4 Benefits of Ashwagandha, Including Better Stress Management

During times of stress and keeping up with your health, start incorporating Ashwagandha in your routine!

Ashwagandha is a beautiful medicinal herb that offers plenty of benefits, from maintaining anxiety and stress to supporting healthy hormonal levels.

Check out some fascinating characteristics of this unique plant!

The Origins of Ashwagandha

The first thing that sticks out about ashwagandha is the name itself. It comes from the South Asian language Sanskrit meaning, “smell of the horse,” because of its ability to increase strength and vigor in the body, like a horse. Ashwagandha also has other names like Indian Ginseng, Winter Cherry, and its botanical name, Withania Somnifera.

The ashwagandha plant has been used for thousands of years throughout India, Northern Africa, and the Middle East.

What Are Its Benefits?

It’s Literally a Chill Pill

One of the biggest things ashwagandha is known for is its ability to alleviate stress and anxiety. This ingredient can minimize the effect of cortisol, otherwise known as the stress hormone. Researchers have found certain compounds within Ashwagandha that can change how our bodies respond to stress.

Healthline reported, “In a 6-week study, 88% of people who took ashwagandha reported a reduction in anxiety, compared with 50% of those who took a placebo.”

Helps You Keep Beautiful, Youthful Skin

Not only will you be able to lower your stress levels with this herb, but you’ll feel healthier. A 2016 study shows that ashwagandha root extract has antioxidant and free radical properties. These types of benefits can have the effect of slowing down signs of skin aging, leaving your skin feeling healthy and beautiful!

As Powerful as a Horse

Ashwagandha may also have something to do with helping us build muscle. In one study, healthy men took 750–1250 mg of ashwagandha root per day and gained muscle strength after 30 days. In additional studies, ashwagandha also had a positive effect on muscle mass.

Protects the Brain

Ashwagandha can also play a vital role in protecting the brain against oxidative stress and improving cognitive function. That’s because it is shown to increase acetylcholine levels in the brain which are correlated with brain function and intelligence.

In short, Ashwagandha is not just a unique sounding herb, it’s a powerful supplement that in addition to helping us relax and de-stress, is a healthy antioxidant that can enhance the quality of our life.

Learn more about supplements containing Ashwagandha to improve your overall wellness!