It’s been a while…I don’t have any excuses, I’ve just been busy living, researching and doing. My focus has been elsewhere, although I’m keeping track of all of it for this blog.
Someday, really…I promise…
Anyway, on to the ashwagandha. While exploring options for natural remedies for stress and anxiety, I came across something called ashwagandha root. I had never heard of it, so I did some quick research and added it to my Mountain Rose Herb cart in what was technically an impulse buy.
What is Ashwagandha?
Ashwagandha is considered an adaptogen in Ayurvedic medicine, meaning that it fights stress and promotes relaxation while supporting energy and resilience.
Basically, adaptogens are supposed to help the body deal with stress without pushing it too far in either direction.
Sounds suspiciously like magic…
Ashwagandha, Withania somnifera, is a shrub native to northern Africa, the Middle East, and southeast Asia. Interestingly, it’s in the same plant family as tomato. The roots and berries are used medicinally.
In addition to its anxiolytic and stress relieving properties, Ashwagandha is also traditionally used for:
- inflammation
- cholesterol and blood pressure
- immune function
- hormone balance
- thyroid function and cortisol levels
- sexual potency
A quick internet search will show these and many other supposed effects, including the ability to make you several inches taller.
So keep your scepticism hat handy!
Do your own research, and be careful of your sources.
My Experience – It’s a Keeper!
When my package of goodies arrived in the mail, I was excited and wanted to try something immediately. I had work that night, so I was concerned that skullcap or passionflower might be a little too relaxing to enjoy before my shift. I’m a nurse, so I cannot be fog-brained at work.
That left the ashwagandha root…relax without sedation, improve mood and focus, and relieve fatigue.
Perfect.
The word ashwagandha translates to “smell of a horse” or “strength of a stallion” depending on which source you’re reading. After opening the bag, I’m leaning toward the smell translation!
I prepared it as a decoction, which is how tough roots are typically prepared. I simmered about a tablespoon of ashwagandha in 3 cups of water for about 15 minutes. Then I dropped an herbal tea bag in to improve the flavor a bit assuming that if it smells like horse, it probably tastes like horse too.
I poured about 4 ounces for myself and a friend and we tried the potion.
About 20 minutes later, I started to feel energized. Not caffeine energy — no jitters, no racing thoughts. Just a sudden feeling of motivation and calm focus.
While I was getting ready for work, my friend suddenly asked, “Is this supposed to give you energy? I feel like I could run a marathon!”
I hadn’t told him much more than ashwagandha is an adaptogen and that it would help anxiety and stress, but not make him sleepy. We were all smiles and suddenly realized that we just felt good. Not wired, just clear headed – kind of like being well-rested while on vacation.
Not at all what I was expecting from some herbal tea.
The feeling lasted throughout the day/night. I felt like my old self at work – cheerful, calm, multi-tasking without overwhelm.
“I got this!”
After that, I started drinking the ashwagandha decoction daily, about 6 ounces before work and 6 ounces around the time I’m supposed to take a lunch break. It’s been more than two months and for me, the effects have been amazing.
I can say that I’ve noticed increased mental clarity and focus. I am more in control of my thoughts, and better able to express myself even when I’m feeling emotional about something. I’m more resilient to everyday stressors and feel less overwhelmed than I’ve been in a very long time. I’ve also noticed increased stamina and I rarely get the headaches I usually get when I haven’t gotten enough sleep.
There is no “miracle potion” that fixes everything, but I’d say that I have an increased sense of well-being that makes it easier to continue striving for self-improvement.
You should know…
I seem to be in the minority, as most users take ashwagandha in powdered form, either as a capsule or mixed right into food. I don’t mind the taste of my decoction, so I’ll keep using it that way although my dose is obviously inexact. I found a recipe for energy balls using powered root that I am going to try for my next camping adventure, so I will report back on that after the experiment.
In higher doses, ashwagandha is said to possess emetic and/or laxative properties that I do not want to experience, so I’m careful to not use too much.
It is not safe for everyone. Ashwaganda is listed as “likely unsafe” for use during pregnancy as it may cause miscarriage. It’s also probably not a good idea for those with auto-immune disorders or hyperthyroidism. Please check with a healthcare professional if you have any concerns.
Incidentally, my friend stopped drinking the potion after about a week, because one of the effects it seemed to have on him was increased….assertiveness. That can obviously become a problem in certain situations, and the benefits did not outweigh the risks in his case. Online discussions say this may be related to an increase in testosterone or thyroid hormones…
Luckily, the effect was very short-lived.
So buyer beware – there is no one size fits all. Know exactly what you’re putting in your body and why, and then monitor yourself closely.
If something’s not working, stop doing it.
Just because something is found in nature does not mean that it’s harmless or even safe.
Final Thoughts on Ashwagandha
Pathways and Potions 