ASHWAGANDHA – heard of it?

(No – no gesundheit, necessary.)

Ashwagandha, also known as Withania Somnifera, Indian ginseng, Winter cherry (to name a few aliases), is a wonderful herb, and well-known and used in Ayurveda. Cheifly, it reduces stress and improves brain function; it is a substance said to increase the body’s ability to withstand stress of all types. Like other adaptogens, ashwagandha is said to improve physical energy, strengthens immunity (against colds, flu, and other infections), improves exercise capacity, and overall health. Other things this herb is useful for is normalizing cholesterol levels, in addition to increasing sexual capacity and improving fertility. Hmmmm …. In any case, ashwagandha is considered an effective and helpful tonic for the mind and useful for those who have overindulged in work, drugs, or alcohol.

I personally began using it several years ago – intermittently throughout my supplementation regimen (meaning off and on in the course of a year, never steadily, as supplements and brands should always be rotated and never used chronically!!) As one of the benefits that ashwagandha boasts is that it helps to rebuild dendrites in the brain; I found an immediate and marked improvement in my clarity of thought and ability to process. More, that with its help, I was actually able to begin to fix all the damage I did playing rugby and hockey in my earlier years in addition to curbing further nerve  and tissue deterioration.

I prefer taking most herbs either in teas or in the pure extract (tincture) form as these are most quickly assimilated (absorbed/processed) by the body without the “work” of a capsules, etc. While many tinctures are glycerin-based, I prefer alcohol-based tinctures, since alcohol readily permeates the blood-brain barrier and can therefore do the added brain-repair and benefits mentioned above quickly and efficiently. My favourite brands for both tinctures and vcaps, however, both do the trick wonderfully and equally.

As a common sense warning – before taking anything (even herbs, and especially in combination with medications!), although natural alternatives to medication, supplements, and vitamins may sound and seem safe and harmless, please consult your doctor, naturopath, or holistic nutritionist for further information and recommendations for your personal usages.