Sports and Body Building Herbs

Ashwagandha 
Withania somnifera

Ashwagandha is the tonic for the 21st centuary lifestyle, it is said to bring "the strength of a stallion". It is known as Indian Ginseng. It is used extensively in Ayurvedic medicine.

Ashwagandha is rejuvenating and strengthening to the nervous system, and it works as a mild depressant to the over agitated nerves whilst nourishing and protecting. So it is excellent for stress induced disorders such as Insomnia, Anxiety, Neurosis.

Ashwagandha is an adaptogen, so it helps the body and mind adapt to stress that cannot be avoided, whilst strengthening and calming the mind and body. Ashwagandha is perfect for having in the morning in your morning smoothie or as part of a pre-training drink, for strength boosting.

Acai 100% freeze dried organic berries.
Euterpe oleracea

This Organic Acai berry powder is freeze dried by not using a heat or chemical treatment, bringing the product to you with maximum nutritional content intact.

Acai is a beautiful rich royal purple coloured berry from the Brazilian Rain Forest in South America. Acai is a must-use-herb for bodybuilders, athletes, people doing a regular exercise routine and people who are trying to lose weight. Acai is a poweful anti-oxidant and also speeds up the metabolism.

Bala
Sida Cordifolia

Bala is one of the most valued and well used Ayurvedic herbs. It is used for weight loss, and boosting physical endurance and strength, often used by athletes and bodybuilders. It is also known as an Aphrodisiac. 

Barleygrass
Hordeum vulgare L

The young leaves of the Barletgrass plant have a tremendous ability to absorb nutrients from the soil, and are harvested at 12 -14 inches high.
Barley grass is known to contain vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants, chlorophyll, live enzymes and amino acids. It is thought to include a balanced ratio of protein, fat, and carbohydrate necessary for a balanced diet. Barleygrass is easily assimilated throughout the digestive tract providing the body with optimum nutrition.

Bee Pollen

Bee pollen is one of nature's superfoods, rich in vitamins, minerals, enzymes, amino acids and anti-oxidants. It is thought to be an immune system builder and it enhances vitality.

Bee pollen is known to help counteract the action of toxins and bring relief to sufferers of allergies, including hay fever, as it reduces the histamine levels in the body. It is also known to alleviate nausea, sleep disorders, stress and anxiety by bringing the body into nutritional balance and well being.

It's thought to be a great brain booster, lifting brain fatigue, improving alertness and helping concentration levels when taken over an extended period of time. It is also known to bring increased levels of energy and vitality, helping with athletic endurance, stamina, recovery and speed.

Chlorella
Chlorella vulgaris

Chlorella has a huge nutritional range and has been described as the perfect food.
This plant algae is thought to have an alkaline effect on the body. This effect is key in supporting the body recovering from ill health. Chlorella supports the body in the process of detoxification, this helps the muscles, joints, cells, blood and all the bodily systems recover from their toxic load. It is a high source of vegetable protein and it is also easily digestable. It makes a great food to consume when recovery from illness and it brings an energy boost in physical exhaustion. Chlorella would be perfect for body builders / general gym goers as it is as described before: the perfect food! Adding it into your morning shake or post-training shake can be greatly beneficial for your health and training.

Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo Biloba

Ginkgo is one of the most popular herbs in use today, originating in Asia. It is the oldest surviving tree on earth and it has been used traditionally to improve concentration and memory. It is also known to stimulate circulation and thin the blood. It should not be taken along side blood thinning medicine. Gingko is an absolute necessity in your pre-training shake or morning shake, it increases blood flow and helps massively with circulation, which can be the extra power you need to blast out your last rep.

Goji Wolf Berries
Lycium barbarum

Goji berries / Wolf berries are known as the ultimate tonic for longevity, within the Chinese medicine tradition. They are thought to nourish Yin energy in the body, having a cooling and nourishing effect on the whole system. They are the perfect daily tonic for modern living, which is said to create too much heat, fire and Yang energy in the body. Goji berries have been used in traditional Mongolian, Tibetan and Chinese medicine for 1000s of years. Goji berries has such a good vitamin and mineral profile that it would be wrong not to eat them before and after training or putting the powder in your smoothies.

Gokshura / Tribulus Terrestris
Tribulus Terrestris

Tribulus Terrestris is known to increase stamina, libido and sexual function for men and dramatically improve sexual performance and sensitivity for most women. It is widely used by athletes and body builders as it improves muscle building, stamina and endurance. It has also been found to alleviate symptoms of the menopause, such as hot flushes, depression and emotional instability.

