Stay on top of your festive game with Ashwagandha

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This incredible adaptogenic root herb also known as winter cherry or Indian ginseng (botanical name: withania somnifera) is popular for its multiple health benefits. Adaptogenic mean that this herb has the powerful ability to adapt to the body’s need to bring balance to the hormones and immune cells. It is famously known in Ayurvedic healing as a powerful rasayana (rejuvenative) herb for the body and mind and an elixir for the winter months.

The translation of Ashwagandha means the ‘smell of a horse’ indicating its potent smell and insinuates giving the strength of a stallion. It is generally found native to India and North Africa. For over 3000 years, ashwagandha has been traditionally used to bring strength to the body and stillness to the mind.

This small shrub is native to India and North Africa, bearing yellow flowers. It is usually the root or leaves are used to treat various health conditions.

If you’ve not come across this herb yet, sit down and listen up to some of the many health benefits that places this plant in the no. 1 position in my winter herbal medicine top 10.

It’s a great herbs to support many vata conditions, such as debility in old age, weakness in body and mind, joint inflammation, hormone imbalances, stress, rheumatism, fatigue, poor memory, anxiety, neurological conditions, low immunity and low endurance.

  • It has been known to contribute to lowering blood glucose levels

  • It has powerful anti-inflammatory and immune boosting properties as it supports the disease fighting immune cells and potentially having anti-cancerous properties. It’s a great herb to help in the recovery of illnesses

  • It has been popularly used as a nervine tonic and a carminative for stress and anxiety, helping us to cope with our day-to-day physical and psychological demands by supporting the adrenal glands by balancing the cortisol levels and mimicking the GABA, a neurotransmitter that inhibits nervous activity

  • It has been said this herb can improve cognitive functions and improve focus, memory and reaction times

  • Increase physical energy, muscle strength and stamina as well as help overcome physical fatigue

  • Due to its mild sedative effect, it can aid disturbed sleep and insomnia. For this reason, I always recommend taking ashwahgandha in the evening before bed so that your system can utilise the benefits and work overnight as your body replenishes the cells and rejuvenates the tissues of the body

  • It’s also a great option for supporting male fertility and support testosterone levels in men

  • Ashwagandha may help improve heart health by reducing cholesterol and triglyceride levels

Many western scientific studies are still being carried out to demonstrate the multiple benefits that the ancient sages have advocated in improving the quality of life and overall sense of wellbeing and so this is definitely one to watch.

Buy your herbs from my preferred suppliers: Triveda (discount code: GEETAVARA5OFF), Essential Ayurveda, Fushi, Organic India.