Ashwagandha is an adaptogen, helps us to manage the negative effects of physical and emotional stress. Stress causes a surge in the key hormones - adrenaline and cortisol – both of which increase alertness as part of the ‘fight or flight’ response. Ashwagandha supports a healthy body response, helping us find calm, especially during times of change. Ashwagandha’s roots are harvested and air-dried before being used. All Pukka’s organic highest quality ashwagandha is grown in a dry region of north Karnataka (South West India). Ashwagandha’s ability to help the body adapt to stress is reflected by its ability to thrive in arid conditions and poor-quality alkaline soils. Most plants would suffer from severe stress in such an environment.

Nowadays, with a generation obsessed with wellness, buying vitamins from Holland and Barrett on your lunch break has become normal. Ashwagandha has been well-researched in this regard with several studies supporting its effectiveness in managing the effects of stress [i],[ii]. However, this herb is unusual in that it is also a tonic, meaning it will strengthen an exhausted or agitated nervous system whilst calming it at the same time. Ayurveda, the ‘science of wellbeing’ that developed in India over 5000 years ago, has a long history of using ashwagandha’s roots to nourish the mind and enhance energy, making them perfect for when we are feeling weak and exhausted.

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More research is needed to fully understand how this amazing herb works, and Pukka’s Herbal Research team is looking into pinning down the exact mechanisms with ongoing research projects. We are currently supporting a human study looking at the effects of ashwagandha on health. How we grow our highest quality ashwagandha Adaptogens help the body adapt to long-term daily stressors, reducing negative changes during times of emotional and physical stress by strengthening the endocrine and nervous systems.

Ashwagandha has long been used in ayurvedic tradition to nourish the mind and relax the nervous system. Due to its amazing benefits, you'll find our ashwagandha supplements and teas in our relax, sleep, and women's ranges. If you would like to find out more about the benefits of Ayurveda, take a look at our wellbeing articles. You will find plenty of helpful tips and advice for living a healthy lifestyle, including information on getting the most out of your Pukka products. Ashwagandha is one of Pukka’s hero herbs. Part of the nightshade family, the root has been used as a traditional rejuvenating tonic to help people of all ages with stress-related situations. The most revealing family feature is its small red berries, like cherry tomatoes, which explain its other common name ‘winter cherry’. Meghan Markle has been said to have used it when prepping for her wedding and taking it in capsule form. Though Ayurvedic methods may seem 'new-age' and though they are jumping on the wellness bandwagon, ashwagandha has a good reputation in calming nerves and helping those who are anxious and stressed.Modern research supports that women who took a dose of the plant ashwagandha every day over a month saw significant improvements in achieving orgasm and sexual arousal. We’ve all heard of aphrodisiacs such as oysters and chocolate, but research reveals there’s a healthy plant out there to help women naturally boost their sex drive and achieve an orgasm. This comes as no surprise to our herbal experts, such as our Head of Herbal Education, Jo Webber, who says: “ashwagandha has a long history of traditional use for helping us to cope with everyday stress and relax without feeling exhausted which could explain why it helps women achieve an orgasm/ or support women’s libido. Ashwagandha can be taken safely with contraceptive pills, which for some women can be a factor associated with low levels of sex drive.” Ashwagandha for men Each of our ashwagandha capsules and teas has been expertly crafted by our in-house herbal experts and nutritionists using the highest quality organic ingredients. Ashwagandha is also an adaptogen which, as the name suggests, means it helps us adapt to modern day stressors. What are adaptogens?