If you’ve never heard of ashwagandha before don’t feel bad, you’re not alone. In fact, usually when I suggest it to one of my own stressed-out patients they haven’t heard of either. And that’s a shame, because this powerful herb is one of the best natural stress busters around.
But let’s face it, ashwagandha would probably benefit from a name change. It’s not easy to pronounce and I’m convinced that’s one of the main reasons this herb isn’t more popular than it is. Because it certainly doesn’t have a thing to do with its ability to get the job done.
While ashwagandha is a relative newcomer here in the West, the herb has been a part of Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years. Besides effectively tackling stress this potent herb—whose name means “smell of a horse” in Sanskrit—is often used to increase strength and stamina.
Ashwagandha has also shown great promise as a natural way for women to improve sexual function and satisfaction, according to a study published in the journal BioMed Research International.
Lose weight without even trying
But now researchers have revealed yet another incredible benefit for this Indian treasure, one that every drug company under the sun has been desperately trying to do for decades, and that is create a way to achieve nearly effortless weight loss!
The study, published in the Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine, found that the herb’s ability to relieve stress can be harnessed to help folks bypass the pressure that causes cravings and triggers stress eating.
Because whether you recognize it or not, you’re under nearly constant stress these days… we all are. Work, family obligations and even just being exposed to the 24-7 news cycle all take their toll. And that constant low-level of stress triggers your adrenals to put in overtime pumping out stress hormones such as cortisol.
Next thing you know you’re on a hormonal roller-coaster that has you craving comfort foods and stress eating like there’s no tomorrow.
Calm your adrenals and slash stress & cravings
That’s where ashwagandha comes in. According to researchers the herb successfully slashed stressed-out volunteer’s food cravings. And naturally, when you stop reaching for the comfort foods you start to lose weight without even trying.
In fact, that’s exactly what researchers saw happen in the placebo-controlled study.
Folks who got the 600 mg a day of the herb had less cravings and ate less as a result. That translated into significant weight loss and a healthy drop in body mass index. Over the eight week study folks taking the herb had double the weight loss of those on the placebo.
Why not do your overworked adrenals… and your bathroom scale… a favor and give ashwagandha a try? Other natural stress relievers such as vitamin B12 and Rhodiola Rosea can multiply your results. Before you know it you’ll be healthy as a horse, but let’s just hope no one ever accuses you of smelling like one.
Dr. Mark Stengler has appeared as a medical expert on FOX, CBS, NBC and hosts his own weekly PBS TV show, “Natural Healing with Mark Stengler.”
He’s also written 17 books, including “Prescription for Natural Cures” and The Natural Physician’s Healing Therapies which have now sold over 1 million copies.
When he’s not busy sharing his knowledge of amazing alternatives to toxic mainstream therapies, Dr.Stengler practices what he preaches at his state-of-the-art Stengler Center for Integrative Medicine in Encinitas, California.
Dr. Stengler has treated tens of thousands patients of all ages, with a wide range of health conditions, such as...
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What makes Dr. Stengler different is his diverse medical training in conventional medications and natural alternatives.
This means he can combine the best of modern technology and traditional time-tested therapies, for safer, long-term treatments.
His track-record of success with this breakthrough approach has earned him national acclaim as “America’s Natural Doctor.”
Dr. Stengler completed premed studies at Mt. Royal College and the University of Calgary, and graduated from naturopathic medical school at the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon. He is Board Certified in Integrative Medicine.
Dr. Stengler lives in San Diego County, California with his wife and three children. He enjoys quality time with his family. His hobbies include several sports and theological studies.
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