Ashwagandha Plant

What is Ashwagandha

Believe it or not, Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) in the same family as the tomato, basically, Ashwagandha is a plump shrub with oval leaves and yellow flowers, bears red fruit about the size of a raisin - it is native to the: dry regions of India, northern Africa, and the Middle East. 

Today is also grown in more mild climates, including the United States, Also known as a plant in the nightshade family, famous for its wide usage as a herb in Ayurvedic medicine.
 
In Sanskrit, Ashwagandha means “the smell of a horse”, but don't let this put you off :) This is a word-for-word translation and, rather than indicating an odour, the phrase 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.

Ashwagandha The Indian Ginseng  

Ashwagandha is also frequently referred to as: “Indian ginseng” (because of its claimed rejuvenating properties), even though botanically, ginseng and Ashwagandha are actually unrelated.

Ashwagandha as an Adaptogen 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 the overall health and vitality of the body. Ashwagandha is considered to be one of the most highly prized of these so-called "tonic herbs".

Can We Add it To Our Diets?

Ashwagandha, one such nutrient, is typically ingested in capsule form - 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 require 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.

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. According to Healthline, It Can Reduce Blood Sugar Levels. In several studies, ashwagandha has been shown to lower blood sugar levels.

Ashwagandha For Men

People also use ashwagandha to improve their thinking ability, decrease pain and swelling (inflammation), and prevent the effects of aging. It is also used for fertility problems in men and women and also to increase sexual desire says Webmd.

Ashwagandha For Sleep

Ashwagandha contributes to restful sleep and beneficial in normalizing the functioning of certain organs which for some reason are not working properly or are malfunctioning.

According to OnlyMyHealth Ashwagandha is ideal for treating anxiety and stress that contribute to sleep difficulties. Ashwagandha reduces cortisol release from the body’s adrenal glands. Cortisol has long been known to contribute to insomnia, high blood pressure, and depression. These are all factors that lead to nights of tossing and turning. Ashwagandha’s ability to restrain cortisol release makes it an excellent natural remedy for sleeplessness.

Ashwagandha Benefits For Weight Loss

Because Cortisol is released in larger amounts during times of stress, it stimulates glucose production and triggers hunger in the brain. Weight gain takes place because of the excessive cortisol levels tends to accumulate in the belly. According to OnlyMyHealth Ashwagandha can naturally lower cortisol levels up to 26% - an adaptogen herb helps support cortisol production and the adrenal glands.

Ashwagandha For Thyroid

Studies* show that After 8 weeks of supplementing with Ashwagandha root extract, participants had statistically significant changes in 3 measures of thyroid health: a 2017 study conducted with 50 participants (25 males, 25 females) aged 27- 43, who had elevated serum thyroid stimulating hormone levels, but who were not on thyroid medication. Participants received an 8-week supplementation of either 300 mg Ashwagandha root extract taken twice daily or a placebo of starch capsules. Blood samples were drawn before and after the intervention to measure thyroid function.

*Reference (Sharma AK, Basu I, Singh S. Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha Root Extract in Subclinical Hypothyroid Patients: A Double-Blind, Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2017)

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.

Best Ashwagandha Capsules

Our Brain Maintain is a super-concentrated, powerful food supplement for the brain - a natural nootropic and nutritional cognitive enhancer and more
 
Brain Maintain is the most complex formula we could create compared to other similar products but at the same time, excellent value too. Each capsule contains 200 mg Ashwagandha extract.

Brain Maintain contains over 24 herbal ingredients!  It contains no added: artificial colors, flavorings, preservatives, gluten, sugar, wheat or yeast and suitable for vegetarians.

Majdi Shahein | Naturopathic Doctor and a Detox Specialist with Detoxification Works ®