Ashwagadha is a shrub that grows in India, The Middle East and parts of Africa. Ashwah=It grows approximately 14- 30 inches tall (35-37 cm). It grows flowers that are in the shape of a bell and usually green. It will produce fruit that is bright orange to red in color.
Many health benefits have been found to be attributed to ashwagandha. The main benefits come from a chemical called, Withanolides, that grows within the plant's leaves, stems, fruit and roots. When you buy nutritional supplements that contain ashwagandha they usually concentrate the withanolides to a certain percentage so you can make the most of the withanolides healing benefits.
Studies have shown that ashwagandha is very effective at blocking stress hormones such as cortisol. Stress is a contributing factor in almost all diseases and negative health conditions. The main cause of most disease is long term effects of differing amounts and types of stress over long periods of time. Eventually the body just can’t cope and it begins to break down causing dis-ease or disease within the body. Because ashwagandha is able to block stress causing hormones such as cortisol it can contribute to more peaceful days, happier moods and reduced levels of illness. Ashwagandha is not a cure-all but it can help in reducing your chance of many stress induced illnesses and reduce stress caused by current illness so your body has a better chance of being able to relax and begin the healing process. Your body's natural state is wellbeing. It is not natural to be sick and tired all the time.
Stress hormones such as cortisol strain the adrenal gland, which sits above the kidneys and is responsible for the production of adrenaline. Without healthy amounts of adrenaline you would have no energy to function normally throughout the day. It is only when the body is over stressed that it over produces adrenaline and contributes to what is known as adrenal fatigue. Stop the stress and the adrenals can produce healthy levels of adrenaline so you have the energy to enjoy your day without feeling you need a nap or to go back to bed all day.
When your adrenals are chronically stressed and pumping out excessive amounts of adrenaline it can make you feel as though you have and sometimes even are experiencing kidney issues, since the adrenals sit just on top of the kidneys. Ashwagandha is a great herb to help rebalance your energy to healthy levels without the need for caffeine or other stimulants, which put further stress on the adrenal glands.
Men reach their sexual peak when their testosterone levels are at the highest around age 25. After this men's testosterone levels begin to decline year after year until they get to their 60’s, 70’s and 80’s and beyond with almost no testosterone being produced. When men have low testosterone their energy and mood suffer. As the testosterone levels decline to low levels, usually when men get in their 50’s and 60’s, unless they supplement their testosterone with bio- identical testosterone therapy, which mimics the body’s natural testosterone, they will lose their ability to put on muscle easily, their skin begins to thin, they get ear hair, they put on a gut with belly fat they just can’t seem to lose no matter how much they limit what they eat. Ashwagandha seems to contribute to being able to put on muscle mass as it increases the testosterone in the body. It’s ability to effect testosterone levels in healthy ways may be due to its ability to block stress. As of yet the jury is out as to exactly how ashwagandha is able to raise testosterone levels. Researchers have only been able to observe that when men take ashwagnadha it positively affects their testosterone levels.
When excessive amounts of adrenaline are produced the blood pressure increases. High blood pressure negatively affects almost all organs in the body and is the leading cause of heart disease. It contributes to the onset of dementia, kidney disease, liver issues and many other issues. If you can block the stress hormones that cause you to over produce adrenaline you can assist the body in keeping the blood pressure at healthy levels. Since high blood pressure effects over 2 billion people around the world it might be a reason to get some ashwagandha and see if it does not help you keep your blood pressure at healthy levels along with, a healthy diet consisting of low sodium, high potassium, plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, little meat and getting plenty of exercise each day.
Sleep is the most important thing we do each night. Without proper amounts of sleep we are unable to feel our best and perform at our optimal levels. Ashwagandha is able to help release stress and concerns from your day so you are able to relax at night and easily drift off to sleep. You’ll be able to get to sleep and wake up without any sleep hangover that can be caused by many prescription and over the counter sleep products.
Written By
Justin Southworth Founder and Chief Formulator of August Moon Organics
