Ashwagandha: The Rejuvenator

 

Withania somnifera, or Ashwagandha, is a revered herb in Indian Ayurvedic medicine – referred to as the “Indian ginseng” and the “rejuvenator”. Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb used to increase the body’s resilience to physiological and psychological stress and improve the body’s state of health overall. Although useful for a wide range of other health conditions, Ashwagandha is particularly known for its adaptogenic properties and the regulation of hormones, reducing anxiety, improving sleep, and treatment of Alzheimer’s.

Regulation of Hormones

Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb. This means that it supports the body’s systems, assists the body’s ability to adapt to stressors, and has a normalizing and balancing effect on the body. If a system is either under or over active, adaptogenic herbs like Ashwagandha will aid the body to restore its natural balance. Ashwagandha’s adaptogenic properties particularly benefit the endocrine system, which allows for the proper regulation of hormones. One study determined that Ashwagandha has thyroid enhancing properties and effectively regulates TSH, Free T4, and T3. This may be beneficial for those struggling with under or overactive thyroid glands, or for anyone looking to help balance their hormones.

Lower Anxiety

Traditionally Ashwagandha has been most often used for anxiety relief. A number of studies have demonstrated its effectiveness as both an anxiolytic and an anti-depressant due to its chemical composition and its adaptogenic properties. The biologically active chemical components of Ashwagandha include sitoindosides and acylsterylglucosides, both of which are anti-stress agents. As well, because of its adaptogenic properties Ashwagandha improves an individual’s resilience to stress, and therefore improves overall mood. One study measured Ashwagandha consumption in stressed rats and found that serotonin levels went up with the use of Ashwagandha, the neurotransmitter associated with feelings of happiness. Another study on patients with alcohol addiction found that Ashwagandha significantly increased GABA levels, a neurotransmitter known to reduce anxiety. As made evident by these studies, Ashwagandha may be useful support for those experiencing anxiety, or for those looking to improve their mood and overall well-being!

Improved Sleep

Ashwagandha has also shown positive results in improving sleep and fatigue. One study measured mice with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), a syndrome characterized by persistent fatigue and exhaustion. The study determined that Ashwagandha improves fatigue by decreasing lipid peroxidation and restoring glutathione (GSH) levels. Most people that struggle with insomnia have lower GSH levels, as it is an antioxidant that helps produce melatonin and induce delta-wave sleep. Another study demonstrated that Ashwagandha is effective for insomnia by decreasing cortisol, as elevated cortisol levels are another cause of insomnia. Ashwagandha may be a good solution for those looking to improve sleep, reduce fatigue, and boost energy throughout the day.

Treatment of Alzheimer’s

Ashwagandha has been shown to be effective in improving memory and cognitive performance. Many recent studies have also shown its potential as a treatment for Alzheimer’s. It does this by improving cognitive abilities, which allows for improved motor and memory skills. One study showed that Ashwagandha inhibits the formation of beta-amyloid plaques, plaques found in the brain cells of Alzheimer’s patients. Another study demonstrated that it has cognitive promoting effects and is useful for children with memory deficit and those with neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s. It does this by helping restore memory loss, as it aids in the formation of dendrites which are necessary for synaptic processing in the brain. In addition, while Ashwagandha is particularly helpful for those experiencing memory loss and cognitive impairment, it is also useful for improving cognition in otherwise healthy individuals. In a 2014 double-blind study, subjects were randomly given either Ashwagandha capsules or a placebo and assessed on cognitive and psychomotor performance. Significant improvements were seen in the Ashwagandha group as compared to the placebo group. Although further research is still needed, these studies demonstrate that it may be an effective natural treatment for Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases, as well as support for improved cognition in general population.

 

Ask your naturopathic doctor for more information.

Wellness Naturopathic Centre, North Vancouver, BC

www.wellnessnaturopathic.com

The information on this website is for educational purposes only. It does not substitute for proper assessment and treatment by a licensed health care provider.

Road to Recovery with Rhodiola Rosea: A Rejuvenating Herb

Rhodiola Rosea also known as Russian Rhodiola is a herb which consists of multiple therapeutic effects.  It is found mainly in countries with colder climates such as Iceland and in mountains in Eastern Siberia.  Each part of the plant consists of various essential nutrients, but it is the roots and the rhizomes or the Rhodiola that contain the most medicinal properties.

