Ashwagandha: Nature’s Energy Booster and Stress Reliever
Modern life can be extremely stressful even in the best of times: We have commutes to manage, kids’ school events and extracurriculars to attend, and meals to prep and shop for. You, like many others, may have accepted high levels of tension and exhaustion as facts of life. Here’s the great news: There are ways to manage your stress even when you’re extremely busy. Using herbal supplements for anxiety, like Ashwagandha is one way to help yourself get back on track.
What is Ashwagandha?
This ancient herb’s name is derived from the Sanskrit word that can be translated as “horse smell." Yes, this herb smells a little strange by itself — but its benefits far outweigh its musty aroma! For thousands of years, Ashwagandha has been used to treat inflammatory conditions, bolster libido, and strengthen the nervous system. It’s classified as an “adaptogen”, which means that it helps the body adapt to stress.
Who Should Consider Taking Ashwagandha?
You may have heard of people taking Ashwagandha specifically for anxiety, depression, or sleep issues like insomnia. Many have found that it can boost energy in low thyroid conditions, and because it is high in iron, some take it to improve their iron stores. It can be taken in herbal formulations that are aimed to decrease anxiety or improve sleep, with vitamins for stress, or it can be ingested alone. Your dosage will depend on the condition you are treating.
Though this supplement can be of great benefit to some, remember to ask a knowledgeable health professional whether it would be appropriate for your case if you have a diagnosed medical condition. People with low blood pressure, for example, will want to exercise caution as Ashwagandha can lower blood pressure (which, conversely, is great news for those with high blood pressure).
Has Ashwagandha Been Studied for Medical Benefits?
Yes! In fact, Ashwagandha is the subject of many formal medical trials due to its extensive history and excellent reputation within both the natural medicine community and the Western medicine world. This study in particular shows specific Ashwagandha benefits in lowering cortisol levels — one of the body's main "stress hormones" — without causing negative side effects. When combined with a healthy lifestyle, these studies go to show that Ashwagandha can be used to reduce tension and improve a patient's quality of life.
When you’re considering taking an herbal supplement, it’s best to remember that even though you may be able to purchase it without a prescription, you are still taking a medicine for a specific health concern. Dosage, quality, and even the type of Ashwagandha plant from which your supplement has been sourced matter. Do yourself a favor by thoroughly researching the quality of your supplement before you purchase it for yourself or a loved one.
Ashwagandha is a well-researched and highly versatile supplement, and it’s often combined with other mushrooms, medicinal herbs, and plant-based supplements to create potent stress relievers that may not have as many side effects as prescription drugs.
Try The Herban Shaman's Mushroom Stress Support which utilizes Ashwagandha.
Contact The Herban Shaman to check out our catalog of traditional wellness supplements and to learn more about the plants and herbs that can enhance your life.
