Ashwagandha reduces stress and sleep disorders
What does stress do to us?
Stress, anxiety and sleep disorders are a completely “normal” part of everyday life for the majority of our society. All of these conditions affect our bodies and are a precursor to various diseases.
Stress means mental or emotional strain or tension, which results in physical symptoms. This strain or overload leads to an increase in cortisol levels in the body and thus, among other things, to sleep disorders. However, healthy sleep is essential for a balanced cortisol balance. This can trigger a vicious circle, triggered by stress or lack of sleep. In the case of constant stress, the immune system is also suppressed by the cortisol released.
How does the Ayurvedic medicinal plant Ashwagandha work against stress?
Ashwagandha, an adaptogenic Ayurvedic herb, is often used to treat stress symptoms and increase overall well-being. Adaptogens, such as those found in Ashwagandha, help reduce stress by influencing the production of the stress hormone cortisol.
When 300 mg of highly concentrated Ashwagandha extract from the root of the plant was taken daily for 60 days, a study found that cortisol levels and all values on the stress rating scale were significantly reduced in people with chronic stress. Cortisol levels fell by 30 percent and subjective stress levels, anxiety and insomnia also fell by 60 - 70 percent in participants who took Ashwagandha.
Source: Chandrasekhar, K. et al. (2012), A Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of Safety and Efficacy of High-Concentration Full-Spectrum Extract of Ashwagandha Root in Reducing Stress and Anxiety in Adults, Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine
Ashwagandha for anxiety and sleep disorders
Sources:
Andrade, C. et al. (2000), A double-blind, pacebo-controlled evaluation of the anxiolytic efficacy of an ethanolic extract of withania somnifera, Indian Journal of Psychiatry
