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How Does Ashwagandha Help You To Relax?

20th June 2023

Health Nutrition

20th June 2023

By Vikki Rich

Life can be stressful, we get it. Sometimes you get home from a mega day at work and you want to relax, but for some reason, you can’t stop your mind from ticking. We’ve all been there, and it feels as though completely switching off and fully unwinding is an alien concept. Thankfully with The Relax Capsules, the feeling of complete relaxation doesn’t have to feel so foreign. With science-backed ingredients proven to help promote relaxation, you can have all the confidence that these fabulous capsules will do the trick.

How can this be possible you may ask? One word – Ashwagandha. The star of the show in this blog. We are going to deep dive into the actual science behind Ashwagandha and how this wonderful herb can help you to relax.

How does Ashwagandha work?

Ashwagandha, also known as Withania somnifera, is an adaptogenic herb commonly used in Ayurvedic medicine. It has been used for centuries as a natural remedy for a variety of conditions. Today, it is widely recognised for its ability to promote relaxation and reduce those pesky stress levels.

One of the main ways that Ashwagandha helps you to relax is by reducing the levels of cortisol in your body. Cortisol is a hormone that is released in response to stress, and it can have a negative impact on your overall health and well-being. When you are under a lot of stress, your body produces high levels of cortisol, which can lead to a variety of health problems, including anxiety, depression, insomnia and stress. Ashwagandha has been known to help reduce these cortisol levels, which can ultimately help you to feel more calm and relaxed.

Ashwagandha for stress

So now we know that Ashwagandha might be incredibly helpful in reducing stress how can we prove it? A study shows that in a 60-day trial, participants who took Ashwagandha supplements every day had a greater reduction in their morning cortisol. Further solidifying the science that proves using Ashwagandha for stress is an incredibly good idea.

There’s no wonder why it’s estimated that at least 80% of people worldwide use medicinal and herbal supplements. But how else can this super herb help you?

Ashwagandha for sleep and inflammation

Another way you can use Ashwagandha is for sleep. Getting enough sleep is essential for your overall health and well-being, and it can have a significant impact on your stress levels. When you are well-rested, you are better equipped to handle stress and other challenges that come your way. Ashwagandha has been shown to help promote restful sleep, making it easier for you to get the rest you need to feel relaxed and refreshed.

The World Health Organization conducted a study in CENTRAL MEDLINE that proved Ashwagandha exhibited a small but significant effect on overall sleep, particularly in adults who are diagnosed with insomnia. As well as sleep, Ashwagandha also helped to improve anxiety levels and mental alertness.

Ashwagandha can also help to reduce inflammation in your body. Inflammation is a natural immune response to stress and other challenges, but when it becomes chronic, it can lead to a variety of health problems, including anxiety and depression. Another study put this to the test and found that Ashwagandha had an anti-inflammatory effect against the denaturation of protein. The study explains that this is possibly due to the alkaloid and withanolide contents of the Ashwagandha herb.

So, by reducing inflammation, Ashwagandha can help to promote overall health and well-being, and therefore of course, it can help to reduce stress levels.

Summary

If you are sitting at home, thinking Ashwagandha is just a myth, we hope you are well and truly scientifically convinced that this beautiful herb can do some good. Next time you are feeling a little stressed you know that you can rely on this trusty adaptogen (herb that contains ingredients that assist your body’s healing). So, take a deep breath, a moment of calm, and together, take a round of applause for our new best friend - Ashwagandha!

References

- Lucknow, Gomtinagar 3rd July 2011 "An Overview on Ashwagandha"

- Lopresti, Adrian, 13th September 2019 "An investigation into the stress-relieving and pharmacological actions of an ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract"

- Department of Family Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, University Sains Malaysia, Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia Institute of medical research and medicinal plant studies, CAMEROON "Effect of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract on sleep: A systematic review and meta-analysis"

- Chandra Sangita, 2012, "Evaluation of Anti-inflammatory Effect of Ashwagandha: A Preliminary Study in vitro"

 

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