Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera), known as Indian Ginseng, has gained popularity in botanical medicine for its potential health benefits, particularly for women. It’s worth  exploring its advantages throughout a woman’s lifetime, recommended usage and potential contraindications.

Traditionally used in India, Ashwagandha was commonly prepared as a churna, a fine sieved powder mixed with warm milk and ghee to support the nervous system. It’s known to reduce insomnia, improve memory and even boost milk supply in breastfeeding women, providing much-needed support during the mothering years. 

The American Herbal Products Association’s Botanical Safety Handbook, second edition, classifies ashwagandha as a Level 1 safe herb during the nursing years. Although it’s considered safe, LactMed, a Drug and Lactation Database, suggests using caution with infants and preemies due to its sedating and calming effect. It’s crucial to monitor infants for any adverse reactions to botanicals, such as skin breakouts, sleep disturbances or digestive issues. 

Ashwagandha has a bitter, warm and drying taste. Therefore, it may be suitable during the postpartum years when the mother might be feeling cold or chilled. However, it may not be the most effective treatment during the peri-menopausal years due to its warming and drying effects. In Ayurvedic medicine, Ashwagandha is revered as a Rasayana, an herb that promotes youth and longevity, and alleviates suffering.

As an adaptogen, Ashwagandha helps prevent burnout and regulates the thyroid and adrenal glands. It’s particularly beneficial for women with hypothyroidism and can alleviate anxiety, fatigue, clouded thinking and insomnia. The powder is rich in iron, making it an effective natural remedy for iron deficiency. Additionally, Ashwagandha can alleviate muscle pain and clouded thinking, and is associated with extended lifespan, mental stimulation and enhanced sexual function.

However, it’s essential to exercise caution when using Ashwagandha. Master Herbalist David Winston, in his book Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief, advises against using the powder form for individuals with excessive iron or women with hyperthyroidism, as it may increase T3 and T4 production. Pregnant women should also avoid Ashwagandha, and individuals with autoimmune disorders should exercise caution due to its potential to enhance T1 activity.

Ashwagandha is most well-known due to its support in enhancing your sleep. In terms of the most effective form, the powder or supplement known as KSM-66—which uses only the root extract—has been shown to yield the most positive results. The supplement can be taken before bedtime to promote relaxation and another supplement in the middle of the night if necessary.
If the tincture for Ashwagandha proves ineffective, it may be due to the small amount of alcohol and the liver’s ability to process it. In such cases, a supplement or powder form may be a more suitable option.

Ashwagandha can be consumed in various forms, each with its own benefits. The most common forms include supplement form (400 to 500 milligrams twice daily) and powder form (1 teaspoon in warm milk with ghee to enhance sleep or milk supply). Additionally, 1 to 2 full droppers of a tincture in a quarter cup of water (2 or 3 times daily) can be used to alleviate stress.

It’s clear that Ashwagandha and adaptogens are invaluable tools in managing the demanding demands of contemporary motherhood. Adaptogens assist women in transitioning from the fight-or-flight response to a state of rest and digestion, enabling them to thrive in life. This botanical played a pivotal role in my recovery from postpartum depression, in conjunction with other botanicals that balanced the nervous system. Renowned for its ability to provide the strength and stamina of horses, Ashwagandha is a valuable botanical to incorporate into one’s medicine cabinet for years to come.