Adaptogenic Herbs as Natural Sources of Sports Performance Enhancers

Abstract

Different parts of many plants, including seeds, bark, leaves, roots, fruit, stems, or flowers with known or suspected therapeutic properties are used to make herbal medications. In the past ten years, the number of athletes using herbal supplements has increased dramatically. Herbal remedies are becoming more and more popular among athletes and non-athletes as a way of improving their endurance and strength. Several diseases and impairments related to body stress are managed using herbal adaptogens; these adaptogens are also used to enhance focus, boost endurance during fatigue moments, improve physical strength/stamina, enhance energy levels, restore stress-affected cognitive function, improve sexual dysfunction, and maintain the level of cortisol. This study employed a research approach that requires the use of terms like “Herbal adaptogens, ashwagandha, endurance, athletes, turmeric, muscle strength” during a preliminary search of some of the popular databases such as Google, PubMed, Embase, ScienceDirect, OVID Medline, Google Scholar, and Web of Science. The leading herbal adaptogens on the global market (such as ashwagandha, Rhodiola roseas, astragalus, holy basil, cordyceps, and turmeric) were examined in this article based on their source. Also covered in this work are the potential negative effects of these adaptogens and how they can help athletes perform better by increasing their muscle mass, recovery, and endurance.