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I will start off by admitting that I love coffee. However, too much coffee, especially over the years is not good for anyone. During the past several years I have tried to cut back or completely stop. Stopping completely is hard to do for most people. Sometimes I succeeded in stopping, many times I did not. It seems every New Years I would make the resolution to stop or cut back on coffee. What has worked best for me was cutting down my cups of coffee to one a day (sometimes none) and substituting a good herbal energy tea or energy supplement.

There are several herbal teas and herbal energy supplements I would recommend to people who want to kick the coffee habit. Here are six that are good options when trying to reduce or quit coffee completely.

Yerba Mate. This is number one on my list. Yerba Mate will help you wake up and get out of bed, just like your cup of coffee. Yerba mate is found mainly in Argentina. Its leaves and stems produce a fairly smooth green tea. It is also finding its way into diet and natural energy supplements. It is slightly less potent than coffee and much gentler on the stomach. Most feel it has a smooth flavor and is not too bitter. Yerba mate is a natural source of energy and like green tea, Yerba Mate is rich in polyphenols. Yerba mate contains minerals such as potassium, magnesium and manganese. According to Wikepedia and Florida International University, Yerba Mate does contain caffeine. Florida International University has studied Mate and found that it does contain caffeine. However, they agreed that many people seem to be able to tolerate Yerba mate better than coffee. Yerba Mate users often claim they can get to sleep easily after drinking mate. They also report feeling more focused and alert while drinking it. I Have used Yerba Mate almost daily for the past ten years and would agree. The discomforts of too much coffee such as the jitters, constipation, and upset stomach do not come with a Yerba Mate habit. It is a great coffee substitute for me.

Green tea. Green tea has become very popular over the last few years as a rich source of antioxidants. (I believe there are many species of plants yet to be discovered as food sources that yield the same great amount of antioxidants.) Green tea is loaded with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. The caffeine content in green tea is much less than in coffee and again does not seem to give most people the jitters. Many believe it is a much healthier substitute for coffee. It has also been studied numerous times and is said to have several other health benefits including healthy weight loss, helping to keep cancer away, and also gives you an energetic boost. You will find green tea extract (a more potent form of the tea leaf) in many weight loss and energy supplements. Drinking green tea instead of coffee requires a little time to get used to. If you have been a heavy coffee drinker do not give up coffee 100%. I have grown to appreciate a good cup of both coffee and green tea. Most would agree that drinking green tea is much healthier than drinking heavy amounts of coffee.

Guarana. Guarana is an herb found in South America, mainly in Brazil. It has a very unique taste and contains guaranine, which is chemically identical to caffeine. I often prefer Guarana because it releases its energy much more slowly than caffeine. Again, less jitters than coffee and you still get the benefits of increased energy and improved mental alertness. Guarana is found in many sodas and herbal teas in South America, mainly Brazil. It enhances the cola flavor in sodas and also provides a stimulant effect to the soda. Guarana is gaining popularity in America and is mainly found in supplement form. I think Guarana is good safe substitute for coffee in the short term, but it still is a strong stimulant and can upset some people's stomachs.

Ginseng. Ginseng is often used by athletes, runners, cyclists and weight lifters with the intention of improving stamina and overall energy. I promote Ginseng more of a tonic to support overall energy more so than being an energy booster. Used over a long term it is said to be beneficial to the immune system, regulating blood sugar, improving mental awareness, increasing a sense of well-being, improving sexual function and improving both mental and physical performance. Ginseng has been used for many years and many studies are still going on. I believe it is a good safe tonic to add to you supplement list. I do not believe you can substitute ginseng for coffee if you are a daily coffee drinker.

Maca Root. Maca root come from a plant found in Peru with a radish like root stem. Maca Root, another South American herb is considered a superfood by many. In fact, maca root is used in many different drinks and food recipes in native Peru. Superfood means that Maca is a nutrient dense food item. Rich in potassium and calcium, maca also is a natural hormone balancer for both men and women. Maca root extract is used to increase strength, energy, stamina and overall energy levels. Maca is just becoming popular in supplement form in health food stores and is seen as an ingredient in several new healthy weight loss and natural energy supplements. Several studies have proven that Maca root is a hormonal balancing Adaptogen. Much like ginseng, it also has been shown to support and help restore the adrenal glands, which produce adrenaline (our energy factory.) Although Maca root is gaining popularity, it is better known as a libido enhancer than a substitute for that morning coffee. You will begin to see Maca showing up in energy supplements and natural mood enhancers.

Cha de Bugre. Cha de Bugre is the newest energy herb from the Amazon to make it way to health food and supplement stores in the U.S. Cha de Bugre is a small tree found in Brazil that produces a small red fruit similar to a coffee bean. Cha de Bugre is known to contain caffeine, potassium and allantoin, an anti-oxidant. In Brazil, Cha de Bugre has been used for years for weight loss, increased energy, cellulite reduction and a natural appetite suppressant. Cha de Bugre is quickly becoming the 'New Ephedra' by body builders and athletes. Cha de Bugre can be found in the form of tea as well as in supplement form and like Yerba Mate, makes a great alternate for that morning coffee. It is very popular in gyms where body builders use it to burn fat and increase energy.