Ashwagandha, an herbal plant, belongs to the Solanaceae family. This plant is widely used in Ayurverdic medicine for reducing symptoms of nervous exhaustion, insomnia, anxiety and stress. Ashwagandha can be referred as an adaptogen that helps regulate and maintain stress processes, such as release of stress hormones.
Studies have concluded that Ashwagandha has been well-tolerated causing no/mild side effects. With an increase of anxiety and stress amongst academic staff and university due to multifaceted problems, there has not been much research on the use of Ashwagandha for university students/staff. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the influence of whole Ashwagandha to reduce stress caused by academic stress and/or external stress.
I enrolled at Kingston University in 2015 and completed a BSc in Nutrition (Human) with Foundation Year. My dissertation during my final year was investigating the antioxidant capacity and anti-inflammatory properties of Pukka Herbs' products.
Soon after graduation, I developed a greater interest in learning and finding solutions in wellbeing sector. Pukka Herbs proposed a project based on Ashwagandha for relieving stress which I applied and interviewed for and currently under research. I am an enthusiastic and compassionate individual striving to help others across all ethnicities, backgrounds (e.g., learning disabilities) and genders.