Benefits Of Ashwagandha

I love that we’re seeing ashwagandha everywhere these days.

Coffee mixes, chocolate bars, protein shakes, you name it. This root was used for thousands of years in Ayurvedic medicine and continues to offer benefits to people all over the world. Although you may understand that ashwagandha is a healthy addition to your routine, you may not be familiar with the actual benefits it imparts on your body. Equally important is the fact that, as is true for most forms of medicine, this herb isn’t necessarily beneficial for everyone. I want to share with you the benefits, as well as the potential drawbacks to this amazing medicinal plant.

What Is Ashwagandha?

Ashwagandha is a small evergreen shrub that’s found mainly in India and the Middle East. It contains several beneficial plant compounds that contribute to its healing properties, most notably a group of compounds called withanolides[*].

Ashwagandha has a wide range of therapeutic potential and is traditionally referred to as a Rasayana in Ayurvedic medicine.

Rasayana herbs are used to promote health, longevity, and youthfulness. You can think of them as a tonic, like drinking from the fountain of youth.

Ashwagandha has a specific affinity to your nervous system, and can also be considered a nervine herb. It helps balance your stress response while increasing stamina.

What Are Adaptogens?

Another term that’s often associated with ashwagandha is “adaptogen.”

Adaptogenic herbs are indeed a gift from nature to the human species. To put it in simple terms, adaptogens help your body “adapt” to stress in your life by giving you whatever your body needs at the time.

For instance, some people find that when they experience stress that they can’t sleep and their mind races. Meanwhile, others may feel withdrawn and listless, unable to make a move in any direction.

An adaptogenic herb will work with your nervous system to balance your stress response in precisely the way your body needs. This could mean that it enhances energy and stamina to get you moving again. Or, it could calm you down and help you focus on what’s in front of you if your mind is all over the place.

By working with your endocrine system and helping your body manage hormones (think adrenals), ashwagandha allows your body to fall back into balance[*].

So let’s get specific, what exactly can ashwagandha help you with? Here are a few research-backed benefits of ashwagandha[*].

Benefits of Ashwagandha

Balances the stress response

As mentioned above, whether your adrenals are over-active or under-active ashwagandha will work towards balancing them and keeping your energy in check.

Need a little pick-me-up? Ashwagandha’s got you. Need to slow things down a bit? Ashwagandha will chill you out in no time.

Nervine

Nervine herbs contain medicinal properties that calm the nervous system- making them excellent for stress management. Unlike adaptogens, which balance your entire body, nervines focus specifically on your nervous system.

Due to ashwagandha’s ability to manage your nervous system, while also keeping the rest of your body in balance, it gets to be recognized as both nervine and adaptogen. 

Increases Stamina

If you’re feeling burnt out, listless, or unable to focus, ashwagandha may be the herb for you. Animal studies show that ashwagandha can enhance the endurance of physical exercise, while at the same time keeping stress hormones in balance.

From a practical standpoint, this could translate into more efficient workouts, as well as more productive workdays.

Promotes cognitive function

In Ayurveda, ashwagandha is used to promote memory and brain function. This may be sue in part to its stress balancing qualities. Have you ever tried to focus on a work project while your mind was off worrying about something else?

Research shows that adults taking daily ashwagandha supplements experience enhanced memory, work performance, and ability to concentrate[*].

What’s more, studies suggest that ashwagandha has a neuroprotective effect and may be beneficial for those suffering from neurodegenerative disease.

Some research done in vivo even shows ashwagandha stopping and reversing nerve cell damage triggered by diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer's[*].

Anti-anxiolytic

Unfortunately, more and more people are struggling with anxiety these days. And who can blame them? With the stress of work, family, health, and overall safety, there's a lot to keep track of. Our overworked minds keep running and running – leaving tracts in our brain that cover up our sense of well-being.

Due to ashwagandha's calming effect on your nervous system, it can act as an anti-anxiolytic medicine. Studies have even shown ashwagandha to be as effective as the anxiety medication Lorazepam[*].

Sleep Promoting

One of the hallmarks of stress in an inability to get a good night's sleep.

It's hard to get some shut-eye with your mind racing through your to-do's, worries, and regrets. While ashwagandha won't make you tired, it can help the body relax into its natural circadian rhythm.

This is especially helpful for Vata and Kapha sleep disturbances.

Immunity boosting

As part of its adaptogenic qualities, ashwagandha acts as an excellent immune-booster. In fact, the word "ashwagandha" broken down in Sanskrit means "gives energy like horse."

By enhancing your resilience to stress, it takes a load off your immune system and can be especially beneficial for those who already have a weakened immune response.

Who Should Take Ashwagandha

Now that you know about all the fantastic benefits of this herb, you're probably ready to start incorporating this fantastic herb into your life.

I love your enthusiasm. However – ashwagandha is not for everyone.

In Ayurveda, remedies are never given "just because." Even rasayana herbs and tonics need to be thoughtfully administered. To be fair, you'll likely run into very few problems if you decide to start taking ashwagandha without consulting a practitioner first. However, if you really want to stay in the optimal balance for your body and constitution, you should know whether or not ashwagandha is truly indicated.

All herbs have a set of qualities (heating or cooling, dull or sharp, heavy or light, etc.) These qualities are responsible for the herb's therapeutic effect. The major contradiction to be aware of for ashwagandha is its overall heating quality.

This makes it a poor choice for any pitta dominant conditions. Pitta is already hot, and if your pitta is imbalanced, this could further drive the imbalance.

Takeaway

Ashwagandha is one of the most popular Ayurvedic herbs in the West, and it's doing an excellent job paving the way for more Ayurvedic herbal remedies.

It's an incredible adaptogen and works beautifully to balance your nervous system. However, as with all forms of medicine, make sure its right for you at this time before you add it to your routine.