Ashwa…what?
We know the name is hard to pronounce, but the benefits of Ashwagandha make this herb one worth learning about. Kats Botanicals has recently added Ashwagandha to our lineup of premium, all-natural botanical products, and part of our ongoing effort of bringing plant-based power to the people involves serving up some data-backed information you can use to help make decisions about the wellness products you consume. So, what is it about this herb that has made it such a mainstay for natural wellness enhancement? What can you expect in using it? In this post, the plant-based power professionals at Kats Botanicals are answering these questions and more.
What Is Ashwagandha?
Ashwagandha is the common name for the Withania somnifera plant, an evergreen shrub in the Nightshade family of botanical species. It goes by other names including “Indian Winter Cherry” and “Indian Ginseng”. The word ‘Ashwagandha’ itself roughly translates as ‘the essence of the horse’, which is a testament to its strength. The roots of the Ashwagandha plant have played an important role in Eastern medicinal therapies for centuries, and the plant’s use dates back to 6000 BC making it one of the most culturally significant botanicals in the world. In the Ayurvedic tradition, Ashwagandha is considered one of the most important herbs used in tonics, concoctions, and preparations tailored to address numerous different ailments. In Indian medicine, Ashwagandha is termed a Rasayana, which generally refers to a technique or therapy that has the expressed purpose of enhancing longevity and promoting rejuvenation within the body. Even though the stems, leaves, and fruits of the Ashwagandha plant have some other uses, the root of the plant contains the highest concentrations of bioavailable plant alkaloids. Ashwagandha root is dried and crushed into a fine powder that is sometimes made into a tea or added to an herbal blend. For convenience and consistency in serving sizes, Kats Botanicals supplies premium, 100% Ashwagandha capsules that deliver the powerful benefits of this incredible herb without the hassle and mess that can come with measuring out powders.
Adaptogens 101
To understand the myriad benefits Ashwagandha offers for the user, it’s helpful to learn about the term ‘adaptogen’. An adaptogen is any substance—synthetic or natural—that helps the body deal with stress. As you likely already know, stress comes in many forms: emotional, mental, physical, and oxidative just to name a few. By adding an adaptogenic compound to your wellness routine, you’re helping to fortify your body’s ability to deal with stress on a daily basis. Ashwagandha is an adaptogen in the classic sense: it supports numerous systems within the body—systems which are responsible for helping to fare better when stress levels rise. How exactly this happens within the body isn’t entirely known, although there is good evidence that Ashwagandha alkaloids called Sitoindosides and Acyl-steryl-glucosides play an important role.
Additional Ashwagandha Benefits
Additional Ashwagandha BenefitsTaking Ashwagandha can yield other benefits that don’t directly relate to managing stress. These benefits can include support for:
- Metabolic processes
- Hormone balance
- Reducing inflammation
- Brain functioning
Another key feature about Ashwagandha is that a little goes a long way. Just two, 500-milligram capsules of Ashwagandha powder taken daily is all that is needed for most people to notice benefits. Remember, too that substances like Ashwagandha work best when they’re used as part of a holistic wellness regimen including exercise, high-quality sleep, and a healthy diet. As with many other herbally derived supplements, the benefits of Ashwagandha supplementation may take some time to fully manifest. For example, one study found that people who started a new regimen of Ashwagandha supplementation didn’t notice improvements until a full 10 weeks had passed. In other cases, the benefits of Ashwagandha are noticeable within mere days of taking it. It all depends on the user, their response to the herb, and the consistency of ongoing use. Also, benefits are more likely to be noticeable when using a lab-tested, potency-proven supplement that has been screened for purity.
When to Take Ashwagandha
Similar to the effects of some White Vein Kratom strains, Ashwagandha can produce noticeable wakefulness in some people. So, it’s a good idea to start taking Ashwagandha earlier in the day to determine if the supplement has this effect for you. Responses to initial servings of Ashwagandha vary widely. For those who are sensitive to focus-enhancing substances, it’s recommended to take Ashwagandha with food or following a meal. This has the effect of prolonging the absorption of Ashwagandha plant alkaloids, resulting in a more prolonged overall effect. Experiment by taking your Ashwagandha servings at various times in the morning, afternoon and evening to see what works best for you.
Other Considerations
As with all other nutritive supplements, where you get your Ashwagandha matters. At Kats Botanicals, we go the extra mile to lab test all of our botanical products to ensure that they are as pure and as potent as we say they are. Before trying Ashwagandha for yourself, we suggest consulting with your doctor to determine if this supplement is appropriate for you. Also, Ashwagandha should only be used by adults 18 years of age or older. Avoid taking Ashwagandha if you are pregnant or nursing. In the world of botanical products, we believe Ashwagandha has immense potential for those looking to enhance their lives naturally. In accordance with our promise to only sell products that work, the ever-growing mountain of evidence for the numerous benefits of Ashwagandha is why we’ve added it to our suite of plant-based products produced with your total wellness in mind. How has Ashwagandha worked for you? Reach out to us and let us know! We’re always happy to hear from you, and we want to know how you’re faring on your journey to plant-based wellness.
