What Is Ashwagandha?
Ashwagandha is one of the most revered plants in traditional Ayurvedic medicine, which originated in India. The plant itself is short with yellow or greenish flowers, and small, orange-red berries. Ashwagandha is classified as a “rasayana” in Ayurvedic medicine. In ancient times, rasayana were considered rejuvenating and were used for lengthening lifespans and invigorating the body.
Ashwagandha May Improve Sleep
The word “ashwagandha” is Sanskrit, and means “smell of the horse” or (translated differently) “essense of the horse”. This is because of the ancient belief that Ashwagandha imbued strength, life, and vitality.
Ashwagandha has another name, though. Its botanical name is “Withania Somnifera”. This name is a Latin phrase meaning “dream carrier”, a reference to ashwagandha’s medicinal use in supporting restful sleep.
One study found that administering ashwagandha was associated with improvements in sleep and general quality of life in the participants. That makes sense, right? One of the biggest inhibitors to sleep is stress, and ashwagandha is known for its ability to reduce symptoms of stress and anxiety.
Ashwagandha May Improve Physical Performance
As mentioned earlier, ashwagandha’s name is a bit of a pun. It means “smell (or essence) of the horse”, and we can only guess that whoever gave it that name meant to say that ashwagandha will make you “strong as a horse!”
But what does modern research say about this ancient claim?
According to one study, “muscle strength increased significantly [after supplementing with ashwagandha] and, although body weight and body mass index (BMI) did not change significantly, there was a trend toward increased lean body weight and decreased body fat percentage”
Another study performed on mice found that those given ashwagandha were able to swim for an average of 740 minutes, nearly double the 385 minute for mice who were not given ashwagandha.
Wrapping Up
Ashwagandha is a powerful adaptogen with a history of more than 5000 years of medicinal use. Over that time, it has been used to treat a wide range of health conditions, and modern research is finally beginning to corroborate many of these effects.
Ashwagandha may be particularly useful for people looking to reduce stress, improve sleep, improve sexual function, and increase their energy levels.
You can’t jump into a time machine, but ashwagandha may help you turn back the clock a little, so you can feel younger and better than you have in years.
