As long as people have been getting to know plants as friends and medicinal allies, there has been one quest. I know that sounds silly. But it truly all comes down to one thing. From our ancestors to the scientists working in labs to the subjects in group studies– we, as a species, have been seeking out…balance.
Seems simple enough, right? With a scale, you want equal weight on both sides. With work and life, you want equal time and effort spent at home and at the job.
But with health and wellness, it’s an orchestra of each system doing its job to the best of its ability so that you can live full and happy.
That is why using whole herbs as a regular part of our everyday lives is so vitally important.
Just as you cannot be broken into pieces as just a brain, just a body, just a spirit– neither can the herbs. They have so much to give when we get to know them so well that we grow to trust them.
The modern wariness of herbs is not to be mocked though. They are powerful beings that exist without our approval. We need to learn them, as we do each other.
But… there are some herbs that are so available to us it is almost as if they are eager to meet our acquaintance. These herbs are called many things: tonics, adaptogens, immunomodulators.
Meet Ashwagandha
There is one that I truly believe encompasses the word balance. Allow me to introduce you to Ashwagandha.
Hailing from the rich healing cultures of India and Africa, Ashwagandha has been used for thousands, literally thousands of years.
This gorgeous perennial shrub grows deep roots and fuzzy little leaves. The entirety of the plant can be used for magic and medicine. From root to flower, Ashwagandha is packed with healing.
Let’s explore how this ancient herbal remedy has modern applications.
#1 Stress: Ashwagandha Can Help
Whether we like it or not, we are in the cusp of some substantial upsets as a society. Between global pandemics, civil rights marches, spiritual awakenings, and more information than we have ever had access to, the overload is real. Am I right?
On top of that, there is all this pressure from, albeit well-meaning folks, to practice self-care. But how?
Life isn’t all rainbows, we’ve learned that. But healing isn’t all bath bombs and clean eating.
So let’s get to the real stuff.
Long-term stress has a long-term effect on the body.
When the body is in a state of duress, our evolutionary instincts kick in. We must survive this moment. If that means shutting down digestion, immunity, sleep, reproduction–it is all for the sake of surviving. However, when this duress is consistent, the brain makes the body shut down those key functions, it takes real time and effort to get back into our natural state of balance.
Enter stage right: Ashwagandha.
This powerful herbal ally has the unique ability to balance stress. It calms the nervous system so the rest of the body can play catch up. Your gut processes your food. Your immune system fights pathogens. Your brain forges new pathways.
It’s almost like that old saying, “when the cat’s away the mice will play.”
It’s almost like when you’re stressed and you’ve got a tummy ache and your head hurts, you take a nap and feel refreshed.
That feeling is ashwagandha.
Cool thing about it is there are no known contraindications or side effects. It’s just that good.
Here’s how to make it:
Tea of Ashwagandha
- Decoct 1 tsp (5 ml) of ashwagandha in 2 cups (480 ml) of water until the mixture has cooked down by half.
- Strain.
- Add 1 tsp (5 ml) of a sweetener (molasses is my fave with this herb).
- Enjoy as needed.
Tincture of Ashwagandha
- Add ½ cup (120 ml) of ashwagandha to a jar. Add 1-2 cups (240-480 ml) alcohol/vinegar/glycerine to the jar.
- Shake every day for 30 days.
- Strain.
- Take 1 dropper full (1.4 tsp or 1 ml) every day.
- Take notes of how the mixture makes you feel.
The thing about herbal healing is that it takes time. Life was not always so “on the go.” Remedies such as these encourage us to slow down and listen to our bodies. That intuitive connection to mind, spirit, and body is the first step toward holistic healing.
