There is nothing more frustrating than lying awake under the covers, being unable to fall asleep. Insomnia has many causes and oftentimes it’s because our mind keeps racing even though our body is tired, making sleep ever so evasive. Some people find meditation useful, others like falling asleep to their favorite true crime documentary in the background (hey, whatever floats your boat). There isn’t one solution that fits all. For those of you still searching for a remedy that will enable you to catch some z’s – you may want to give ashwagandha a try.
Ashwagandha is a medical herb that is native to Asia and parts of Africa. It is commonly used in Ayurveda, a traditional Indian practice of medicine. It is believed to have many health benefits like lowering blood sugar, improving concentration and reducing inflammation. It’s also considered to be an adaptogen by reducing cortisol levels, aka the stress hormone. As such, ashwagandha may be beneficial in reducing anxiety which causes those racing thoughts that make sleep seem like an impossible task.
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Ashwagandha is accessible in health stores and online stores and comes in the form of capsules, teas or powders that can be added to your beverage of choice. One of the most popular ways to consume it is by mixing it with milk, honey and cardamom. If you don’t care for cardamom, try substituting it with some cinnamon. You can also add it to a warm cup of chocolate milk if you prefer your beverages sweet. No matter how you decide to ingest it, taking some ashwagandha before bed can soothe those nerves and allow you to feel calm and peaceful. You might be surprised how quickly you will fall into a deep sleep and drift off to a world of vivid, carefree dreams.