Stimulant herbs raise levels of mental and physical activity. Examples include coffee, green tea, rosemary, and ginseng. Stimulant herbs may interfere with some medications for mood and sleep.
Fatigue
Fatigue is excessive exhaustion and weakness. It can be caused by illness, allergies, anemia, poor diet, lack of activity, insomnia, and stress. Diet can help greatly in improving symptoms of fatigue. Gentle exercise may also help.
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RESEARCH
The listings of research below represent a compilation of scientific articles found on the topic, with a very brief overview description of each article/study. This compilation of research articles does not necessarily imply that there are adequate results to demonstrate safe and/or effective human use of any herb listed.
GENERAL
- A review of research shows certain herbs have stimulant and sedative qualities. From: Gyllenhaal, C., Merritt, S. L., Peterson, S. D., Block, K. I., & Gochenour, T. (2000). Efficacy and safety of herbal stimulants and sedatives in sleep disorders. Sleep Medicine Reviews, 4(3), 229-251.
AJOWAN
- In a double blind randomized clinical trial with 60 patients, daily intake of a blend of cinnamon, ajwain and Iranian borago taken for 3 months reduced symptoms of fatigue. From: Namjooyan, F., Ghanavati, R., & Majdinasab, N. (2019). The efficacy of traditional formulation on quality of life and fatigue in multiple sclerosis patients: a randomized double-blind placebo-control clinical trial. Journal of Contemporary Medical Sciences, 5(2).
- Okello, E. J., & Howes, M. J. R. (2018). Essential oils and aromas that affect mood and cognition. In The Routledge International Handbook of Psychobiology (pp. 195-208). Routledge.
ANISE
- Fragrance inhalation affected the sympathetic nervous system. Pepper, estragon oil, fennel, and grapefruit increased sympathetic activity, and rose and patchouli oils decreased sympathetic activity. Inhaling pepper oil increased plasma adrenaline levels while rose oil decreased adrenealine. From: Haze, S., Sakai, K., & Gozu, Y. (2002). Effects of fragrance inhalation on sympathetic activity in normal adults. The Japanese journal of pharmacology, 90(3), 247-253.
BASIL
- In this randomized placebo controlled study including 30 healthy adults, taking a tulsi supplement of 1,000 mg twice daily for 2 weeks improved physical performance and energy levels. From: Venu Prasad, M. P. (2014). Antifatigue and neuroprotective properties of selected species of Ocimum L.
BLACK PEPPER
- Fragrance inhalation affected the sympathetic nervous system. Pepper, estragon oil, fennel, and grapefruit increased sympathetic activity, and rose and patchouli oils decreased sympathetic activity. Inhaling pepper oil increased plasma adrenaline levels while rose oil decreased adrenealine. From: Haze, S., Sakai, K., & Gozu, Y. (2002). Effects of fragrance inhalation on sympathetic activity in normal adults. The Japanese journal of pharmacology, 90(3), 247-253.
CHAMOMILE, ROMAN
- Laurus nobilis as a stimulant, improved concentration for visual performance. From: Matsubara, E., Fukagawa, M., Okamoto, T., Fukuda, A., Hayashi, C., Ohnuki, K., … & Kondo, R. (2011). Volatiles emitted from the leaves of Laurus nobilis L. improve vigilance performance in visual discrimination task. Biomedical Research, 32(1), 19-28.
CINNAMON
- In a double blind randomized clinical trial with 60 patients, daily intake of a blend of cinnamon, ajwain and Iranian borago taken for 3 months reduced symptoms of fatigue. From: Namjooyan, F., Ghanavati, R., & Majdinasab, N. (2019). The efficacy of traditional formulation on quality of life and fatigue in multiple sclerosis patients: a randomized double-blind placebo-control clinical trial. Journal of Contemporary Medical Sciences, 5(2).
CITRONELLA
- In 20 healthy volunteers, citronella inhalation improved mood: the power of alpha and beta brain activities was increased with a confirmed the stimulating effect, but also harmonized together with relaxing effect of citronella oil. From: Sayowan, W., Siripornpanich, V., Piriyapunyaporn, T., Hongratanaworakit, T., Kotchabhakdi, N., & Ruangrungsi, N. (2012). The harmonizing effects of citronella oil on mood states and brain activities. J Health Res vol, 26(2).
CYPRESS
- Inhalation of lavender and hyssop oil decreased mobility in mice that were treated with caffeine. Inhalation of ginger, thyme, peppermint, and cypress oil increased mobility. From: Lim, W. C., Seo, J. M., Lee, C. I., Pyo, H. B., & Lee, B. C. (2005). Stimulative and sedative effects of essential oils upon inhalation in mice. Archives of pharmacal research, 28(7), 770-774.
FENNEL
- Fragrance inhalation affected the sympathetic nervous system. Pepper, estragon oil, fennel, and grapefruit increased sympathetic activity, and rose and patchouli oils decreased sympathetic activity. Inhaling pepper oil increased plasma adrenaline levels while rose oil decreased adrenealine. From: Haze, S., Sakai, K., & Gozu, Y. (2002). Effects of fragrance inhalation on sympathetic activity in normal adults. The Japanese journal of pharmacology, 90(3), 247-253.
