Elevate Your Athletic Edge with Natural Herbs for Muscle Growth and Sport Performance

In the competitive world of athletics, where maintaining peak fitness and striving for personal records is the goal, many athletes are turning to natural methods to enhance their performance. Moving beyond synthetic supplement ingredients, natural herbs offer a holistic approach to enhancing muscle growth and sport performance. Combining the wisdom of ancient tradition with the cutting-edge understanding of modern science, botanicals can support athletes at all levels.

While sports supplements like protein powders, creatine, and amino acids have dominated the market, athletes who prefer a natural approach to health are turning to herbs to avoid the artificial additives, sweeteners, and fillers often found in synthetic supplements. The incorporation of herbs into an athletic regimen offers a natural, holistic approach that supports not only performance but overall well-being. Using whole herbs, with their complex phytonutrients, offers multifaceted benefits that supports athletic performance and promotes overall wellness from multiple angles.

  • Couples runnning outdoors
  • Man drinking shake

TOP HERBS FOR ELEVATING YOUR ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE:

Cordyceps (Cordyceps sinensis)

Enhance aerobic capacity with this high elevation fungi

Cordyceps is a mushroom which has gained attention within the athlete community for its performance-enhancing benefits. This parasitic fungi is traditionally found in the high elevation regions of the Himalayan mountains. Thriving at elevations of 10,000 to 16,000 feet, these fungi are well adapted to flourishing in areas where the air is thin and oxygen levels are significantly lower. It’s no wonder then, that when humans consume Cordyceps, they benefit from its ability to enhance the body’s oxygen utilization and efficiency [1]. Studies suggest that Cordyceps improves the efficiency with which muscles use oxygen, leading to better performance, especially in endurance sports [1, 2 ]. This is particularly valuable for boosting aerobic performance, as improved oxygen uptake leads to greater endurance and stamina. Thus, Cordyceps supports athletes to perform better and recover faster during and after strenuous physical activities. This natural enhancement of aerobic capacity makes Cordyceps a sought-after supplement for those looking to elevate their athletic performance.

Turmeric Image

Turmeric (Curcuma longa)

Support overall joint health and reduce muscle soreness with nature’s golden remedy

Turmeric, a vibrant yellow rhizome widely known for its culinary uses, offers impressive benefits for sports performance, recovery, and muscle growth, making it a valuable addition to any athlete’s regimen. The primary active compound in turmeric, curcumin, is renowned for its potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties [3]. By reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, turmeric helps mitigate muscle soreness and speed up recovery times after intense workouts, allowing athletes to train harder and more frequently [4]. Additionally, curcumin has been shown to improve joint health and reduce pain, which is particularly beneficial for athletes engaged in high-impact sports [5]. By supporting overall joint health and reducing muscle soreness, turmeric can aid in maintaining consistent training schedules, and ultimately contribute to more effective muscle growth. Whether taken in a capsule, added to smoothies, or incorporated into meals, turmeric is a natural and effective way to support athletic performance and improve muscle recovery.

Rhodiola Image

Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea)

Increase energy with this potent adaptogen

Rhodiola, a potent adaptogenic herb, offers a host of benefits for sports performance and building muscle mass. Known for its ability to combat fatigue, reduce stress, and enhance physical and mental endurance, Rhodiola can be a game-changer in athletic pursuits [6, 7]. By increasing resilience to stress and reducing feelings of fatigue, Rhodiola supports longer, more intense workouts, subsequently aiding muscle development and overall physical performance. Additionally, Rhodiola has been shown to support combating mild to moderate anxiety and depression [8]. Whether taken in capsule form or as a tincture, Rhodiola’s adaptogenic properties make it a versatile and effective supplement for those seeking to enhance their sports performance and promote muscle growth in a holistic and well-rounded way.

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) Image

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)

Support increased strength and vitality with this traditional Ayurvedic herb

Ashwagandha, a revered adaptogenic herb in traditional Ayurvedic medicine, is celebrated for its ability to support the body’s resilience to stress and promote overall well-being. The name “Ashwagandha” is derived from Sanskrit, with “Ashwa” meaning horse and “Gandha” meaning smell, indicating that the herb has a strong aroma reminiscent of horse sweat, and it is also believed to provide the strength and vitality of a horse. Studies show that this herbal supplement has been linked to increased VO2 max, which measures the body’s ability to utilize oxygen during exercise, thereby enhancing athletes’ aerobic performance and improving cardiovascular fitness. [9]. Furthermore, by reducing stress and regulating cortisol levels, Ashwagandha can improve energy levels and aid in managing fatigue during intense workouts [10, 11]. These combined benefits contribute to better athletic performance, faster recovery times, and building muscle mass, making Ashwagandha a promising natural option for individuals looking to elevate their physical capabilities and reach peak fitness levels.

