This month, we’re highlighting an adaptogenic herb you’ve likely heard a lot about recently: Ashwagandha. Ashwagandha has been used in Ayurvedic practices in India for centuries due to its rejuvenating and health-promoting properties. It's an adaptogen, which means that it helps improve your body's general resilience to stress.
For example, imagine that going to the grocery store caused you a lot of anxiety. After taking an adaptogen consistently for a period of time (longer than a month, generally), you'll likely notice that your stress response in that same situation is not nearly as intense as it used to be. Your body is better equipped to handle stressful situations and your reaction is much more manageable.
As an adaptogen, it can help lower cortisol and improve our resilience to stressors of all kinds - emotional, environmental, physical, etc. In addition to being an adaptogen, ashwaganda is an anti-inflammatory, immunomodulator, nervine, mild sedative, reproductive tonic, and aphrodisiac.
We use the root of the Ashwaganda plant, it’s cream coloured and has a pleasantly mild flavour and odour. I love to add it into drinks and baked goods as you generally don't even notice its there!
In my life, I love using adaptogens to nourish my adrenals and nervous system, and to prevent burnout (so needed when you're working 3 jobs, haha!)
It’s quite calming and is particularly helpful for people who are prone to anxiety, overwhelm, and stress-related insomnia.
Its botanical name, Withania somnifera, also tells us something about this herb: somnifera translates as “sleep-inducing,” which relates to its relaxing and calming properties that allow us to enjoy deeper rest.
Ashwagandha can be taken in a variety of ways - taken as a capsule, powder, tincture, or added into drinks and baked goods.
This month, I’ll be sharing four of my favourite recipes to use ashwagandha in: an ashwagandha tincture, ashwagandha lavender vanilla honey (electuary), adaptogenic energy balls, & moon milk!
To shop our products with ashwagandha, check out our Adaptogenic Tincture, our Golden Rays Tincture, or our Unwind Powder.
Stay tuned for more!
With gratitude,
Peri Jane
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