Ashwagandha is a root used in Ayurvedic medicine. It helps the body handle stress, promotes calm, and can improve sleep. Athletes and active people often take it to sharpen recovery after exercise.
You can take it as a capsule, powder, or tincture. A typical routine splits the dose into one or two servings per day. Swallowing it with food tends to settle the stomach and cut down on mild nausea.
Watch blood sugar closely if you have diabetes or take glucose-lowering drugs, because the herb can pull numbers lower. It also makes some people sleepy, so avoid mixing it with alcohol, benzodiazepines, or other sedatives. Anyone on thyroid medication like levothyroxine or liothyronine must get a doctor’s guidance before starting; ashwagandha can shift hormone levels. Do not use while pregnant.