This week I record my HealthyLife.net radio show for October.
(Previous shows are archived if you want to catch up.)
https://healthylife.net/RadioShow/archiveGB.htm

This year is devoted to herbs that enhance memory: nootropics.
The month of October, I focus on the memory enhancing effects of "Indian ginseng," "winter cherry," that sly tomato: Ashwaganda (Withania somnifera).

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Ashwaganda will be featured in my new Nootropics class for WisdomFeed, starting this Thursday, September 25, at 7pm. Register here: https://wisdomfeed.thrivecart.com/nootropics/ 

"Overall, there is some early clinical evidence, in the form of randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trials, to support the cognitive benefits of W. somnifera supplementation.

* In most instances, W. somnifera extract improved performance on cognitive tasks, executive function, attention, and reaction time. It also appears to be well tolerated, with good adherence and minimal side effects." 

From: Phototherapy Research, 2020 Mar; Epub 2019 Nov 19. A systematic review of the clinical use of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) to ameliorate cognitive dysfunction.

Okay. Here's more.

Edited from: Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Sep 20
Effects of Acute Ashwagandha Ingestion on Cognitive Function

"Ashwaganda has been used for over 3000 years in Ayurvedic medicine.

* It is a "Rasayana" or rejuvenator "that promotes a youthful state of physical and mental health and expands happiness".

* It is a "royal herb" due to its rejuvenating neurological, immune energy-enhancing, endocrine, and reproductive effects.

* These adaptogenic properties may help normalize physiological processes in times of increased stress.

* It has long been used in Ayurvedic medicine to enhance memory and improve cognition as well as improve physical performance.

* Ashwagandha acts as a gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) mimetic. "A gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) mimetic is a compound that mimics the effects of GABA, the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system."

 

* Ashwaganda shows cholinomimetic activity. "Cholinomimetic activity refers to the ability of a substance to mimic or enhance the effects of acetylcholine, the primary neurotransmitter of the parasympathetic nervous system.

 

* In addition, secondary metabolites from ashwagandha metabolism seem to be agonists for α-7 nicotinic receptors. "Agonists for the α7 nicotinic receptor are being investigated for potential therapeutic use in cognitive disorders like schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease. These compounds activate the α7 nAChR, which is involved in memory, attention, and reducing inflammation, and have shown promise in animal models."

* Animal studies have shown that Withania somnifera supplementation can promote cognitive function and enhance memory.

* Human intervention studies have linked Withania somnifera to increased cognition in patients with early dementia or bipolar disorder.

* Eight weeks of 600 mg ashwagandha-root extract has been shown to improve memory, executive function, sustained attention, and processing speed in Indian adults aged 50 years with early dementia.

* Eight weeks of 500 mg Withania somnifera supplementation appeared to improve cognitive functions, including auditory-verbal working memory, reaction time, and social cognition in male and female patients with an average age of 47 with bipolar disorder.

* Two weeks of 1000 mg of a root and leaves extract of Withania somnifera in 20 healthy Indian male participants with an average age of 25 years demonstrated improvements in cognitive and psychomotor performance.

* Thirty days of supplementation with 400 or 225 mg of a standardized root and leaf extract of Withania somnifera was shown to reduce stress and improve cognitive performance in healthy adults in their thirties.

* A recent meta-analysis also found ashwaganda more effective than placebo for improving variables related to physical performance in healthy men and women.

* Ashwagandha extract has been shown to improve cognitive flexibility, visual memory, reaction time, psychomotor speed, executive functioning, and stress response when administered for 30-days at doses of 225 or 400 mg.

* "Lactones known as whithanolides have been proposed as the active compounds in ashwagandha.

* Other compounds are also present, including alkaloids (e.g., isopelletierine, anaferine) and saponins.

* The amount of active ingredients in Withania somnifera varies with the source of the extract (e.g., root or leaves), and the extraction process.

* Ashwaganda is a potential nootropic for energy drinks and/or supplements designed to promote and/or sustain cognitive function."

I was gifted with two ashwaganda plants at Red Earth Women's Herbal Gathering.
They are doing well, but still small.

I will overwinter them inside and plant them out next year.

Smell of the horse, sneaky tomato, ashwaganda, I'm getting to know you.

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