Exploring the miraculous rise of Ashwagandha. This post unveils my personal experience so you can decide if it’s something you want to try as you become aware of its stress-busting, hormone-balancing powers in our hectic, modern lives.
As I settled into perimenopause Ashwagandha became my superhero, swooping in to rescue me from the clutches of perimenopausal pandemonium. Picture this: one minute, I’m Ms. Zen, handling life’s rollercoaster with the grace of a swan. The next? I’m Ms. Raging Inferno, embarking on a solo, full-volume tirade against the universe. Yep, my once tranquil persona got body-snatched by this mid-life, fire-breathing dragon. Hello, walking cliché!
Honestly, even my mirror was like, “Who’s this?” It was a nightmare. There I was, a single mom to a three-year-old, trying not to compete in the World Tantrum Throwing Championships. We couldn’t both be flinging our toys out of the pram, right?
And here’s the kicker: just seven years ago, hormones showed me their rainbow side – the blissful, progesterone-fueled pregnancy glow, where everyone treats you like royalty. Then came the oxytocin deluge post-childbirth, turning me into a love-struck, baby-sniffing, sleep-deprived mess of euphoria.
So, in true detective style, I dove into research mode and discovered my knight in herbal armor: ASHWAGANDHA. Boom! Life-changer. It turned down my internal volume knob from ‘ear-splitting’ to ‘serene’. Ashwagandha, you’re the real MVP!
So the short answer is yes, if you’re feeling stressed by life, it’s definitely worth trying Ashwagandha
What’s an Adaptogenic Herb?
Ashwagandha, is a traditional Ayurvedic herb used in Ayurveda (traditional Indian medicine) and is classified as a well known Adaptogenic herb. Adaptogens are exceptional natural substances that help the body and mind adapt to stress, supporting normal metabolic function, and helping restore systemic equanimity in the mind and equilibrium in the body.
Adaptogens produce changes by increasing your resistance to biological, emotional, physical and environmental stressors and are unique from other substances in their ability to restore the balance of your endocrine hormones, harmonising your immune and nervous systems, thus allowing your body to maintain optimal homeostasis.
Importantly they are also non-toxic.
Ashwagandha & Perimenopause
So, how does it work? Ashwagandha is believed to influence the body’s stress response mechanisms. It helps regulate cortisol levels – that pesky stress hormone that can go haywire during perimenopause. Elevated cortisol can exacerbate perimenopausal symptoms like insomnia, anxiety, and those infamous mood swings. By keeping cortisol in check, Ashwagandha can be a game-changer in smoothing out these emotional rollercoasters.
But wait, there’s more. Ashwagandha also plays a role in balancing hormones. Hormonal fluctuations are the headliners of the perimenopause show. By modulating the endocrine system, Ashwagandha can help ease these hormonal ups and downs, offering relief.
Ashwagandha: Too Good to be True?
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) has been the hot topic in the wellness world, even more so over the past few years. I see it as the rockstar adaptogen that should find space in everyone’s apothecary, tea, latte, or morning supplement regimen.
But why? What makes this herb such a powerhouse, why are so many people reaching for it in many forms-root, powder, capsule and tincture.
And how did it turn my rage around?
Ashwagandha & Your Response To Stress
Ah, Ashwagandha – the herbal chill pill in our high-strung world. Let’s face it, stress is like that annoying guest at every party. It crashes into our lives, uninvited, messing with everything from our immune system to our late-night Netflix binges. It’s like a universal seasoning, sprinkled liberally over every aspect of life – job woes, those ‘oh-so-peaceful’ nights with a newborn, or just the daily circus of adulting.
Enter Ashwagandha, the unsung hero for our frazzled nerves. This adaptogenic herb is like the tech wizard of the herbal world, tweaking the knobs and dials of our neuroendocrine system. It’s all about keeping those stress signals – courtesy of the HPA axis and the SAS (think of them as your body’s alarm systems) – in check.
But wait, there’s more! Ashwagandha isn’t just about dampening the stress sirens. It’s like the DJ of your neurotransmitters, fine-tuning serotonin and cortisol levels to hit that sweet spot of calm and clarity. When cortisol, the stress hormone, throws a wild party, it can turn us into raging, hypertensive, sleep-deprived, party poopers. And if cortisol decides to bail on the party? Welcome to the world of chronic fatigue, depression, and a bunch of other uninvited guests.
So, whether cortisol is crashing the party or sneaking out the back door, Ashwagandha is your go-to bouncer, keeping the peace and maintaining the vibe. Who knew this little herb could be such a powerhouse in managing the rollercoaster of life?
How I Take Ashwagandha
I’ve been on an experimenting journey with Ashwagandha over these past few months. I take 1 capsule (340mg) of Fushi Wellbeing’s Ashwagandha first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. I like this brand because their supplements are freshly-ground, hand blended and capsulated in their London workshop. I also use their Ashwagandha Tincture. Fushi’s nutriceuticals are organic, vegetarian friendly and formulated with 100% pure active ingredients in bio available form for the best absorption. Personally I think their product is fantastic.
Click Here For More Info On Fushi’s Collection of Adaptogens
If You’re Feeling Stressed By Life or Perimenopause, It’s Worth Trying Ashwagandha
Are you riding the stress express, feeling more frazzled than a cat in a yarn store? Well, it might be time to invite Ashwagandha to the party. This little herb could be your ticket to Chill-Ville when life turns up the heat, leaving you anxious, frazzled, or as blue as a smurf.
But hey, it’s not a free-for-all. If you’re a kid, pregnant, breastfeeding, your thyroid’s throwing curveballs, or other underlying health-issues, put a pause on that Ashwagandha train. It’s always smart to have a chat with a medical professional first. Safety first, folks!
And if like me you have entered perimenopause and feel like a monstrous rage coming on or that you’re losing your mind then taking Ashwagandha might just be your new BFF. Trust me, it turned my own perimenopausal rollercoaster from a nightmare into a more… And for my fellow perimenopause warriors, navigating those monstrous waves of rage or feeling like your brain’s turned to mush – Ashwagandha might just be your new BFF. Trust me, it turned my own perimenopausal rollercoaster from a nightmare into a more… manageable carousel ride. Give it a whirl – it might just do the trick for you too!
My Nugget Of Wisdom
You know what I love about Brené Brown? She taught me that it’s okay to show up and be seen in my life, just as I am, even when I’m terrified, in fact especially when I’m terrified! Even in midlife, particularly when you’re in your prime, she’d say. Let’s be real; midlife can feel like wading through quicksand.
I’m there now, wearing the T-shirt, and let me tell you, it’s hard in many ways but it isn’t a crisis, it’s a reset button. Brene’s message about embracing vulnerability was a wake-up call. She’s right when she says, “Vulnerability is not winning or losing; it’s having the courage to show up and be seen when we have no control over the outcome.”
Embracing that has allowed me to lean into the discomfort, embrace the changes, and start working on unlocking my potential. So what about you? Don’t you think it’s time for you to dare greatly? You can own this.
You Feeling Stuck? Need Some Inspo?
If you’re feeling stuck and need some inspo on helping you release some of your limiting beliefs, read this post I wrote on crushing your limiting beliefs to clear your path to success. Click on the link below.
