Practicing Self Care With Ashwagandha

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Practicing Self Care With Ashwagandha


Ashwagandha is an herb used for millions of years by herbalists and practitioners of alternative medicinal. Ashwagandha is a Sanskrit word meaning “horse smell” for its horse-like odor. The name is also a nod to the virility of the stallion as it supports male reproductive health. Ashwagandha originates in the Middle East and Africa, but due to high demand it is now cultivated in North America. The popularity of ashwagandha dates back to Ayurvedic medicine, which states that the herb has rejuvenating properties. Modern studies have revealed that the potential benefits of ashwagandha are the result of chemical compounds called adaptogens.


Adaptogens and Stress


Stress is a problem that millions of people struggle with daily. It can lead to fatigue, behavioral issues, depression, and physical problems such as digestive challenges and bodily pain. That is where adaptogens come in. Adaptogens are chemicals that either disrupt or help to mediate how receptors in the brain interact with hormones that trigger negative physiological and psychological symptoms. The result of taking an adaptogen is that the body is better able to balance feelings of stress, anxiety, and frustration.


Ashwagandha is most commonly used as a mood balancer and has a robust amount of scientific evidence to support these results. Multiple studies have shown that ashwagandha helps relieve stress by aiding in the balance of the HPA Axis. The HPA Axis is a complex system of glands, receptors, and nerves that controls and adapts your body’s physical responses to stress. The HPA Axis can get into a kind of negative response loop that causes repeat stress or prevents your body from returning to a normal mood.


Ashwagandha and The Mind


This is where ashwagandha comes in. Remember those chemical adaptogens we mentioned earlier? Studies have shown that the chemical components in ashwagandha can create homeostasis. Homeostasis comes from the Greek words meaning “same” and “stable.” Our body survives via homeostasis, which is the ability of the body to stay constant and balanced. No matter what we eat, drink, or do, our body remains in a consistent state of equilibrium.


Ashwagandha has been studied for doing exactly that in our central nervous system. The adaptogens in ashwagandha help to create and maintain homeostasis within our nervous system, helping to regulate and control our body’s physical reaction to stress triggers, and maintain that balance consistently.


The Ease and Convenience of Herbal Support

Ashwagandha’s ability to act as a “rejuvenator” is what makes it such a popular herb in alternative medicine and Ayurvedic practices. It has been around for thousands of years and has had tried and true results for men, women, and children. If you are one of the millions experiencing feelings of stress and anxiety, nothing can replace a visit to a licensed professional, but ashwagandha is a healthy, natural alternative with scientifically proven results that might be worth introducing into your life.



Bio:
Natural Healthy Concepts is a leader in educating people to change their lives through wellness and natural health. They have been offering education on essential oils, collagen, turmeric, and more since 2004. https://www.nhc.com/what-is-ashwagandha

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