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| treat headaches, paralysis, urinary tract irritation, and diarrhea. |
| Guarana is often added to sports nutrition products to aid in mental alertness and for its fatigue-fighting benefits. It can also be purchased alone in capsule or tablet form or in conjunction with other herbs; follow the directions on the label as to usage. |
| Kola Nut |
| Kola trees (Cola nitida and related species) are native to Africa and are commonly cultivated in tropical regions. The seeds are used in products such as soft drinks and other herbal stimulant products. The seeds contain caffeine (up to 3 percent) and theobromine. |
| Maté |
| Maté, or more properly known as Yerba maté (Ilex paraguariensis), is a small evergreen holly tree that grows in several countries of South America. Tea made from the dried leaves contains about 2 percent caffeine. In recent years it has been implied that the caffeine in maté, kola nut and guarana is more healthful than that found in coffee or tea. While each plant contains a variety of compounds that may subtly alter the effects of caffeine, each of these plants is primarily a source of caffeine with all of its positive and negative effects. |
| Licorice |
| Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is an herbal stimulant that doesn't contain alkaloids. Its stimulating action is provided by glycyrrhizin, known best for its sweetening character, and other biochemicals (flavonoids, phenolics, and triterpene glycosides). Licorice stimulates the adrenal cortex and prolongs the action of the adrenal hormones, which play a major role in regulating metabolism. |
| When licorice is used to ''kickstart" the adrenal system to help recovery from overtraining, it is relatively safe. However, licorice seems to lose its effect with long-term use and may cause side effects, including fluid retention, hypertension, and reduced stomach acid secretion. Excessive use of licorice, like any drug, can be quite toxic. People with heart disease, liver |
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