In today’s always-on world, it seems stress can get in the way, getting us flustered before a presentation or antsy as we try to unwind, affecting our mental and physical well-being. And at the racing heart of stress is a sensitive hormone called cortisol, often referred to as the body’s primary stress hormone. (1) While stress serves as an important role for our survival mechanism (for example, if we were being chased by a bear, we’d want cortisol to kick in!), when there is prolonged exposure to high levels of cortisol, it can lead to an impact on our health.

So what can we do to help manage high cortisol and stress levels? Luckily, humans have been tackling this problem for a long time. One of our resources as been ashwagandha, a respected herb and adaptogen with a storied history in traditional ayurvedic and indigenous medicine, dating back over 3,000 years. (9)

What Is Ashwagandha?

Ashwagandha, scientifically known as Withania somnifera, is a plant rooted in both ancient wisdom and modern science. This small shrub, native to the diverse landscapes of India, the Middle East, and pockets of Africa, holds a wealth of therapeutic potential. Ashwagandha is also commonly referred to as "Indian Ginseng" or "Winter Cherry," names which pay homage to its role in traditional medicine practices. (7)

In Ayurvedic practice, ashwagandha offers a holistic approach to supported well-being that harmonizes the mind, body, and spirit. Belonging to the Solanaceae family (you may know them as “nightshades”), which also includes potatoes, tomatoes, and eggplants, ashwagandha shares its lineage with culinary staples but is really best known as a stress-supporting ingredient. (8) Its meaning is admittedly a little less appetizing, with the origin of its name translating to "horse's smell" in Sanskrit, due to the distinct aroma emitted by the fresh root of the plant. (9)

Try Ashwagandha for Stress Relief

So, why ingest an herb that smells like horse? (The ashwagandha in our Stress Relief Supplement doesn’t, btw. It’s essenced with citrus so the capsule smells fresh and fruity.)

Well, ashwagandha just may be nature’s answer to chilling out. Shoden® Ashwagandha has been clinically-shown to support natural cortisol levels and to reduce stress. Think of it as hitting the pause button on stress of the daily juggle we often experience. Who couldn’t use a little relief these days?*

Ashwagandha in Ritual’s Stress Relief BioSeries^TM

We took a look at the research and decided ashwagandha was a powerful resource in supporting stress management. That’s why we incorporated it, along with two other clinically-studied ingredients, in our Stress Relief BioSeries™, a first of its kind BioSeries™ technology, to support the body’s natural cortisol response with an instant and extended release formulation.*

Our Shoden® Ashwagandha, included in the Stress Relief BioSeries™ formulation, is derived from the root and leaf of ashwagandha. It is a bioactive form clinically-studied to support normal cortisol levels and reduce stress. It’s used alongside Suntheanine® L-Theanine for a non-drowsy sense of calm and affron® Saffron, which promotes a positive mood and reduces stress.*

Feeling like you’re balancing one too many things these days? Appointments, bills, playdates, meetings, there are days when it feels like one slip up and it could all come crashing down. We’ve been there (more than once), and we know how essential it is to have a relief plan when stress squeezes too tight. There’s old favorites, like taking a walk outside, a breathing exercise, and counting down from ten. But there’s also dietary support like ashwagandha. Shoden® Ashwagandha in our Stress Relief Supplement is clinically-studied to support natural cortisol levels and reduce stress.*

References:

1. Cleveland Clinic. Cortisol: What It Is, Function… & Levels. Cleveland Clinic. Published 2021.

2. What are adaptogens and should you be taking them? www.uclahealth.org.

3. Mohd Azmi NAS, Juliana N, Azmani S, et al. Cortisol on Circadian Rhythm and Its Effect ... International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2021;18(2):676.

4. Wiciński M, Fajkiel-Madajczyk A, Kurant Z, et al. Can Ashwagandha Benefit…?—A Review. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2023;24(22):16513.

5. MedlinePlus. Stress and your health. Medlineplus. Published 2016.

6. Pluut H, Curșeu PL, Fodor OC. Development and Validation of a Short Measure of Emotional, Physical, and Behavioral Markers of Eustress and Distress (MEDS). Healthcare. 2022;10(2):339.

7. Chu B, Marwaha K, Ayers D, Sanvictores T. Physiology, Stress reaction. PubMed. Published 2022.

8. Lopresti AL, Smith SJ. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) for… mental and physical conditions: A systematic review of human trials. Journal of Herbal Medicine. 2021;28:100434.

9. Simpson MG. 8 - Diversity and Classification of Flowering Plants: Eudicots. ScienceDirect. Published January 1, 2010.