Caffeine is a naturally occurring compound found in some plants that stimulate the central nervous system. In light doses it can be energizing, but in large doses it can have the opposite effect.
Caffeine also has side effects and may not be suitable for everyone. People may choose to avoid it or purge it from their system for health or spiritual reasons.
Many people are trying to cut caffeine but miss its effects, so we partnered with the all-natural experts at Kratora to explore caffeine-free ethnobotanical products that might give you the lift you’re looking for.
Kratom
Kratom is a well known plant reigning from the jungles of Southeast Asia beloved for its beneficial properties. The active components in kratom include alkaloids like mitragynine and closely associated 7-hydroxymitragynine, a terpene indole alkaloid formed when mitragynine undergoes oxidation. Some use kratom for energy, while others use it to relax.
If you’re new to this plant, there are a number of types of kratom for sale today, including powders, capsules, and even gummies. Powdered kratom is one of the most common forms and is the easiest to find. Capsules containing kratom powder are convenient and also easy to find. Kratom-infused gummies are a newer product, but are perfect for beginners looking to try this botanical for the first time. These gummies are easy to travel with and are very discreet.
While kratom is a popular choice for those who want an energy boost without relying on caffeine, there are a number of kratom alternatives as well that can offer similar effects.
Kanna
Kanna, or Sceletium tortuosum, is a plant native to South Africa and has grown in popularity recently alongside kratom. It is a component of traditional medicine, where it may be used for a variety of conditions, including lack of energy and lack of focus.
Many kanna users have reported it helped reduce their appetite and improve their mood. It may also provide users with a temporary, energizing boost that could aid in productivity throughout the day, without the need for caffeine. This effect comes from active alkaloids present in the leaves, stems, and roots.
Muira
Muira, or Muira Puama, or Ptychopetalum Olacoides, is a tropical, woody plant native to the Amazon rainforest. It is a member of the Olacaceae family and is related to plants like mistletoe. Alkaloids, including muirapuamine, are the active ingredients in Muira Puama. These compounds are concentrated in the bark and root of the tree.
Muira Puama has been used in traditional medicine for a variety of symptoms associated with aging, exhaustion, and libido. In this role, it has gained somewhat of a reputation as an aphrodisiac. Muira is currently under clinical study for possible use in addressing age-related cognitive decline and memory-related afflictions.
Sakae Naa
Sakae Naa, or Combretum Quadrangulare, is a tree that is native to Vietnam, Cambodia, and nearby tropical regions of Southeast Asia. It is sometimes used as a kratom substitute due to its energizing effects, which do not rely on caffeine.
Active ingredients in Sakae Naa are concentrated in the leaves and roots of the tree and include triterpenoids and combretol (a flavonoid). Triterpenoids are a group of hydrocarbons that exhibit anti-inflammatory properties. Flavonoids are antioxidants that help regulate healthy cellular activity. In this role, they form a protective barrier between your cells and damage caused by environmental toxins.
Mitragyna Hirsuta
This ethnobotanical is closely related to kratom. It is a native plant in regions like Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia and is often an ornamental shrub.
Mitragyna Hirsuta owes its benefits to alkaloids, some of which may also be found in kratom. Instead of mitragynine, the main active alkaloid in kratom, the active ingredient in Mitragyna Hirsuta is mitraphylline. Similar to kratom, a small amount of this herb may be energizing while larger amounts tend to be more relaxing.
Life Without Caffeine
Caffeine can be found in many products and in some ways, may seem unavoidable. But there are many good reasons to limit or avoid caffeine and with the ideas above you can still feel energized when you make the choice to cut caffeine out.