What is Ashwagandha & how does it work?

Withania somnifera, commonly known as Ashwagandha or Indian Ginseng, is a plant from the nightshade family. Other plants in this category are potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants. The ashwagandha plant grows as a leafy bush with fruit, but the real benefit lies underneath the ground, in its roots!

The name Ashwagandha comes from the word “ashwa”, meaning horse, as it was believed that consuming the root would provide you with the power of a horse!

Ashwagandha root extract has long been used to support overall health and well-being, relieving stress and supporting libido, often as ashwagandha tea, while the roots were traditionally ground into a paste to naturally soothe joint discomfort [2]. 

... So, how does it work?

It’s packed with health-boosting withanolides

The Ashwagandha roots have been used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine in India for centuries [3]. But, more recently, it has been discovered in the West for its numerous health benefits mostly stemming from powerful plant chemicals known as withanolides.

Withanolides are naturally occurring compounds with a range of impressive benefits. In the past 45 years, researchers have gotten more interested in withanolides due to their anti-tumor, anti-stress, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties [4].

The roots of Withania somnifera are bursting with withanolides, which means this part of the plant is where most of the benefits from Ashwagandha stem from! This is one of the main reasons why NutriRise Ashwagandha is made exclusively from the root extract, and not from the leaves. 

It’s an acclaimed adaptogen 

Ashwagandha is known as an adaptogen, but what are adaptogens, you may ask? To put it simply, adaptogens are herbs that promote your body’s resilience to physical and mental stressors by balancing the output of stress hormone like cortisol and supporting adrenal health. [5]

In this modern-day and age, we have to deal with a lot of stress from our exterior surroundings. When we’re stressed, our cortisol levels rise, but when we can relax again our cortisol levels should return to normal.

However, under chronic stress, we experience stress, anxiety and heightened blood pressure for extended amounts of time, leading to high levels of cortisol circulating in the body. This has a negative impact on numerous other hormone functions [6], which can result in:

• Fatigue
• Anxiety
• Low mood
• Sleep disturbances
• Inflammation & weakened immunity

Ashwagandha root supplements aim to help improve the body's response to stress by lowering cortisol, supporting balanced blood sugar levels and promoting calm, relaxation, and restorative sleep. Ashwagandha extract is a powerful ally in restoring balance and vitality [7] [8] [9]

What is the best way to use Ashwagandha?

Choosing the right Ashwagandha supplement is essential to ensure you get the most health benefit from taking ashwagandha regularly!

Our high potency Ashwagandha capsules contain only pure, certified organic Ashwagandha, packed with bioactive withanolides plus added Bioperine for maximized absorption. If you’re a gummy lover, you’ll want to try our delicious cherry-flavored Ashwagandha gummies, with added Zinc and Vitamin D for overall wellness in mind!

Note: This article is for informational purposes only and not intended for use as medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any dietary supplement.