Ashwaganda

Ashwaganda is a shrub native to Southern Asia, Africa, and the Middle East that has been in use for over 2,500 years in Ayurveda, the traditional medical system of India. It contains a unique combination of natural compounds including alkaloids, saponins, and withanolides that have been studied for their role in supporting adrenal and cognitive function and various body processes.

Some of the actions noted for Ashwaganda include:

Supports the adrenals to better cope with stress: The body’s ability to cope with stressful situations depends on healthy functioning adrenal glands. Ashwaganda supports adrenal gland function by improving the body’s capacity to adapt to various forms of physical and emotional stress such as mental or emotional upset, excessive exercise, chemical exposure, and other forms of chronic stress.

Boosts antioxidant defenses: Free radicals are thought to be a cause of oxidative cell damage associated with aging and chronic disorders. Ashwaganda protects against oxidation by chemically neutralizing these potentially harmful molecules, enabling the body to better heal and support itself against molecular and cellular damage.

Protects cognitive function: Studies have shown that Ashwaganda has the ability to decrease the release of cortisol during stress. Cortisol is an adrenal hormone that has been linked with free radical-induced damage to nerve cells, which over time, can result in cognitive decline with age. Ashwaganda’s ability to decrease the release of cortisol and neutralize free radicals may help protect neuronal cell health and produce a slowing down or improvement in mild memory problems.

Provides added benefits: Ashwaganda is also associated with enhanced energy metabolism, healthy immune responses, and favorable actions on regulating inflammatory response mechanisms.