What is Ashwagandha?
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is an ancient medicinal herb that has been used for over 3,000 years in Ayurvedic medicine, where it earned the prestigious title "King of Ayurvedic Herbs." This powerful adaptogenic herb, also known as Indian Winter Cherry or Indian Ginseng, grows as a small shrub with yellow flowers native to India and Southeast Asia.
Ashwagandha’s proven ability to help the body manage stress and maintain balance makes it truly remarkable.
Modern scientific research has validated what ancient wisdom has long known. This herb contains beneficial compounds called withanolides that work with your body's natural systems to promote both physical and mental wellbeing.
The name "ashwagandha," which comes from Sanskrit, means "smell of horse." This refers both to its distinct aroma and the traditional belief that consuming it would give you the strength and vitality of a horse. While that may sound like folklore, scientific studies have shown that ashwagandha does indeed support energy, stamina, and overall vitality.
At Fifth Ray, we've carefully incorporated ashwagandha into our Cosmic Hue tea blend because of its powerful adaptogenic properties and its ability to support gut health – something our founder Manny discovered during his own healing journey from Crohn's disease.
When combined with other healing herbs in a tea form, ashwagandha offers a natural, caffeine-free way to nourish your body's second brain: the gut.
Science Behind Ashwagandha's Benefits
Stress and Anxiety Relief
Ashwagandha works as an adaptogen to help the body manage stress and anxiety primarily through modulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and regulation of key neurotransmitters [Speers et al., 2021]. This modulation helps prevent excessive production of stress hormones and promotes a state of calm resilience.
One of ashwagandha's most significant benefits is its ability to reduce cortisol, often called the "stress hormone."
Studies show that regular consumption can lower cortisol levels by up to 30% in chronically stressed individuals [Güllü & Kıroğlu, 2024]. This reduction in cortisol helps alleviate both the mental and physical symptoms of stress.
The mental wellbeing benefits of ashwagandha extend beyond just stress relief. The herb helps promote a sense of calm while supporting emotional balance and cognitive function by enhancing GABA activity in the brain and modulating serotonin pathways [Speers et al., 2021]. This makes it particularly valuable for those dealing with anxiety, overwhelm, or daily mental pressures.
Sleep and Relaxation
Getting quality sleep is essential for overall health and wellbeing. Ashwagandha has shown remarkable benefits for improving natural sleep patterns.
Clinical studies show that regular consumption can help you fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer, and wake up feeling more refreshed [Grabowski et al., 2024].
The herb works in harmony with your body's natural sleep-wake cycle by supporting healthy sleep architecture. It helps optimise sleep quality by increasing the amount of deep, restorative sleep while reducing unnecessary nighttime awakenings. This improvement in sleep efficiency means you get more benefit from the time you spend in bed.
Another key benefit of ashwagandha is creating healthy sleep patterns. The herb helps establish consistent sleep-wake cycles by regulating cortisol rhythms and supporting the production of sleep-promoting neurotransmitters. This makes it particularly valuable for those dealing with occasional sleeplessness or irregular sleep schedules [Speers et al., 2021].
Immune System Support
Your body's first line of defence is a strong immune system, and ashwagandha plays a vital role in strengthening these natural protective mechanisms through its powerful bioactive compounds [Singha et al., 2024].
Research has shown that ashwagandha has significant anti-inflammatory properties. It helps to regulate the body's inflammatory response and support balanced immune function.
The herb works comprehensively to boost immunity by increasing natural killer cell activity, supporting healthy white blood cell counts, and enhancing both cellular and humoral immunity. These benefits are particularly valuable during times of stress, when immune function is often compromised [Singha et al., 2024].
Mood Enhancement
Ashwagandha offers natural support for emotional wellbeing through its unique ability to stabilize mood patterns. The herb helps create a more balanced emotional state by modulating key neurotransmitters like serotonin and GABA [Güllü & Kıroğlu, 2024].
Clinical studies have shown that regular ashwagandha consumption can significantly improve mood scores and reduce symptoms of depression in participants.
The herb's mood-enhancing properties work in tandem with its stress-reducing effects. Ashwagandha helps create a more positive mental outlook while promoting emotional resilience by lowering cortisol levels and supporting healthy brain chemistry [Speers et al., 2021].
Energy and Focus
Unlike stimulants that provide a temporary energy boost, ashwagandha offers sustainable support for both mental and physical energy. The herb helps optimise the body's energy production systems while reducing fatigue, leading to naturally enhanced stamina and endurance [Guo & Rezaei, 2024].
Studies show that athletes supplementing with ashwagandha experienced significant improvements in VO2 max (maximum oxygen consumption) and power output, indicating enhanced cardiovascular fitness and physical performance.
