Ashwagandha is a powerful herb with remarkable stress supporting properties comparable to those of powerful drugs that are often used to support positive mood and a healthy stress response. 

Ashwagandha has powerful antioxidant properties that seek and destroy the free radicals that have been implicated in aging and numerous health challenges. Scientific studies support Ashwagandha’s ability not only to support a healthy stress response, but also to protect brain cells against the harmful effects of our modern lifestyles.

This herb also has a big impact on our hormonal health. Specifically with regards to improving thyroid function and lowering stress hormones such as cortisol. When cortisol is at a healthy range in the body, then your levels of other, more "youthful" and protective hormones such as progesterone, testosterone and thyroid will improve.

In 2016 an 8 week study was conducted on 50 individuals suffering from hypothyroidism (low thyroid). 600mg of ashwagandha was administered daily and at the end of the 8 week study, those who received ashwagandha enjoyed significant improvements in thyroid levels compared to those who took a placebo. Specifically, the ashwagandha group experience a 41.5% increase in T3 hormone and a 19.6% increase in T4!

For all the fells out there looking to support their natural testosterone production and overall hormonal health, do not ignore Ashwagandha. This herb has demonstrated a remarkable ability to both lower cortisol (the main stress hormone) in humans, while naturally increasing testosterone production in healthy men. It's powerful impact on the thyroid noted above is important here to as a slow, sluggish thyroid will also equal, low and sluggish testosterone production. 

It should not come as a surprise, that along with these hormonal improvements, ashwagandha has been shown to help increase strength, muscle mass, decrease body fat and improve fertility and overall health!

Ashwagandha is one of the most studied, and proven herbs out there with regards to natural testosterone production. Testosterone is said to drop off with age. We believe this is due to compounding nutritional deficiencies, man made chemical exposure and build up in the body, as well as ever increasing stress hormones that come along with age. Excess stress (and stress hormones like cortisol) lowers testosterone and other “youthful” hormones. As stated above, Ashwagandha supports a healthy stress response. Stress hormones, when left chronically elevated can ravage your hormonal and overall health.

In a study published by the International Society of Sports Medicine, men between the ages of 18-65 received Ashwagandha daily, paired with weight training for 8 weeks. The study concluded that the men who took Ashwagandha enjoyed significant increases in both strength and muscle mass over the placebo group who did not receive Ashwagandha.

Remember – not all herbs and oils are created equal. You want to make sure what you are using is coming from a quality, reliable source. We utilize Young Living’s Powergize herbal supplement which features Ashwagandha as a main ingredient along with several other powerful herbs such as Eurycoma longifolia root powder and the essential oil of Idaho Blue Spruce. Idaho Blue Spruce essential oil is a favorite of many men, as it is well known for supporting a healthy libido and testosterone production in men.

And for the ladies, check out the supplement Cortistop for Women. Both Cortistop and Powergize are great sources of quality Ashwagandha along with many other quality herbs and essential oils. These are easy to use supplements that actually work!

Thank you for reading!

#Oilyevanstribe

Written by Will Evans

*This information includes ideas and suggestions that is educational in nature, and is provided only as general information. We are not medical professionals; and our advice should not be looked upon as medical treatment plans. This information does not represent the views or opinions of Young Living.*

References:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28829155

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/ashwagandha-thyroid#ashwagandhas-effects

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26609282

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19789214

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21170205

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