Ashwagandha may be hard to say (ash-wa-gan-da) and be little known in the UK, but it is one of the most important herbs of Ayurveda (a traditional system of medicine in India). A small shrub, extracts from the plant are associated with a host of health benefits, from helping with a range of age related health issues to improving athletic performance1,3,4,5.
If you’re prone to scepticism when it comes to ‘traditional’ medicines, which may be justified at times, you might be interested to know that there has been a large number of studies published on the possible benefits of ashwagandha; including its potential to help our bodies deal with stress…
A study2 involving 58 men and women assessed the effectiveness of ashwagandha extract at reducing stress and anxiety. Participants were given either ashwagandha extract or a placebo for eight weeks. At the end of the study it was found that those in the ashwagandha group had significantly reduced their scores on a perceived stress scale, as well as reducing their cortisol levels (a hormone strongly linked to stress). Those in the ashwagandha group also found their sleep improved over the study period.
How to use ashwagandha…
Fito is an expert producer of natural remedies, with over 20 years of experience, whose ashwagandha capsules offer an easy and convinient way to include the herb in your diet. Fito’s vegan capsules offer a high strength and quality ashwagandha supplement – it is a standardised extract with a guaranteed content of withanolides (7.5%); an important active component of ashwagandha.
Now on offer in Grape Tree stores, and their website, for just £4.99 (normally £8.99) for a 40 capsule tub.
Please note: DO NOT take when pregnant (There is some evidence that ashwagandha might cause miscarriages) or breast feeding. Consult a doctor before use if suffering from any medical condition, on any medication, or about to undergo surgery. Consult your doctor before use if at all unsure whether ashwagandha is suitable for you and stop use immediately, and consult a doctor, if any adverse reactions occur. Use may cause drowsiness.
- J Ethnopharmacol. 2020 Aug 17;264:113276. Clinical evaluation of the pharmacological impact of ashwagandha root extract on sleep in healthy volunteers and insomnia patients: A double-blind, randomized, parallel-group, placebo-controlled study. Deepak Langade 1, Vaishali Thakare 2, Subodh Kanchi 3, Sunil Kelgane 4
2. Cureus. 2019 Dec 25;11(12):e6466. Adaptogenic and Anxiolytic Effects of Ashwagandha Root Extract in Healthy Adults: A Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Clinical Study. Jaysing Salve 1, Sucheta Pate 2, Khokan Debnath 3, Deepak Langade 4
3. J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. 2017 Jan;22(1):96-106. Body Weight Management in Adults Under Chronic Stress Through Treatment With Ashwagandha Root Extract: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Dnyanraj Choudhary 1, Sauvik Bhattacharyya 2, Kedar Joshi 3
4. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2015 Nov 25;12:43. Examining the effect of Withania somnifera supplementation on muscle strength and recovery: a randomized controlled trial. Sachin Wankhede 1, Deepak Langade 2, Kedar Joshi 3, Shymal R Sinha 4, Sauvik Bhattacharyya 5
5. Nutrients. 2020 Apr 17;12(4):1119. Effects of Ashwagandha ( Withania somnifera) on VO 2max: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Jorge Pérez-Gómez 1, Santos Villafaina 2, José Carmelo Adsuar 1, Eugenio Merellano-Navarro 3, Daniel Collado-Mateo 4