JRG Drops : Joint. Recovery. Growth. Athlete Recovery and Strength LEVO Infusion
Bodybuilding is built on microscopic events. Every rep creates tiny disruptions inside muscle fibers. Every lift raises oxidative stress, shifts hormone signaling, and increases mitochondrial demand. Recovery only happens when muscle cells repair and rebuild. Herbs can support those pathways by influencing circulation, antioxidant defenses, liver metabolism, mitochondrial health, and the stress response.
This LEVO infusion was crafted specifically for athletes who want natural support that aligns with the biology of strength training. Every herb here is dry, which gives you consistent extraction every time.
Muscle Fibers, Training Stress, and the Recovery Cycle
Strength training works by creating tiny controlled disruptions inside muscle fibers. Each rep produces mechanical tension. Each contraction pulls on actin and myosin proteins inside the fiber. This mechanical load bends the Z lines, produces microtears, and activates signaling molecules like mTOR and AMPK. These signals tell the muscle that the current strength level is not enough which triggers the entire adaptation process.
During intense exercise, calcium floods the muscle cell, mitochondrial demand rises, and reactive oxygen species increase. This is normal. The body uses these temporary stress signals to guide remodeling. Once the workout ends, the recovery phase begins. The immune system sends satellite cells to the damaged tissue. These cells fuse to the muscle fiber and donate new nuclei which allow the fiber to grow thicker and stronger.
Recovery also includes rebuilding ATP, clearing lactate, restoring glycogen, and repairing mitochondrial membranes. This is why circulation and antioxidant defenses matter. Muscles need amino acids, glucose, and electrolytes delivered quickly so the repair process can move efficiently. Mitochondria need antioxidant support so they can return to full energy production. Liver metabolism also plays a role because the liver processes the proteins, creatine, and supplements athletes use.
Herbs that support circulation, oxygen flow, mitochondrial stability, antioxidant pathways, and liver clarity work with the natural biology of this repair cycle. When recovery is supported, the muscle can rebuild faster, performance improves, and training becomes more sustainable over time.
The Herbs Behind This Athlete Formula
This infusion uses a blend of botanicals selected for their impact on oxygen flow, circulation, liver clarity, mitochondrial resilience, and controlled inflammation. Each herb brings a different mechanism that supports training stress and recovery biology. The formula includes:
• Cardamom
• Safflower petals
• Stinging nettle
• Milk thistle
• Schisandra berry
• Ginger
• Cacao
These herbs work together to support the phases of athletic recovery which include oxygen delivery, ATP production, muscle fiber repair, mitochondrial protection, and metabolic balance. Their combined actions create a steady internal environment that helps the body rebuild after every training session.
How These Herbs Work at the Cellular Level
Each herb in this formula has research highlighting its impact on systems that matter to athletes.
Cardamom
Cardamom’s active constituent cineole has well-documented effects on airway physiology. Cineole interacts with calcium channels in bronchial smooth muscle cells which encourages relaxation and wider air passageways. This matters during endurance and high-intensity training because oxygen availability controls mitochondrial respiration rates. When oxygen enters the alveoli more efficiently, it increases the rate of oxidative phosphorylation which raises ATP output. Cardamom also contains flavonoids that reduce lipid peroxidation which protects mitochondrial membranes from exercise-induced oxidative stress. Better membrane stability leads to more efficient ATP cycling during repeated sets and long runs.
Safflower Petals
Safflower petals contain two major groups of bioactive pigments: carthamin and safflor yellow. Carthamin promotes nitric oxide release through endothelial nitric oxide synthase activation. Nitric oxide widens blood vessels and improves microvascular perfusion. This increases nutrient delivery to damaged muscle fibers which supports protein turnover and replenishment of amino acids necessary for repair. Safflower also influences platelet-activating factor pathways which can support healthy blood flow without excessive clotting or stagnation. Athletes benefit because circulation governs how quickly muscles receive glucose, amino acids, creatine, and electrolytes after training.
Stinging Nettle
Nettle is a metabolic powerhouse. Its mineral content, especially magnesium, interacts with ATP by binding to the phosphate groups. ATP can only function when magnesium stabilizes its structure. This means magnesium availability affects muscle contractility, energy release, and post-workout ATP regeneration. Nettle also contains caffeic acid derivatives and quercetin which reduce free radical accumulation in skeletal muscle following high-intensity exercise. These antioxidants limit mitochondrial damage and help preserve fast-twitch muscle integrity.
Milk Thistle
Milk thistle’s silymarin complex includes silybin, silydianin, and silychristin. These compounds regulate Nrf2, a transcription factor responsible for activating antioxidant genes. When Nrf2 is activated, the liver increases glutathione production, superoxide dismutase expression, and catalase activity. This provides powerful protection against oxidative stress created by high protein diets, creatine cycling, preworkouts, and the metabolic breakdown of amino acids. Healthier hepatocytes mean faster clearance of metabolic waste products and better hormonal balance for muscle building.
