KP Phyto’s Newsletter

25 January 2024

NEWSLETTER

The Most Calming

Adaptogen.

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is considered one of

the most powerful Ayurvedic herbs, with a long tradition

over thousands of years in traditional medicine.

Its common name in Sanskrit refers to “the smell of a

horse”, as it emits a horse-like odor; it is also often

ascribed to its benefit of giving the strength and vigor of a

stallion. As its species name "somnifera"—implies,

Ashwagandha also helps to promote a good night’s sleep,

and is often thought of as the most calming of the

Adaptogens.

SHARING KNOWLEDGE & HELPING CUSTOMERS EXCEL

Vol 4/2024| Editor: Kerry Hughes, MSc.

Driving the global

supply chain in

Botanical Ingredients.

KP Phyto is positioned to

take on global supply chain

demands, and is the Indian

market leader catered to a

wide range of ingredients for

food, pharma, nutraceutical,

dietary supplements and

cosmetics. Thank you for your

interest in our newsletter &

allowing us to provide you

with deep dive perspectives

on Indian botanicals.

Newsletter Vol 4/2024

KP Phyto’s Newsletter

25 January 2024

•

Cultivated throughout many Indian regions, it is also found

in the Middle East and Africa. Ashwagandha has shrubby

growth, up to about 2 feet tall with tomentose branches and

dull green elliptic leaves, producing an orange-red fruit.

Withanolides and other Phytochemicals.

Ashwagandha is mainly used as a dietary supplement to

support cognition, healthy cortisol and thyroid levels, and

has benefits for the endocrine, nervous and immune

systems, heart health, and energy.

The main compounds of interest in Ashwagandha are the

withanolides, which are triterpene lactones, somewhat

structurally similar to the ginsenosides in Panax ginseng. It is

the withanolides that are believed to contribute most to

Ashwagandha’s adaptogenic effects. However, there are

other bioactive constituents, including alkaloids

(isopelletierine, anaferine), flavonoids, amino acids, tannins

and saponins.

Ashwagandha and Ayurveda

Ashwagandha is both an adaptogen and a rasayana, an herb

used to promote longevity. It is considered balancing to

Vata and Kapha doshas, with a warming quality. It is its

ability to not only energize but also calm the body and mind

at the same time that has made it such a popular Ayurvedic

herb. The clinical research has been mounting for the uses

of Ashwagandha, and it has exhibited both mental and

physical benefits through many body systems.

Newsletter Vol 4/2024

KP Phyto has invested heavily

in understanding the points

along the supply chain that

must be controlled for the

best quality outcomes in

Ashwagandha has ingredient

quality. We also invest into

the understanding and

development of the research

behind Indian traditional

botanicals…with a focus this

month on Ashwagandha!

KP Phyto’s Newsletter

25 January 2024

Calming Adaptogen vs. Sedative

In functional medicine, Ashwagandha is often given before

bed for people who have restless sleep due to stress.

However, it is important to note that the use of

Ashwagandha in these instances does not imply that its

activity is sedating. Alternatively, Ashwagandha is considered

an adaptogen which helps the mind and body to adapt to

stress and have a more healthy stress response. Adaptogens

have been used for this reason across cultures yet there is no

counterpart in Western medicine or nutrition. Scientifically,

we have been finding that indeed it makes sense for

adaptogens to be used for these kind of uses, as they tend

to have modulating effects on the HPA-axis.

Ashwagandha is available in many types of herbal

preparations—a traditional one is to enjoy the root powder

mixed in with some milk before bedtime. However, it can

be taken any time of the day and in various formats, such

as powders, tablets or liquid extracts, with or without food.

Newsletter Vol 4/2024

KP Phyto’s Newsletter

25 January 2024

For example, in a recent systematic review (a review of

several clinical studies), Ashwagandha was reported to

decrease cortisol secretion with no significant adverse effects

in stressed individuals. Other studies have shown calm-

promoting effects, such as the ability to act as a gamma-

aminobutyric acid (GABA) mimetic. Additionally, animal

studies have exhibited that modulation of postsynaptic

serotonin (5-HT) receptors may alter serotonergic

transmission.

A functional lab that is sometimes referenced for

Ashwagandha’s use is a diurnal cortisol pattern, such as in

the Dutch Complete hormone test. Cortisol is a hormone

that is important for regulating stress and metabolism

throughout the day. A healthy cortisol pattern peaks in the

morning and falls slowly throughout the day until bedtime.

When bedtime cortisol levels are high, or have relative

increases, Ashwagandha may be indicated as a natural way

to promote healthy cortisol and diurnal rhythms; thus

promoting healthy sleep.

Scientific investigations have found Ashwagandha to exhibit

a number of other activities in such areas as antistress,

immunomodulatory, smooth muscle relaxation, antioxidant,

cardioprotection, cytokine and blood sugar balance, and

cognitive, weight management, respiratory, and thyroid

support.

Newsletter Vol 4/2024

..more information

on Ashwagandha & other

ingredients visit:

https://phytoextractskp.com/

or mail us at.

E:Info@phytoextractskp.com

KP Phyto’s Newsletter

25 January 2024

Educational Content By:

Extractions Pvt Ltd(India)

Notice:-

This content is for

informational and educational

purposes only. It is not

intended to provide medical

advice or to take the place of

such advice or treatment from

a personal physician.

Kerry Hughes, MSc., The Ethnobotanical Explorer,

Kerry Hughes, MSc.,The Ethnobotanical Explorer & principal

for EthnoPharm, is an Ethnobotanist and Registered

Herbalist, with a 20-year record of success in natural product

development. EthnoPharm specializes in innovative product

formulation, education, and nexus-of-market opportunity

identification.

Newsletter Vol 4/2024

In recent review which demonstrates the

“adaptogenic” effect of Ashwaghandha, is a review of

Ashwagandha’s effects on the endocrine system. The

authors concluded that it “can have a positive effect

on the functioning of the endocrine system, including

improving secretory functioning of the thyroid gland,

normalizing adrenal activity and multidirectional

improvement on functioning of the reproductive

system.”