Ashwagandha is an adaptogen that helps the body copy with physical and mental stress. The herb is classified as a ‘rasayana’ or rejuvenating tonic in Ayurvedic medicine. Rasayanas are tonic herbs that promote physical and mental health.  

The herb is rich in phytochemicals, including steroidal lactones (known as withanolides) and alkaloids. Withanolides are believed to be responsible for many of ashwagandha’s effects.

What's an adaptogen?

Adaptogens are extraordinary herbs for human health. They're known for their ability to encourage physical stamina and mental alertness, and support recovery during times of prolonged stress and physical and mental depletion. They show neuroprotective, anti-fatigue, nootropic and central nervous system stimulating activity.

The term adaptogen was introduced into scientific literature by Russian toxicologist Nikolay Lazarev in 1957 to refer to ‘substances that increase the state of non-specific resistance' to stress. Adaptogens are thought to work via the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis which is a neuroendocrine system that releases hormones to regulate an individual's response to stress. The HPA axis is crucial for the body's stress management,

Ashwagandha benefits

Ashwagandha is best known for its stress-relieving properties and studies show  show the herb's ability to significantly decrease participants’ stress and anxiety. Like all adaptogens, ashwagandha exerts an anti-fatigue effect that increases mental work capacity against a background of stress and fatigue. The herb also shows promise in aiding cognition and memory. It may also help with overall sleep quality, including time spent sleeping, total and mental alertness on rising. 

Women can benefit from ashwagandha because it can improve sexual function including arousal, lubrication, orgasm and satisfaction. For both men and women, It improves the function of the reproductive system promoting a healthy sexual and reproductive balance.

A number of studies show that ashwagandha can increase VO2 max levels which is the maximum amount of oxygen an individual takes in under physical exertion. VO2 max measures cardiorespiratory endurance and how well the heart and lungs deliver oxygen to muscles during physical activity. Higher VO2 max levels can indicate a healthy heart that performs well under those circumstances.

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