Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a calming adaptogen that is revered in Ayurveda, the traditional medical system of India. You'll find this herb in some of our Calm and Relax products.
Ashwagandha root has been used for millennia, and it remains popular today. Modern research has largely focused on how Ashwagandha impacts the body's stress response and promotes healthy levels of cortisol.
Health benefits
- Calming and relaxing support
- Supports the body's natural stress response
- Helps calm and relax the mind and body
Scientifically studied properties include: Adaptogen, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immune amphoteric, antitumor, nervine, antispasmodic, mild astringent and diuretic.
Most modern research into Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) has focused on how it impacts the body's stress response, which is managed by the Hypothalamic-Pituitary Adrenal (HPA) Axis. The HPA axis is the neuroendocrine connection between a stressor someone experiences and the body's physiological response(s) to that stress.
HISTORY & TRADITIONAL USE
Ashwagandha is a member of the Solanaceae (nightshade) family, making it a distant relative of tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants and peppers. Its common names include winter cherry and Indian ginseng. The root of this perennial plant is primarily used in herbalism; however, the leaves have their own specific uses. Indigenous to drier, subtropical regions of India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, Ashwagandha is now cultivated in temperate climates around the world. Ours is sourced from India and Nepal.
The plant gets its name from two Sanskrit words: Ashwa translates to "horse," while gandha means "fragrance." This name is a reminder of the pungent scent of fresh Ashwagandha root, while honoring the traditional use for medicine.
WITHANolides
The primary active compounds in Ashwagandha are withanolides, a type of triterpenoids. These steroidal lactones are classified as withanolides A to Y. Additionally, Ashwagandha includes sitoindosides and alkaloids, including somniferiene, withanine and anaferine.
We use a standardized form of Ashwagandha to guarantee a precise, consistent amount of withanolides.
In a 60-day randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, participants received either a placebo or 240 mg standardized Ashwagandha extract. Compared with the placebo, individuals who took Ashwagandha reported a better mood and lower stress levels, as well as less anxiety. Testing also confirmed lower morning cortisol levels for the Ashwagandha group. The study, published in 2019, suggested a connection between the HPA axis and Ashwagandha's active compounds, but the authors called for additional research.
Also in 2019, an eight-week, prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study examined the impact of varied doses of a highly concentrated Ashwagandha extract. A total of 60 men and women with self-reported "moderate stress" levels randomly received 125 mg Ashwagandha, 300 mg Ashwagandha or a placebo twice...
Products Featuring Ashwaghanda
References
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Lopresti AL, Smith SJ, Malvi H, Kodgule R. An investigation into the stress-relieving and pharmacological actions of an ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Medicine (Baltimore). 2019;98(37):e17186. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000017186
Mikulska P, Malinowska M, Ignacyk M, et al. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)-Current Research on the Health-Promoting Activities: A Narrative Review. Pharmaceutics. 2023;15(4):1057. Published 2023 Mar 24.
Salve J, Pate S, Debnath K, Langade D. Adaptogenic and Anxiolytic Effects of Ashwagandha Root Extract in Healthy Adults: A Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Clinical Study. Cureus. 2019;11(12):e6466. Published 2019 Dec 25. doi:10.7759/cureus.6466
Sharma AK, Basu I, Singh S. Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha Root Extract in Subclinical Hypothyroid Patients: A Double-Blind, Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial. J Altern Complement Med. 2018;24(3):243-248. doi:10.1089/acm.2017.0183
Sultan Zahiruddin 1, et al. Ashwagandha in Brain Disorders: A Review of Recent Developments. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Elsevier, 16 Apr. 2020, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378874119339182.
Winston, David; Maimes, Steven. Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief. Inner Traditions/Bear & Company.