I am on the mailing list for Garden of Life and it was mentioned in a mail recently. It was late. I have been experiencing some of the most extreme stress I’ve ever experienced in my life. I haven’t been able to sleep well. Waking up in the morning feeling sick in the pit of my stomach and unable to do anything.
I thought of ashwagandha late last night and, digging through my kitchen, looking among the many different glass jars, containers, and bags of herbs, I couldn’t find it. I was certain I had it somewhere. I remember seeing it. I know I had it.
But where was it? I could not find it anywhere. I finally gave up and thought that perhaps I had to throw it away for some reason. Maybe I spilled something on the bag or something.
But then, still not convinced that I didn’t have it, I looked again and, there it was in this odd, hexagonal-shaped glass jar which probably had originally had some kind of exotic jam in it or something. It was unmarked, but I knew it was ashwagandha, this herb I had previously bought, put in this jar, and left on my stove but had never really, properly been introduced to.
I went into my utensil drawer and found a little plastic micro scoop and proceeded to put one scoopful, about a thimble size, into my mouth. The dry powder made me cough. I had one more. The taste – I had only recently read to some surprise that ashwagandha is considered an adaptogen – the taste tasted like an adaptogen to me. I reminds me of ginseng and eleuthero, only more mild. But definitely similar.
This morning when I awoke I did not have that same horrible feeling. I took more ashwagandha today and it has made me really sleepy. I have not felt this kind of sleepiness in a really long time and, even though it’s kind of making it difficult for me to study, I fully and completely welcome it. Feeling tired! Wow! It’s so amazing! I love it!
Finally, finally my body kicked out of this high gear where I was just grinding myself down.
I have had insomnia going back for years. I can’t even start to speculate now how, if, or to what extent ashwagandha may finally be a tool to help me, but already I can say I need it. I just have to remember not to take too much during the day.
Just as with other adaptogens I am noticing immune-modulating effects. I’m very tuned in to my body’s immune system. One reason I rarely if ever use eleuthero is that it is simply too powerful, it turns down my immune system too far (the extract I have is really high strength and even small amounts have a big effect).
Time to take some extra zinc and mouthwash to keep my immune system happy.
Hello ashwagandha. Nice to meet you. I didn’t know you were in the solanaceae family. I like you. I hope you help me! I bow to you in reverence.
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