adapt with ashwagandha

History

Ashwagandha, Withania somnifera, is also known as “Indian ginseng” and “winter cherry.” Ashwagandha is an herb native to India and Africa. Traditional uses of the herb in India include use as an aphrodisiac, liver tonic, and anti-inflammatory. It has become a popular herb in Western cultures today as reports of its restorative and rejuvenative properties have spread.

Uses

Adaptogenic Properties. Most of ashwagandha’s uses center around its action as an adaptogen. An adaptogen does just what it sounds like—it helps the body adapt. An adaptogen is a non-toxic plant that has a normalizing effect on the body, neither overstimulating nor inhibiting body function, but instead giving a general tonic or balancing effect. An adaptogen helps a body under stress become restored to balance.

Antioxidant Protection. Ashwagandha has antioxidant properties and protects cells against environmental damage. For this reason, it has been widely used for immune health, and has even been studied for promising anti-cancer benefits.

Anxiety Relief. As an adaptogen, ashwagandha can help with stress and the effects of stress, including anxiety. One small study found that people who took ashwagandha extract each day for 60 days had significant reductions in anxiety compared with those who received a placebo.

Exercise Benefits. Ashwagandha has demonstrated the ability to improve the rate of recovery following strenuous exercise, increase endurance, and boost muscle strength. Intensive exercise is a stressor on the body. It is possible that ashwagandha’s adaptogenic benefits are at play here, or it may enhance energy supply to muscles during exercise.

Blood Sugar Management. Research suggests that ashwagandha may help reduce blood glucose levels. One research review found that ashwagandha was helpful in reducing blood sugar, hemoglobin A1c, blood lipids, and oxidative stress markers. It is believed that the active compound withaferin A in ashwagandha may enhance cellular glucose uptake from the bloodstream.

Availability

Ashwagandha is available in tea, powder, liquid extract or capsule form. ●

Solaray Ashwagandha Extract

Mood and stress support.* Used in Ayurvedic medicine as a rejuvenating tonic.* Adaptogen, which exerts a stabilizing influence on body systems during periods of stress.*