Also known as Indian ginseng or Indian winter cherry, Ashwagandha is a plant native in Asia and North Africa that has been used as a natural remedy since ancient times.
Ashwagandha is part of the family of plants called adaptogens which help the body to adapt to stress. Ashwagandha is one of the most important herbs in Ayurveda, a form of alternative medicine based on Indian principles of natural healing.
Ashwagandha as a whole contains a variety of active ingredients which are used for improving various bodily functions. The roots are loaded with essential volatile oils, amino acids and alkaloids, whereas the fruits and leaves are rich in tannins and flavonoids which help in getting rid of free radical damage and also reduce oxidative stress. Extracts and powder from the plant’s root or leaves are used to treat a variety of conditions, such as hyperglycemia. In a 4-week study of people with schizophrenia, those treated with ashwagandha had an average reduction in fasting blood sugar levels of 13.5 mg/dL, compared to 4.5 mg/dL for those who received a placebo (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3757622/).
Another compound in ashwaganda, withaferin, is believed to promote the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) inside cancer cells, disrupting their function. Also, according to Pubmed research, it may cause cancer cells to become less resistant to apoptosis, or programmed cell death.
Additionally, ashwagandha has amazing results in reducing cortisol levels that your adrenal glands produce in response to stress, thus reducing the anxiety and inflammation in the body.
According to some studies, ashwagandha supplements may have powerful effects on testosterone levels and reproductive health in men, but both males and females can benefit from an increase in their libido when consuming it.
And that’s why, our team at Nutrifix created the Adapto..gen supermeal smoothie so you can benefit too from ashawaganda and the rest of the adaptogens found in this delicious ayurvedic supermeal.
Bon appetit!
~Corina
