No. 2 – Reduces Stress and Anxiety
This herb is especially helpful for those suffering from stress and anxiety disorders. These tend to involve two extremes of high stress and stimulation, combined with fatigue and adrenal exhaustion.
Ashwagandha has the unique ability to calm the nervous system whilst also promoting energy and vitality. It fires up your body and gives you energy when you’re feeling fatigued and burned out. Additionally, it suppresses stimulatory hormones when you’re feeling stressed.
Ashwagandha also depresses the central nervous system, therefore inducing sleep and relaxation.
And here’s a fun fact: Ashwagandha may help to actually balance the hormones that contribute to anxiety. The hormone-modulating effect of Ashwagandha is thought to be enabled by several naturally-occurring phytochemicals. Researchers believe that specific phytochemicals referred to as withanolides are able to act as precursors to the hormones which regulate our stress and relaxation responses.
No. 3 – Improves Sexual Function and Testosterone Levels in Men
Ashwagandha is also a powerful reproductive tonic herb with a more specific action on the male reproductive organs. That being said, the herb is used successfully by both sexes.
Ashwagandha is said to “give the vitality and sexual energy of a horse”. Coincidentally, the word ‘Ashwagandha’ comes from the Sanskrit word, combining ‘ashva’, which means horse, and ‘gandha’ meaning smell. The root itself has a very strong horse-like aroma (yum!).
The good news is that it’s also named this way due to the fact that this herb gives ‘stallion strength’.