Ashwagandha, or “Indian Ginseng” as it is called, is a very unique herb. This supplement has been used for over 5,000 years by Ayurvedic practitioners for rejuvenation, strength, longevity, and overall vitality. Only recently has modern science started to unlock the numerous biochemical health benefits of this widely used Eastern herb. Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb which means that it helps the body adapt to stress and resist the tension that follows. Indian Ginseng contains antioxidants and has been shown to have immune boosting, cognitive enhancing, and aphrodisiac promoting properties.
Recent literature has shown that ashwagandha improves memory, muscular strength, and endurance. Some elite athletes are using this herb for peak performance and to diminish the stress from frequent traveling and a long, grueling season. It can induce a calm state and has drawn recent attention because of the stress hormone lowering effect, anxiety reducing potential, and improvement in overall quality of life. Keep in mind that higher levels of stress hormones are correlated with increased body fat, low energy, brain fog, poor sleep, and a drop in immune function.
Along with its antioxidant activity, ashwagandha has been shown to boost the body’s “master antioxidant” glutathione. Preliminary research suggests that it might help promote the growth of normal and damaged nerve cells. This could have implications for traumatic brain injuries, like repeated concussions, and neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. In terms of cancer, ashwagandha may have the potential to prevent tumors from forming new blood vessels, a process called angiogenesis. Angiogenesis allows for cancer to grow and thrive. Clinical studies reflect what the ancients knew all along, that this herb can be helpful for an array of concerns and is very well tolerated with only rare, mild side effects reported.
At the Guyer Institute we obtain 100% organic, non-GMO, gluten free ashwagandha. Be aware that inferior sources of herbs can contain heavy metals, herbicides, and pesticide residues.
