The big question, what is Ashwagandha for?
Ashwagandha, also known as Indian ginseng or winter cherry, is a root. It's that simple. Only it's an adaptogenic root with magical properties, so step aside chicory, there's a new kid on the block.
Well, technically, ashwagandha is an evergreen shrub. It grows primarily in India, the Middle East, and parts of Africa. And it has a long history of use in traditional medicine. For hundreds (more than likely, thousands) of years, people have used the roots and orange fruits of ashwagandha for medicinal purposes.
Ashwagandha is an important herb in Ayurvedic medicine. In Ayurveda, ashwagandha is considered a Rasayana. This means that it helps maintain youth, both mentally and physically.
There is some evidence to suggest that the herb can have neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects. Ashwagandha has been used to treat a number of ailments including:
- stress
- inflammation
- anxiety
- fatigue
- pain
Cortisol - our primary stress hormone - is incredibly important evolutionarily. It controls our fight or flight response (run away from that tiger!). But when we are faced with chronic everyday, never ending stress, it can be very taxing to our poor little overworked adrenal glands. This ultimately leads to burnout. Which might just deserve the award for worst feeling in the world.
We knew the benefits of ashwagandha were a must have for our Recover Bars working double time to help you replenish, nourish and restabilize after long sessions at the gym, work, or at the crag. What is ashwagandha for and why do we use it at SEND, we use ashwagandha as a recovery tool to:
- reduce stress
- promote well-being
- calm the nervous system
- regulate cortisol
- support your adrenals (the glands that produce cortisol)
- wind you back down into a calm state
And it has proven to be effective. In the two years leading up to our launch, we sent our bars with 100+ athletes on expeditions all over the world, and we received rave reviews about our recovery formula. People reported that eating a Recover Bar truly helped them properly nourish, wind down and destress ahead of a whole lot of action the following day.
So here's to the magical, mystical benefits of Ashwagandha and the role it played in making people mellow yellow after a day of treachery.
And as for you, while we wish we could light a candle, wrap you in a sauna blanket and read you a sleep story, our Salted Peanut Recover Bar will have to do for now.
*Stuff we have to say: We are not doctors, nor do we pretend to be. This information is not meant to treat, cure, heal or diagnose any illness or disease. Please seek advice from your trusted medical professional(s) if you have questions if these products are right for you.