Why choose an ashwagandha supplement? That’s a good question, and as it turns out, there is more than just one answer. A potent herb, ashwagandha root is a longtime staple of the Ayurvedic tradition and is known for having a wide range of health and wellness benefits. These benefits include ashwagandha's ability to promote cognitive health, energy, stress reduction, mood health, physical vitality and much more. Coveted worldwide for its effects, ashwagandha has been the subject of many scientific studies aimed at determining just how many different ways this fantastic herb can boost your health. *
What is Ashwagandha?
Ashwagandha is a perennial plant that is closely related to the nightshade family. Ashwagandha can be found growing in parts of India, Yemen, China and Pakistan. For centuries its root has been used as an Ayurvedic herb. Its name roughly translates to “the strength of a stallion” as it was believed that those who ingested it gained powerful health benefits. Known also as Indian ginseng, gooseberry and its scientific name, Withania somnifera (L.) dunal, ashwagandha is loaded with bioactive compounds including steroidal lactones, withanolide glycosides and withaferins, acylseteryl glycosides and saponins and powerful free radical neutralizing antioxidants. *
History of Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha has a long history in the Ayurvedic tradition. Evidence exists that indicates ashwagandha was in use in India at roughly 6,000 BC where Hindu saints recorded their knowledge of ashwagandha in sacred texts known as Vedas. At that that time ashwagandha was thought to be able to extend the lifespan and reinvigorate the body. Though there is no modern scientific evidence that ashwagandha advances the lifespan of its users, it certainly has many health-boosting effects. *
Ashwagandha and Stress Reduction
Ashwagandha is considered an adaptogenic herb, which means that it promotes your ability to adapt to daily stressors. The focus of many studies, ashwagandha is thought to play a role in supporting the body’s ability to regulate the production of the stress hormone known as cortisol. Studies also showed that ashwagandha is an effective way to boost a healthy mood, which may also play a role in this herb’s stress-reducing capabilities. *
Ashwagandha and Mood Health
Ashwagandha is so well known for its stress-busting capabilities that the effect it has on mood health is often overlooked. Ashwagandha’s mood-boosting abilities are due, in part, to its ability to support the suppression of the stress hormone known as cortisol. Considering its stress reduction, mood health and cognitive function-promoting capabilities, ashwagandha has proven itself as an outstanding supplement for your brain.
Ashwagandha and Immune Health
Many people who take ashwagandha supplements do so because of its immune-boosting abilities. So how exactly does ashwagandha help promote immune function? First and foremost, ashwagandha is loaded with antioxidants, which help to support the neutralization of free radicals and a strong defense against oxidative damage. Further, ashwagandha’s ability to boost the body’s stress-reduction capabilities goes a long way in helping the body’s immune system function at an optimal level. *
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
