Our high-quality, third-party-tested CBD offers the benefits of CBD without the illegal high. As a natural substance, it’s a gentle way to support health and well-being, and it’s affordable too. From reducing pain to boosting mood, a growing body of evidence is explaining how and why it works.
As interest in CBD increases, more and more people are exploring other natural substances they can incorporate into their diet for a synergistic effect. One ingredient that’s drawing a lot of interest on this front is a herb called Ashwagandha.
Ashwagandha is an evergreen shrub with red berries that grows mainly in the Middle East, Africa and India. Its name is Sanskrit for “smell of a horse”, due to the distinctive odour of its roots. However, it’s more pleasantly known as “winter cherry” and “Indian ginseng”. And, more importantly, the extract is nowhere near as stinky!
The Ashwagandha herb has been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years. In ayurvedic medicine, it’s believed to lengthen lifespan, improve sexual function and boost strength. Generally, it’s most commonly the powdered root that is used in medicine, but the berries are sometimes incorporated too.
Ashwagandha is believed to be an adaptogen, meaning it could help the body cope with both physical and mental stress. One way it’s believed to do this is by reducing levels of the stress hormone, cortisol.
A number of studies have delved into these effects, but more research is needed to fully explore Ashwagandha’s stress-busting properties. There are also signs it can help concentration and boost mental performance – so if you need your brain to be in tip-top condition for an exam or to meet the demands of work, this could be perfect for you.
And, its reputed brain benefits don’t stop there. Ashwagandha is reported to reduce anxiety, and there is mounting evidence it can improve sleep too. There is also some evidence that it can help with pain relief.
As with most herbal medicines, studies are still being carried out and a quick internet search will show you the latest evidence.
Adaptogens are plants and mushrooms that help your body cope with fatigue, as well as physical and mental stress. A key feature is their ability to return your body to balance (also called homeostasis). For example, an adaptogen may bring your levels of the steroid hormone cortisol down if you are stressed, or up if you’re tired. Common adaptogens include Ashwagandha, Ginseng, Rhodiola and mushrooms such as Reishi or Chaga.
Ashwagandha and CBD may come from different sources, but they have a lot in common. CBD is believed to support the body by influencing the endocannabinoid system, which, in turn, regulates various physiological functions, including pain sensitivity, mood, appetite, memory, stress and immune function. CBD is chemically similar to endocannabinoids and interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid receptors, which is thought to be how it helps us cope with stress.
Less is known about precisely how Ashwagandha works in the body, but, as with CBD, it’s linked to stress reduction and relaxation. Unlike CBD, it’s classed as an adaptogen, and this is believed to be how it supports the body and mind.
The jury is still out on whether CBD is an adaptogen, but it certainly has the ability to help the body and mind cope with stress. The substances classed as adaptogenic are plant extracts, whereas CBD is a molecule. While our CBD products are plant-derived, synthetic CBD can also be made in a lab. It may be that in the future the hemp plant itself will be classed as an adaptogen. In the meantime, the one thing we know is that it has similar balancing effects through its action on the endocannabinoid system.
As there is an affinity between CBD and Ashwagandha, many people now take them together to benefit from their combined effect.
CBD drops can easily be combined with superfood products such as our mushroom coffee or our superfood lattes, all of which contain Ashwagandha as well as other health-supporting ingredients. However, you’ll also reap plenty of benefits if you use these products separately - it’s a matter of personal choice.
Due to their adaptogenic and body-balancing effects, CBD and Ashwagandha will deliver benefits at any time of day. In the morning, for example, they can help you feel alert and take the edge off a stressful day, while taking them at night can help you unwind ready for bed. How you use them is entirely up to you - the key point is that they will help you find balance at any time of day or night.
CBD oil and Ashwagandha are quite the power couple, especially when it comes to combining CBD’s relaxing and mood-boosting properties with Ashwagandha’s ability to help you cope with stress. CBD may support your mood by affecting the way your brain’s chemical receptors respond to serotonin. Add to this Ashwagandha’s effect on cortisol, and you have a combination that can fight stress from two angles.
Both CBD and Ashwagandha also have reputed brain-boosting effects. CBD may do this by boosting blood flow to the brain, and withanone, a compound in Ashwagandha, is being investigated for its potential to slow cognitive decline.
If you struggle to sleep well, taking CBD oil with Ashwagandha in the evening could help. While more research is needed to understand and define CBD’s effects on sleep, there’s a lot of anecdotal evidence that it can help you drift off to sleep, and to sleep better. Meanwhile, the sleep-inducing properties of Ashwagandha have been documented by a number of studies.
Instead of considering CBD vs Ashwagandha, both of these natural substances have lots to offer. Why not explore how you can combine our products to give yourself access to the best of CBD and Ashwagandha?
Taking supplements can be a chore, so we decided to make delicious food and drink with the same benefits as supplements. Experiment with our range so you can find the product that suits you. Try our superfood coffees for your daily intake of Ashwagandha, and support this by adding our delicious naturally flavoured CBD drops or a square or two of our velvety CBD chocolate.
What should CBD oil not be taken with?
If you’re on medication, always consult your doctor before taking CBD because it can interact with certain drugs, including blood thinner warfarin, heart medication amiodarone and thyroid medication levothyroxine – but this is not an exhaustive list, so always check with a medical professional.
Can I take CBD and Ashwagandha while pregnant or breastfeeding?
CBD is not considered safe for use while pregnant or breastfeeding, and it’s also advisable to avoid Ashwagandha during this time because not enough studies have been done into its effects.
What other herbs go well with CBD?
Other relaxing herbs that could be beneficial when taken with CBD include chamomile, lavender and lemon balm, all of which can be drunk in a soothing tea. Adaptogenic mushrooms also support the beneficial effects of CBD – Reishi in particular is known for its calming effects. Our Reishi mushroom superfood coffee blend teams Reishi with Ashwagandha for added benefits. Enjoy it with our CBD oil for the ultimate relaxing brew.
Is it better to take Ashwagandha first thing in the morning or at night?
It’s fine to take Ashwagandha at any time of day. If you especially want to boost your brain function, you’ll probably want to take it in the morning, but for sleep benefits, opt to take it at night.
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