HERBAL ALTERNATIVES TO CAFFEINE

[Divine-LPN,BSN]

As valued healthcare professionals, many are living busy lives and lose sleep or energy regularly. Unfortunately, many people rely on caffeinated beverages like soda, energy drinks or coffee. I found some great information on various herbs that may be better than the usual "quick fixes" for energy.

The use of caffeinated beverages for energy is commonplace. Some common beverages include coffee, soda and energy drinks. While there are usually minimal to no risks associated with consuming caffeinated beverages, there are times when they may be harmful. Certain populations may be harmed from the use of caffeinated beverages. Individuals who take certain medications can be harmed because drinking caffeinated beverages can lead to an altered effectiveness of the drug(s) - ex: stimulant medications like theophylline or asthma medications-1 Certain medical conditions can cause harsh side effects from ingesting caffeine - ex: gerd- Pregnant woman would be advised to avoid pregnancy by many healthcare professionals due to potential deleterious health consequences -ex: the fetus in the uterus may be at risk for complications.-

There are many natural alternatives to caffeine consumption like a healthy and well balanced diet that provides optimal energy2 and herbs that provide the similar energy boosting effect of caffeine. Some common herbs used that are useful for many include ginseng, guarana, gingko biloba, ashwaganda and schisandra berry extracts and st. johns wart for helping with depressive symptoms.2,3,4,5,6 These herbs can be taken in the form of a pill, tea, tincture or they may be eaten raw. The aforementioned herbs provide other benefits. Many have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antioxidant effects due to the presence of various phytochemicals in the plant. As with any treatment, be sure to consult with a doctor before deciding to try any herbs. There may be unwanted side effects from taking a new herb without speaking with your healthcare provider since some may interfere with medications, cause allergies or have other harmful effects.

I enjoy drinking coffee but as a prudent nurse, I want to reinforce the need to be aware of potential risks associated with caffeine. Depending on one’s health status and specific health needs, caffeinated drinks may not be a good option. It may be better to consider natural alternatives to caffeine like herbs. It is wise to speak with a healthcare provider before trying any herbs. I hope that everyone enjoys the benefits of such wonderful plants if they are a good fit for one's needs.

REFERENCES:

1. Caffeine. Rx List Web site. https://www.rxlist.com/caffeine/supplements.htm. Accessed May 9, 2019

2. Natural Alternatives to Caffeine. Livestrong Web site. https://www.livestrong.com/article/138624-natural-alternatives-caffeine/. Accessed May 9, 2019.

3. Guarana. Medline Plus Web site. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/natural/935.html. Accessed May 9, 2019.

4. Chapter 11Medical Attributes of St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum). National Center for Biotechnology Web site. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92750/. Accessed May 9, 2019.

5. Herbal Medicine Benefits & the Top Medicinal Herbs More People Are Using. Dr Axe Web site.

Accessed May 9, 2019.

6. Liu L, Liu C, Wang Y, Wang P, Li Y, Li B. Herbal Medicine for Anxiety,

Depression and Insomnia. Curr Neuropharmacol. 2015;13(4):481-93.