Herbal Spotlight - Withania

Reduce stress and promote a calmer and happier sense of wellbeing with Withania

Withania, also known as ashwagandha, Indian ginseng, and winter cherry is a traditional Ayurvedic herb used as a rejuvenative and daily tonic for many centuries. Extracts or powder from the plant's root or leaves are used to treat a variety of conditions. It has been used for over 3,000 years to relieve stress, increase energy levels, help boost memory and improve concentration.

Fun Fact: In Hindi the name "Ashwagandha" means "horse smell", referring more to the horse's strength and health rather than it's smell.

Withania is increasingly becoming one of the most popular herbal supplements around the world, and it is no surprise given its remarkable health benefits. Withania is commonly used in traditional Western herbal medicine as an adaptogen for those with nervous exhaustion, insomnia, and debility due to stress.

What are adaptogens?

Adaptogens are a unique group of herbal ingredients used to improve the health of your adrenal system, the system that manages your body's hormonal response to stress. Your adrenals are two small glands located on top of your kidneys that secrete your stress hormones, such as cortisol, adrenaline, and noradrenaline – All of which are used to prepare your body for a fight or flight response. Generally, adaptogens help the body cope with physical and mental stress.

Adaptogens help restore balance by battling adrenal fatigue

What is Adrenal fatigue?

Adrenal fatigue occurs when the adrenal glands are unable to keep up the pace needed, to secrete stress hormones on demand. As a result, they cannot produce quite enough of the hormones you need to feel good. This can result in symptoms of exhaustion, weakened immunity, sleep disturbances, and food cravings.

The root cause of adrenal fatigue can be mental, spiritual, emotional, chemical, or dietary imbalances.

By supporting adrenal function, they counteract the adverse effects of stress. They enable the body’s cells to access more energy; help cells eliminate toxic by-products of the metabolic process and help the body to utilize oxygen more efficiently.

Symptoms of adrenal fatigue

• Tiredness
• Low energy
• Poor mood
• Trouble getting to sleep and waking up
• Cravings for salty and sweet foods
• Overuse of caffeine and other stimulants

How we use Withania

Like many Western Herbs, there is ongoing research into the benefits of Withania. At Nature's Sunshine we are passionate about using the traditional evidence used for centuries. Traditionally, in Western herbal medicine practice, Withania is recommended at a dose of 3-6 g dry root powder a day. Each capsule of Nature's Sunshine Withania contains 355mg of Withania somnifera root powder. Therefore, we recommend a total of 9 capsules a day.

Cautions

Not recommended while pregnant or breast feeding.
Take two hours away from all prescription medications

Warnings

Always read the label. Follow directions for use. Consult a health care professional prior to use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.