ashwagandha

Scientific Name: withania somnifera

Taste: bitter, slightly sweet, pungent

Family:  solanaceae 

Medicinal Parts: roots

Energetics: hot, dry, relaxing

Actions:  adaptogen, antispasmodic, antioxidant, immune modulator, alterative, digestive, cardioprotective, nervous trophorestorative

Affinities: endocrine, cardiopulmonary, and nervous systems

Notable Constituents:   Alkaloids (0.4%): isopelietierine, withasamine, somniferin, withasomnine. Steroidal lactones (2.8245%): withanolides. 

Medicinal Applications

• As an adaptogen, ashwagandha helps to normalize levels of stress hormones (cortisol and adrenalin) in the blood 
• Improves insulin sensitivity
• Improves immune function
• Supports thyroid and adrenal function, particularly the adrenal medulla which is responsible for secreting the hormones adrenaline and noradrenaline. 
• Promotes hepatic antioxidant activity
• Alcoholic root extract interacts with the GABA-A receptor, and it enhances benzodiazepine binding and has anticonvulsant activity. (Kuhn & Winston, 2008)

In Practice

here I can share protocol or dosage. *how to do it

Cautions/Contraindications

Ashwaganda is very safe, however it is in the nightshade family, so if you have a sensitivity to nightshades you may want to experiment with low doses at first. 

Friends

chamomile, ginger, shatavari, goji, licorice