Guarana
Paullinia cupana

Guarana has been popularised and used in many energy drinks, protein bars and herbal formulas. However it is important to look out for pure unadulterated Guarana and unfortunately sometimes these products are pumped full of chemical caffeine.
Guarana is known as a stimulant it has a nervine action and is known as a calming yet uplifting tonic, boosting energy levels, enhancing memory and increasing physical endurance. It is thought to be more effective than coffee or ginseng at creating instant energy boost to body and mind and it is an anti-oxidant. Guarana is a powerful herbal stimulant which YOU can harness the power of by adding it into a pre-training shake. br />

Horny Goat Weed
Epimedium

The Chinese refer to the herb Horny goat weed as Yin yang huo, which means "licentious goat plant." The use of Epimedium as a medicinal herb dates back thousands of years. It is known as a warming herb that improves male fertility and massively increases sex drive. Epimedium received its more common name, horny goat weed, when goats grazing on the herb were observed to have significantly increased sexual drive. You may be thrown by the name and wouldn't think it would benefit body building, but Horny Goat Weed boosts testosterone significantly which in turn will increase your power and drive in your psychical field.

Hemp
Cannabis Sativa

Hemp seeds can be taken on a daily basis for general well-being, they can be sprinkled on any foods and make a slightly nutty crunchy topping. They can also be blended with water to make a raw hemp milk, this is particually good for those who are lactose intolerant and looking for a good source of protein. Hemp is very protein rich, so for bodybuilders always looking how to get more protein into their diets Hemp is perfect, not only that but it also has a very impressive amino acid profile.  

Green Tea
Camellia sinensis

Sencha green tea is made from the leaves that are directly exposed to sunlight during the growing period. It is a Japanese green tea, and it is made from the Camellia sinensis leaves. Green Tea like Acai is essential for body builders for its anti-oxidant and metabolism boosting properties.

Mucuna / Kapikachhu
Mucuna pruriens

Kapikachhu / Mucuna pruriens is a well known Ayurvedic herb. It is well documented for its Aphrodisiac qualities as well as for trating Parkinsons Disease and a range of other conditions.

Mucuna / Kapikachhu has an interesting range of unusual phyto-chemicals including l-dopa. When men use this herb it helps reproduction and boosts testosterone. So for body builders you can imagine its very beneficial, as it basically brain food - because of the l-dopa and how it boosts testosterone.

Maca
Lepidium Mayenii

Maca is a popular integral part of the Peruvian way of life, it is a root vegetable that looks a bit like a turnip and it is put into soups, cakes, breads and drinks in Peru. It is grown high in the Andes at 14,000 ft in very rich soils, so its mineral content is especially high. Useful in Body Building.

Olympian Sport Performance Oils
Essential Oils

This muscle stimulating aromatherapy oil blend is a wonderful mix of the essential oils of Rosemary, Grapefruit, Blackpepper and Eucalyptus. Together these essential oils create a penetrating aromatherapy blend. It has a herby, sharp, fresh and zingy aroma. This blend is excellent for applying to the muscles and joints before and after exercise. It is warming, penetrating and mildly analgesic re-awakening tired muscles and supporting recovery from injury. In fact this blend is excellent for aching and painful muscles and joints at any time.

Rhodiola Rosea
Rhodiola Rosea

Rhodiola Rosea optimises the levels of serotonin and dopamine in your body, meaning reduced stress levels and fatigue.. as well as increased mental and physical performance. It's been used for decades in Scandinavia and Russia to cope with the cold climate and stressful lifestyle. Also many successful Russian athletes (some of whom are Olympic champions!) have used Rhodiola to maximise their performance. Rhodiola Rosea is perfect for body builders and people in intense training, because it helps the body adapt, so if you are entering an intense training programme its a must-use-herb.

Siberian Ginseng
Eleutherococcus snticosus

Siberian ginseng is not actually ginseng but it is so called because it works in such a similar way. Siberian Ginseng / Eleutherococcus is an adaptogen, and it encourages the adrenal glands to secrete STRESS FIGHTING HORMONES.

Spirulina
Arthrospira platensis, and Arthrospira maxima

Spirulina is a blue-green algae and it contains a wide range of valuable nutrients. Firstly it contains 65% easily digested PROTEIN, and 18 amino acids. It is a unique vegetarian complete source of protein and much of its protein has been pre-digested by the algae itself and these enzymes go on to assist in the human digestive and absorption process. This protein source is superior because it also has lower fat, lower cholesterol and no artificial growth booster chemicals like meat and dairy protein.

Spirulina is the secret to success for vegetarian body-building.

Wheatgrass
Triticum aestivum

Wheat grass is quite possibly the closest thing to the fountain of youth and healing man has ever benefited from. It's nutritional profile is literally stunning. It's good for boosting energy and vitality levels, combating fatigue, detoxification, eliminating unhealthy bacteria, balancing gut and bowel health, balancing ph levels in blood, treating immune system deficiencies, improving clarity of thought, Stabilising weight, metabolism and cravings, aiding cell regeneration. Here at Indigo Herbs we believe Wheatgrass is an essential for anybody doing any sort of training, especially body building.