Hello, I am Ashwagandha root (Withania somnifera), native to India, northern Africa, and the Middle East, but you can grow me right here in the midwest, as it’s my first year root that is harvested for medicine. Dig me up in the Fall when my energy has gone back down to my roots. Farmer Nancy likes to dig me up after the first frost.  I am considered sacred India and am also known as ‘Indian Ginseng’. I am widely used in Ayurvedic medicine to build essential energy for both the body and mind.  I fall into a category of herbs known as adaptogens. Adaptogens increase your resistance and resilience to stress by building ‘adaptive’ energy to keep the body balanced through physical, mental and chemical stressors in life. However, we are not meant to take the place of good restful sleep or a healthy diet.
Many adaptogens are stimulating but I am a calming soothing adaptogen. I’m very effective for anxiety and fatigue but especially nervousness. If you find yourself frenetically moving throughout your day and half way through you run out of gas, I might be the herb for you. I can help balance that energy so you get a longer smoother ride throughout your day.
Cloudy, foggy thinking and insomnia related perimenopause, I’m there for you.
Insomnia related to nervous exhaustion, again I’m there for you.
I help have the ability to stimulate the thyroid making me very useful for hypothyroidism (not hyperthyroidism).
I am rich in iron, so consider me if you have anemia due to iron deficiency. Avoid me if you have hemochromatosis (too much iron).
I have anti-inflammatory properties and can be helpful in reducing pain and inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
I can also help stimulate the libido and male reproductive functioning.
I’m incredible.
I am in the nightshade family so avoid using me if you are sensitive to us.
You can find me at Red Clover Herbal Apothecary Farm’s annual medicinal plant sale coming up soon. Take me home and plant me and then dig me up in the fall. Make a tincture out of me or dry and powder my root and take me that way.