Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is an unassuming looking evergreen shrub native to India, Sri Lanka and Africa, but is now more widely cultivated in many of the other hot, dry climates of the world . It sports small velvety leaves, bell-shaped flowers, and little orange berries that resemble tiny tomatoes.
Prized for its roots, Ashwagandha has been greatly revered for thousands of years in Ayurvedic practice, often deemed ‘King of the Herbs’ for the belief that it could restore youth and vitality. The root has a somewhat earthy, some may say barnyard aroma. The name ‘Ashwagandha’ actually translates to ‘smell of a horse’, which could refer to its odor, or to the widely held belief that it could impart the strength of horse to the person consuming it!
Ashwagandha root is commonly simmered with milk and spices for a soothing and delicious beverage to help manage stress and encourage restful sleep for old and young alike. It can also be decocted as tea.
For many centuries, people from all over the globe have found fresh herbs to be a gentle yet effective health-enhancing blessing. These are our own hand packed loose herbs, packaged in old world apothecary style, air tight brown paper canisters to keep light and moisture out, and freshness in. Use in teas, tinctures, and elixirs.