Ashwagandha
(Withania somnifera)
Other common names: Winter cherry, Indian ginseng.
Family: SOLANACEAE
Energetics: Moist, warming.
Taste: Sweet, bitter, astringent.
Parts used: Root.
Systems affected:
Key Components:
Preparations: Powder, tincture, decoction, poultice. Dosing: Powder: 3-6g daily (approximately 1 heaping teaspoon with astragalus & maybe burdock & cinnamon) In apple sauce, over oatmeal, mix with sun butter or nut butter, in a smoothie, good with cocoa or cinnamon. Can encapsulate. Decoction 20-30g daily( herb mentor recommends adding to heated cows milk?), Tincture: 1:1 extract ratio, 2-8ml daily.
Properties: Adaptogen, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anxiolytic, aphrodisiac, immunomodulator, cardioprotective.
Uses: Fatigue, emaciation, reproductive health, hypothyroid, insomnia, longevity, low libido, degenerative diseases, anxiety, asthma, arthritis, fibromyalgia, insulin resistance. Long used in India to both strengthen those who are weak and calm those who are stressed and anxious. Used in all conditions of weakness and tissue deficiency in children, the elderly & those debilitated by chronic disease, overwork lack of sleep or nervous exhaustion. Used as strengthening & rejuvenation tonic for all forms of weakness, fatigue, convalescing & wasting. Strengthens and calms the nervous system. Taken over time it can build up emaciated tissues, decrease negative response to stress and increase energy levels. Sedative that supports healthy sleep cycles. Not for acute insomnia but to take over time to restore nervous system health and restore healthy sleep cycles. Unlike other adaptogens, like ginseng, that overstimulate those with anxiety, ashwagandha is excellent at decreasing anxiety and soothing the nervous system. Consider for people with anxiety as well as for people with debilitating exhaustion that don’t need stimulants but rather need deep rest. Consider whoever there is nervousness & exhaustion in any chronic disease. Has the capacity to greatly increase vitality, sense of well-being while reducing anxiety and fatigue. Reproductive health: used to support sexual desires & fertility on both men and women but is well known for promoting sexual health in men & can be used specifically for building semen potency and spermatorrhea. Shown to improve cognitive function in young men. Possible to help prevent or slow alzheimers? May prevent it or even possibly repair central nervous system disorders. HEART: Helps protect the heart from age related illness. Immunomodulating herb that supports immune system health. Consider for those with immune system disorders such as HIV, chronic infections or those who tent to get every respiratory virus they encounter. Cancer specialist & herbalist Donald Yance uses ashwagandha as an immunomodilating herb for cancer patients during and after chemotherapy. Might add astragalus root powder for immune support. Also useful against cancer related fatigue, and improving the overall quality of life in cancer patients. Can help people with degenerative, wasting and chronic diseases (such as arthritis, TB, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue among others) regain strength because it builds tissue and supports overall health. A grounding herb that nourishes and regulates metabolic processes & stabilizes mood. Also works for many people with autoimmune conditions. Specific for short or tall slender people. People who think a lot or overthink with possibly worry or anxiety. Potentiates benzodiazepine class drugs (anti anxiety & psychotropic drugs) means they work synergistically and to consider for someone who wants to lower the dose and weave off these drugs under the supervision of the prescribing doctor. Doesn't have to be a major psych issue for it to be beneficial. Except for season affective disorder. Take about a month to take effect. Can blend with astragalus, snd possibly burdock and cinnamon. in applesauce, yogurt, over oatmeal or mixed into anything really. Energy balls! Trophorestorative to the central nervous system. Takes the edge off things that once bothered you, you may notice the little things no longer bother you. Specific for sleep when a person is wired & tired. Particularly effective for sleep onset insomnia. Seasonal affective disorder (take once per day through the winter months). Supports circadian rhythm. Helps to build tissue & helps bone marrow to encourage red blood cell division. Used postpartum if there has been hemorrhage.
CONTRAINDICATIONS: considered safe with no known toxicity. Animal studies have shown abortifacient properties in EXTREMELY large doses. many sources will recommend not to use in pregnancy while others actually use it to prevent miscarriage (again, NOT in extremely large doses). Does sedative properties and may potentiate the sedative effects of barbiturates. Not a good match for someone with hyperthyroid
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