Helpful Healing Herbals - Vol 1 - Ashwagandha

For a number of months now, I have been looking for an herb that could help with the daily stress and anxiety I feel.  I was also looking for something to help me get more rest, since off and on, I have trouble sleeping at night - either falling asleep is the problem, or staying asleep. I have tried a number of different approaches - using lavender oil before bed, using it in a diffuser, which is wonderfully beneficial, however the diffuser kept me us with it's tiny green light. After doing some research, I found an Indian Ayurvedic herb called Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera). 

 
It is indigenous to India, and has been used for thousands of years and has a number of health benefits. Here is a partial list of all of the great things Ashwagandha can do for you:
- lessen anxiety
- reduce insomnia
- curb arthritis
- increase virility
- increase energy
- reduce inflammation
- eliminate backache
- stabilizes blood sugar
- asthma support
- decrease swelling
- reduce stress (how your body reacts)
- degenerative diseases (Alzheimer's, Parkinson's)
- Antioxidant
- protects from brain loss

Personally, I began taking it nightly with my other vitamins, and noticed within a few days, I slept better than I had in months - and, as someone who loves taking an afternoon nap, I did not need one! Also, reading more about it, I have learned that Ashwagandha has a number of powerful protective effects on the nervous system. 

"For example, in validated models of anxiety and depression, ashwagandha has been demonstrated to be as effective as some tranquilizers and antidepressant drugs. Specifically, oral administration of ashwagandha for five days suggested anxiety-relieving effects similar to those achieved by the anti-anxiety drug lorazepam (Ativan®), and antidepressant effects similar to those of the prescription antidepressant drug imipramine (Tofranil®)."

 What a great and powerful gift from Mother Nature - "Indian Ginseng" as it is often called (it is not related botanically to ginseng), has been quite a blessing for our family, I am sure it can help yours too!  
I purchased my Ashwagandha online at Amazon. Here is the one I purchased. 

As always, check with your doctor before taking any supplements or herbal remedies.

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Devil's Claw - Harpagophytum Procumbens

Devil's Claw - Harpagophytum Procumbens

Devil's Claw, which is also called "grapple plant" or "wood spider" is a genus of plants in the sesame family, native to southern Africa. It owes its common name Devil's Claw to the unusual appearance of its hooked fruit. The plant's large tuberous roots are used medicinally to reduce pain and fever, and to stimulate digestion. 

I like to know how cultures have learned about the medicinal use of different herbs, I was pleased to read that a German soldier stationed in Africa brought devil's claw back to his home where it was used to treat arthritis.

I will be starting do work with the roots of this plant, to make a topical rub for lower back pain. From what I have read, Devil's Claw is great for pain sufferers who have grown dependent on pain killers for relief: recently published double blind studies have shown that Devil's Claw can relieve pain from arthritis in as little as ten days of use, lower back, knee and hip pain was also included in the study. It is also used to treat osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, bursitis, tendinitis and soft tissue pain (muscle aches).

I am excited to try out some recipes and see how effective it is for my own lower back pain and inflammation, which seems to become worse in cold / damp weather. I am hopeful that this will help!  

I purchased the root online on Amazon, since my local herb shop did not carry it. I'll make sure to report what my findings are and how it works.