The benefits of Ashwagandha root: the power of Ayurveda
As we are in need to keep our immune system working in harmony with COVID around us, some of you may feel burnt-out or anxious. I'd like to focus this article on a powerful adaptogen used in Ayurveda: Ashwagandha root. I want to show you the benefits of Ashwagandha.
Sometimes known as Indian ginseng, it is a highly revered Ayurvedic herb and adaptogen. The plant’s root is used for its restorative benefits, nourishing the bones layer and strengthening the immune system.
If we look today, the Western herbalism, Ashwagandha is seen as a high level adaptogenic herb to help with a depleted nervous and adrenal system. It is a calming adaptogens that is aimed at rescuing the stress and anxiety we feel from day to day life. Ashwagandha is the type of herb that helps balance endocrine function, promotes better sleep and fights exhaustion and fatigue. It can also enhance brain power and our cognitive function.
When we look at the meaning of Ashwagandha it is “smell of the horse”, this is due to the unique smell but also the increase in stamina and strength you get from the herb, like a stallion.
Ashwagandha and holistic health
Before going further, remember, the journey of living more holistically is supporting your health and nervous system as you navigate through life and business.
Ashwagandha is an herb that we add on top of an Ayurvedic lifestyle and a holistic approach. Indeed, it is important to embrace daily movement, self reflection, rituals and other ways to support yourself along with taking Ashwagandha.
Ashwagandha as powerful root chakra cleansing properties.
The root chakra or Muladhara is responsible for our feelings of being grounded, safe and secure. If you have an imbalanced root chakra, Ashwagandha can help you.
What are adaptogens?
Adaptogens Is a class of herbs that have non-specific actions and increase the body’s resistance to stressors.
Ashwagandha is very unique as it provides energy through replenishing vital essence.
We had an amazing training session inside the membership by Andrea Rossi about Herbalism and Adaptogens as part of ‘the top 5 herbs that help with anxiety’. DM me on Instagram if you’d like to join and watch the replay.
What are the benefits of Ashwagandha root?
As told by Healthline, In a 60-day study of 64 people with chronic stress, those in the group that supplemented with ashwagandha reported a 69% reduction in anxiety and insomnia, on average, compared with 11% in the placebo group Studies have shown that ashwagandha may help reduce cortisol levels.
In one study in chronically stressed adults, those who supplemented with ashwagandha had significantly greater reductions in cortisol, compared with the control group. Those taking the highest dose experienced a 30% reduction, on average
Ashwagandha acts to restore, strengthen and tonify the proper structure and function of the nervous system.
In terms of your physical indications: It is really good for cases of shock, longstanding anxiety, panic attacks or tension as well as prolonged periods of stress or sleep deficit.
In terms of your psychological indications: it is really good when you are tired or wired. When you feel exhausted during the day but when the night comes you can't go to sleep or you alternate during the day between feeling incredibly tired and frenetic afterwards.
It is great if you feel a high level of responsibility, activity but don’t want to deal with any of it because you’re exhausted.
But it is important to adapt your lifestyle when you’re taking it as well through rituals.
Contraindications about Ashwagandha:
Caution if you have diabetes
Caution for use with pregnancy
Caution with thyroid disorders and nightshade sensitivities
How do I use Ashwagandha root
As I’ve mentioned before through motherhood and matrescence I’ve been heavily sleep deprived with my little ones not sleeping really well, so ashwagandha helped me a lot.
I love to add Ashwagandha daily in my medicinal hot cacao in winter and autumn (as I’m mainly pitta in my dosha). In saying so, due to its heating energy ashwagandha is generally recommended for use only in cold weather . The addition of Ashwagandha to hot cacao makes it thicker and really good for you.
Below is a recipe to serve 2 cup of cacao (because I love a refill):
2 cups of oat milk (or any vegetal mylk you may like)
¼ cup of ceremonial grade cacao
1 tsp of ashwagandha
You can add 1 tbsp of coconut sugar if you have a sweet tooth
Final thoughts
Ayurveda means 'wisdom of life', and is a traditional Indian set of teachings for health in the body and mind.
Traditional Ayurveda is all about YOU taking responsibility and control over your own healing. It is about making changes to your habits, routines and mind to guide you to better health. If you would like to know more about Ayurveda and how it can help your life and business, please join the waitlist to my upcoming course.
Or you can try my Ashwagandha root from Teelixir using this link to get a discount code (code: essentialshift) for 10% off! Message me on Instagram if you want more guidance!