PubMed has many write ups on this little root along with it’s ability to drop the viral load by half in six months of use in an AIDS Ward. I thought I saved that report but it turns out I didn’t.

Not to mention that Panax Ginseng itself reduces stress at teh cell level and Ashwagandha has the same ability. Great root, great write up.

I find that appropriate dosage varies radically among individuals. Being so sensitive I would definitely suggest starting with a very small dose, just a couple drops two to three times per day, and see how that feels for at least a few days before increasing a drop or two at a time if that feels good to you.

By severe adrenal disorder do you mean burnout or weakness from exhaustion, stimulants, steroids, etc or some kind of organic disease?

I’m so glad my writings have been helpful to you! Thanks for reading.

You need to take Ashwagandha for at least a couple months to see the true effects, two weeks isn’t nearly long enough to get the full benefits.

And as I point out in my post on adaptogens, they herbs filed under this label are not interchangeable, nor should they be taken by everyone and anyone, please only use herbs according your specific needs and the particular actions and nature of the plant. http://bearmedicineherbals.com/?p=570

After nearly two weeks, I found that I was becoming a bit too ‘alert’ and began having problems sleeping.

I am very sensitive to most things and especially stimulating herbs like ginseng (even siberian), maca, etc but thought ashwagandha would be calming since I read some people take it to help them sleep.

I wasn’t taking anything else different at the time and since I stopped, I’ve been back to normal (sleep wise) so I conclude it was causing it. Strange though? it doesn’t seem to affect anyone else in this way.

Now I don’t know what to use for an adaptogen (adrenal, general stress response stuff)… holy basil perhaps?

Your page is very informative. Many thanks,
Judy

Kiva

It’s really helpful to hear descriptive distinctions between “old burn-out, source of stress still not resolved” (jim mcdonald) and current stressors — and then to hear your ideas of how the Withania works in each case.

I’ve noticed your attention to these sorts of differences in the past. Thank you for sharing so much. You include a lot of us who have been “hard cases” when you do that. Not all burn-out is the same, and it helps us all when we listen to the differences

So far, I’m taking a Standard Process complex that has Withania, Skullcap, and Korean Ginseng. I feel its calming effects within minutes of taking it.

I usually like to mix my own herbs (because I’m trying to learn), but — as you mentioned in your article — there are ways to tweak Withania’s impact by how you combine it with other herbs. I’m still not there yet in my herbal studies so I’m glad for this pill and will learn more about it all so that I might be able to make my own combination in the future.

For instance, I am perimenopausal (big time) and have been suffering from some hot flashes even before visiting the naturopath and taking this supplement. It’s helpful to know that rose can help cool things down without reducing Withania’s impact. I use rose a lot in my regular infusions, and she’s a good friend.

Anyway, all of this to tell you that the detail you shared here helped me figure out how to sink in and use this prescribed supplement and how to move forward afterward.