What Is Ashwagandha?

When it comes to reducing anxiety and increasing calm, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and India’s Ayurveda believe adaptogens can play a role in supporting the body’s natural stress response. Ashwagandha is one of the many adaptogenic herbs to choose from, and today we’re diving into the history, top products, and easy recipes to help you get your daily dose.

What Is Ashwagandha?

Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb that’s part of the nightshade family. Ashwagandha’s scientific name is withania somnifera. In Latin, somnifera means “sleep-inducing,” which is a nod to one of the potential benefits of this supplement. The herb is a perennial and grows about two feet high. When ripe, the leaves sprout bell-shaped flowers with deep orange fruit inside. It thrives in dry soil and grows primarily in India, but can also be found in Nepal, Yemen, and China.

Benefits of Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha is known for aiding stress and supporting the immune system. One study over a 60-day period found that “a high-concentration full-spectrum Ashwagandha root extract safely and effectively improves an individual’s resistance towards stress and thereby improves self-assessed quality of life.”

How to Use Ashwagandha

The most straightforward approach is simply swallowing ashwagandha pills, but depending on whether the supplement takes a liquid or powder form, there are other ways to take it as well.

Blend ashwagandha powder into a smoothie
Stir ashwagandha powder into oatmeal or yogurt
Blend ashwagandha powder into your favorite beverage, like a matcha or turmeric latte
Top your meal with a few drops of ashwagandha extract

Try This Ashwagandha Moon Milk Recipe

End your day with this soothing beverage made with macadamia nut milk, honey, and ashwagandha powder. You’ll love the sweet scent of rose tea.

Ingredients

1 ½ cups Milkadamia Macadamia Milk Latte Da Barista
1 tablespoon honey
1 hibiscus and rose hip tea bag
½ to 1 teaspoon Organic Traditions Ashwagandha Root Powder
½ teaspoon ground ginger

Instructions

Warm macadamia milk and honey in a small saucepan. Once simmering, turn off heat and add tea bag; steep 5 minutes. Pour into a blender, along with ashwagandha powder and ginger. Blend on high for 1 minute, until frothy. Pour into a mug and enjoy!

Refreshing Mint Blueberry Spritzer

This beautiful spritzer upgrades your spa water by blending juicy blueberries and energizing mint with a powdered elixir that’s filled with fermented greens like wheatgrass and adaptogenic herbs like ashwagandha and moringa.

Ingredients

10 fresh mint leaves, plus sprigs for garnish
¼ cup fresh blueberries, divided
2 scoops Amazing Grass Beauty Elixir
2 cups sparkling water
1 cucumber, thinly sliced into ribbons
Ice

Instructions

Add mint leaves and 2 tablespoons blueberries to a tall pitcher. Gently muddle with a wooden spoon to break up the berries and release the mint’s fragrance. Add powder and sparkling water; stir well. Using a swirl pattern, arrange 2 cucumber ribbons in each glass; fill with ice. Pour spritzer evenly into glasses and garnish with mint sprigs and remaining blueberries.

Best Ashwagandha Supplements

Thrive Market stocks a wide variety of ashwagandha supplements so you can choose the one that’s right for you.

Herb Pharm Ashwagandha Extract

This extract was made by hand in small batches. The liquid formula is gluten-free, non-GMO, and easy to add to your water or juice on a regular basis.

Organic Traditions Ashwagandha Root Powder

Keep this 7-ounce bag handy to help you get your daily dose of ashwagandha. The organic powder is ready to add to your morning meals—just sprinkle 1 teaspoon over oatmeal, yogurt, or stir it into a protein smoothie.

Sun Potion Ashwagandha

Sourced from small organic farms in Northern India, Sun Potion ashwagandha is sourced from an organic cold-water extract of the ashwagandha root, which some believe is the most potent part of the plant.

Organic India Tulsi Ashwagandha Tea

Infuse your day with ashwagandha in tea form. The adaptogen was sourced from small family farms in India and is blended with organic fruit flavors to enhance your sip.

Moon Juice Ashwagandha

The earthy taste of this supplement pairs well with cocoa, mucuna, and reishi. Blend it into smoothies or add a spoonful to your morning coffee.

Organic India Ashwagandha Supplement

Organic India works with organic family farms to implement regenerative farming practices. This bottle includes 180 capsules—take two daily as part of your wellness routine.