Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) –commonly known as Indian ginseng or winter cherry, is one of the most distinguished herbs of Ayurveda.
Ashwagandha is best known for its anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) and stress-relieving effects. It also seems to reduce cortisol levels. In addition, a growing body of evidence supports the efficacy of ashwagandha for improving one’s total sleep time and sleep quality.
There is an increasing interest in ashwagandha among athletes. Ashwagandha has been reported to improve the VO2 max, and preliminary evidence suggests that it also improves upper and lower body strength, lower body power and recovery times.
