What is Ashwagandha?
Ashwagandha or scientifically known as Withania somnifera, is a nontoxic plant or herbal shrub grown in Asia and Africa whose roots and berries are used for their medicinal purposes. Ashwagandha is a huge part in Ayurveda which is a natural system of medicine, something I’ve been transitioning my lifestyle more into (mostly with diet, activities, and overcoming illness).
I started taking Ashwagandha in the beginning of 2023 after doing research on its medicinal benefits and risks to see if it could aid in my stress and anxiety. I have spoken very openly about my struggles with anxiety and have found mindfulness tools to help aid in the symptoms. However, it was almost daily where I would feel these pangs of anxiety, even though I was able to overcome them, I still didn’t want to feel it every day. I started taking ashwagandha in a gummy form along with my daily vitamins. Studies show that the benefits of ashwagandha could take up to 60 days of consistent use. After about 5 weeks I started noticing that the day-to-day routine became easier and felt so much lighter. Triggers that I had in the past that I knew would cause anxiety weren’t having the same affect anymore.
On top of making this transition and feeling better physically and mentally, I wanted to make sure that all my vitals were still good, so I also scheduled appointments for bloodwork, and everything came back normal! I have been on it ever since, fluctuating between dosages. I now currently take 500mg every other day in a supplement form (ashwagandha comes in many forms including powder, gummies, and supplements). There’s my personal story, so let’s get into the other amazing benefits of ashwagandha.
Relieves stress and anxiety: Ashwagandha is classified as an adaptogen, which is a substance that helps the body copy with stress.
Improves sleep quality: Ashwagandha puts your body in a relaxed, calm state. If you are interested in taking this to help promote healthy sleep, it is recommended that you take it right before bed.
Lowers blood sugar and fat
Increases muscle strength and athletic performance in men and women: Studies show that people who took a daily dosage increased their strength / muscle size and oxygen use during exercise.
Increasing fertility: The properties present in Ashwagandha are beneficial in balancing hormones in the body and keeping the reproductive organs healthy.
Ashwagandha has been a major game changer when it comes to my mental and physical health. It’s important to do your research on the risks and consult a professional before adding this into your daily supplements. You can get ashwagandha at your local vitamin shop or online. Here is the one I take:
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