GINGER
- Inhalation of lavender and hyssop oil decreased mobility in mice that were treated with caffeine. Inhalation of ginger, thyme, peppermint, and cypress oil increased mobility. From: Lim, W. C., Seo, J. M., Lee, C. I., Pyo, H. B., & Lee, B. C. (2005). Stimulative and sedative effects of essential oils upon inhalation in mice. Archives of pharmacal research, 28(7), 770-774.
GINSENG
- A placebo-controlled, double blind study with 20 young health adults showed ginkgo and ginseng to improve cognitive performance. From: Kennedy, D. O., Scholey, A. B., & Wesnes, K. A. (2001). Differential, dose dependent changes in cognitive performance following acute administration of a Ginkgo biloba/Panax ginseng combination to healthy young volunteers. Nutritional neuroscience, 4(5), 399-412.
- A review of studies using ginseng to reduce fatigue or increase performance was provided. From: Lee, N. H., Jung, H. C., & Lee, S. (2016). Red Ginseng as an Ergogenic Aid: A Systematic Review of Clinical Trials. JENB (Journal of Exercise Nutrition & Biochemistry), 20(4), 13-19.
GRAPEFRUIT
- Fragrance inhalation affected the sympathetic nervous system. Pepper, estragon oil, fennel, and grapefruit increased sympathetic activity, and rose and patchouli oils decreased sympathetic activity. Inhaling pepper oil increased plasma adrenaline levels while rose oil decreased adrenealine. From: Haze, S., Sakai, K., & Gozu, Y. (2002). Effects of fragrance inhalation on sympathetic activity in normal adults. The Japanese journal of pharmacology, 90(3), 247-253.
- Exposure to the scent of grapefruit oil, and its component limonene, affected the autonomic nerves in rats, acting as a stimulant that enhanced lipolysis through a histaminergic response, and reduces appetite and body weight. From: Shen, J., Niijima, A., Tanida, M., Horii, Y., Maeda, K., & Nagai, K. (2005). Olfactory stimulation with scent of grapefruit oil affects autonomic nerves, lipolysis and appetite in rats. Neuroscience letters, 380(3), 289-294.
- Olfactory stimulation of the aromas of grapefruit and lemon increased lipolysis and caused a suppression in body weight gain in rats. From: Niijima, A., & Nagai, K. (2003). Effect of olfactory stimulation with flavor of grapefruit oil and lemon oil on the activity of sympathetic branch in the white adipose tissue of the epididymis. Experimental Biology and Medicine, 228(10), 1190-1192.
- In rodents, grapefruit aroma and its limonene constituent affected brain activity to suppress appetite while lavender and its linalool constituent had the opposite effect. From: Nagai, K., Niijima, A., Horii, Y., Shen, J., & Tanida, M. (2014). Olfactory stimulatory with grapefruit and lavender oils change autonomic nerve activity and physiological function. Autonomic Neuroscience, 185, 29-35.
JASMINE
- In a small study with bowlers, inhaling jasmine aroma improved bowling score, possibly related to improved alertness, improved hand-eye coordination, reduced anxiety, and improved self-confidence. From: Hirsch, A. R., Ye, Y., Lu, Y., & Choe, M. (2007). The effects of the aroma of jasmine on bowling score. International Journal of Essential Oil Therapeutics, 1(2), 79-82.
- In an EEG study with 20 healthy volunteers, jasmine oil inhalation had a stimulatory effects on the functions of the nervous system. From: Sayowan, W., Siripornpanich, V., Hongratanaworakit, T., Kotchabhakdi, N., & Ruangrungsi, N. (2013). The effects of jasmine oil inhalation on brain wave activities and emotions. J Health Res vol, 27(2).
LEMON / LIME
- A blend of Santalum album, Citrus aurantium, Citrus limonum, Styrax benzoin, Citrus paradisi, Mentha piperata, Acori tatarinowii rhizoma, Rhodiolae crenulatae radix et rhizoma, and Camellia sinensis aromatherapy at night reduced fatigue in rodents. It enhanced physical endurance, improved cognition, reduced negative emotion and decreased anxiety. From: Han, C., Li, F., Tian, S., Liu, Y., Xiao, H., Wu, X., … & Mao, M. (2018). Beneficial effect of compound essential oil inhalation on central fatigue. BMC complementary and alternative medicine, 18(1), 309.
LEMONGRASS
- In a study of 30 women who inhaled lemongrass aroma, cognitive performance and alertness improved without a change in blood pressure or heart rate. From: Sriraksa, N., Kaewwongse, M., Phachonpai, W., & Hawiset, T. (2018). Effects of Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) Essential Oil Inhalation on Cognitive Performance and Mood in Healthy Women. Thai Pharmaceutical and Health Science Journal-วารสาร ไทย เภสัชศาสตร์ และ วิทยาการ สุขภาพ, 13(2), 80-88.
