History of Traditional Use of Ashwagandha
This plant is a member of the Solanaceae family and has over 4,000 years of traditional use in its native India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. It is a Medharasayan which is the Ayurvedic category of foods and nutrients that promote learning and memory retrieval. It is sometimes referred to as “Indian Ginseng” as it is traditionally used in conditions of debility, emaciation, impotence and premature aging. It is also sometimes referred to as Winter Cherry. The translation of Ashwagandha is roughly, “the smell and strength of a horse”, alluding to its aphrodisiac properties. This plant is a Tonic and an Adaptogen. In the Middle East it is used to help promote sleep and encourage a healthy inflammatory response.
Structure Function Claims
Supports Healthy Resistance to Occasional Physical and Emotional Stressors.
Supports Healthy Immune Functions.
Mechanism of Therapeutic Action
The root and leaf contain the highest amount of Steroidal compounds which include the lactones Withaferin A, and carbon-27-glycowithanolides, known collectively as Withanolides. It also contains a fair amount of alkaloids; tropine, pseudotropine isopelletrine, and anaferine. Adaptogens increase the ability of an organism to cope with stress and thereby conserve energy. Ashwagandha rejuvenates the entire system, especially the endocrine and immune systems. To read more about the scientific data on this amazing adaptogenic herb see the reference below and use the “search pub med” feature on this website.
Altern. Med. Rev. 2000 Aug; 5(4): 334-46 Mishra LC, Singh BB, Dagennais S. Scientific Basis for the Therapeutic use of Withania somnifera (ashwagandha): a review.
Specific Differentiation of Gaia Herbs Product
Gaia Herbs tests its Ashwagandha for activity during the pre-purchase phase of manufacturing, during the quarantine phase of extraction while the microbiological and pharmacological testing are being completed, and finally during the finished extract phase. Natural products vary widely in concentration due to the fact that they degrade quickly if not harvested, stored, and extracted properly. This is why Gaia Herbs also conducts Shelf Stability testing in an accelerated stability chamber that mimics the effects of temperature, time, and atmospheric pressure on the finished product. All of this ensures that the medicinal properties described above achieve their end result. Gaia Herbs captures the essence of Natures Vitality.
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