% Saponins

Brahmi is one of the most popular brain tonics and memory booster in India. It is known to increase protein synthesis and activity in brain cells and widely used to improve intellect, consciousness, and mental acuity, to calm the mind and promote relaxation, to improve memory, mental clarity and alertness, to enhance learning and academic performance and to decrease anxiety, restlessness and senility.

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Catuaba (Trichillia catigua) Bark Powder

Catuaba is well known in Brazil for its impressive physiological and psychological benefits. Originally, the natives boiled the tree bark to concoct a strong, vigorous drink. The Catabua bark was also used by the Tupi to relieve pain, improve memory, ease depression, and control anxiety. Catuaba has also been found to be an excellent aid in antiviral and antibacterial therapy.

Considered a natural aphrodisiac, it stimulates the reproductive systems of both males and females. Catuaba has been primarily used for centuries as an aphrodisiac and libido stimulant for both males and females, as well as a tonic to fortify the nervous system. It is said to calm the nerves, relieve insomnia, ease anxiety, restlessness, depression and emotional stress. The herb is also used to increase blood circulation to the brain (helping poor memory), to the reproductive organs (helping the libido) and to the heart.

Cocoa Bean / Xocolatl (Theobroma cacao) Extract

Cocoa bean is the dried and fully fermented fatty seed of Theobroma cacao, from which cocoa solids and cocoa butter are extracted. Historical evidence points to the use of cocoa in a medicinal capacity for over two thousand years, since the time of the ancient Mayan and Aztec civilisations and following its introduction to europe around 500 years ago.

A cup of cocoa has almost three times the antioxidants of a cup of green tea, another drink renowned for its health benefits. It is also higher in antioxidants than most fruits and berries. Chocolates reputation as an aphrodisiac seems to have begun with the aztecs who made a drink fermented from cocoa beans which they called xocolatl.

Only 1 or 2 capsules filled with this cocoa extract should be enough to give the positive, mood enhancing and energizing effects that good chocolate is known for. More info

Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica) Herb extract, 32% Saponins

Gotu Kola has traditionally been used in a variety of conditions, mainly to enhance the health of the circulatory system, to fortify the immune system and to revitalize the nerves and brain cells. It is said to stimulate the central nervous system, to rebuild energy reserves, to relieve high blood pressure, and to help the body defending against various toxins.  Further it may potentially benefit the following conditions: Poor circulation, rheumatism, psoriasis, oedema or ankle swelling, gastric ulcers, surgical scars, radiotherapy injury, haemorrhoids, varicose veins, dementia/poor cognitive function and anxiety. Gotu Kola has been reported to act as an antioxidant and to produce a powerful aid to maintaining good health. More info

Green Tea (Camellia sinensis) leaf extract

Over the last few decades green tea has been subjected to many scientific and medical studies to determine the extent of its amazing health benefits, with some evidence suggesting regular green tea drinkers may have lower chances of heart disease and developing certain types of cancer. Green tea has also been claimed as a useful aid for "weight loss management". Green tea extract is known for its powerful antioxidant properties. This extract contains 30% natural caffeine and together with the other contained phytochemicals it makes a healthy and potent energy booster. Caution: Individuals sensitive to caffeine should be careful with this product.

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Guarana (Paullina cupana) Seed Extract

Amazonian Indians used Guarana for centuries as a heart tonic and to thin the blood. Today it is well known for its stimulant action and is taken as a health tonic by millions. Brazilians believe it helps over come heat fatigue, combats premature aging, detoxifies the blood, and is useful for flatulence, obesity, dyspepsia, fatigue and arteriosclerosis. In North America it is reputed to increase stamina and physical endurance. Scientific validation is given to its antiaggregation properties, meaning its ability to prevent the formation of blood clots and to help in the breakdown of clots that had already been formed.
Caution: Quantities less than a quarter of a teaspoon (500mg) of this extract are already powerful and may cause too much stimulantion in individuals sensitive to caffeine.

