I have a confession: I didn't always know what an ashwagandha tincture was, and I definitely couldn't pronounce it when I first saw it in a seed catalog. (It's pronounced ASH-wah-GONE-duh, in case you're curious!)

I was fascinated by this plant and knew I had to grow it. Once I started cultivating this beautiful herb on our farm, it quickly became one of my favorite discoveries.

In a previous post, we discussed how to grow this remarkable plant. Now, in part two of our journey, we'll explore its exceptional medicinal value.

 Let’s dive in and discover why these beautiful roots made their way into our Calm Tincture, a combination of synergetic herbs. and just single herb, Ashwagandha tincture.  All the herbs in both tinctures are grown on our farm.

 What Is Ashwagandha? 

Communities have cultivated Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) for centuries, particularly in India, where it's essential in Ayurvedic medicine. Often referred to as "Indian ginseng" (even though it's not related), this sturdy plant thrives in warm climates and is known for its grounding energy.

The name "ashwagandha" comes from Sanskrit, where "ashva" means horse and "gandha" means fragrance. 1 Interestingly, its name reflects both the root's horse-like odor and the belief that it imparts the strength of a stallion.2 

Since ancient times, it has been traditionally used to strengthens the nervous system. 3  Recently, there has been growing interest in the potential health benefits with Ashwagandha in the areas of cognitive function and physical performance along with stress management.4  

Studies have suggested that supplementation of this wonderful herb can be helpful in other area of human health such as cardiovascular, sleep disorders, and hypothyroidism. 5

For purposes of this post, we will focus on the areas of stress management.

Why is Ashwagandha an Adaptogen?

So, what is an adaptogen?

Adaptogens are a unique class of herbs that help your body adapt to stress. 6 Rather than simply treating symptoms, they work to restore balance, or "homeostasis," whether the stress is physical, chemical, or emotional. 7 Ashwagandha is a root valued in Ayurvedic tradition for its ability to support the body's stress response.

It's believed to help regulate cortisol levels, the main hormone released during stress, making your body more resilient to life's challenges.8

In short, it helps build strength and stability from within. 

Why We Love Tinctures

Let's be real. Sometimes, you want the benefits of herbs without the hassle of brewing tea or planning your day around it. That's where tinctures come in. A tincture is a liquid extract made by soaking plant material in a solvent, like alcohol. We prepare our tinctures using fresh plant material from our farm, ensuring we capture the full potency of the herbs.

I prefer ashwagandha in tincture form, as it extracts the beneficial components of the root. The taste and smell might not be pleasant, but it's a small trade-off for an effective product. You can easily mix a few drops into your favorite drink or a hot beverage like tea or coffee. The heat will help to dissipate the alcohol, although the taste might still be strong for some.

We craft our tinctures using traditional methods. We harvest the roots at their peak, process them carefully, and let them infuse over time—slow and steady. There is no rush, just patience and the magic of nature.

 Dosage Tip:

Several studies have concurred different dosages based upon the amount of 2.5% to 5% withanolides in the extract.  (See here and here.)

Both studies suggested 600 mg per day helps with lowering stress with different amounts of withanolides in each extract.  There seems to be varying degrees of studies with different dosage amounts and we always suggest start slow to see how your body adapts.

We recommend beginning with five drops and gradually increasing to 20 drops, 1-3 times a day, as needed.  Our extract is 2:1 fresh root where most extracts on the market at dried roots with a 5:1 alcohol to root extraction.

Remember everyone's body is different, so find what works for you.

Why We Created Our Calm Tincture Blend

While our pure Ashwagandha Tincture is a powerful ally for managing stress, there is also great strength in using synergic herbs. That's why we created our Calm Tincture, which blends our farm-grown Ashwagandha with other time-honored stress-soothing herbs. This full-spectrum blend includes:

• • Skullcap is a traditional nervine known for its ability to ease nervous tension.
  • Milky Oats is a gentle restorative herb that nourishes the nervous system.
  • California Poppy is a well-known plant for promoting a calm, relaxed state.
  • Lemon Balm is a joyful nervine that can soothe frayed nerves.

