Ashwaganda

Ashwagandha root - also known as Indian ginseng in the Ayurvedic system of medicine is a powerful rejuvenating herb, adding to life longevity, it is also an immensely powerful adaptogen. With many amazing health benefits: 

1. Adaptogenic
2. Reduces levels of cortisol
3. Aids in mental health
4. Supports nervous system, gastrointestinal tract and cardiovascular systems
5. Immune support

Dosage:

• 1-3 x 10 drops OR 1-3 tsp daily (maintenance is once daily, acute cases three times daily) 
• Effective in the morning/ midday for energy boost and mental support
• Effective at night for relaxation benefits

Ashwagandha is perhaps best known for its ability to reduce stress; Cortisol, our natural stress hormone, is released from the adrenals to mobilize the “fight or flight” response to a perceived imminent danger. Cortisol naturally follows a daily rhythm, rising in the morning to help mobilize the body’s forces for our daily needs and lowering in the evening to allow the body to sleep and perform restorative measures, however the stress of modern human culture chronically activates the cortisol stress response - which can impact delicate glucose and lipid balance as well as vascular integrity, gastrointestinal membrane integrity and nervous system function. Ashwagandha has been shown to promote healthy levels of cortisol and contribute to healthy inflammatory processes, numerous tests prove that this adaptogenic herb can promote the functions of the immune, cardiovascular and nervous systems, as well as protect the brain, muscles and joints from long term degeneration. 

The main active substances in ashwagandha root are a variety of steroids with ergostane skeletons (also called “withanolides”) withaferin A & withasomnine being superb examples, as well as alkaloids and saponins. Withanolides have been extensively studied for their antibiotic and antioxidant effect. Sedative effects have also been ascribed to the alkaloids and in vivo studies have shown significant adaptogenic activity.