Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera): Benefits, Uses & How to Take It
Share
A Little Bit About This Wonder Herb
Ashwagandha is one of those herbs that we’ve come to deeply respect over the years. What we share here is based on what we’ve learned through study, hands-on growing, formulation, and real-life use. Not as doctors or medical experts, but as herb farmers who work closely with these plants day in and day out.
Originating in India, ashwagandha has been used for thousands of years in Ayurvedic medicine as a powerful adaptogen—a class of herbs that help the body adapt to stress and restore balance.
Here in Ontario, we grow our ashwagandha as an annual, cultivating it specifically for its root. We harvest just after the first frost, a timing that helps ensure the maximum concentration of beneficial compounds is captured.
As an adaptogen, ashwagandha supports the body’s ability to withstand stress and gently regulate multiple body systems. This is a herb that works best when taken consistently over time. It’s a slow, steady builder rather than a quick fix or something you feel immediately.
When We Reach for Ashwagandha
We reach for ashwagandha when we’re looking for longer-term, foundational support, rather than an immediate effect. It works gradually, helping to strengthen the body’s stress response over time.
We often use it for:
- Sustained, caffeine-free energy (not a quick pick-me-up)
- Long-term nervous system support during demanding seasons of life
- Building resilience to stress and burnout
- Supporting mental clarity and focus over time
- Immune system support, especially during prolonged periods of stress
- Helping to regulate elevated cortisol levels
- Encouraging a more balanced mood, particularly through seasonal transitions
- Ongoing support for anxiety & low mood when used consistently
Ashwagandha for Hormone Balance & Libido
Ashwagandha has a long history of use as a reproductive and vitality tonic in Ayurvedic medicine. While it’s not a fast-acting herb, its deep adaptogenic qualities can help support hormone balance over time, especially when imbalance is tied to chronic stress.
By helping regulate cortisol and strengthen the body’s long-term stress response, ashwagandha may support:
- More stable energy and mood
- Healthy thyroid function
- Libido that has dipped due to stress, exhaustion, or overwhelm
Rather than acting like a stimulant or aphrodisiac, ashwagandha works gradually, helping to rebuild vitality at the foundation level. When stress comes down and energy stabilizes, libido and hormone balance often follow.
How We Prepare Ashwagandha
We love working with ashwagandha as a tincture or a decoction, depending on what our day—or nervous system—needs.
Ashwagandha Tincture
When life is full and fast-paced, tinctures are our go-to. A quick dropperful in some water offers an easy, efficient way to take this herb consistently.
Ashwagandha Herbal Decoction (Long-Simmered Root Tea)
If you want to make the most of your ashwagandha, it’s worth taking an extra few minutes to prepare a proper decoction. Because the root is fibrous and dense, a long simmer is essential for full extraction.
How to make it:
- In a pot, add approx. one tablespooon of chopped root per one cup (8-12 oz) of water. (We just take a healthy pinch or two)
- Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 10-15 minutes.
- Strain and enjoy.
- Refrigerate leftovers and use within 24 hours.
Bonus: We often re-simmer the roots a second time for a more mild brew.
“Moon Milk” (Traditional Ayurvedic Preparation)
In Ayurveda, ashwagandha is often simmered in milk to enhance the absorption of its nutritive compounds. A few warming spices—like cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger—are typically added, with a drizzle of maple syrup or honey to finish.
Creamy, comforting, and grounding, it’s a lovely night-time ritual.
What Does Ashwagandha Taste Like?
Ashwagandha’s flavour is complex—earthy, bitter, then a bit sweet, and back again to bitter. I’ve come to really love its grounding taste, though it’s one that some people ease into.
If bitter flavours aren’t your thing (yet 😉), try:
- Starting with the tincture in some water, or
- Adding a sweetener or warming spices if preparing a tea
Ashwagandha, Thyroid Health & Cycling Safely
Ashwagandha has a complex and sometimes misunderstood relationship with the thyroid due to how it influences the stress response and, in some cases, thyroid hormone output.
Because of this, it is not a neutral herb for everyone.
Those with hyperthyroid conditions or Graves’ disease are generally advised to avoid ashwagandha, as it may further increase thyroid hormone levels and intensify symptoms. For those with hypothyroid conditions, it can be helpful. But with autoimmune Hashimoto’s, added caution is also important because it can stimulate immune activity, which isn’t always supportive in autoimmune conditions.
Because thyroid health is highly individual, our take is anyone with hyperthyroid, Graves’ disease, Hashimoto’s, or unexplained thyroid symptoms should only use ashwagandha with guidance from their healthcare provider.
Why Cycling Ashwagandha Matters
We also believe Ashwagandha (like many supplements!) is not meant for indefinite use. Because it works on the nervous system, endocrine system, and stress hormones, we suggest use in cycles rather than continuously.
A common rhythm is:
- 6–8 weeks on
- followed by 2–4 weeks off
Cycling helps:
- Prevent overstimulation
- Allow you to reassess whether the herb is still needed
- Lower the chance of unwanted effects over time
TLDR; It's Worth the Hype
Ashwagandha is a simply incredible herbal ally for stress resilience, steady energy, hormone balance, and overall wellness. It’s become popular in North America for good reason! We’ve particularly noticed an improvement in the quality of our sleep and overall mood, and have come to love the grounding flavour of a hot cup.
If you’d like to explore the ashwagandha we grow at our farm, you can find our tincture and tea here → Shop Ashwagandha Products
Ashwagandha FAQs
How long does it take to notice ashwagandha’s benefits?
Ashwagandha isn’t typically fast-acting. Most people notice subtle shifts after 2–4 weeks, with deeper benefits building over 6–8 weeks.
Can ashwagandha make you sleepy?
Ashwagandha is not a direct, immediate sedative, rather it helps improve overall sleep quality, reduce stress-induced insomnia, and aids in falling asleep faster. Some people may feel a more noticeable calming effect.
Should I take ashwagandha in the morning or at night?
Either! Consistency matters more than timing.
Can I take ashwagandha every day?
Yes, but we're of the belief that herbs are best used in cycles rather than continuously.
A helpful rhythm is 6–8 weeks on, followed by 2–4 weeks off.
What’s the best way to take ashwagandha: tincture or tea?
Both are effective—just different. The best method is the one you will use.
Tinctures are quick and easy; decoctions and moon milk also get a wonderful extraction. The only method we don’t use is a short-steeped tea, as you miss out on the good stuff!
Gentle Alternatives for Stress Support
If ashwagandha isn’t the right fit for your body, or you’re simply looking for something milder and more immediately nourishing, here are some wonderful alternative or complementary herbs:
Oatstraw (Avena sativa)
Oatstraw is one of our favourite herbs for long-term nervous system nourishment. Rather than pushing or stimulating, it gently rebuilds and restores. We reach for it during seasons of:
- Chronic stress or burnout
- Nervous exhaustion
- Feeling “fried”
- Low resilience after long periods of output
It’s especially great as a daily nourishing infusion.
Milky Oat Tincture
Milky oats (the fresh, milky stage of the oat seed) are more targeted for the acute, frayed-nerves stage of stress—when you feel emotionally raw, overwhelmed, or overstimulated.
We often suggest milky oat tincture for:
- Heightened anxiety or emotional sensitivity
- That “everything feels like too much” kind of stress
- Gentle, immediate nervous system calming
- Supporting the transition out of burnout
It’s one of the most universally well-tolerated nervous system remedies, and a beautiful starting place for people new to herbs.
