The Plant with Multiple Health Benefits that Stands the Test of Time
Ashwagandha is the medicinal supercharged herb that never goes out of fashion. This powerful plant has been used holistically for more than 3000 years – and it’s no surprise when you discover the many beneficial compounds it contains.
Also known as Withania somnifera, Indian ginseng or winter berry, ashwagandha has been utilised in Ayurvedic medicine for millennia. The plant is characterized by its small, greenish-yellow flowers and red berries, with the root and leaves being primarily used for their therapeutic benefits. It thrives in dry, arid climates.
Ancient traditions recognised its use for managing stress, calming the mind, and for playing a role in promoting longevity.
In our modern times, preclinical research has widely confirmed ashwagandha’s anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-stress, antidiabetic, anti-tumour, healthy ageing support and neuroprotective properties.
Modern Uses for Ashwagandha
While ancient wisdom on ashwagandha was passed on through the centuries, further research and a better understanding of this amazing herb has resulted in the root extract being used widely for many health issues.
Some of these include: combating stress and anxiety, optimising cognitive function/memory, improving sleep, boosting athletic performance, and even supporting diabetes treatment due to its positive effects on blood glucose levels.
Natural health practitioners across the world use this herb as a general tonic to boost energy, reduce stress and anxiety, and there have even been claims that it may be beneficial for certain cancers, and Alzheimer’s disease. However, more research is necessary to confirm the latter suggestions.
Adaptogen, You Say?
Ashwagandha is an adaptogen. This category of plant extracts has been found to help our bodies adapt to stress and maintain balance, or homeostasis. In other words, they help us adapt to external stressors and therefore strengthen our internal systems, performance and focus.
How do they work? Researchers suggest that adaptogenic herbs interact with the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, a complex network of glands, hormones, and receptors that play a crucial role in maintaining the body’s balance, stress response, and energy regulation. When adaptogens are consumed, their natural compounds work in sync with the HPA axis. For instance, if the body has an excess of a particular hormone, adaptogens help reduce its levels. Conversely, if there is a deficiency, they assist in replenishing it. Other studies suggest that adaptogens engage with the immune-neuro-endocrine system, supporting the body’s energy regulation and immune defenses.
The Antidote to Stress?
In today’s hustle, it’s hard to find anyone who is not experiencing some level of stress most days. Could ashwagandha be the antidote to our stress and anxiety? There is a considerable amount of scientific research which would suggest so.
A number of double-blind, placebo-controlled trials have shown that ashwagandha can reduce anxiety scores by up to 70% or more in people with anxiety disorders or high stress levels. In one interesting study published in 2012, researchers found that ashwagandha “significantly reduced” stress and anxiety levels. A group of 64 people were split into two groups, with one being given an ashwagandha capsule twice daily and the others a placebo control substance. Compared to the placebo group, those taking ashwagandha capsules exhibited a significant reduction on all stress assessment scores, including displaying substantially lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
Researchers concluded that root ashwagandha “safely and effectively improves an individual’s resistance towards stress and thereby improves self-assessed quality of life.”
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