If there is a herb that people consistently tells me helps them ‘truly feel better’ its this one. It works!!

Ashwagandha “enters the system and strengthens, nourishes, and rebuilds that core vitality of the body.” - Sajah Popam 

Where would the modern person/woman be without Ashwagandha. This herb, native to India, has long been used as an adaptogen. Adaptogens help improve our body’s response to stress, increasing our resilience and reducing the effects of stress on our system. 

The presentation who ideally benefits from Ashwagandha looks something like: 

• The modern person, especially the modern caretaker or mother. 

• Juggling all the plates in the air to keep everything moving. 

• Ongoing demands or stress due to all the things to do, high mental load, busy and full schedule. 

• Person is therefore tired, worn down, maybe can get anxious, or, wired but tired (i.e. feels tired throughout the day, but struggles to fall asleep at night, or generally relax and slow down, as they also feel wired and ‘on’). 

• Potentially low thyroid function/hypothyroidism. 

Overall this person ends up in a deficiency picture, perhaps a bit cold in their energetics - as there is little inner spark and flame left to keep the person healthy and vital. 

Dosage: 

Shake well before use.

Apply 1 to 2 droppers onto the tongue or into a glass of water 1 to 3 times daily.

Ashwagandha Mini Monograph 

Latin Binomial: Withania somnifera

Plant Part Used: Root

Plant Energetics: Warming, moistening 

Planetary Ruler in Astroherbalism: Sun 

Main Chemical Constituents: Alkaloids (e.g., withanine, somniferine, withananine), steroidal lactones (withanolides, withaferin A), saponins, Iron

Psycho-spiritual/Emotional Properties:

See intro paragraph above. 

Top 5 Health Indications:

The majority of Ashwagandha’s health indications come from its adaptogenic properties.

• Adrenal tonic/Adaptogen: Ashwagandha is renowned for its ability to help the body adapt to stress, enhancing resilience and reducing the effects of chronic stress.

• Insomnia, Anxiety and Stress: It is used to alleviate anxiety and promote a calm, relaxed state without causing drowsiness during the day, whilst helping to reduce the stress hormones that interfere with natural sleep cycles, supporting restful sleep at night. 

• Cognition, Focus & Memory: As it reduces the presence of stress hormones, and calms and centres the body, Ashwagandha thereby supports brain and cognitive function, reducing brain fog and increasing attention, focus and memory. 

• Hormonal Balance: Reduces cortisol levels, and increases the thyroid hormone T4 thyroxine. Due to the beneficial effect it has on stress, it will also help to balance any reproductive hormone that is negatively impacted from stress, and has specific evidence in helping to boost male fertility (especially if due to stress/ nervous system exhaustion). 

• Immune modulation: As Ashwagandha strengths and rebuilds the body’s core vitality, this also extends to the immune system - it helps to reduce inflammation that has not been properly modulated or contained by the body, and also helps to boost overall immune system health, generally increasing its vigour to fight off pathogens. It is not an acute immune remedy. 

Main Contraindications and Drug Interactions:

• Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Ashwagandha is traditionally used in Ayurveda during pregnancy and breastfeeding, which makes sense as it helps to support and bolster the body’s vitality. The demands on the body during these seasons are like no other! Many modern sources erring on the side of caution advise against its use. So use at your discretion, I generally advise to limit the use of herbal medicines in the first trimester, and during early stages of breastfeeding.

• Autoimmune Diseases: Monitor symptoms in individuals with autoimmune diseases (such as multiple sclerosis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis). Reaction unlikely. 

• Diabetes: Ashwagandha can lower blood sugar levels, monitor blood sugar levels.

• Hyperthyroidism: avoid use. 

• Hypothyroidism: may have an addictive effect if taking medication for low thyroid function. Usually a beneficial interaction, but monitor T4 results via blood tests over time. 

• Sedatives and CNS Depressants: Ashwagandha may enhance the sedative effects of medications such as benzodiazepines and barbiturates, leading to increased drowsiness and sedation.

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