Alarm clock beeping, cars honking, emails adding up, kids touching things, grocery shopping, gas prices, back to school, back to work, phones ringing: Are you stressed yet? Right now, we’re living during one of the most stressful periods on record. (And we have indoor plumbing, people!)

Everyday events can start to feel like a LOT. That’s because stress, whether physical or mental, can trigger a natural fight or flight response . This response raises cortisol levels in the body and can cause you to feel on edge for the rest of the day. While our innate fight-or-flight response is great when encountering a vicious predator in the wild, our body reacts the same way when an email message flashes URGENT on our screen. It can get overwhelming.

Don’t worry, friend! Help is on the way. Nature’s got your back with one of the hottest herbs around. It’s gaining so much popularity, maybe you’ve heard the buzz already. Let’s dig into the roots (and leaves) of this awesome stress-busting herb: Ashwagandha!

What is Ashwagandha?

Ashwagandha (“Ash-wuh-GON-duh”) is a perky little shrub with bright berries in papery husks. Ashwagandha is generally sought after for its roots. However, there is up-and-coming research on the benefits of the leaves, which have different phytonutrients. Skip those beautiful orange berries though, as they are emetic (cause vomiting). 

As the American naturalist John Burroughs said, “Without the name, any flower is still more or less a stranger to you.” Ashwagandha’s botanical name is Withania somnifera. The Latin word somnifera roughly translates to “sleep inducing” and hints at key Ashwagandha health benefits. The name Ashwagandha itself is from Sanskrit. Ashva means “horse” and gandha means “smell.” Here is where some scholars disagree. Is Ashwagandha so named because it has an earthy smell? Or is it because Ashwagandha was traditionally believed to give the user horse-like endurance? Perhaps it was a combination of both!

Ashwagandha may also go by “Indian winter cherry” and “Indian ginseng.” However, Ashwagandha does not belong to the Ginseng family at all. It’s a member of the Solanaceae family, also known as the nightshade family (which also includes tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, and eggplant).