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Guayusa (Ilex guayusa) Leaf Tea

In Ecuador Guayusa has been used from ancient times to modern day to increase physical and mental capacity, to fight fatigue, and to restore youthful energy.  Generally hailed as a long-life plant it is consumed daily for nourishment as well as to lift the mood and increase memory and concentration. Indigenous hunters drink guayusa to sharpen their instincts and call it the “Night Watchman" because it helps them stay alert and awake all night. For many Ecuadorian indigenous people, the morning drinking of guayusa is a social ritual. The leaves are boiled to produce a tea; due to the high caffeine content, the same leaves are often used multiple times, sometimes for several days. In addition to caffeine, guayusa also contains guanidine.

Functioning as a balanced stimulant, the Kichwa also say that guayusa promotes restful sleep and good dreams. Unlike coffee, it is said to be good for excessive acidity, bile and other problems in the stomach. It is both energizing and relaxing at the same time and develops mental strength.

Maca (Lepidium meyenii) Root Extract 10:1

Mucuna / Velvet Bean (Mucuna pruriens) Extract

Mucuna seed extract is one of the best tonics to improve vitality. It has been reported to be useful in maintaining optimum performance of the nervous system. A significant constituent of Mucuna is L-dopa that is used to make dopamine, an essential neurotransmitter and an important brain chemical involved in mood, sexuality, and movement. It is shown to increase testosterone levels, leading to deposition of protein in the muscles and increased muscle mass and strength. Mucuna pruriens also has antioxidant properties and helps support libido among aging individuals. It is reported that it has been scientifically validated by many clinical studies to prove its benefits.

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Oat Straw (Avena sativa) Extract

Oat straw is known to be soothing to the brain and nervous system, whilst at the same time acting as a mild aphrodisiac. It is both nourishing and restorative to nerves and reproductive organs. The extract of this herb has traditionally been used as a strengthening tonic, a mild antidepressant or mood lifter and even as a gentle sedative to calm the nerves and a restless mind. There are no known adverse side effects.

Rhodiola / Golden Root (Rhodiola rosea) Root Extract 10:1

Rhodiola has been extensively studied as an adaptogen with various health-promoting effects. In traditional folk medicine the roots were used to increase physical endurance, work productivity, longevity, resistance to high altitude sickness, and to treat fatigue, depression, anemia, impotence, gastrointestinal ailments, infections, and nervous system disorders. In Middle Asia, Rhodiola tea was the most effective treatment for cold and flu during severe Asian winters. Mongolian doctors prescribed it for tuberculosis and cancer. Vikings used the herb to enhance their physical strength and endurance. Researchers described its benefits for pain, headache, scurvy, hemorrhoids, as a stimulant, and as an anti-inflammatory.

Rhodiola rosea may be effective for improving mood and alleviating depression. Pilot studies on human subjects showed that it improves physical and mental performance, and may reduce fatigue.

Siberian Ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) Root Extract

Siberian Ginseng has a long history in Eastern Medicine and has quickly gained a reputation in Western natural medicine for its nervine tonic effects. It is an adaptogen that has a wide range of health benefits, including increased endurance, anti-fatigue, memory improvement, anti-inflammatory, anti-depressant, immunogenic, chemoprotective, and radiological protection.

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Tribulus / Puncture Vine (Tribulus terrestris) Fruit Extract

According to Ayurvedic traditions Tribulus is a wonderful healing herb with a broad range of properties, recently becoming very popular in the western world. The extract of Tribulus fruits is recognized as a popular sport and bodybuilding nutrient in order to restore the body's natural testosterone levels. It appears to be a safe alternative to steroids for athletes and to have an overall normalizing effect on the hormones. Considered also as an aphrodisiac, it is found commonly in male sexual stimulant products to combat impotency. But its benefits are not gender specific and it is used to enhance libido and fertility in both women and men. It is also used to treat many kidney, bladder, and urinary tract related conditions.

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