Ashwagandha (also known as Indian ginseng) is an herb used in Ayurveda, an ancient medicine system from India that operates on the belief that disease is caused by stress and imbalance in a person’s consciousness. Ashwagandha is known to aid with stress relief and improve overall health. The plant is an evergreen shrub that grows in South Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. It is an adaptogen that promotes balance in the body. For the several thousands of years that Ayurveda has been around, Ashwagandha has been used as a Rasayana, a supplement that increases happiness and promotes a youthful state of the mind and body.

Ashwagandha has serval health benefits, including aiding the body in better adapting and reacting to stressful and anxious situations. By providing support for antioxidants and pathways in the brain, Ashwagandha can positively impact the nervous system. Improved reproductive health is another benefit as Ashwagandha can help the body maintain its cortisol levels. More benefits include improved sleep, joint health, and immunity.

There are different ways to introduce Ashwagandha into your diet and improve your health; try our Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix which is packed with not only Ashwagandha but other Ayurvedic adaptogens! Ashwagandha can also be found in various dietary supplements and powdered extract.

Singh, Narendra et al. “An overview on ashwagandha: a Rasayana (rejuvenator) of Ayurveda.” African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM vol. 8,5 Suppl (2011): 208-13. doi:10.4314/ajtcam.v8i5S.9

“The Essential Guide to Ashwagandha, Everything You Need to Know.” Gaia Herbs, 11 Aug. 2017, www.gaiaherbs.com/blogs/seeds-of-knowledge/the-essential-guide-to-ashwagandha-everything-you-need-to-know.