Anxious, dog-tired but maddeningly wired and unable to sleep, forgetful and foggy-headed: this is a common cluster of symptoms many women who seek my services present with. Upon deeper probing there is often adrenal fatigue (HPA axis dysfunction) and for many, a slowing down of thyroid function resulting in lethargy, low mood and weight gain.
While treatment certainly requires a personalised, multi-faceted approach combining diet, stress reduction, lifestyle changes, nutritional supplementation and often a unique blend of herbs, there is definitely one herb in particular that’s a God-send for all of these symptoms: Ashwaghandha, also known as Withania, Winter Cherry and Indian Ginseng.
ANCIENT INDIAN MEDICINE FOR MODERN TIMES
For more than 3000 years, Ayurveda (the ancient, traditional medicine system in India) has held Ashwagandha sacred as a “rasayana” – a plant that promotes happiness, vitality and longevity. The powdered root is traditionally given in milk mixed with honey and ghee to promote sleep and well-being. Considered grounding, calming and restoring, Ashwagandha is often used to balance people with too much “vata” dosha – a constitutional type prone to anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, fatigue and palpitations…
HOW ASHWAGHANDA CAN MAKE YOU MORE RESILIENT TO STRESS
In Western herbal medicine, withania or ashwagandha is described as being a sedative nervine (able to soothe an agitated nervous system), anti-arrhythmic (helps regulate irregular heart beats) and most importantly, and adaptogen.
Adoptegenic herbs are a special class of herbs that are able to help modulate our response to stress. When we’ve been under severe or chronic stress for too long, it can cause unbalanced levels of cortisol (a stress hormone), which can be a leading cause behind anxiety, fatigue and insomnia, and if left too long, can lead to adrenal fatigue (HPA axis dysfunction).
Ashwagnadha works on the brain to correct this dysregulation, to reduce the negative effects of having too much or too little cortisol, thus making us more resilient to both physical and emotional stressors.
Several studies have proven this beneficial effect of ashwagandha on the nervous system.
In another 6-week study, 88% of people who took ashwagandha reported a reduction in anxiety, compared with 50% of those who took a placebo (3).
ASHWAGANDHA AND THE THYROID
Adrenal function is closely linked to thyroid function, therefore as Ashwagandha supports the adrenal glands, it has an indirect effect on improving thyroid function as well.
When women in particular have been under significant stress or have HPA axis dysfunction, often the thyroid can be effected. (Please see my article here on how to get this tested properly). The thyroid can often slow down resulting in fatigue, depression, constipation, brain fog and weight gain to name just a few symptoms. Studies have shown ashwagandha is able to improve thyroid function and increase thyroid hormones if it is sluggish. However, it should not be used in an overactive thyroid.
As you can see, nature has provided us with a very useful medicine to help us cope with the stresses and demands of daily life, and adaptogenic herbs like ashwagandha are particularly helpful for those who present with both anxiety and exhaustion or underactive thyroids.
I rarely prescribe just one herb on it’s own though, as there are many that can be used synergistically and tailored to the individual to get the best results.
If you’d like help to overcome anxiety, fatigue, low mood or chronic stress naturally, I invite you to book a free 30 min assessment/intro consultation here.
Leave a reply