By combining these herbs, we've crafted a holistic tincture designed to offer a more comprehensive approach to finding moments of peace and calm throughout your day. The Calm Tincture blend is not just about managing stress, but also about nourishing and supporting your nervous system, promoting a sense of well-being and balance.

A Note on Long-Term Use and Cycling:

There is limited modern medical research on the long-term use of Ashwagandha, and some herbalists suggest 'cycling' off of adaptogens for some time. This practice, familiar with many herbs, is based on the idea that it can help prevent your body from becoming too accustomed to the plant's effects, potentially maximizing its long-term benefits.

However, it's important to note that individual responses to herbs can vary, and what works for one person may not work for another. We recommend consulting with a trusted healthcare professional for personalized advice on long-term use and cycling. 

Everyday Ways to Use Our Ashwagandha Tincture 

Here's the fun part—working a few drops of our Ashwagandha tincture or Calm tincture into your daily routine. We're big believers in keeping things simple and joyful, so here are some gentle, no-fuss ideas:

• Morning Calm: Add to your lemon water or smoothie to start the day grounded. Perhaps pair it with Morning Mojo or Feeling Groovy Herbal Tea 
• Afternoon Breather: Mix into a cup of our Best Damn Mint herbal Tea or a mint of your choosing during your midday break.
• Evening Wind-Down: Pair with a good book, cozy socks, and the quiet satisfaction of knowing where your herbs come from. Consider pairing the tincture with a warm cup of: Happy Tummy Happy Life, Just Kick Back & Chill, or Best Damn Mint Herbal Tea

We craft all of these tea blends to help you find moments of peace and calm. Feel free to mix and match based on your mood. No pressure, no protocol. Whatever feels good. 

Final Sip: Rooted in Our Earth, Made for Today

Is Ashwagandha Tincture the ultimate stress buster? Maybe.

But here's the truth: nothing works better than coming back to yourself and sitting still, steeping slowly, and breathing deep.

Herbs like Ashwagandha, grown with intention and care on our farm, have supported that kind of pause for centuries. They remind us that nature doesn't rush—and neither should we.

If you're curious, ready, or just looking to try something new, rooted from our farm and made with our care, our Ashwagandha Tincture or Calm Tincture will meet you there. Breathe in.

Sip slowly. And let the farm do its thing.

A Note on Safety:

Please consult with a medical professional prior to embarking on using any herbal product especially if you have health conditions, take medications, or are pregnant or breastfeeding. For some information on some contraindications of using Ashwagandha, please read this article by the Cleveland Clinc.

It's also important to note that Ashwagandha is part of the nightshade family (Solanaceae), which includes eggplants, peppers, and tomatoes. If you have an allergy to nightshades, it's best to avoid this tincture.  

These statements contained on this post about the benefit of any of the herbs have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.

First Photo via Canva.  (My pictures are not as pretty as theirs.)

Footnotes:

2 A Singh N, Bhalla M, de Jager P, Gilca M. An overview on ashwagandha: a Rasayana (rejuvenator) of Ayurveda. Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med. 2011;8(5 Suppl):208-13. doi: 10.4314/ajtcam.v8i5S.9. Epub 2011 Jul 3. PMID: 22754076; PMCID: PMC3252722. Mishra, L. C., Singh, B. B., & Dagenais, S. (2000). Scientific basis for the therapeutic use of Withania somnifera (ashwagandha): a review. Alternative Medicine Review, 5(4), 334-346. [Original: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10936359/] 

6Panossian A. Understanding adaptogenic activity: specificity of the pharmacological action of adaptogens and other phytochemicals. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2017 Aug;1401(1):49-64. doi: 10.1111/nyas.13399. Epub 2017 Jun 22. PMID: 28640972. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28640972/

6 Lopresti, A. L., Smith, S. J., Malvi, H., & Kodgule, R. (2019). An investigation into the stress-relieving and pharmacological actions of an ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract. Medicine, 98(37). [Original: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6758406/] 

7 Panossian A, Wikman G. Effects of Adaptogens on the Central Nervous System and the Molecular Mechanisms Associated with Their Stress-Protective Activity. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2010 Jan 19;3(1):188-224. doi: 10.3390/ph3010188. PMID: 27713248; PMCID: PMC3991026. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3991026/