Ashwagandha
Sleep aid herb: Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is a powerful adaptogen herb. Unfamiliar with the term, you can read my previous post here, to learn about the meaning of adaptogen herbs and elixirs and all their magical powers.
Ashwagandha, is one the most important herbs in Ayurveda medicine, one of its main properties it’s used for is relieve stress and increase energy levels.
The Ashwagandha plant is small shrub with yellow flowers that’s native to India and North Africa. Extracts or powder from the plants root or leaves are used to treat a multitude of conditions.
Ashwagandha, the Sanskrit term Ashwagandha translates to ‘smell of horse’. Traditionally it is believed that a person who consumes this herbal medicine will gain horse like strength and vitality.
It has dual capacity to energise and calm at the same time, helping the body to cope with daily stress, improving brain memory function concentration, its these qualities that link the adaptogen to helping with the symptoms of Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.
However, linking this powerful herb back to reasons why it benefits the gut and the reason why Ashwagandha was introduced into my life was to help aid with sleep and stress two symptoms that can cause havoc with your primal gut health.
‘Sleep is the pillar of life’ Dalai Lama
Rejuvenating properties of Ashwagandha make it very effective in treating insomnia. Calming the nervous system, easing stress and aiding sleep.
After playing alchemist, here is a recipe I drink every night before bed to calm and relax before bedtime.
Recipe:
1 teaspoon of powered Ashwagandha
1 teaspoon organic cocoa powder
1/3 Cup of Oat Milk (milk of your choice, I love oat milk as it deliciously creamy).
For those with very high stress levels, Ashwagandha inhibits high levels of cortisol ‘the stress hormone’ used to help relieve physical and mental stress, even aiding some to help overcome depression.