Ashwagandha is a popular herb in Ayurvedic medicine, which is an ancient system of natural healing that originated in India. It is also known as Withania somnifera or Indian ginseng. Ashwagandha is classified as an adaptogen, meaning it helps the body manage stress and maintain balance. It has a long history of use in traditional medicine for various purposes, including reducing stress, improving mood, boosting energy levels, and enhancing overall health and well-being.

Yes, stress literally ages us. Stress at any age isn’t easy to manage. However, not all stress is “bad” as it causes our natural defences to kick in, what is termed the “fight or flight response” however, a constant state of stress isn't! When we experience stress our adrenal gland releases the well known steroid hormone “cortisol”. Cortisol plays a role in many of our bodily functions such as, our metabolism, immune response and most importantly our response to stress. If exposed to the constant release of cortisol, this chronic stress actually breaks down our skin’s elasticity and collagen. Unfortunately, chronic stress has serious consequences as it can lead to age-related diseases.

Symptoms can arise when cortisol levels remain too high. Cortisol levels in the bloodstream that are elevated for a prolonged period of time (such as those associated with chronic stress) are known to have negative effects. High cortisol levels, often associated with chronic stress or certain medical conditions, can manifest in various signs and symptoms. Some common signs of high cortisol levels include:
- Weight gain, particularly around the abdomen
- Increased appetite and cravings, especially for sugary or high-fat foods
- Difficulty sleeping or insomnia
- Fatigue and low energy levels, despite adequate rest
- Mood swings, irritability, or anxiety
- Elevated blood pressure
- Impaired cognitive function, such as memory problems or difficulty concentrating
- Weakened immune system, leading to frequent infections or illnesses
- Muscle weakness or loss of muscle mass
- Irregular menstrual cycles in women
- Digestive issues, such as bloating, indigestion, or stomach ulcers
It's important to note that experiencing one or more of these symptoms does not necessarily mean you have high cortisol levels, as they can also be attributed to other factors.

Unlike our ancient ancestors, we do not face the stressful threat of being eaten. However, we do face demanding work deadlines; financial worries; health issues and juggling family life. All these factors set off our body's natural alarm system. Yet, what if our "alarm system" keeps going off? New research in the area of chronic stress reveals that it actually ages us at a cellular level. Chronic stress and cortisol depletes an enzyme called “telomerase” which replenishes our telomeres (chromosomes' protective caps) affecting the length of the telomere. Shortening of telomeres leads to premature cellular ageing, persistent inflammation, weakened immune systems and chronic diseases associated with age. The good news is that you can counteract or at least protect your telomeres from shortening. By watching what you eat, avoiding pollution and toxins, engaging in a regular exercise routine and most importantly, managing your stress!
“You might think you need to improve your diet, or exercise more, and that’s true. But for you, the first priority might be to manage stress better so you are more capable of doing those things, and reduce a hormonal barrier to weight control into the bargain.” - Dr. David Katz, Director of the Yale University Prevention Research Center in New Haven, Connecticut.

Well, stress is nothing new and that’s why an ancient medicinal herb called Ashwagandha has been used over 3,000 years to manage stress. This “power herb” improves concentration, increases overall energy levels and has been proved to reduce stress and anxiety. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera, fam. Solanaceae) also know as Indian ginseng or Winter cherry is a yellow flowering, evergreen shrub. Native to India and North Africa its roots and velvety green leaves have been used for their many medicinal properties. What makes it so special is that Ashwagandha is an adaptogen but unlike other adaptogens, it has a sedative effect that helps anxiety or nervousness. It can help your body respond to chronic and oxidative stress and has been studied to show that it helps reduce the key to stress, “cortisol levels”.

When one sips on a cup of green or black tea, that sense of calmness and relaxation may be attributed to an amino acid called L-theanine. We do not naturally produce L-theanine, but it may affect the levels of serotonin and dopamine in our brain, which affect our mood and sleep, as well as cortisol levels, which help our bodies cope with stress. We have added L-theanine as it comes as no surprise that it is used to reduce anxiety, stress and sleep disorders. As stressful situations often cause increased blood pressure, L-theanine may be beneficial in aiding to normalize stress-induced blood pressure. It also has inflammatory and antioxidant properties which may help your immune system, decreasing the incidences of upper respiratory tract infections and improving inflammation in the intestinal tract.