Ashwagandha is also known as; Withania somnifera, Indian Ginseng or Winter Cherry
Ashwagandha is a key herb for adrenal support and is one of our favourite herbs. It has potent tonifying effects on the adrenal system, calms the nervous system, supports thyroid function and reduces inflammation. We only use high-quality, standardized tinctures; so you know they have high levels of the active constituents (in this case “withanolides”) for a high level of efficacy.
Ashwagandha has been used for more than 3000 years in traditional Ayurvedic medicine. In ancient Ayurvedic texts it is described as a vitaliser or restorative tonic, due to it’s powerful effect at promoting physical and mental health and revitalising the body when completely debilitated. This reflects it current usage in naturopathic and herbal medicine as an adrenal tonic, especially important due to our modern ways of living and the constant onslaught of information and mental stimulation we receive every minute. Our nervous systems are fried!
Ashwagandha has long been used as a restorative herb to help people recover from stress, fatigue, and illness. Science now confirms that it helps balance the stress response system in the body, also known as the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. This system controls how the body reacts to stress, making Ashwagandha a great natural way to feel calmer and more energised.
Scientific evidence for the effectiveness of Ashwagandha
Research has proven Ashwagandha’s many benefits:
- Reduces Stress & Anxiety: Studies show that Ashwagandha lowers cortisol, the body’s stress hormone. A study in the Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine found that it reduced cortisol by 30%, helping people feel more relaxed (Chandrasekhar et al., 2012).
- Boosts Energy & Fights Fatigue: Chronic stress can drain the body’s energy levels. Studies in the Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine show that Ashwagandha helps improve stamina and endurance.
- Supports Brain Function & Memory: Ashwagandha helps protect brain cells and may improve memory and focus (Jiang et al., 2020). Research suggests it could also help prevent diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s by reducing damage to brain cells (Kuboyama et al., 2014).
- Strengthens Immunity & Reduces Inflammation: Ashwagandha boosts the immune system by increasing white blood cell production and lowering inflammation (Mishra et al., 2000). It may help people recover from illness faster.
- Supports Hormonal & Thyroid Balance: A 2018 study found that Ashwagandha increases thyroid hormone activity, which are essential for energy and metabolism (Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine).
We often blend Withania with other synergistic adrenal herbs such as Rhodiola, Siberian Ginseng, Rehmannia, Passionflower and Echinacea, however every herbal formulation is designed specifically for individual needs and may therefore have more hormonal, immune, anxiety or energy support…depending on what we are focusing on. That is the beauty of personalised liquid herbal medicine!
If it’s natural, it’s safe…right!?
When choosing to use herbal medicine, it is very important that you seek professional guidance especially if you are taking prescription medications. For best effects, it is very important to ensure that you are taking the correct herbs for your individual needs, along with an effective dosage. Many people discount the effectiveness of herbal medicine as they have bought some herbal capsules from the pharmacy, taken them for a month and had no results. Herbal medicine can have powerful and effective, however if you are using a poor quality herb (with low levels of active constituents) or you aren’t taking a therapeutic dosage, it won’t work.
Did you know that many pharmaceutical drugs are isolated from herbs. This is because many individual herbal constituents are potent, however nature knows best and when taken as a whole herb with its complex array of plant phytochemicals, side-effects are extremely rare. This is especially true when compared to drugs that isolate single constituents only and discount the effect of the synergy of the whole herb.
Remember, just like vitamins and minerals, not all herbs are created equal! With the rise in over-the-counter herbal products and online ordering in the last couple of years, this is something to keep in mind as many countries such as the USA have lower purity standards than Australia. This means that you may not be getting the same quality or even the same herb in some cases. Consult a practitioner trained in herbal medicine and experience the difference for yourself.
