ashwagandha

Ashwagandha is a well-established powerhouse of health and well-being. Derived from centuries of Ayurvedic wisdom, this adaptogenic herb offers a multitude of benefits that promote hormone support, tissue healing, immune strength, and sleep and stress management. Ashwagandha’s unique properties encompass a comprehensive approach to wellness, addressing the intricate interplay of hormones, stress response, and immune function. By harnessing the potential of this remarkable herb, our supplement empowers you to achieve optimal balance and vitality, supporting your journey towards a healthier and more fulfilling life. Discover the transformative power of ashwagandha and unlock your body’s natural ability to thrive.

Ashwagandha has become a staple when it comes to hormone support with three primary areas of focus. First, its adaptogenic effects; ashwagandha acts as an adaptogen, meaning it helps the body adapt to stressors and normalize physiological functions. By modulating the stress response, it helps regulate the release of stress hormones like cortisol. Elevated cortisol levels due to chronic stress can disrupt hormone balance, leading to issues such as adrenal fatigue, irregular menstrual cycles, and reduced libido. Ashwagandha's adaptogenic effects help balance cortisol levels, supporting the restoration of hormonal equilibrium.¹

Next, there is the HPA axis modulation. Ashwagandha influences the HPA axis, a complex network involving the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and adrenal glands. Chronic stress can dysregulate this axis, leading to imbalances in hormone production. Ashwagandha helps restore HPA axis balance by regulating the feedback loop between these glands. It enhances the sensitivity of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland to cortisol, leading to reduced cortisol production when levels are high and increased production when levels are low. This feedback mechanism helps normalize hormone secretion and improve overall hormonal balance.²

Lastly, Ashwagandha has been shown to have beneficial effects on thyroid function. It helps regulate thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels, supporting the optimal functioning of the thyroid gland.³

Ashwagandha plays a multifaceted role in promoting restful sleep, managing stress levels effectively, and supporting overall relaxation and well-being. Ashwagandha exhibits GABAergic activity, meaning it interacts with gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors in the brain. GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that helps regulate neuronal excitability and promotes a calm state. Ashwagandha supports GABAergic signaling, leading to increased GABA activity in the brain, thus helping to induce relaxation and facilitate the onset of sleep.⁴

Then, there is Ashwagandha's influence over various neurotransmitters, including serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, which are involved in mood regulation and stress responses. Ashwgandha has been shown to support optimal levels of these neurotransmitters, promoting a positive mood and contributing to overall stress management and emotional well-being.

The true hallmark of Ashwagandha is how it supports the body's adaptive responses giving the user an enhanced resiliency to stress. It activates molecular pathways, such as the heat shock protein (HSP) system, which protects cells against stress-induced damage. By enhancing cellular resilience, ashwagandha helps individuals cope with stress more effectively, reducing the negative impact it has on sleep quality and overall well-being.¹

Ashwagandha offers notable benefits in tissue recovery and immune support. It contains bioactive compounds such as alkaloids and flavonoids that possess properties that contribute to an optimal enviroment for normal tissue repair. This makes it an ideal choice for individuals recovering from injuries associated with regular exercise. Moreover, Ashwagandha's immunomodulatory effects support the activity of immune cells, including natural killer (NK) cells, macrophages, and lymphocytes.^5,6

1. Salve J, Pate S, Debnath K, Langade D. Adaptogenic and Anxiolytic Effects of Ashwagandha Root Extract in Healthy Adults: A Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Clinical Study. Cureus. 2019 Dec 25;11(12):e6466. doi: 10.7759/cureus.6466. PMID: 32021735; PMCID: PMC6979308.

2. Lopresti AL, Smith SJ, Malvi H, Kodgule R. An investigation into the stress-relieving and pharmacological actions of an ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Medicine (Baltimore). 2019 Sep;98(37):e17186. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000017186. PMID: 31517876; PMCID: PMC6750292.

3.Sharma AK, Basu I, Singh S. Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha Root Extract in Subclinical Hypothyroid Patients: A Double-Blind, Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial. J Altern Complement Med. 2018 Mar;24(3):243-248. doi: 10.1089/acm.2017.0183. Epub 2017 Aug 22. PMID: 28829155.

4. Candelario M, Cuellar E, Reyes-Ruiz JM, Darabedian N, Feimeng Z, Miledi R, Russo-Neustadt A, Limon A. Direct evidence for GABAergic activity of Withania somnifera on mammalian ionotropic GABAA and GABAρ receptors. J Ethnopharmacol. 2015 Aug 2;171:264-72. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2015.05.058. Epub 2015 Jun 9. PMID: 26068424.

5. Barua A, Bradaric MJ, Bitterman P, Abramowicz JS, Sharma S, Basu S, Lopez H, Bahr JM. Dietary supplementation of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera, Dunal) enhances NK cell function in ovarian tumors in the laying hen model of spontaneous ovarian cancer. Am J Reprod Immunol. 2013 Dec;70(6):538-50. doi: 10.1111/aji.12172. Epub 2013 Nov 5. PMID: 24188693.

6. 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):208-13. doi: 10.4314/ajtcam.v8i5S.9. Epub 2011 Jul 3. PMID: 22754076; PMCID: PMC3252722.