Energy Patterns

Yes. Several herbs are used for energy without any caffeine. Herbalists class most of them as adaptogens or tonics, taken daily over weeks for stamina rather than for a quick lift.

• Maca – the Andean root, eaten daily as a food for stamina.
• Cordyceps – a tonic mushroom popular with people who train.
• Tulsi – the Ayurvedic daily herb, used for steadiness on busy days.
• Schisandra – the five-flavour berry, used for endurance and a clear mind.
• Rhodiola – the adaptogen people reach for through demanding stretches of work or study. A small serve is enough for most.
• Korean Ginseng – the classic tonic root of East Asia, taken in small amounts.

Most people take them in the morning, as a tea, a liquid extract or a powder stirred into food, for a few weeks at a time. If you take medication or are pregnant, speak with your health professional first.

Korean Ginseng (Panax ginseng) is the root people reach for during long, demanding stretches rather than for a quick lift. It has one of the longest records of use of any herb, and it is taken in the morning, daily, for a few weeks at a time with breaks between. Its profile covers the chemistry, the traditional use and the precautions.

It depends on the herb. The caffeine herbs, Guarana, Yerba Mate, Kola Nut and Guayusa, are felt within about an hour, much like coffee.

Adaptogens such as Rhodiola and Ashwagandha are traditionally taken daily for several weeks, and the trials that exist ran for weeks to months. People respond differently, and some notice nothing. Herbs are not interchangeable and there is no single timetable.

Want to quit coffee? Try these energising herbal drinks:

• Yerba Mate or Guayusa – natural caffeine without the crash + added nutritional benefits 
• Korean Ginseng – long-lasting energy, without caffeine
• Roasted Dandelion Root – caffeine-free liver tonic, great as a milky coffee substitute 
• Matcha – contains L-theanine for calm focus, can be made as a latté
• Guarana - Up to 4x more caffeine than coffee per gram, sustained energy with a smoother onset and longer duration 
• Kola Nut - Moderate caffeine, more heart uplifting and less jittery than coffee
• Cacao - Contains caffeine & theobromine for energy and mood.

Herbs used for energy fall into two families. Stimulants are the ones people reach for when they want a quick lift, and adaptogens are taken steadily over weeks when life is demanding.

Stimulating herbs

Most of these contain caffeine or one of its relatives, so they are best kept to the first half of the day.

• Guarana – The Amazonian seed with the most natural caffeine.
• Kola Nut – The West African nut behind the first cola drinks, with caffeine and theobromine.
• Guayusa – An Amazonian holly leaf, brewed as an early-morning drink.
• Yerba Mate – South America's shared daily brew.
• Matcha – Whole green tea leaf, whisked into a bright green drink.
• Cacao – Contains theobromine, a gentler relative of caffeine.
• Peppermint – Caffeine free: a fresh, clearing cup for a pause without caffeine.

Adaptogens and tonic herbs

These are caffeine free and are usually taken daily for weeks at a time.

• Rhodiola – Used through demanding stretches of work or study.
• Korean Ginseng – The classic tonic root of East Asia.
• Siberian Ginseng – A gentler tonic for the long haul.
• Schisandra – The five-flavour berry, used for stamina and focus.
• Ashwagandha – Used when you are worn down and want to feel steady.
• Maca – The Andean root, taken daily as a food.
• Cordyceps – A tonic mushroom popular with people who train.
• Gotu Kola – Used for study and clear thinking.
• Suma – A Brazilian root used as a daily tonic.

These herbs work alongside the basics of sleep, food and rest, not instead of them. If you have felt exhausted for more than a couple of weeks, see your health professional.

When energy is low, the herbs people reach for fall into two families: stimulants for a quick lift, best kept to the first half of the day, and adaptogens, taken steadily over weeks when life is demanding.

Stimulating herbs

• Guarana – the Amazonian seed richest in natural caffeine.
• Kola Nut – the West African nut with caffeine and theobromine.
• Guayusa – an Amazonian holly leaf, brewed in the morning.
• Yerba Mate – South America's shared daily brew.
• Matcha – whole green tea leaf, whisked.
• Cacao – theobromine, a gentler relative of caffeine.
• Peppermint – caffeine free, a fresh clear cup.

