Ashwagandha, aka Withania Somnifera, is an ayurvedic herb native to India. It’s widely used as a therapy for hypothyroidism, as an adrenal adaptogen and a liver support herb.
According to Herbal Master David Winston, Ashwagandha has also been used for low sperm count, lack of libido, and poor performance in the bedroom. Some indigenous African people use it for infectious diseases like typhoid and syphilis and/or women who have repeated miscarriage.
It’s widely used to induce hormone balance, as an antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory and for autoimmune conditions. David Winston uses it along with kudzu, cyperus, and black cohosh for fibromyalgia.
Ashwagandha is also purported to improve brain function, and it’s been used in geriatric populations in India for people with mental deficits and for memory-improvement. Some studies even suggest that ashwagandha may stimulate the growth of axons and dendrites in the nerves.
Ashwagandha has been used traditionally to alleviate anxiety and panic, mild mood swings, lack of mental clarity and focus and mental as well as physical fatigue.
More recent research suggests that raw ashwagandha may increase the levels of the antioxidants superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase, which may actually explain the anti-stress, anti-inflammatory and anti-aging effects observed.
Ashwagandha is widely recognized for its adaptogenic properties in helping to mitigate the effects of stress on the body.
In summary, some of the benefits of using Ashwaganda are:
- Supports adrenal function by improving stress response
- Increases the production and utilization of thyroid hormone
- May improve memory and mental function
- Possible benefits for occasional panic attacks and anxiety
- Improving depression and stabilizing mild to moderate mood changes
- May combat mental or physical fatigue
- May support the immune-system
Two of my favorite places to get Ashwagandha and other herbal and mushroom powders are Z Natural foods and Mountain Rose Herbs.
Ashwagandha is one of my favorite herbs, and it can be used as a tincture, as a decoction, as a powdered extract added to smoothies and elixirs, and as capsules. My favorite is to add to elixirs. The only caution with Ashwagandha is for people who have a tendency towards hyperthyroidism, and those that are of an excessively hot constitution.
My FREE endless energy elixirs book contains recipes that use Ashwagandha powder.
With love and appreciation,
Dr. Ritamarie Loscalzo
Have you used Ashwaganda? Comment below and share your experience!
Share this:
Are you feeling stuck?
Do you feel as if something is missing from your practice that's keeping you from delivering breakthrough outcomes for your clients?.
Recent Posts
Our Programs
Nutritional Endocrinology Practitioner Training (NEPT)
The Mastery and Certification tier is our flagship program and provides everything you need to feel confident as a practitioner who knows how to get results that lead to healthy and happy clients.
Functional Assessment Mastery
Explore the relationships between the most important hormones and their relationship with nutrition.
Functional Nutrition Mastery
Learn how to support your clients to eat and supplement in a way that reduces and eliminates chronic symptoms.
Medical Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dr. Ritamarie Loscalzo, drritamarie.com, and the experts who have contributed. We encourage you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.
Disclosure: Sometimes (but not always), when I share resources in my programs, newsletter, and on my website, I'm using an affiliate link, which means I do make money if you buy. My credibility is extremely important to me; therefore, I only endorse the products, services, and people I believe in. DrRitamarie.com is independently owned and the opinions expressed here are my own.
Click here to see our Privacy Policy.
Yes, I have been taking ashwganda for a year now. I have a low thyroid and hopefully it is helping as my tests remain the same.
I think that’s great, Patricia, that you are including ashwagandha to help your thyroid. If you’d be interested in learning more about ideas to help with the thyroid, we have a free video and audio, plus recipes at http://www.ThyroidResources.com
[…] my article Recharge Your Energy and Your Hormones with Ashwagandha, I’ve shared the details of this magical herb! This hot cocoa-like beverage supports both […]
[…] elixirs to the rescue! I love using natural herbs such as ashwagandha to create energizing elixirs. When I travel a lot (as I often do), I am always using a recipe from […]