Ashwagandha is one of the most popular adaptogens on the market today. It has been in use for over 2,500 years, and is prized for its benefits, such as reducing anxiety, modulation of the thyroid and as a mood and energy booster. It is also used for its anti-inflammatory properties.
I first learned about Ashwagandha in 2015 from a friend in the kratom community who also ran a nootropics group on Facebook. I had been having a lot of trouble sleeping and with anxiety and he recommended Ashwagandha.
“In Ayurveda ashwagandha is considered a rasayana herb. This herb is also considered an adaptogen which is an herb that works to normalize physiological function, working on the HPA axis and the neuroendocrine system. In Ayurveda, the fresh roots are sometimes boiled in milk, prior to drying, in order to leach out undesirable constituents. The berries are used as a substitute for rennet, to coagulate milk in cheese making.
Ashwagandha in Sanskrit means “horse’s smell,” probably originating from the odor of its root which resembles that of sweaty horse. In Tamil, it is called Amukkrang Kilangu and is used in several medicines. The species name somnifera means “sleep inducing” in Latin, indicating that to it are attributed sedating properties, but it has been also used for sexual vitality and as an adaptogen. Some herbalists refer to ashwagandha as Indian ginseng, since it is used in ayurvedic medicine in a way similar to that ginseng is used in traditional Chinese medicine,” according to this study.
I cannot stress this enough – if you suffer from anxiety, Ashwagandha is your go to herb!
So, let’s cover some of the benefits of this amazing adaptogenic herb that are backed by science.
One randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study conducted at Prakruti Hospital, Kalwa, Maharashtra, India found that Ashwagandha has sleep-inducing potential,
is well tolerated and improves sleep quality and sleep onset latency in patients with insomnia at a dose of 300 mg twice daily.
,,In one clinical trial animal research found evidence to support the use of ashwaganda for anxiety, cognitive and neurological disorders, inflammation, and Parkinson’s
disease.
Ashwaganda is also used therapeutically as an adaptogen for patients with nervous exhaustion, insomnia, and debility due to stress, and as an
immune stimulant in patients with low white blood cell counts in blood. The major biochemical constituents of ashwaganda root are steroidal
alkaloids and steroidal lactones in a class of constituents called withanolides.
According to Functional Medicine doctor, Josh Axe, the benefits include:
- Improve thyroid function
- Treat adrenal fatigue
- Reduce anxiety and depression
- Reduce stress
- Increase stamina and endurance
- Prevent and treat cancer
- Reduce brain cell degeneration
- Stabilize blood sugar
- Lower cholesterol
- Boost immunity
In conclusion, Ashwagandha is a helpful supplement for those needing support with sleep and anxiety.
Beaufort Organics carries Ashwagandha extract and can be purchased here,.
