Ashwagandha - Withania somnifera

Native to Southeast Asia, Ashwagandha is a member of the Nightshade family and a major herb in Ayurveda.  The root is most commonly used, but the leaves and berries are sometimes used as well.

Energetically, Ashwagandha is warming and moist.  It has a sweet, astringent, and bitter taste.  (In Ayurveda, astringent taste means that it tightens tissues, dries up fats, and absorbs water.)  Therapeutically, it's often used as an adaptogen, immunomodulator, and anxiolytic.  

As an adaptogen and anxiolytic, Ashwagandha can help calm and strengthen the central nervous system by boosting energy through supporting healthy sleep.  It also lowers anxiety and promotes beneficial rest by lowering the level of cortisol.  As an immunomodulator, it reduces inflammation and supports the immune system - especially for those with immune system disorders or who are easily susceptible to infections.  

This amazing herb is also used as an aphrodisiac,  for fibromyalgia and arthritis, to help control blood glucose and lower cholesterol, and to aid learning and memory.

​To read more about Ashwagandha, check out the Herb Datasheet in the Membership Section.

Resources:
1.  de la Foret, Rosalee, Ashwagandha Monograph, Herbmentor, (c) 2019,
https://herbmentor.learningherbs.com/herb/ashwagandha/#calming-adaptogen, Accessed April 18, 2019

​2.  Spritzler, Franziska, RD, CDE, 12 Proven Health Benefits of Ashwagandha, healthline, Last updated June 11, 2018, 
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/12-proven-ashwagandha-benefits, Accessed April 18, 2019

3.  Editors at Chopra.com, What is Ashwagandha, The Chopra Center, (c) 2019, 
https://chopra.com/articles/what-is-ashwagandha
Accessed April 18, 2019

4.  THyroid Basics, Ashwagandha, (c) 2019, 
https://thyroidbasics.com/ashwagandha/
Accessed April 18, 2019