Ingredient Spotlight: Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha (pronounced Ash-wuh-gone-duh) is a small shrub native to parts of India and Southeast Asia. It’s been used for centuries in Ayurveda—a practice deeply rooted in ancient Indian medicine that focuses on a natural or holistic approach to physical, mental, and spiritual well-being (hence the term “holistic”).

The herb, also known as Winter Cherry or Indian Ginseng, is dubbed one of the most important in Ayurveda and is quickly becoming a favourite in the natural health industry and clean beauty world. And with a multitude of benefits for the body—from skin, to stress, to sleep—we totally understand why.

Ashwagandha is classified as an adaptogen, a substance found in certain plants that have been identified to help the body cope with stress. These substances help regulate your body’s stress response, keeping you blissed out & at ease. Ashwagandha, whether used internally or externally, is among the best-known plant adaptogen to help with this response.

In addition to stress management, ashwagandha has been linked to easing signs of inflammation in the body, like in our skin and stomach. This anti-inflammatory effect helps to chill out redness in the skin and digestive issues at a minimum. Wouldn’t it be nice for your skin to look and feel a little calmer and your digestion to be a little happier? We definitely like the sound of that.

With this powerhouse of an herb helping the body deal with upsets like stress and inflammation, it’s no wonder it supports sleep too. By keeping your stress levels low and inflammation in tip-top shape, you’re automatically helping your sleep cycle—which in turn benefits your overall cognitive health.

Here at The Detox Market, we’re all about embracing these pure, supportive ingredients in any way we can. So to help you do the same, here are our product picks for incorporating this well-rounded adaptogen into your routine.

For Your Face

Josh Rosebrook - Hydrating Accelerator

Price: $44

What better way to ease inflammation in the skin than to spritz it with an adaptogenic-charged mist? This ultra-hydrating one from Josh Rosebrook is a crowd-favorite for a reason (and we think it might be because of the skin-supportive powerhouse plants that live inside).

For Your Body

Rosebud Woman - Anoint Nourishing Body Oil

Price: $105

Let’s face it, your body deserves to feel at ease. That’s why we can count on Rosebud Woman’s Anoint Nourishing Body Oil—an oil inspired by the caring mothers of a Nepali village—for gracing skin with the loving, calming touch it deserves.

For Your Mind

AURA Inner Beauty - Inner Focus Restorative Powder

Price: $88

If there’s anyone who’s committed to the incorporation of adaptogenic plants, it’s AURA Inner Beauty. Their powders are created for supporting you from the inside out and this one—which happens to support brain health—uses ashwagandha to do it.

For Your Soul

Tease - Chill Out Cherry Tea Blend

Price: $22

Ashwagandha is most commonly found in consumable products, like supplements, teas, and powders. We’ve cherry-picked (ha!) this one because of how easy it is to incorporate into your daily routine—and obviously, for how comforting and delicious it is to sip on.