Apart from stumping even the most pronounced of elocutionists (after the word, ‘Otorhinolaryngologist’, obviously), Ash-wa-gon-da, is generally known for stealing hearts by calming nerves. In fact, so ‘chill’ is this one shrub, that it is the go-to for calming horses. And at 300kgs, that’s some feat.

This Indian adaptogen, aka, withania somnifera, takes centre stage in WelleCo’s latest release, The PMS Elixir, for its famed ability to turn PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome) into PMYES. Alongside a holistic, hormone-happy health approach, naturally.  

Ashwagandha’s raison d'être is to create balance within the body, which of course gets a welcome mat from the yoyo tendencies of the female system.

Ashwaganda is added-to-cart by men and women alike, and for various reasons falling within the immune, cardiovascular, endocrine and nervous systems. Some of these might include, lowering inflammation, boosting endurance, enhancing mood, and inducing sleep. Let’s not forget sleep.

But back to stress… Ashwaganda has long been considered an antidote to peaking cortisol, the fight or flight hormone motivated by fast heartbeats, late nights and general stress and menace. It manages to powerfully stabilise these levels, which is reassuring given science is discovering that stress appears to be layerable, so it needs to be sweet-talked regularly before other issues develop.

Over time, hormonal imbalances can lead to other issues including, hair loss, weight gain, mood disorders, fertility issues, and more. So it’s safe to say that getting a handle on hormones is essential to longevity and vitality.

Adaptogens help the body adapt to stressors, physical, chemical, biological, and psychological, inclusive. So, for simplicity sake, it could be said that Ashwagandha assists in the body’s adaptation to the post-ovulation, or luteal, phase.  

Ashwagandha gets right in there and fortifies the endocrine and nervous system, balancing out the release of cortisol from the adrenal glands.

Dr Simoné Laubscher, clinical nutritionist, naturopath and the formulator of WelleCo's The PMS Elixir selected Ashwagandha as a hero ingredient for its ability to quell the peskiest of PMS symptoms, particularly mood swings.

With a total of 18 ingredients, The PMS Elixir is the ultimate regulator, having been formulated to, “Support the collection of physical, psychological, and emotional symptoms related to a woman's menstrual cycle,” says Simone.

So you can expect a noticeable reduction in symptoms including water retention, sore breasts, sugar cravings, mood swings and period pain. That’s not to say, however, that eating well (anti-inflammatory is best), exercise, and balancing blood sugar won’t also help.

WelleCo is so taken by this parasympathetic charmer that it will be releasing another product featuring Ashwagandha in 2022. Watch this (chill) space.