Boswellia (Boswellia serrata) Image

Boswellia (Boswellia serrata)

Aid joint health and minimize pain and inflammation with this revered tree resin

Boswellia, also known as frankincense, offers impressive benefits for sports performance and muscle growth through its powerful anti-inflammatory properties. When taken internally in the form of capsules or extracts, Boswellia helps reduce systemic inflammation, alleviates joint pain, and protects cartilage which promotes quicker recovery times [12]. A study in India showed that when combined with turmeric, the herbs provided fast pain relief in exercise-induced acute musculoskeletal pain [13]. Additionally, Boswellia can be used topically as creams, balms, or oils applied directly to sore muscles and joints which may support in offering localized relief from pain and inflammation. Overall, Boswellia is an indispensable herb for supporting athletes by helping them enhance their sports performance through accelerated recovery and pain management.

Oil Image

BOOSTING ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE NATURALLY

The integration of natural herbs into an athlete's regimen presents a compelling avenue for enhancing muscle growth and sports performance in a well-rounded and sustainable manner. With a focus on adaptogenic properties, anti-inflammatory benefits, and energy-boosting capabilities, herbal supplements offer a holistic approach to optimizing athletic abilities naturally. By supporting recovery, reducing inflammation, improving endurance, and promoting overall well-being, athletes can harness the power of nature to elevate their performance and reach their fitness goals with confidence and integrity.

Monterey Bay Herb Co. is a trusted source for bulk herbs and boasts a wide array of herbs perfect for upgrading your personal routine or for formulating your next product geared towards athletes and fitness enthusiasts. Check out our extensive catalog here!

SAFETY

While these herbs are generally recognized as safe, it is always advisable to consult a healthcare provider before incorporating herbal supplements into your routine, especially if you have existing health conditions, are pregnant or nursing, or are currently taking any medications. Herbal supplements may interact with certain medications or pre-existing conditions, so seeking professional advice ensures safe and effective usage tailored to your individual needs.

SOURCES:

[1] Rhodiola crenulata- and Cordyceps sinensis-Based Supplement Boosts Aerobic Exercise Performance after Short-Term High Altitude Training https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/ham.2013.1114

[2] Antifatigue and Antistress Effect of the Hot-Water Fraction from Mycelia of Cordyceps sinensis https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/bpb/26/5/26_5_691/_article/-char/ja/

[3] Experimental and clinical reports on anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects of Curcuma longa and curcumin, an updated and comprehensive review https://iubmb.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/biof.1716

[4] Curcumin supplementation likely attenuates delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00421-015-3152-6

[5] Acute Effects of Turmeric Extracts on Knee Joint Pain: A Pilot, Randomized Controlled Trial https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1089/jmf.2020.0074

[6] Rhodiola rosea in stress induced fatigue — A double blind cross-over study of a standardized extract SHR-5 with a repeated low-dose regimen on the mental performance of healthy physicians during night duty https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0944711300800550

[7] The effects of an acute dose of Rhodiola rosea on endurance exercise performance https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23443221/#:~:text=Acute%20R.,decreasing%20the%20perception%20of%20effort

[8] Rosenroot (Rhodiola rosea): Traditional use, chemical composition, pharmacology and clinical efficacy https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S094471131000036X

[9] Effect Of Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera) Root Powder Supplementation On The Vo2 Max. And Hemoglobin In Hockey Players https://ijobsms.org/index.php/ijobsms/article/view/167

[10] An investigation into the stress-relieving and pharmacological actions of an ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6750292/

[11] Adaptogenic and Anxiolytic Effects of Ashwagandha Root Extract in Healthy Adults: A Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Clinical Study https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6979308/

[12] An Anti-Inflammatory Composition of Boswellia serrata Resin Extracts Alleviates Pain and Protects Cartilage in Monoiodoacetate-Induced Osteoarthritis in Rats https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1155/2020/7381625

[13] Fast pain relief in exercise-induced acute musculoskeletal pain by turmeric-boswellia formulation: A randomized placebo-controlled double-blinded multicentre study https://journals.lww.com/md-journal/fulltext/2022/09020/fast_pain_relief_in_exercise_induced_acute.69.aspx