NUTMEG
- Nutmeg may have an amphetamine-like activity. From: El-Alfy, A. T., Wilson, L., ElSohly, M. A., & Abourashed, E. A. (2009). Towards a better understanding of the psychopharmacology of nutmeg: Activities in the mouse tetrad assay. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 126(2), 280-286.
PATCHOULI
- Cajeput and ylang ylang oil odors possessed sedative effect and patchouli oil odor was stimulating to human physiologies. From: Wang, C. N. (2012). Effect of Melaleuca leucadendron, Cananga odorata and Pogostemon cablin oil odors on human physiological responses. Wood Research, 3(2), 100.
PEPPERMINT
- Inhalation of lavender and hyssop oil decreased mobility in mice that were treated with caffeine. Inhalation of ginger, thyme, peppermint, and cypress oil increased mobility. From: Lim, W. C., Seo, J. M., Lee, C. I., Pyo, H. B., & Lee, B. C. (2005). Stimulative and sedative effects of essential oils upon inhalation in mice. Archives of pharmacal research, 28(7), 770-774.
- A blend of Santalum album, Citrus aurantium, Citrus limonum, Styrax benzoin, Citrus paradisi, Mentha piperata, Acori tatarinowii rhizoma, Rhodiolae crenulatae radix et rhizoma, and Camellia sinensis aromatherapy at night reduced fatigue in rodents. It enhanced physical endurance, improved cognition, reduced negative emotion and decreased anxiety. From: Han, C., Li, F., Tian, S., Liu, Y., Xiao, H., Wu, X., … & Mao, M. (2018). Beneficial effect of compound essential oil inhalation on central fatigue. BMC complementary and alternative medicine, 18(1), 309.
PETITGRAIN
- A blend of Santalum album, Citrus aurantium, Citrus limonum, Styrax benzoin, Citrus paradisi, Mentha piperata, Acori tatarinowii rhizoma, Rhodiolae crenulatae radix et rhizoma, and Camellia sinensis aromatherapy at night reduced fatigue in rodents. It enhanced physical endurance, improved cognition, reduced negative emotion and decreased anxiety. From: Han, C., Li, F., Tian, S., Liu, Y., Xiao, H., Wu, X., … & Mao, M. (2018). Beneficial effect of compound essential oil inhalation on central fatigue. BMC complementary and alternative medicine, 18(1), 309.
ROSEMARY
- Inhalation of rosemary had a stimulant effect, improved mood, and brain clarity in participants. From: Sayorwan, W., Ruangrungsi, N., Piriyapunyporn, T., Hongratanaworakit, T., Kotchabhakdi, N., & Siripornpanich, V. (2012). Effects of inhaled rosemary oil on subjective feelings and activities of the nervous system. Scientia pharmaceutica, 81(2), 531-542.
- In a study of 35 healthy volunteers, transdermal delivery of rosemary oil caused a significant increase in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and breathing rate, and subjects felt more attentive, and cheerful, validating a stimulating and anti-depressive, and anxiolytic effect in humans. From: Hongratanaworakit, T. (2009). Simultaneous aromatherapy massage with rosemary oil on humans. Scientia Pharmaceutica, 77(2), 375-388.
- Rosemary inhalation had a stimulatory effect via brain wave activity, autonomic nervous system activity, and mood. From: Sayorwan, W., Ruangrungsi, N., Piriyapunyporn, T., Hongratanaworakit, T., Kotchabhakdi, N., & Siripornpanich, V. (2013). Effects of inhaled rosemary oil on subjective feelings and activities of the nervous system. Scientia pharmaceutica, 81(2), 531.
- The study showed a stimulating effect of a rosemary oil massage. From: Hongratanaworakit, T. (2009). Simultaneous aromatherapy massage with rosemary oil on humans. Scientia Pharmaceutica, 77(2), 375.
- In a study with 40 adults, lavender relaxed test takers, reduced test anxiety, and improved testing ability. Rosemary stimulated test takers, reduced test anxiety, and made them faster but not more accurate when taking the test. From: Diego, M. A., Jones, N. A., Field, T., Hernandez-Reif, M., Schanberg, S., Kuhn, C., … & Galamaga, R. (1998). Aromatherapy positively affects mood, EEG patterns of alertness and math computations. International Journal of Neuroscience, 96(3-4), 217-224.
- Inhalation of rosemary had a stimulant effect, improved mood, and brain clarity in participants. From: Sayorwan, W., Ruangrungsi, N., Piriyapunyporn, T., Hongratanaworakit, T., Kotchabhakdi, N., & Siripornpanich, V. (2012). Effects of inhaled rosemary oil on subjective feelings and activities of the nervous system. Scientia pharmaceutica, 81(2), 531-542.
THYME
- Inhalation of lavender and hyssop oil decreased mobility in mice that were treated with caffeine. Inhalation of ginger, thyme, peppermint, and cypress oil increased mobility. From: Lim, W. C., Seo, J. M., Lee, C. I., Pyo, H. B., & Lee, B. C. (2005). Stimulative and sedative effects of essential oils upon inhalation in mice. Archives of pharmacal research, 28(7), 770-774.
Compiled by: Kathy Sadowski
Last Updated: 4/6/2020
