Withania somnifera, or Ashwagandha to those who don’t speak Latin, is a species of mushroom that grows in India, the Middle East and parts of Africa and has been found to contain chemicals which help to calm the mind, improve immune function and reduce inflammation. [1]
Ashwaganda has long been used in Ayurvedic medicine, the traditional medicine system in India which focuses on “nutrition, mindful practices and herbs to promote balance between body, mind and spirit”. [1]
Studies show that this mushroom species has been found to improve calmness by significantly reducing cortisol levels with a daily intake of 2.5-6g for 1-2 months. [2]
Cortisol, for those in the dark, is a hormone released by your adrenal glands naturally throughout the day. However, it’s best known for its use in the body during stressful moments where it assists in increasing your heart rate while your body generates more glucose, both leading to a hyper-focus which allows you to focus much more intently. [1]
Whilst this can be very useful and potentially life saving in certain situations, the problem arises when stress at home, at work, or mental illness, leads to the perceived threat becoming chronic and prolonged negative effects, such as increased heart rate, inflammation and fatigue, becoming more apparent.
In what can only be described as a complete change of pace, Ashwaganda has also been shown to improve semen quality and quantity in a study conducted with a group of fertile and infertile men where “the levels of T, LH, FSH and PRL, good indicators of semen quality, were reversed in infertile subjects after treatment with the herbal preparation.” [3]
Whilst the benefits of Ashwagandha are simply incredible, it should be known that it isn’t a cure-all remedy.
Following in the footsteps of Indian medicine, Ashwagandha should be part of your overall wellness plan and used as a supplement to help reinforce other forms of recovery, such as a healthy diet and regular exercise. [1]
Benefits of ashwagandha and how much to take (2024) Cleveland Clinic. Available at: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-is-ashwagandha.
Adrian L Lopresti (2019) An investigation into the stress-relieving and pharmacological actions of an ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, National Library of Medicine. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31517876/.
Chandrasekhar, K. (2009) Withania somnifera improves semen quality by regulating reproductive hormone levels and oxidative stress in seminal plasma of infertile males, Fertility and Sterility. Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0015028209010140.