Beyond physical energy, ashwagandha also supports mental clarity and focus. The herb helps improve concentration and cognitive performance throughout the day by reducing stress-induced brain fog and supporting healthy brain function. Research demonstrates improvements in reaction time and task performance, making it valuable for both athletic and cognitive demands [Guo & Rezaei, 2024].
Digestive Health Support
Research shows that ashwagandha plays a significant role in supporting digestive health by promoting beneficial gut bacteria while reducing harmful microorganisms.
A study found that ashwagandha supplementation increased beneficial Lactobacilli bacteria while decreasing harmful E. coli in the gut [Jyotsana et al., 2019]. The study also revealed improvements in intestinal morphology, with increased villus height and better nutrient absorption capacity.
These findings demonstrate ashwagandha's ability to create a healthier gut environment, supporting both digestion and nutrient absorption.
Cosmic Hue enhances these digestive benefits by combining ashwagandha with other gut-supporting herbs like marshmallow root and fennel seeds to make a delicious and potent tea blend.
How to Prepare Ashwagandha Tea
Heat water to just below boiling (85-90°C/185-195°F), or boil and let cool for 1-2 minutes. Add 1-2 teaspoons of ashwagandha powder to your cup using a fine mesh strainer or tea bag. Pour the warm water over the herb and steep for 3-5 minutes for balanced flavour, or up to 7 minutes for stronger effects.
For the best taste, use filtered or spring water. Stir occasionally while steeping to prevent clumping. The tea's earthy flavor can be enhanced with natural sweeteners like raw honey, cinnamon, or stevia. A splash of plant-based milk can add creaminess while maintaining the tea's benefits.
For optimal results, enjoy one cup daily, preferably in the morning or early evening. The benefits of ashwagandha tea build up over time with regular consumption.
Why Choose Cosmic Hue
Cosmic Hue combines ashwagandha with six other powerful healing herbs in a carefully crafted blend that supports both gut and mental health.
Each ingredient is meticulously sourced to create the most effective natural solution for your wellbeing, born from our founder's personal healing journey.
Conclusion
Ashwagandha tea stands as a powerful natural solution for modern life's challenges, offering comprehensive support for both body and mind.
This ancient adaptogenic herb helps you achieve better mood, clearer focus, and more balanced energy throughout your day, from reducing stress and anxiety by up to 30% through cortisol regulation, to improving sleep quality, digestion, and immune function. Scientific research confirms its ability to promote beneficial gut bacteria and enhance nutrient absorption, making it a complete wellness solution.
Transform your gut health and unlock natural energy with our carefully crafted tea blend. Try Cosmic Hue today and join thousands of satisfied customers who have discovered the healing power of nature's finest herbs.
References
Wikipedia Contributors (2019). Withania somnifera. [online] Wikipedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Withania_somnifera.
www.wisdomlib.org (2015). Ashvagandha, Ashva-gandha, Ashvagamdha, Ashwagandha, Aśvagandhā: 20 definitions. [online] Wisdomlib.org. Available at: https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/ashvagandha.
Guo, S., & Rezaei, M. J. (2024). The benefits of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) supplements on brain function and sports performance. Frontiers in Nutrition, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2024.1439294
Güllü, H., & Kıroğlu, O. (2024). Clinical applications of Ashwagandha plant in depression and anxiety. Cukurova Medical Journal. https://doi.org/10.17826/cumj.1460207
Grabowski, W., Karoń, K., Karoń, Ł., Zygmunt, A., Drapała, G., Pedrycz, E., & Pedrycz, D. (2024). Unlocking Better Sleep and Stress Relief: The Power of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) Supplementation – A Literature Review. Quality in Sport. https://doi.org/10.12775/QS.2024.26.54904
Singha, P., Ghosh, R., & Ghosh, D. (2024). Immunomodulatory Phytocompounds from Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (Ashwagandha) Against COVID-19. Trends in Immunotherapy. https://doi.org/10.24294/ti.v8.i1.2703
Speers, A. B., Cabey, K. A., Soumyanath, A., & Wright, K. (2021). Effects of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) on Stress and the Stress-Related Neuropsychiatric Disorders Anxiety, Depression, and Insomnia. Current Neuropharmacology, 19, 1468–1495. http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1570159X19666210712151556
Jyotsana, Kumar, P., & Berwal, R. (2019). Evaluation of the effect of supplementation of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root powder in the broiler’s ration on gut morphology and bacteriology: A review. The Pharma Innovation Journal, 8, 86–89. https://www.thepharmajournal.com/archives/2019/vol8issue10/PartB/8-10-13-437.pdf