Adaptogens and tonic herbs

• Rhodiola – for demanding stretches of work or study.
• Korean Ginseng – the classic tonic root of East Asia.
• Siberian Ginseng – the gentler tonic for the long haul.
• Schisandra – the five-flavour berry, used for stamina.
• Ashwagandha – for when you are worn down.
• Maca – the Andean root, taken daily as a food.
• Cordyceps – the tonic mushroom for people who train.
• Gotu Kola – for study and clear thinking.

Adaptogens are usually taken in the morning, as a tea or a liquid extract, for a few weeks at a time. If you have felt exhausted for more than a couple of weeks, see your health professional.

The herbs people reach for around training are the tonics and adaptogens: traditionally taken daily, over weeks, for stamina and recovery rather than as a pre-workout hit.

• Cordyceps – the tonic mushroom most associated with endurance, popular with runners and climbers.
• Siberian Ginseng – the gentler ginseng, long used by Russian athletes and workers for the long haul.
• Maca – the Andean root, eaten daily as a food for stamina.
• Korean Ginseng – the classic tonic root of East Asia, taken in small amounts for strength and focus.
• Suma – known as Brazilian Ginseng, used as a daily tonic.
• Tribulus – traditionally used in Ayurvedic and Chinese practice for vigour and physical performance.

Most people take them in the morning, as a tea, a liquid extract or a powder stirred into food, for a few weeks at a time, alongside the basics of sleep, food and rest. If you take medication or are pregnant, speak with your health professional first.

Some of our favourite herbal products to boost energy include: 

Capsules, Powders & Pops: 

• Vibes Regular or Vibes Extra Strength capsules contain Guarana, Coffee, Mucuna and adaptogens to support sustained energy. 
• Boost capsules - a blend of Cordyceps, Siberian Ginseng & Theanine to support energy & endurance. 
• Energy Shot Powder - an all natural pre-workout blend of adaptogens & stimulants
• Guarana Party Pops - a stimulating treat if your on the go!

Single Herbs: 

• Guayusa provides a clean, calm energy & comes in a tea or tincture.
• Yerba Maté is one of the most popular caffeinated teas & comes as a dried herb or soluble powder
• Guarana - is great to add to drinks, smoothies, or bliss balls; or try Party Pops if your on the go. Also in our Vibes capsules (above)
• Matcha - antioxidant rich, lifts your energy & mood, supports microbiome health

Herbal Tincture Blends - 

• Summertime & Partea tincture blends contain herbal stimulants, nervines and adaptogens to boost energy, mood and endurance. 
• Fully Charged is a herbal tincture of Cacao & Siberian Ginseng, for sustained energy. 
• Uplift is a herbal tincture of Matcha & Yerba Maté.

Stimulant herbs such as Guarana, Yerba Mate and Kola Nut contain caffeine or its relatives. People feel them within the hour, and too much, too late in the day, brings the familiar jitters and crash.

Adaptogens such as Rhodiola, Ashwagandha and Schisandra contain no caffeine. Adaptogen is a herbalists' term for tonic herbs taken daily over weeks through demanding stretches. The idea that they help the body adapt to stress is a proposed way of working, drawn from tradition and from mostly small trials, not an established fact.

Many people take a stimulant in the morning and an adaptogen through the day. The two are not interchangeable.

Use Rhodiola when you’re mentally or physically fatigued, especially from stress. It’s great in the morning or early afternoon, and best taken before mentally demanding tasks or workouts.

To support energy, focus, and mental clarity, try these powerful herbal allies:

• Rhodiola – increases mental stamina and reduces brain fog
• Ginkgo Biloba – enhances circulation to the brain and supports memory
• Lion’s Mane mushroom – promotes cognitive function and nerve regeneration
• Green Tea & Matcha (with L-theanine) – offers calm, sustained alertness
• Korean Ginseng (Panax Ginseng) – improves mental performance, alertness, and reaction time
• Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) – enhances memory, learning, and mental clarity over time
• Guayusa – delivers a smooth, jitter-free energy support with antioxidants and gentle mental stimulation
• Yerba Maté – provides steady, uplifting energy, improves concentration, and supports physical endurance

These focus-supporting herbs work well alone or in synergistic formulas for natural nootropic support. Try our Brainstorm herbal tea blend, which contains many of these herbs & more!