Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), is a plant in the nightshade family, famous for its wide usage as a herb in Ayurvedic medicine.
Also in the same family as the tomato, Ashwagandha is a plump shrub with oval leaves and yellow flowers. It bears red fruit about the size of a raisin. It is native to the: dry regions of India, northern Africa, and the Middle East, and today is also grown in mild climates, including the United States.
In Sanskrit, Ashwagandha actually means “the smell of a horse”, but don't let this put you off :) This is a direct translation and, rather than indicating an odour, the phrase actually intended to imply that the herb imparts the vigour and strength of a stallion. A little dramatic perhaps (!), but this herb has traditionally been recommended by practitioners to help people strengthen their immune system.
As a result, Ashwagandha is also frequently referred to as: “Indian ginseng” (because of its claimed rejuvenating properties), even though botanically, ginseng and Ashwagandha are actually unrelated.
Possible uses of Ashwagandha
As well as offering immunity support, in our experience practitioners tend to recommend Ashwagandha for stress, fatigue, lack of energy, inflammation, and difficulty concentrating.
What are the active ingredients in Ashwagandha?
In the West, researchers have focused on isolating one or two active ingredients in the herb. In the Ayurvedic tradition, however, the entire plant is used on the assumption that all compounds in the plant are meant to work together.
it also contains withanolides (steroidal lactones), alkaloids, choline, fatty acids, amino acids and a variety of sugars, but the root of this beautiful plant is the part most commonly used in Western herbal remedies.
Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb
Adaptogens are substances (a combination of amino acids, vitamins, and herbs) that may help your body to modulate its response to stress or a changing environment. In other words, adaptogens are "tonics" that can help the body to cope with external stresses, such as toxins in the environment, as well as internal stresses, such as anxiety and insomnia.
The fundamental difference between Ayurvedic and Western medicine is underscored by the Ayurvedic use of tonics - herbs that are used not to address specific ailments, but more to support overall health and vitality. Ashwagandha is one of the most highly prized of these so-called "tonic herbs".
How to add it to your diet
The nutrients we ingest from food on a daily basis are metabolized into the energy and other substances that form the building blocks of our cells, tissues, and organs. Every day, our bodies need essential vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients to maintain their delicate balance and fuel themselves. Ensuring a varied, healthy and nutritious diet for yourself is, therefore, the cornerstone of good health.
Ashwagandha, one such nutrient, is typically ingested in capsule form.