Withania somnifera, known as Indian ginseng, is a woody shrub whose bitter, earthy roots have anchored Ayurvedic practice for millennia as the premier adaptogen for nervous system resilience and stress recovery. Its distinctive steroidal lactones (withanolides) work to modulate cortisol and inflammatory cascades, making it prized for restoring vitality in cases of chronic depletion and anxiety.
root, leaf, berry
powder, decoction, capsule, tincture
300–600 mg standardized extract daily; 1–2 tsp dried root powder 2–3x daily with warm milk
May overstimulate some individuals. Monitor with thyroid medications.
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