Schisandra Berry
Schisandra lignans stabilize mitochondria by modulating mitochondrial permeability transition pores. Keeping these pores closed protects mitochondria from calcium overload and premature cell death. Schisandra also elevates glutathione which reduces oxidative stress inside muscle cells. It additionally modulates the HPA axis which supports cortisol balance. Cortisol needs to spike during training but return to baseline for muscle repair. Schisandra helps regulate that curve so athletes recover without prolonged catabolic periods.
Ginger
Gingerols and shogaols target COX and LOX enzymes which influence inflammatory signaling. Ginger does not shut inflammation down. Instead it promotes controlled inflammation which is essential for muscle repair. When inflammation is balanced, satellite cells can migrate to damaged fibers and begin the repair process. Ginger also improves blood flow to connective tissues which benefits tendons and ligaments during high load training.
Cacao
Cacao flavanols improve endothelial function and nitric oxide synthesis which enhances vasodilation. Nitric oxide is essential for nutrient delivery, vascular flexibility, and the “pump” effect during training. Cacao also contains theobromine which gently stimulates the cardiovascular system and supports muscle oxygenation. For athletes, this means better circulation, faster lactate clearance, and improved recovery speed between sets.
Why the LEVO System Matters for Athlete-Level Consistency
Athletes rely on consistency. Muscle building, fat loss, endurance, and metabolic health are all driven by predictable adaptations. LEVO technology mirrors that same precision for infusions.
LEVO Temperature Control and Extraction Science
Plant molecules extract differently depending on heat, time, and solvent polarity. LEVO removes guesswork by using lab-style temperature stability:
• Cineole in cardamom extracts best at stable medium heat without degrading
• Carthamin in safflower is heat sensitive and benefits from controlled warm infusion
• Gingerols in ginger increase in concentration with proper heat, not overheating
• Silymarin extracts more efficiently in warm oil compared to water
• Schisandra lignans remain stable when heat is steady and not fluctuating
Traditional stovetop methods expose herbs to inconsistent temperatures which reduces potency. LEVO’s constant temperature curve helps protect flavonoids, terpenes, lignans, and antioxidant complexes so your infusion delivers predictable results every batch.
LEVO Calculator and Precision Dosing
The LEVO calculator uses herb category, solvent, and batch size to help determine optimal infusion time and heat level. This supports extraction of:
• Fat soluble compounds like gingerols and silymarin in MCT oil
• Partially water soluble flavonoids in glycerin
• Heat sensitive compounds like safflower pigments
This means every bottle of infused MCT oil has similar potency which matters when you are using it to support recovery, ATP cycling, circulation, and metabolic function.
Herb Quality Through the LEVO Marketplace
Cardamom and safflower petals, two of the core performance herbs in this formula, are both available through the LEVO Marketplace. These dried herbs:
• Maintain stable potency
• Produce consistent extraction
• Reduce oxidation risk
• Perform predictably at LEVO temperatures
This removes variations in moisture content and ensures your infusion remains clean and reliable.
The LEVO Lux Advantage
The LEVO Lux provides double sided heating, easy cleanup, and a quiet infusion environment. Athletes benefit because:
• You can start your infusion
• Go lift, run, stretch, or recover
• And return to a finished product without monitoring
It is efficient, athlete-friendly, and ideal for consistent herbal support routines.Why LEVO Makes This Infusion More Precise
One of the major advantages of using the LEVO system is the level of control you have over infusion temperature, extraction, and consistency. Strength training requires precision. Recovery requires the same. The LEVO calculator lets you choose the solvent and the botanicals, then recommends the ideal infusion time and temperature based on the chemistry of the herbs.
Dry herbs give the cleanest and most repeatable extraction. Many of the herbs in this formula, including cardamom and safflower petals, are available directly through the LEVO Marketplace which makes sourcing simple and consistent. Once the herbs are in the pod, the LEVO Lux manages the heat, the timing, and the infusion without any guesswork. You can start the infusion, walk away, train, work, or rest. The Lux model heats evenly, cleans easily, and keeps the process quiet and smooth.
Athletes thrive when variables stay controlled. The LEVO Lux keeps your extraction consistent so every batch of infused oil supports ATP cycling, antioxidant capacity, liver metabolism, circulation, and recovery in the same way. This is why the Lux stays in my rotation for all athlete focused formulas.
Solvent
One and a half to two cups MCT oil or vegetable glycerin
LEVO Instructions
Add herbs to the herb pod
Fill the reservoir with MCT oil or glycerin
Infuse oil at 160 to 165 F for two to three hours
Infuse glycerin at 150 to 155 F for three hours
Strain and store in a sealed glass jar
How to Use the Infusion
One to two teaspoons in a protein smoothie
Two to three teaspoons in a batch of protein balls
This blend supports circulation, antioxidant capacity, recovery speed, and metabolic efficiency at the cellular level. It works quietly in the background while your training does the visible work.
Your body builds. The plants support the process.
Bibliography
Al-Zuhair, H., Abd El-Fattah, A., & Abd El Latif, H. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 1996.
Zhang, H. et al. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2014.
Gülçin, İ. et al. Food Chemistry, 2004.
Surai, P. Molecular Carcinogenesis, 2015.
Panossian, A., & Wikman, G. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2008.
Black, C. D. et al. Journal of Pain, 2010.
Fisher, N. D. et al. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2003.