Rhodiola Rosea has adaptogenic properties which help combat fatigue and anxiety, and increase resistance against physical, mental and environmental stresses and therefore it is also known as a rejuvenating herb.  The admirable benefits of this herb do not just stop here.  It also acts as a neuroprotective, anti-cancer, cardio protective, anti-depressive, and an anxiolytic agent.  The extracts derived from Rhodiola Rosea’s rhizomes are important in improving seasonal affective disorders (SAD), concentration and mood.

 

Depression

A research study was carried out to investigate the effectiveness of this extract in terms of treating individuals with mild to moderate depression.  This study consisted of males and females aged 18-70 years old.  This was a double blind placebo controlled study where participants arbitrarily were assigned to group A, B and C.  Group A and B received daily doses of the Rhodiola Rosea extract consisting of different potencies, and group C only received the placebo.  After 40 days it was found that participants in Group A and Group B showed less symptoms of depression and were able to sleep better than the patients in Group C, demonstrating the effectiveness of Rhodiola extract in terms of treating patients with mild to moderate depression as well as poor sleep.

This herb plays an important role in counteracting the effects of stress by interacting with hormones and neurotransmitters such as serotonin, epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine and cortisol.  These hormones and neurotransmitters play a crucial role in regulating our mood.  Rhodiola does this by stopping the enzyme which disintegrates the neurotransmitter that is required to stay happy.

 

Stress and Heart

Stress induced cardiac damage can be prevented by taking Rhodiola Rosea.  This herb plays an important role in preventing the release of catecholamines during highly stressful times.  Catecholamines are hormones which affect our sympathetic nervous system during flight or fight situations.  One of the major organs our sympathetic nervous system acts on is our heart.  Therefore during highly stressful times the release of catecholamine increases our heart rate, rate of contraction, and our blood pressure.  With the help of Rhodiola, the reduced release of catecholamines allows for the proper functioning of our parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous system to maintain homeostatis.

 

Anti-oxidant Power

The antioxidant power of this herb is also being extensively studied worldwide.  The ability of Rhodiola Rosea to counteract the damage of oxidation by radicals was found to be very high.  The anti-mutagenic and anti-cancer properties of this herb, was also shown to be powerful, having great ability to help prevent the advancement of tumors in cancer patients.

 

Weight Loss

When it comes to losing weight, again Rhodiola is not a silent player.  Some individuals who have a difficult time losing weight around certain areas of the body such as the abdomen can greatly benefit from Rhodiola.  This herb initiates lipase enzymes in our system.  These enzymes play a substantial role in the breakdown of fat found in our adipose tissues.  Research data shows that taking Rhodiola Rosea is an effective way to help shed those extra pounds.

 

Athletic Performance

This herb is also used extensively by Russian athletes to help enhance their athletic performances.  Recent studies have found Rhodiola Rosea to play an important role during intense physical exercise.  The supplementation of this herb taken by elite athletes appears to have improved the capacity to physically exercise by decreasing skeletal muscle damage and lactate levels after an intensive physical exercise session.

 

Importance of the Quality of the Herb

Not all Rhodiola Rosea supplements are equal in quality and hence effectiveness.  Some supplements have poor quality due to faulty harvesting methods, over drying and poor extraction techniques.  Since the medicinal properties are found in the root of Rhodiola Rosea, it is important that the supplements contain the Rhodiola root.  A pure and potent amount of rosavin and salidrosides which are two of the active ingredients of Rhodiola roots is an important part of a good quality Rhodiola Rosea supplement.

 

The benefits of Rhodiola Rosea are endless with the majority of research pointing to a positive impact on both physical and mental health.

B Vitamins Help with Stress, Mood and Sleep

B-vitamins are water-soluble vitamins that play an important role in immune and nervous system function, cell growth and metabolism, energy production, mental health and stress management. Since water soluble vitamins are not stored in the body, the excess being excreted in the urine, they can be quickly depleted from the body and must be replenished regularly. B vitamins are a group of eight individual vitamins, often referred to as the B-complex vitamins, including B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B5 (pantothenic acid), B6 (pyridoxine), B7 (biotin), B9 (folic acid), and vitamin B12.

