Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha, otherwise known as Withania Somnifera or Indian Winter Cherry, is a herb deriving from the same family as the tomato that bears fruit, leaves, and is the size of a raisin. It is native to India, Northern Africa, and the Middle East due to the dry climate. The root is the most utilised component of this herb, where high concentrations of nutritional properties can be found.

Ashwagandha is used to relieve symptoms of stress, fatigue, low energy, and low concentration levels. Ashwagandha is known as an Adaptogen, where it can modulate the body’s response to stress or changes in the external environment.

Stress can derive from external sources including toxins, pollutants, and chemicals, or internal sources such as anxiety, insomnia, and other personal issues.

Ashwagandha works to reduce the stress signals and the consequential nervous system response that occurs as a result. Long-term stress can wreak havoc on the adrenal glands, which when faced with stress, will produce the cortisol hormone as part of its stress response. This can lead to symptoms of adrenal fatigue which include lethargy, anxiety, poor concentration, poor memory, low blood sugar, and cravings. High cortisol levels also dramatically impact one's ability to build muscle and lose fat.

Benefits of Ashwagandha

• Reducing cortisol levels
• Improving learning and memory
• Reducing anxiety and depression
• Stabilizing blood sugar
• Lowering cholesterol
• Decreasing inflammation
• Increasing libido

As Ashwagandha is an adaptogen, it will take some time to begin to take effect in the body and to reverse damage caused by long-term stress and high cortisol levels. Combined with sensible dieting and training, consistently supplementing with Ashwagandha will take approximately 2 weeks for effects to take place.