Is ashwagandha your ultimate day and night wellness companion?

Imagine starting your day with a natural energy boost, sailing through midday slumps, and then effortlessly transitioning into a serene, restful evening. Sounds too good to be true? Well, hold on to your herbal tea, because today we're diving into the world of ashwagandha – your ultimate day-to-night wellness companion.

For when life gets stressful and demanding

A lot of us here on the Organico team have been taking ashwagandha regularly. It helps us stay energised throughout the day without reaching for the caffeine and sugar. 

Sarune from our team even notices a difference when she stops taking it:

I am a very busy mum, I have three kids, work full time and I’m studying as well, so sometimes I find life stressful and demanding. I started using Ashwagandha as it is an adaptogen that really helps with concentration and mood, and I found it makes a great difference to how I cope. There was a time I didn’t take it for a month and I felt as if I was on edge all the time – we always joke at home that if I don’t take it, my husband knows straight away!

Before we explore even more of ashwagandha’s day-to-night magic, let's get to know this wonder herb a little better…. 

Your ancient ally in modern times

Ashwagandha is a perennial shrub, also known as Withania somnifera, that has deep roots in Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine. 

For thousands of years, it’s been used as a tonic - or what's traditionally called Rasayana - for overall vitality and longevity. 

Fast forward to today, and modern research is catching up with ancient wisdom. 

Now ashwagandha is lauded as a versatile adaptogen (or a plant-based substance that helps the body adapt to stress and fatigue), that comes with a ton of health benefits.

How ashwagandha acts as your daytime dynamo

Let's start with how ashwagandha can brighten up your day… 

As an adaptogen, ashwagandha is like your stress-busting sidekick.

From a challenging work project to an intense Pilates class, ashwagandha can help your body adapt and respond to stress. 

Research, including a study in Medicine medical journal, shows that ashwagandha can lower cortisol levels – your body's stress hormone. Lower cortisol equates to less stress and more focus. Helping you to conquer your day with an extra dose of zen. 

Ashwagandha can also help boost cognitive function. A study in the Journal of Dietary Supplements found that ashwagandha extract improved memory, attention, and information processing. Helping you buzz through your to-do list like a productivity worker bee.

Ashwagandha’s daytime action is perfect for

• The Overworked Professional
  • If you’re working long hours and often find yourself overwhelmed and having difficulty focusing on tasks, taking ashwagandha could help you reduce stress and improve focus and productivity during the workday.

• The Stressed Student
  • If you’re feeling under pressure from coursework and upcoming exams, you could benefit from ashwagandha's potential cognitive enhancing properties which help improve memory and attention and reduce the stress associated with a demanding study schedule.

• The Senior Seeking Clarity
  • If you’re in your 70s or older and starting to feel the cognitive effects of ageing, ashwagandha can support maintaining clarity and independence. Studies suggest it can aid in preserving cognitive health, helping you stay sharp and engaged in your daily activities.

How ashwagandha acts as your nighttime nurturer

The same ancient herb which keeps you energised and focussed during the day also moonlights as a sleep promoter. It's like your wellness companion that effortlessly switches roles according to your needs. 

Ashwagandha helps you unwind and prepare for a good night's sleep by blasting away anxiety and rolling out the welcome mat for relaxation. 

Research suggests that it influences GABA receptors in the brain, as reported in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology. Think of GABA as your brain's "chill out" neurotransmitter that helps your body wind down and your mind stop going round in circles. Overall, helping you prepare for a nourishing night’s sleep. 

Ashwagandha’s night time nurturing is perfect for

• The Sleep-Deprived Parent
  • If you’re losing sleep due to a newborn's erratic sleeping schedule, you’re probably exhausted during the day but struggling to fall asleep at night. Ashwagandha could help regulate your sleep cycle, assist you in falling asleep faster at night, and improve the quality of your sleep.

• The Anxious Artist
  • If you often struggle with bouts of anxiety that disrupt your creative process, ashwagandha could help. By promoting relaxation and reducing anxiety, it can help you stay calm and get a better night’s sleep, which will feed your creativity, even under tight deadlines.

• The Burnt-Out Athlete
  • If you’re an athlete who often pushes your body to the limits, then you’re no stranger to physical stress and fatigue. Ashwagandha can assist your body in recovery phases, helping your body to adapt and repair after physical stress, leading to enhanced endurance.

5 amazing ashwagandha products to try

Now it's time to find a great ashwagandha for you. 

From boosting your brainpower to helping you keep calm and carry on, think of ashwagandha as a multitasking hero for your health. 

Here are 5 fabulous products you might want to invite into your daily routine:

1. For brain power, mood boosting and immune support

First up: One Nutrition Ashwagandha. 100% vegan-friendly and loaded with patented KSM-66 ashwagandha root extract, known as the most concentrated full-spectrum ashwagandha. They've also thrown in a dash of magnesium and zinc for a wellness cocktail that keeps you bouncing all day long. 

If you're looking for a supplement that can help keep your brain sharp, your mood balanced, and your immune system robust, One Nutrition Ashwagandha could be your new best friend.

2. For double the adaptogenic power

Viridian's Organic Ashwagandha Extract isn't just ashwagandha, it's ashwagandha and Siberian Ginseng, giving you an extra adaptogenic boost. 

Viridian stands out for their commitment to being green and socially responsible. So, it’s always a great choice for supporting the planet while taking care of yourself. 

3. For thriving in the fast lane 

If you want to get your nutrients in their most natural form, there’s nothing like Wild Nutrition’s Food-Grown KSM-66 Ashwagandha Plus. They've combined ashwagandha root with food-grown Magnesium, making it easier for your body to soak up all that goodness.

If you're often on the go and need a supplement to help you stay resilient, Wild Nutrition’s Ashwagandha Plus might just be the super-charged ally you need.

4. For fighting the frazzled feelings 

Stress...we've all been there. Sometimes it’s unavoidable. But Flora FMD's Stressveda is here to be your chill-out companion. This blend brings together KSM-66 ashwagandha and plant-sourced B Vitamins, all wrapped up in a lovely full-spectrum extract. 

The B Vitamins come straight from organic guava, holy basil and lemons. So if you're feeling more stress-ball than human lately, Stressveda might just help you find your zen again.

5. For a potent daily dose

Last, we've got Together Health Ashwagandha. This little powerhouse is a high concentration, full-spectrum, whole root extract made from 100% organic ashwagandha with over 5% withanolides (the biologically active compounds that give ashwagandha its potency).

Their standout feature is the ‘Green Chemistry’ extraction process that ditches synthetic solvents and keeps all the natural goodness of the herb intact.

From daytime energy to nighttime calm – achieving the ultimate balance

It's as if Mother Nature concocted a herb that understands and adapts to your unique day-to-night needs. 

But remember, while ashwagandha can be a powerful supporter, it's not a cure-all. It's best used as part of a balanced lifestyle. And it's always a good idea to consult with a healthcare professional before adding any new supplement to your routine.

Whether you're powering through a high-intensity workout, studying for an exam, or simply trying to unwind and prepare for a restful night's sleep, ashwagandha just might be the herbal helper you've been looking for.

It’s your wellness companion that works in harmony with your body's rhythms – powering your focus and productivity by day, promoting relaxation and restful sleep by night. 

Got questions about embracing the holistic harmony that ashwagandha can bring to your life? Send them our way ([email protected]). We love hearing from you.