It’s no secret that Ashwagandha has become one of the most popular adaptogens in the wellness world, and since this ancient herb is praised for helping manage stress, support hormone balance, improve sleep, and boost energy, it’s no wonder.
Despite its increasing popularity in recent years, Ashwagandha is actually rooted in Ayurveda, an ancient Indian system of holistic medicine. It’s been used for centuries to support the body, mind, and spirit through natural practices that promote vitality, resilience, overall wellbeing, and long-term health. With that in mind, we think it’s high time we learnt more about it!
In this helpful guide, we’ll help you discover all you need to know about Ashwagandha. What it’s good for, how it benefits men and women differently, and how to spot potential side effects with practical tips for using it safely.
What Is Ashwagandha & What Is Ashwagandha Good For?
Ashwagandha is a root herb that’s been used in Ayurveda for thousands of years. It’s also classified as an adaptogen, which means it helps the body respond to stress by regulating cortisol levels and promoting balance. Sounds great, right?
So what do people commonly use ashwagandha for? Whilst its benefits are seemingly endless, many turn to this trusty herb for…
- Reducing stress and anxiety
- Supporting better sleep
- Boosting energy and physical performance
- Maintaining hormonal health
- & Supporting immunity
Many choose this herb over other supplements because it not only works gently with the body and is well-researched over many years, but also for how it cleverly supports multiple areas of mental and physical health at once, rather than targeting just one symptom.
Ashwagandha Benefits for Men
We’re so used to hearing the benefits of herbs and supplements for women that it’s easy to forget men can often benefit from using them too. When it comes to ashwagandha benefits for men, they’re just as likely to experience a noticeable impact on both physical and mental health.
Research even suggests it may help reduce stress and support healthy testosterone levels, which in turn can improve energy, stamina, and reproductive health. Speaking of energy, if you’re looking to elevate yours, our Strawberry Energy Blend offers fast-acting energy in every strip. It’s powered by powerful ingredients including caffeine and B-vitamins! Simply mix with water and enjoy.
Many also notice better endurance and faster recovery after exercise - and that’s not all! Other key benefits men often report include:
- Cortisol reduction
- Improved performance during physical exercise
- Improved muscle recovery
- A healthier libido
So men, if you’re looking to improve your mind and bodily health with a dietary supplement that offers noticeable improvements in all of these areas, Ashwagandha should certainly be on your radar!
Ashwagandha Benefits for Women
As you’ve probably guessed, women can also reap the benefits from ashwagandha, particularly for stress management and hormone balance.
For the restless sleepers, you’ll be glad to hear it may help improve the quality of your nightly shut-eye. Additionally, if you suffer from (mild) PMS symptoms, it may help ease them alongside supporting mood and cognitive function. How does ashwagandha do this? By moderating cortisol. Cortisol is a key hormone in the endocrine system, the network of glands that produce and release hormones into your bloodstream. By moderating and balancing your cortisol levels, ashwagandha can help create a greater sense of calm for your body and your mind throughout the day. This means healthy hormone signalling, a calmer response to stress, improved sleep, and overall hormonal harmony.
So to sum up, and give you a quick-look key for the future, typical ashwagandha benefits for women include:
- Stress and anxiety reduction
- Sleep improvement
- Hormonal balance and PMS support
- Mood and cognitive wellbeing
General Ashwagandha Benefits for Everyone
Ashwagandha isn’t just for gender-specific health improvements; it also supports overall wellness.
Many people notice reduced fatigue, elevated immunity, improved brain function, and anti-inflammatory effects when taking it consistently. These general benefits make it a truly versatile adaptogen for anyone looking to enhance overall resilience and vitality when it comes to their lifelong wellness.
Ashwagandha Side Effects & Safety Considerations
Generally, ashwagandha is completely safe to take, and the health benefits are well worth introducing this historically acclaimed herb into your weekly wellness routine. That said, some people report mild symptoms/ashwagandha side effects.
These can include digestive upset, drowsiness, or headaches. Additionally, people with thyroid conditions, those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, and those taking certain medications should always consult a healthcare professional before use. They can tell you whether or not ashwagandha is right for you and safe to take based on your medical history.
Important safety points to remember:
- Stick to recommended dosages (typically 300–600 mg/day of standardised extract)
- Monitor your body’s response, especially in the first few weeks. If you experience anything concerning, discontinue using ashwagandha and consult a healthcare professional.
- Avoid ashwagandha if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or on certain medications
How to Take Ashwagandha for Best Results
Ashwagandha comes in capsules, powders, and liquid extracts, making it easy to find the right form of consumption for you personally. We love to take ours in the simplest form of all - our M-Vit cranberry, fast-dissolving multivitamin strips. They’re packed with all of the essentials from A vitamins and B-complex to go send and, of course, ashwagandha. Our strips melt on your tongue, offering clean, vegan nutrition without pills or sugar!
As for when to take ashwagandha, timings may depend on your goals. For example, morning doses can help with energy and stress management. Meanwhile, evening doses may support relaxation and sleep. And remember, benefits usually develop over time, so consistent daily use is key.
Finally, the effects of long-term use are not widely known. Ashwagandha should be taken for no longer than three months. Again, if you plan/want to take it for longer, check with your healthcare provider first.
So what do we know? Ashwagandha is a super versatile adaptogen that supports stress management, hormone balance, sleep, energy, and overall wellbeing for both men and women.
And now that you understand its benefits and safe usage guidelines, you have all you need to decide if it fits into your wellness routine.
Explore our supplement guides to learn more about ashwagandha and other high-quality supplement products that’ll instantly elevate your lifelong health goals.