The "Fountain of Youth" Herb

Is ashwagandha the closest thing to "The Fountain of Youth"?

As legend goes, the Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León sought out the fabled “Fountain of Youth”. This magical water source was said to cure ailments and keep one looking and feeling young forever.

This tale is by no means unique. Historical records indicate that many past civilizations have revered the idea that somewhere out there is a cure-all for human conditions. Many times, the cure was sometimes thought to be found in a water source or in an herb.

Qin Shi Huang was the First Emperor of a unified China. He ruled from 246 BC to 210 BC. He was convinced that immortality was possible. His fear of death led his court doctors and alchemists to concoct a potion containing mercury for him to consume, which drove him insane and caused him to die prematurely at the age of 50. It is ironic that his obsession with finding the "elixir of life", led him to his early death.

Ashwagandha:

Ashwagandha has long been considered a life-extending “miracle” herb in Ayurvedic medicine. The herb may be one of the most comprehensive healing substances known to man.

Ashwagandha is also known as Indian ginseng. Its use dates at least as far back as 4,000 B.C. The traditional Indian approach to healing involved using ashwagandha as a “Rasayana”, literally means “that which negates old age and disease.”

The prefix “ashwa” translates as “horse,” the implication being that consuming this herb gives one the power of a horse. Ashwagandha’s many uses include being used as a pain killer, stress reducer, hormone regulator, diuretic, aphrodisiac, astringent, stimulant, immune booster and as a tonic.

More than 200 studies on ashwagandha, have shown the following benefits:

• Increased stamina and endurance
• Improved thyroid and adrenal gland function
• Reduced stress and fatigue
• Protection against gastric ulcers
• Enhanced memory and cognition
• Protection against neurological disease and neurodegeneration
• Increased mitochondrial function and energy levels
• Anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic effects
• Anti-tumor and anti-cancer effects
• Improved immunity
• Boosted athletic performance
• Better sleep and decreased anxiety
• Central nervous system support

When it comes to cancer, ashwagandha has demonstrated powerful benefits in the treatment of cancer, including that of the lung and of the prostate.

Best Forms of Ashwagandha & How to Take It -From "The Truth About Cancer":

The most biologically active form of ashwagandha is said to be Nagori ashwagandha, though wildcrafted varieties have a similar composition. It is complete with all the alkaloids, withanolides (steroidal lactones), saponins, fatty acids, amino acids, choline and the various other anti-stress and immunomodulatory agents, that make it such a powerful medicine.

Ayurvedic health experts recommend consuming this variety as a fresh powder made from the roots of the plant. However, the leaves, flowers and seeds can also be beneficial when prepared for other purposes.

Since ashwagandha is an herb and a relatively mild one at that, it can be taken regularly as part of a healthy diet. This is because it’s basically just a food.

If you’re pregnant, it’s recommended that you take ashwagandha under the supervision of a qualified health practitioner, preferably someone well-versed in Ayurvedic medicine.

Traditionally, 5-10 grams of high-quality, organically-grown Withania somnifera root powder is mixed into a glass of warm cow’s milk. This is consumed once or twice daily for optimal benefits. If you consume cow’s milk, consume organic, grass-fed, gently warmed rather than cooked at high heat, as high heat. Alternatively, you can mix the powder into a warmed milk alternative.

An ashwagandha supplement made from pure root powder with no fillers is another great option.

The Chopra Center recommends taking ashwagandha at a dosage of 600 to 1,000 milligrams twice daily.

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