If the past couple of years have sent your stress levels to sky-high levels, you’re not alone.
A national poll found a whopping 63% of Americans say their stress levels are at all-time HIGHS.
And turning on the news these days sure isn’t helping!
While stress is a part of life, it’s important to take steps to limit the impact stress can do to your body and mind.
The answer isn’t turning off your TV, or shutting yourself out from the outside world…
According to research, simple, effective stress reduction just may come in a cup of ‘ancient’ tea.
Sink Your Stress with Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is an ancient herb used in Ayurveda –a traditional form of alternative medicine based on Indian principles of natural healing.
Natural healers have been using this ashwagandha for nearly 3,000 years to relieve stress – usually in the form of tea.
Studies have found that ashwagandha helps soothe internal stress ‘triggers’ including heat shock proteins (Hsp70), cortisol, and stress-activated c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK-1).
Researchers have also found that ashwagandha reduces the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis –a system in your body that regulates the stress response.
Human studies have found that folks who took 250 or 600 mg of ashwagandha extract for two months had significantly reduced stress and levels of the stress hormone, cortisol, compared to a placebo.
If that doesn’t sound like a soothing cup of tea, I don’t know what is!
Boxes of convenient, easy-to-brew ashwagandha tea bags are sold at many health food stores and online retailers.
For instance, online retailer Buddha Teas sells ashwagandha tea for less than $10 per box.
I’ve been drinking ashwagandha tea for years, and I like to pair the tea with other healthy ingredients like cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. Check out this recipe below:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup milk of choice (whole, almond, coconut, etc.)
- 1/2 tsp. ground ashwagandha powder
- 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp. ground ginger
- a pinch of ground nutmeg
- 1 tsp. coconut oil
- 1 tsp. honey or maple syrup
Directions:
- Bring the milk to a low simmer, but don’t let it boil.
- Once the milk is hot, whisk in the ashwagandha, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. Gently simmer for five minutes.
- Stir in the coconut oil, and pour the milk into a cup. Sweeten with honey or maple syrup, if desired.
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Sources:
Melore, Chris. “The struggle is real: 63% of adults say stress levels at all-time high.” 4/10/22. https://www.studyfinds.org/stress-americans-loneliness-mental-health/
Butler, Natalie. “Drink “Moon Milk” with Ashwagandha At Night to Lower Stress, Improve Sleep.” 6/3/19. https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/moon-milk-ashwagandha
Kubala, Jillian. “9 Proven Health Benefits of Ashwagandha.” 1/7/22. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/ashwagandha#1.-May-help-reduce-stress-and-anxiety