What is ashwagandha?

Whether it’s adding a yoga class into your weekly routine, doing a spot of journaling each morning, or taking a daily supplement to help you feel tip-top, many are combatting the fast pace of modern life with slow, mindful wellness habits. Today, we’re spotlighting ashwagandha, a power plant that’s been held in high esteem for centuries. So, if we’ve got you wondering ‘what does ashwagandha do? Sit tight as we’re revealing all you need to know about this trending herb, including where it originates, what it does, and how you can get your hands on it at Savers.

Disclaimer: Always speak to your GP before trialling any supplements.

What is ashwagandha?

Ashwagandha (a.k.a. Indian ginseng) is a small evergreen shrub that grows in India, Africa and the Middle East. The use of this potent herb stretches back centuries, originating as part of Indian Ayurvedic medicine. The leaves and roots of ashwagandha are harvested, dried and ground down into a powder most commonly sold as herbal supplements. But thanks to its widespread popularity, you can also find ashwagandha in everything from teas to herbal tinctures and gummies.

What does ashwagandha do?*

• Ashwagandha is an adaptogen, a natural substance thought to help the body cope with stress_¹. It has, therefore, been associated with lessening symptoms of anxiety.
• Due to its potential stress-relieving benefits, ashwagandha is also thought to improve overall sleep and sleep_² quality. It could, therefore, benefit those with insomnia.
• It’s also thought to improve focus and have a positive impact on cognitive function³.
• In men, ashwagandha has been linked to increasing testosterone⁴ and potentially improving fertility.
• In women, it’s thought to improve sexual performance and satisfaction.⁵

Vitamin Health Ashwagandha 50s

£2.99

ADD

Want to dip your toe into the world of ashwagandha? The Vitamin Health Ashwagandha Capsules are sure to level up your supplement stash. Helping to bring a little more calm into every day, these capsules work to potentially reduce symptoms of anxiety, stress and fatigue. Plus, they’re formulated with black pepper to help maximise absorption.

*Although research indicates that ashwagandha has health benefits, further study on larger sample sizes must be conducted for it to become an approved NHS treatment.

Reference

1- Stress

2-Sleep

3-Cognitive function

4-Testosterone and fertility

5-Sexual performance