Ashwagandha (from the family called Solanaceae), also known as Indian Ginseng, is a gentle friend. One that patiently continues to build you up. Over time, it rejuvenates. As a tonic for the nervous system, it nourishes and brings balance. It helps to tone body muscles and brings calm grounding to a stressful mind and body.
Ashwagandha & the Vata Dosha
Ashwagandha is best suited to the Vata dosha, according to The Ayurvedic Experience. A Vata dosha will most likely experience imbalances in Wind (symptoms of wind are alternating chills and fever, muscle nerve tension, sudden symptom changes) and/or Air (symptoms of air are malnutrition, decreased hormone function/endocrine system, nervous exhaustion or a weak nervous system). Dryness and tension are both characteristics of Vata. But the Kapha more than Pitta, in certain circumstances, can benefit from ashwagandha as well.
Ashwagandha & the Nervous System
Ashwagandha brings stability. It has a warming energy on the body that makes it a good choice for those who tend to be cold. For the “wired & tired” who are constantly in a state of stress, ashwagandha brings “settled-ness” to the mind. Any cortisol related stress will slowly dissolve. For those experiencing frailty, low endurance, fatigue, worry, constant fidgeting, and an inability to sleep, you may find improvement after using ashwagandha for 3-4 months.
Stress damages the cells in our body-even the brain. But ashwagandha can help repair the damaged cells in our body. It builds and tones. This explains why ashwagandha improves thinking and memory. Along with the ability to improve memory, ashwagandha can also help strengthen the immune system. In fact, many people have found it helps the body recover after chemotherapy. It increases white blood cells which help the body fight infection.
Herbal Actions
Ashwagandha actions on the body include:
- Reproductive Tonic
- Immunomodulant
- Antioxidant
- Anti-Inflammatory
- Adaptogen
- Nervine
- Hypolipidemic
- Antispasmodic
Herbal Energetics
Herbal energetics is something I’m learning. It’s been a difficult idea for me to understand (I’m just beginning herbalism school), but what I’ve learned has shown me that herbal energetics is very important. Because I’m chronically ill, I’ve experienced all the tests with little or no answers. Herbal energetics is less about test results and more about knowing the body, knowing diseases, and understanding herbs. It takes a sort of intuition-but also a deep personal knowledge. Each herb has specific energetics that it offers the body. Many times, the energy of the plant goes hand in hand with its taste. And we all know that people taste things differently-so energetics for a particularly herb can be different depending on the herbalist. Most of what I’ve learned about energetics comes from the book, Energetic Herbalism by Kat Maier.
Ashwagandha’s Taste & Energetics
Sweet: The sweet taste of ashwagandha means that the herb builds, provides nourishment, and also helps to balance the body. Basically, it provides good nutrition for the body. Kat Maier says this energy is ‘earth and water’. This makes sense because many times the Vata Dosha needs more stability and hydration.
Acrid: The acrid tastes tend to be strong and overwhelming. But this taste warms, moves and circulates throughout the body. It’s similar to cayenne pepper; acrid makes things happen. An acrid taste is synonymous with movement in the body.
Slightly Bitter: The bitter taste calms, cools, and eliminates. It also dries out. Slow digestion can improve when you eat or drink bitters because it produces enzymes in your body to help break down food.
Each of these tastes produces certain actions/energetics on the body. I have a lot to learn, but herbal energetics is so interesting to me. I can’t wait to learn more.
Ashwagandha & The Tissue States
In my blog post, An Herbalist’s Steps, I talk about the tissue states of the body. There are 6 tissue states: Heat(Excited/hyper state), Cold(Depressed), Damp Stagnant(Stuck/Torpid), Dry(Atrophic), Wind (Constricted/Tense), Damp Flow(Relaxed). The root, Ashwagandha, helps with states that are atrophic or constricted/tense. This makes a lot of sense because many of the Vata Dosha’s health struggles are apt to be in these two tissue states.
More About Ashwagandha
Winter cherry (The Latin name is Withania Somnifera.) is another name for ashwagandha, probably because the fruit that grows on the shrub is similar to cherries. And ashwagandha is actually the root of the shrub. The leaves of the plant can be used, but the root is most popular. In fact, ashwagandha can grow in a lot of climates. After planting in the spring, you need to allow it to grow for at least a year. But then it can be harvested in the fall. It grows naturally in dry, warm places like India, but if you are unable to grow your own, you can purchase it online. Just be sure it’s ethically harvested and organic.
And as always, I recommend speaking to your doctor/herbalist before consuming herbs. Be responsible. Herbs can be powerful allies, but used without specific knowledge can wreak havoc in your body.
Conclusion
I’d love to know if you’ve ever tried ashwagandha before and what your experience was with the herb? Please share in the comments below. If you are interested in taking ashwagandha, I have a sweet warm recipe drink coming soon. Be on the look out. And thanks so much for taking the time out of your day to spend it here with me.
