Abstract: Nutritional compositions comprising a botanical component, such as adaptogenic botanical component, comprising one or more ginsenosides and an amino acid component. Botanical components include ginsenosides, such as a Panax extract (e.g., a Panax notoginseng extract), an Astragalus extract (e.g., an Astragalus membranaceus extract), a Rosa extract (e.g., a Rosa roxburghii extract), fractions thereof, active components thereof, and combinations thereof. Amino acid components may include isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, valine, or combinations thereof. Also disclosed are methods for improving the metabolism of a human or other mammalian subject, comprising administering a composition of the present technology. Such methods include those for improving the nutritional status of the subject, improving nutrient absorption of the subject, improving physical performance of the subject, and improving glycogen metabolism of the subject.