B-complex vitamins are essential for mental and emotional wellbeing because of their significant role in regulating the nervous system and affecting mood. The brain operates by millions of neurons (brain cells) communicating with each other. Neurons communicate with each other through neurotransmitters. Among these neurotransmitters, the neurotransmitter “serotonin” plays a complex role in the way you eat, sleep, behave, and has a great influence on your overall sense of well being.

Serotonin is sometimes referred to as the “happiness hormone”. It helps to regulate mood, anxiety, relieve depression and promote healthy sleep patterns. When the level of serotonin in the brain is changed, a person’s behavior is also altered. A normal level of serotonin promotes feelings of happiness, but sometimes during periods of stress, the body uses higher levels of serotonin to compensate for being overwhelmed. Accordingly, the levels of serotonin begin to drop causing irritability, depression, anxiety and sleep problems. By facilitating the function and manufacture serotonin, B vitamins help fight stress, insomnia, depression, nervous disorders and migraines among other conditions.

Melatonin is another neurotransmitter in the brain that helps regulate the body’s circadian rhythm, the 24-hour internal clock that plays a critical role in the time you fall asleep and the time you wake up. It is sometimes referred to as the “darkness hormone” because when it is dark, melatonin production is increased, and in the morning the production of melatonin drops considerably. Since B vitamins enhance the production of melatonin, they facilitate healthy sleep patterns.

When the body is exposed to long periods of stress, B vitamins become depleted. This can manifest as anxiety, irritability, restlessness, fatigue, headaches, sleeplessness and inability to concentrate. This is why it is important to replenish the body with B vitamins especially during stressful times. Since B vitamins tend to work together synergistically, it is best to take a well balanced vitamin B complex formula to maximize benefits.

Always consult your naturopathic doctor before initiating a new regimen.

Wellness Naturopathic Centre, North Vancouver, BC

http://www.wellnessnaturopathic.com

The information on this website is for education purposes only. It does not substitute for proper assessment and treatment by a licensed health care provider.

 

What is Bach Flower Therapy and How Can It Benefit You?

What are Bach flower remedies?

Bach flowers remedies/essences originate back to the 1930’s and were discovered by British physician and bacteriologist Dr. Edward Bach. In his pursue to treat the person rather than the disease, he researched and discovered 38 flower remedies to address and remove the emotional roots that give rise to physical manifestations of disease. The mind-body connection was of utmost importance in his treatment approach. In essence his belief was that the physical symptoms and discomforts are always preceded by emotional imbalances and worries. This belief very much resonates with what we see today as the root of different diseases. Studies after studies have linked different stress factors and traumas as the origin to many diseases. For instance, irritable bowel disease is strongly linked to anxiety and stress and often when these emotional disturbances have been treated, the disease itself also dissipates.

How do Bach flower remedies work?

The remedies are made from infusion of different wild flowers and plants. These essences help to restore the balance in the system and treat the individual on a holistic level. They gently remove negative emotional patterns and feelings of fear, worry, anxiety and sadness. This allows the body to revert to its natural state of peace and stillness which allows the body to heal itself of any physical symptoms/dis-ease.

Is it just a placebo effect?

No. The effectiveness of Bach flower therapy has been seen in both animals and children who are not susceptible to placebo effect.

What conditions would benefit from Bach flower therapy?

Both physical and emotional conditions would benefit from flower essences. Bach flower remedies are prescribed based on emotional disharmonies which often manifest as physical conditions. When these emotional states are harmonized, the physical components also heal. Some of the conditions treated with this therapy include anxiety, insomnia, depression, irritable bowel syndrome, headache, panic attack, menstrual problems, chronic fatigue and more.

How do I know which Bach flower remedy is right for me?

The remedies are chosen based on your current emotional state as well as temperament and personality traits. Each remedy is specific to a pattern emotions and personality characteristics; making Bach flower therapy a very individualized treatment. The correct remedy is determined through a consultation with a naturopathic doctor/other health care provider that is trained in prescribing Bach flower remedies.

Do Bach flower remedies have any side effects?

The remedies are gentle and safe for adults, children and pregnant women. In fact, Bach flowers work very well for pregnant women who experience any irritability, mood changes, or tension during their pregnancy or have anxiety and worrying around birthing. And since many herbs are contraindicated during pregnancy, Bach flower remedies are one of the treatments of choice during this time.