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Ashwagandha Plant
Withania Somnifera, more commonly known as Ashwagandha, is a plant in the nightshade family, and a popular herb used in Ayurvedic medicine. In fact, it is widely considered the most highly prized Ayurvedic herb. The name somnifera means “sleep inducing” in Latin. And medicinal use of its roots dates back more than 3000 years.
Ashwagandha is cultivated in the drier regions of India, Nepal, North Africa, and the Middle East. It is a strong plant needing little attention, growing in harsh dry climates that inspire other such plants to wilt and die.
The Ashwagandha plant is actually a small shrub. It has slender green leaves, small 5-petaled flowers that bloom all year, and red seeds or berries. It takes one full year of growth to reach maturity.
In Ayurveda, the roots are used in traditional medicine to combat a variety of symptoms and conditions, while the leaves and small red berries are applied externally to ulcers and tumors. The Ashwagandha plant is an esteemed plant regarded as a rejuvenator and life extender.
Ashwagandha Benefits
In Ayurvedic medicine, Ashwagandha is considered a powerful herb for its many restorative benefits. Besides being an amazing mood booster, it can also …
- Improve resistance to stress
- Increase energy and reduce fatigue
- Reduce depression and anxiety
- Reduce muscle loss and wrinkles
- Slow the aging process
- Reduce cognitive impairment
- Improve learning and memory
- Strengthen the immune system
- Improve concentration
- Stabilize blood sugar
- Lower cholesterol
- Stimulate sexual potency
Studies show that Ashwagandha benefits the entire body with its anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties.[49] It also has a reputation as being an anti-cancer herb because of its ability to disrupt the reproduction of cancer cells, essentially halting the disease, as this study concluded.[50]
Ashwagandha benefits brain health as well, and is a natural ally in the fight against Alzheimer’s by reducing cognitive decline. In fact, studies show that Ashwagandha can also reverse Alzheimer’s disease.[51]
Alzheimer’s disease affects more than 5 million Americans and is the sixth leading cause of death. It destroys memory, thinking, and general cognitive function. This 2014 study using 20 male participants concluded that Ashwagandha “can improve cognitive and psychomotor performance and may, therefore, be a valuable adjunct in the treatment of diseases associated with cognitive impairment.“[52]
Ashwagandha is a true superfood herb with innumerable antioxidant properties capable of destroying the free radicals that cause disease. But perhaps the greatest Ashwagandha benefit, due to its adaptogenic properties, is its ability to reduce stress and anxiety.
Stress speeds up the aging process, increases the production of wrinkles, and contributes to muscle loss. But most importantly, a body in a state of stress, is a body ripe for disease. This double-blind, placebo-controlled Ashwagandha study came to this conclusion: [53]
The findings of this study suggest that a high-concentration full-spectrum Ashwagandha root extract safely and effectively improves an individual’s resistance towards stress and thereby improves self-assessed quality of life.
Ashwagandha benefits health in so many different ways. And in today’s modern world with all its economic stress, environmental stress, and biological stress, we need these superfood herbs now more than ever. They provide a simple solution to serious problems.
In a world so dependent on expensive prescription drugs with so many adverse side effects, could a simple yet powerful little herb really be the key to reducing stress while improving one’s quality of life?
Ashwagandha Uses
Ashwagandha can be grown from seed, for all you gardeners out there. It prefers full sun, drier conditions and needs little to moderate amounts of water. However, you’ll still need to dry and pound the roots into a powder, as this is the best way to reap its benefits.
The easiest way to consume Ashawagandha is to find a good supplement, whether it comes in capsules or bulk powder form. Check out this video, as Ashawagandha Annie shares her advice about growing the herb, her favorite delicious and healthy tonic using it, and some more information on the benefits of Ashwagandha.
If you’re interested in purchasing Ashwagandha, The folks over at Lost Empire Herbs have a high quality tincture. The other source I trust a lot is Organic India, which has an Ashwagandha supplement in capsule form.