Ashwagandha (Winter cherry) is becoming a favorite adaptogen of many Western herbalists because of its unique properties. Translated it means "the sweat of a horse," which clinically implies "the strength of a horse," but unlike ephedra or ginseng, ashwaganda is not a stimulant. In the long run, a stimulant will leave the body depleted. Ashwaganda helps the body adapt to stress, but it also rebuilds the nervous system without stimulating it. The proof that ashwaganda is not a stimulant is that it is a wonderful sleep tonic. It helps give the body the energy it needs at night to put itself to sleep. In the daytime, it helps build the immune system and musculoskeletal systems, both of which are negatively impacted by stress.
In 2000, I was the Director of Player Development for the New Jersey Nets Basketball team in the NBA. I was hired because the Nets were one of the most injured teams in the NBA. The trainer, strength coach and myself teamed our efforts. We instituted a nutritional program that consisted of the players taking Ashwaganda before and after every game and after each practice. With an 82 game season, getting sick, injured, exhausted or just plain tired is almost inevitable. Ashwaganda offers incredile immune building support, enhanced endurance and stamina, the energy needed to cope with an NBA season and the mental tougness to deal with the stress on and off the court. The Nets finished that season as the third least injured team in the NBA that year. While there were numerous factors involved, there is no doubt in my mind that Ashwaganda played an important role in that record.
~ Dr. John Douillard
In a world where eighty percent of all disease can be attributed to stress it is not surprising that we are attracted to the Ayurvedic herb, Ashwagandha. Winter cherry (in English, Withania somnifera) is sometimes referred to as Indian Ginseng, making reference to its nervous system rejuvenative and tonic actions. Numerous studies have exhibited its anti-stress adaptogenic properties, many of which demonstrated superior adaptogenic properties than that of Ginseng. It is quickly becoming well known as an herb for energy, endurance and stress.
According to Ayurvedic medicine, Ashwagandha balances both the Nervous System (vata = air) and the Musculo-Skeletal System (kapha = earth, water) simultaneously while it increases heat (pitta) in the body. In chronic conditions it is common to see Vata-Kapha imbalances that are usually long standing and difficult to treat. A classic example of such a condition is arthritis, which involves painful, dry joints (a vata condition) along with swollen and inflamed joints (a kapha condition). Ashwagandha would be the medicine of choice in such a condition as it balances both the vata and kapha aspects of this imbalance. Ashwagandha is also indicated in many other conditions that combine vata and kapha imbalances.
Traditionally, Ashwagandha has been used to treat: general debility, arthritis, depression, chronic fatigue, insomnia, anxiety, depressed immunity, sexual debility, infertility, memory loss, breathing difficulties, hormonal imbalances and more.
It is used very effectively for insomnia, but not as a sedative. Its rejuvenative and nervous system restorative properties provide the body with the energy (prana), which is needed by the body to settle itself down and sleep. In this way its adaptogenic properties help the body deal with a stress related condition rather than mask it with a sedative.
In Ayurveda, Ashwagandha is considered a sweet root. In ancient times herbs were classified by their taste. The sweet taste allows the herb to penetrate into the deeper tissues of the body. The sweet taste would open the tissues rather than constrict them. Very bitter roots would constrict and cleanse but not deeply access and rejuvenate the body like Ashwagandha. Its secondary taste of bitter and astringent would stimulate a deep tissue cleansing and rejuvenation that would not be possible with an aggressive bitter herb. Also because of its sweet taste, Ashwagandha is considered a heavy herb and may be necessary to take it with meals or with ginger to effectively digest it. Toxicity is not usually encountered with Ashwagandha.
By both calming and rebuilding the nervous system this herb exhibits qualities that are perfect for helping those under stress.
- Dosage: Take 1 cap 3x/day after meals or as directed by your health care professional.
- 90 vegetarian caps (500mg)
- Ethically Wildcrafted Ingredients: Ashwaganda, Ginger, Turmeric