Featured herb: Ashwagandha
Author: Gaia Herbs
Ashwagandha, our February herb of the month, is one of our very favorite adaptogens – plants that help the body resist stressors of all kinds, whether physical, chemical or biological.*

About:
This plant is a member of the Solanaceae family and has over 4,000 years of traditional use in its native India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
It is a Medharasayan which is the Ayurvedic category of foods and nutrients that promote learning and memory retrieval.
It is sometimes referred to as “Indian Ginseng” as it is traditionally used in conditions of debility, emaciation, impotence and premature aging. It is also sometimes referred to as Winter Cherry.
The translation of Ashwagandha is roughly, “the smell and strength of a horse”, alluding to its aphrodisiac properties.
This plant is a Tonic and an Adaptogen. In the Middle East it is used to help promote normal sleep patterns and encourage a healthy inflammatory response.*
Function:
Adaptogens support the ability of an organism to cope with stress and thereby conserve energy. Ashwagandha rejuvenates and tonifies the entire system, especially the endocrine and immune systems.*
The root and leaf contain the highest amount of Steroidal compounds which include the lactones Withaferin A, and carbon-27-glycowithanolides, known collectively as Withanolides. It also contains a fair amount of alkaloids; tropine, pseudotropine isopelletrine, and anaferine, and saponins.
Uses
Brain Function* Endocrine Function – Adrenal* Energy* Immune System* Nervous System* Sleep* Stress*