Ashwagandha: The Ancient Stress-Buster You Need to Know About
- Lucinda Nel
- Sep 14
- 4 min read
Updated: Oct 27
Feeling Wired, Tired, or Overwhelmed?
Modern life doesn’t give us much time to slow down. Stress, late nights, and a busy schedule can leave you feeling run-down — physically, mentally, and emotionally. Enter Ashwagandha: an ancient herbal remedy that’s been used for over 3,000 years to restore balance and vitality.
Let’s take a closer look at why this powerful adaptogen is becoming one of the most popular natural supplements for stress, energy, and overall wellness.
🌿 What Exactly Is Ashwagandha?
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a small shrub native to India, the Middle East, and parts of Africa. Its name literally translates to “smell of the horse,” which refers to its unique scent and its traditional reputation for imparting the strength and vitality of a horse.
In Ayurveda — the ancient Indian system of medicine — Ashwagandha is considered a Rasayana, or rejuvenator, helping to support longevity, energy, and resilience.
🧪 The Science Behind Ashwagandha
Modern research supports what traditional healers have known for centuries. Ashwagandha is considered an adaptogen, meaning it helps the body adapt to stress.
Some of its most notable benefits include:
Stress & Anxiety Relief: Ashwagandha helps reduce cortisol, the stress hormone, which can leave you feeling calmer and more centered.
Better Sleep Quality: Many people report deeper, more restorative sleep after regular use.
Energy & Vitality: It supports natural energy production without caffeine jitters or crashes.
Hormonal Balance: Can be beneficial for those experiencing adrenal fatigue or hormonal imbalances.
Cognitive Support: Some studies suggest it may improve memory, focus, and mental clarity.
⚖️ Who Can Benefit from Ashwagandha?
Busy professionals dealing with work stress
Students under exam pressure
Anyone struggling with poor sleep or burnout
People seeking hormone or adrenal support
Individuals looking for a natural mood and energy booster
🛡 Safety & Precautions
Ashwagandha is generally considered safe for most adults, but it’s always a good idea to:
Consult your healthcare provider if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or on medication
Stick to recommended dosages for the best results
🌸 The Bottom Line
Ashwagandha is more than just a wellness trend — it’s a time-tested, science-backed herbal solution for modern stress. Whether you’re looking for better sleep, more energy, or a calmer mind, this adaptogen might just become your new favourite supplement.
🛍 Discover Ashwagandha In-Store
Visit us to explore our carefully selected range of Ashwagandha products — capsules, powders, and blends — and let our knowledgeable staff help you find the perfect option for your lifestyle.
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Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera from the Solanaceae (nightshade) family)
HELPFUL WITH
Stress
Longevity
Brain
A BRIEF HISTORY
Ashwagandha is another Ayurvedic Rasayana. One of the most reputable plants in Ayurveda, its use dates back at least three thousand years and was used by common people and as a remedy of Hindu sages (Rishis) who were the personal physicians of the king. Its bright red berries resemble tomatoes, yet unlike tomato plants, the root holds its medicine. Ashwa means “horse” and gandha means “smell” in Sanscrit. The root famously smells a bit like sweaty horse. It is believed that the root makes you strong, calm and graceful as a stallion.
Different from many other Adaptogens, Ashwagandha’s Latin name somnifera means sleep inducing. As a nourishing, restorative, and stress supportive medicine, it can quicken the recovery time after illness, help you bounce back from extended stress, and calm the mind to prepare you for a restful sleep.
In Ayurveda it has a strong association with womans health. Its used in parts of Africa as an indigenous medicine as an aphrodisiac and an abortifacient. In the West it is a fertility tonic (but should not be taken during pregnancy). Because it is high in iron, antispasmodic and relaxes the nervous system, its also recommended for painful period and to nourish breastfeeding mothers.
From treating anxiety and insomnia, aiding with muscle regeneration, and increasing production of HGH (human growth hormone) to aiding in respitory health, supporting a healthy libido, and as a general tonic for female reproduction, Ashwagandha has been proven to strengthen, sooth, and nourish many systems of the body.
HELPFUL WITH STRESS
Ashwagandha supports the nervous system by promoting healthy levels of “the stress hormone” cortisol. A low and health amount of cortisol results in a calm balanced mood, but when it's in excess, it can lead to anxiety. Cortisol should be highest in the morning, to help prepare for the day. Then as the day goes on, it should slowly decrease. By the end of the day, cortisol should be at its lowest point allowing you to fall asleep. This ideal curve often gets interrupted by stress, which triggers additional cortisol.
HELPFUL WITH LONGEVITY
Ashwagandha has long been used as a tonic for longevity. It was given to those whose nervous system was worn out, whether from old age or long-term stress. When the nervous system is depleted, a cascade of symptoms can arise. Ashwagandha effectively nourishes and revitalises many organs of your body, from the liver to the thyroid.
Ashwagandha’s antioxidants directly protect the liver, our body’s largest internal organ. It's often pigeonholed as being the body’s centre for detoxification. Yet, liver health is critical to overall well-being since it also manages your body’s blood sugar and urea cycle, removes bacteria from the bloodstream, and much more. Ashwagandha is right up there with the other top liver herbs like milk thistle. Ashwagandha can also help balance thyroid hormones.
HELPFUL FOR THE BRAIN
An ancient use of Ashwagandha was to boost memory and aid in intellect. Newer modern research shows that its regenerative properties can slow, stop, and even reverse damage to brain cells. Other studies show its potential in reconstructing neural networks. Much of the brain-related research on Ashwagandha centres on a medication called KSM-66, which is essentially a concentration of Ashwagandha root’s key medical phytochemicals. There’s another branded Ashwagandha product called Sensoril, which also has strong clinical research.
Oxidative stress damages cells everywhere in your body, including the brain. Withanolides, perhaps the most studied compound presents in Ashwagandha, are shown to protect nerve cells from oxidative damage. Research shows that withanolides may additionally prevent the formation of beta-amyloid fibrils, a common component in the development of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimers. Ashwagandha has also been shown to protect nerve cells against toxic damage, making it neuroprotective.