There are countless sports enhancing performance boosters out there, and many shops have entire aisles dedicated to the many varieties. Almost all of them are lab-based and synthesised, and while this isn’t always a bad thing, it might lead to a few side effects that not everyone is comfortable with. One way to get around this is by instead taking herbal supplements, which provide a wide range of benefits.

Ginseng

As one of the world’s most popular dietary supplements, Ginseng is used by millions of people around the world, and makes up one of the biggest supplemental industries currently. There are several different species that can be found in the Ginseng family, some of which come from South-east Asia, while others originate in Russia and Siberia. Both are composed of different organic chemicals, and offer various sports enhancing benefits. Scientists believe that Ginseng has an influence on the brain directly, and can lower cortisol within the body, which is a stress hormone, making it great for keeping clam when betting on the stock market. A lowered level of cortisol means that the athlete has increased stamina, as well as reduced fatigue from being on the field for too long.

St. Johns Wart

Also known as kava kava, St Johns Wart is the dried and peeled root of Piper methysticum, which is an ancient herb that originally came from the South Pacific, where it’s long been used in ritual beverages, and is famous for its relaxing properties. The kava root contains kava lactones, which are known to cause skeletal muscle relaxation while not depressing the central nervous system. Other chemicals can provide some benefits, such as sterols, tannins, flavonoids, and phenolic acids.

Ginkgo Biloba

The famous Ginkgo tree is a Chinese tree that has been used for countless centuries, and is the main source of the Ginkgo Biloba extract, which is made from the leaves of the tree. The extract is packed with a number of active ingredients, which include terpenoids and flavonoids, both of which are good for the body and the brain, and can both directly increase the release of relaxing factors to make muscle repair more efficient thanks to higher blood flow. It’s also extremely beneficial to the elderly, and can help improve cognition and can be used to manage peripheral arterial disease. This may also improve stamina, allowing the user to walk or run longer distances than before supplementing.

Capsicum

Found natively in central America, capsicum encompasses many of the world’s most popular peppers, such as cayenne, red, bell, and chilli. These species have also been shown to offer a great number of physical benefits when taken as a supplement. One of the most important compounds in these species is known as capsaicin, which has been classified as a stimulant, and provides many of the same actions as caffeine. This means that an athlete could take advantage of the same energy-boosting properties of caffeine without the need to imbibe caffeine on a daily basis, which can often lead to a long-term addiction.