Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is considered one of the most powerful Ayurvedic herbs, with a long tradition over thousands of years in traditional medicine.
Its common name in Sanskrit refers to “the smell of a horse”, as it emits a horse-like odor; it is also often ascribed to its benefit of giving the strength and vigor of a stallion. As its species name implies, Ashwagandha also helps to promote a good night’s sleep, and is often thought of as the most calming of the Adaptogens.
Cultivated throughout many Indian regions, it is also found the Middle East and Africa. Ashwagandha has shrubby growth, up to about 2 feet tall with tomentose branches and dull green elliptic leaves, producing an orange-red fruit.
Ashwagandha is both an adaptogen and a rasayana, an herb used to promote longevity. It is considered balancing to Vata and Kapha doshas, with a warming quality. The clinical research has been mounting for the uses of Ashwagandha, and it has exhibited both mental and physical benefits through many body systems.
Ashwagandha is mainly used as a dietary supplement to support cognition, healthy cortisol and thyroid levels, and has benefits for the endocrine, nervous and immune systems, heart health, and energy.
The main compounds of interest in Ashwagandha are the withanolides, which are triterpene lactones, somewhat structurally similar to the ginsenosides in Panax ginseng. However, there are other bioactive constituents, including alkaloids (isopelletierine, anaferine) and saponins.
Ashwagandha is available in many types of herbal preparations, but a traditional one is to enjoy the root powder mixed in with some milk before bedtime. In functional medicine, it is often given before bed for people who have restless sleep due to stress.
In a recent systematic review, Ashwagandha was reported to decrease cortisol secretion with no significant adverse effects in stressed individuals. Scientific investigations have found Ashwagandha to exhibit a number of activities in such areas as antistress, immunomodulatory, smooth muscle relaxation, antioxidant, cardioprotection, cytokine and blood sugar balance, and cognitive, weight management, respiratory, and thyroid support.
In another recent review of Ashwagandha’s effects on the endocrine system, the authors concluded that it “can have a positive effect on the functioning of the endocrine system, including improving secretory functioning of the thyroid gland, normalizing adrenal activity and multidirectional improvement on functioning of the reproductive system.”
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*This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician.