Many of us have heard about ashwagandha and its good reputation in the health and wellness space. Impressive results from studies have shown that ashwagandha is effective in reducing stress, depression and anxiety by up to 70%. But what makes this supplement so special, and are there any differences between one brand and the next?
We take a deep dive into ashwagandha, its benefits, its scientific properties, and the reasons you may want to include it in your daily life.
What is ashwagandha?
Ashwagandha (sometimes referred to as Withania somnifera) is a herb, and most commonly it’s the root of the plant which is used in health products and modern-day health supplements. It’s known as one of the most popular adaptogens, which is a type of plant that is considered to have health benefits, specifically in increasing the body's ability to resist the damaging effects of stress and promoting or restoring normal physiological functioning.
Taking ashwagandha isn’t a new idea, for thousands of years people of all ages, young and old, have used it to help with everything from improving vitality, to boosting immunity and easing the effects of ageing. It holds a revered place in Ayurvedic health, as well as in other practices and cultures throughout the world.
More recently, modern supplements have offered us ways to introduce ashwagandha to our lives to help with issues including fatigue, stress, anxiety and even weight management.
How can ashwagandha benefit you?
We know that it’s commonly used to help with issues like stress, anxiety and depression, that’s because ashwagandha is considered to be a great balancer in the body and mind. But what does this mean from a scientific perspective?
It all comes down to the way our body reacts to stressors. In these situations, we release a hormone, cortisol, which heightens the physical feelings of stress around the body. Ashwagandha is thought to decrease the acceleration of cortisol which is regulated by the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis (or HPA), and in fact, studies have shown impressive figures, with one pointing towards a 28% reduction in cortisol levels.
In short, this brings about a feeling of calm and lessens these physical sensations of stress.
What’s different about our formulation?
There are many ashwagandha products available today, but they are not always the same. Our formulation for instance combines 450 mg of extract of ashwagandha root at a concentration of approximately 1800 mg powdered root per capsule with methylcobalamin (commonly known as vitamin B12), which helps to enhance the effects of the two ingredients on the nervous system.
In addition, we use an extract standardised for min. 1% of withanolides for our ashwagandha supplement, which means that it works in line with European laws for the maximum of withanolides per day. We’ve also chosen to use a more modern way of researching withanolides content, called the HPLC method, because it doesn’t have the same risk of inflated results.
Key takeaway points
Ashwagandha has been used for millennia to treat a variety of health issues. In modern times it's well known for its ability to help with anxiety and stress, and for its “balancing” effects on the body.
Research does give the views commonly held in traditional medicines like Ayurvedic health substances credibility. From the studies conducted, a reduction of cortisol often referred to as the “stress hormone” and a significant reduction in stress, anxiety and depression have been recorded. It also reveals positive findings on issues such as sleep quality and mental alertness, which is interesting to compare with long-held views on how the herb can increase vitality.
There are different brands and types of ashwagandha on the market today, and the key is finding which products work in line with both European laws around withanolides dosage as well as the quality of the product itself. Ultimately, the important thing is that you remain in the know, so you can make a purchase confidently.