Ashwagandha is one of the most potent herbs humans have ever come across. If Ashwagandha (scientific name: Withania Somnifera) is not a part of your health routine, you are missing out on benefits from one of the finest herbs out there. From helping one manage stress and anxiety to increasing athletic performance under certain conditions, the herb is a boon to humankind.
Other names for Ashwagandha are Indian Ginseng and Winter Cherry, and it is also referred to as the "King of Ayurvedic Herbs" because of the range of benefits it offers.
A single blog post would not do justice to a topic as vast as Ashwagandha. However, in this blog, we attempt to cover important (if not all) aspects of the herb. We have done a clinical study on Ashwagandha and have found the herb to be extremely helpful in regulating mood and stress – just one of the many benefits it offers.
Here are a few of the many roles that Ashwagandha plays:
1. The Adaptogen
Adaptogens are substances that help the body cope with stress. Ashwagandha has always been the go-to herb for managing stress and anxiety. The herb has been researched to help control mediators of stress. It reduces the activity of the Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Adrenal (HPA) axis - a system in your body which regulates the stress response.
How do Adaptogens work?
Adaptogens "hack" the stress response in our bodies. They work at molecular levels by striking a balance between various glands involved in a stress response.
Whenever we encounter stress, our bodies produce hormones like adrenaline which improve muscle performance and increase our ability to concentrate. After that, we enter fatigue, i.e., the exhaustion phase.
Adaptogens stretch out the former, i.e., the phase of resistance – allowing us a long time in the powerful phase.
Ashwagandha can help you find that 'Zen' in the chaos of life. As a result of adequately managed stress, regular usage of the herb may help maintain good relationships, perform better at work, and keep life organized in general.
2. The Herb Of Happiness
Ashwagandha has the impact of an anti-depressant. Some trials support the utilization of the herb as a mood stabilizer in clinical instances of uneasiness, anxiety, and depression.
Ashwagandha contains phytochemicals that are shown to calm the brain, reduce swelling, and lower blood pressure. As a result, happiness is one of the positive side effects that one might experience after consuming the herb. Stress is a common trigger for mood disorders such as anxiety and depression, and elimination or proper management of stress may lead to happiness.
3. The Herb That Improves Sleep Quality
Sleeplessness, also called Insomnia, is becoming increasingly common in the times that we live in. Fast-moving lives, no fixed schedules, and extreme stress levels are major contributors to this.
Did you know?
- 1 in 3 people have transient insomnia symptoms
- 75% of adults aged 65 and older have insomnia symptoms
- 20% of pre-teens have insomnia symptoms
What is Insomnia?
Insomnia is a common sleep disorder that affects overall sleep quality. Insomniacs find it extremely difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep for a significant time. They have interrupted sleep patterns throughout the night.
Causes Of Insomnia
Some causes of Insomnia include:
- Stress or trauma related to a job change, death of a loved one, or other traumatic life events
- Distractions and disturbances like loud noise around your bedroom, light or extreme temperature
- Sudden lifestyle changes, like a changed sleep schedule, a new shift at work
- Depression, anxiety, or other mental health issues
- Increased use of caffeine, alcohol, or tobacco
- Other sleep disorders like sleep apnea
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and Menopause
A study on our sustained-release Ashwagandha product indicated that the product improves sleep quality significantly compared to placebo with just a single daily dose. Good sleep, just like a good mood, is a positive side effect of being stress-free.
Another study conducted on 150 healthy adults found that participants described their sleep as being 72% better after consuming Ashwagandha for six weeks.
4. The Herb That Improves Cognition
In Ayurveda, Ashwagandha is called Medhya Rasayana, which means that it provides cognitive support and enhances one's mental capacity.
A study conducted on 50 healthy adults revealed the possibility of Ashwagandha's effectiveness in improving both immediate and general memory. It also revealed that the herb may help improve executive function, attention, and information processing speed.
The Right Dose
Ashwagandha may play a variety of roles, as mentioned above, but to truly experience the benefits of the herb, consuming it in the right dose and right format is of utmost importance. We strongly believe in this philosophy of right dose and right format – what we call the Right Dose Philosophy.
The right daily dose of Ashwagandha root powder is 2-4gms. This is where we stand out. The formulation used in Zen Panda – our own all-natural, patent-pending Ashwagandha is effective in a single dose of 300mg/day.
The overall dosage is optimized and reduced so that it is sufficient due to the long-acting biological action and high bioavailability offered by the ingredient.
This means – you consume less but derive more benefits due to the high bioavailability of the product.
Conclusion
Ashwagandha is a herb that plays various roles in maintaining good health. It is truly a gift to humankind, and as mentioned before – a single blog post can't do justice to a topic as vast as Ashwagandha. But we tried our best to cover a few important points about the herb. We hope that was an insightful read.
The versatility of Ashwagandha is what motivated us to launch Zen Panda. After conducting clinical trials for memory and stress, we sensed the need for 1-A-Day Ashwagandha supplements and launched the product. Get your hands on Zen Panda and experience all-day support with the convenience of a single dose!
Bibliography:
- Singh N, Bhalla M, de Jager P, Gilca M. An overview on ashwagandha: a Rasayana (rejuvenator) of Ayurveda. Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med. 2011;8(5 Suppl):208-213. doi:10.4314/ajtcam.v8i5S.9
- Singh N, Bhalla M, de Jager P, Gilca M. An overview on ashwagandha: a Rasayana (rejuvenator) of Ayurveda. Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med. 2011;8(5 Suppl):208-213. doi:10.4314/ajtcam.v8i5S.9
- Nature & Thought
- WebMD
- Healthline
Image reference: Freepik
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