“If you just turned 40, you might think that you’re nowhere near menopause.
And you might be 100% right.
However, that doesn’t mean your body isn’t changing,” states hormone expert Vivian Parker.
“And while I’m no herbalist, I believe in the healing power of nature,” she smiles.
“Throughout history, women have turned to all types of herbs for various ailments.
There’s one I love to recommend to anyone, but specifically women over 40.”
The herb that our hormone expert is referring to is called Withania somnifera, more commonly known as Indian Ginseng or Ashwagandha.
“The benefits are nearly endless. Let’s talk about it all,” she smiles.
“Ashwagandha has a long history of use in traditional Ayurvedic medicine, dating back thousands of years,” begins Vivian.
“It’s an adaptogen that helps the body develop resistance.
Not just in terms of immunity, but also anti-stress, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging factors.
It contains around 50 bioactive compounds, including alkaloids, flavonoids, and steroidal lactones called withanolides. 1
The potency that this one plant carries is quite astonishing.”
According to Parker, Ashwagandha has been used for a wide range of purposes, from boosting energy and stamina to enhancing cognitive function and promoting longevity.
“It was even once used as an aphrodisiac,” Parker smiles. 2
In recent years, however, it has gained popularity as a way to support women’s health, particularly during the menopausal transition.
“Well, first of all, Ashwagandha can positively impact blood estrogen levels,” Parker states.
“Healthy estrogen levels mean less mood swings, better sleep, and easier weight management (which is always a bonus).
See, we often fail to notice that our hormones are actually changing.
Sometimes it’s hard to say when the rollercoaster begins, but for some women, it can start as early as 40,” she explains.
In this section, hormone expert Vivian Parker explains what symptoms to look out for after you turn 40 — according to her, these can be signs that your hormonal patterns are changing.
“If you find yourself constantly irritated, anxious, or unable to relax…
It could be a sign that your hormones are going wild.
This also applies if you suddenly started having sleep issues.”
According to Parker, declining estrogen levels can impact the production of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which play a key role in your mood and sleep. 3
“With Ashwagandha, you should feel way less tension and anxiety.
Trust me, if anyone tells you you’re ‘acting crazy’…
They have no idea what a rollercoaster ride this is.
I’ve experienced a change myself,” Parker smiles.
“Shortly after my 42nd birthday, my husband became the most irritating person in the world!
But he hadn’t changed…
I did.
So listen to your body and pay attention…
If you can’t relax, you need support. Ashwagandha can provide that,” Parker concludes.
“It’s not uncommon for women experiencing hormonal shifts to develop a dislike for physical touch,” Parker begins.
“This can manifest as a heightened sensitivity to tactile sensations.
However, it can also cause the loss of libido and interest in intimacy.
According to Parker, women in their 40s may start experiencing feelings of isolation, loneliness, irritation, and withdrawal.
“We feel disconnected from others and don’t want physical affection.
Our sex drives plummet, family starts driving us mad, and we’re burnt out from social interactions,” she highlights.
“As we’ve discussed, Ashwagandha supports healthy hormone levels.
From ‘happy hormones’ to stress hormones, it all affects how we perceive being touched.
Specifically for cortisol, I will always recommend Ashwagandha that is fortified with Isoflavones.
That’s because Isoflavones have been shown to inhibit cortisol production. 4
When you have less cortisol in your system, it’s much easier to reconnect with yourself and your partner,” Parker concludes.
“I’ve seen this in action with many of my clients. It doesn’t hurt to try.”
“Listen, blowing up seemingly overnight and not being able to lose the weight is not normal,” Parker asserts.
“We’ve been taught to accept this as a natural consequence of aging.
The truth is, the scales tipping in the wrong direction is a sign that something is out of balance,” she explains.
“After 40, sudden weight gain has nothing to do with our eating habits,” Parker states firmly.
According to her, it’s a clear indication that our bodies are experiencing too much stress.
“Ashwagandha has been shown to modulate cortisol levels, which can help reduce stress-induced weight gain,” she explains.
“Furthermore, its adaptogenic properties support thyroid function. 1
And we know how quickly our thyroid can affect our weight.
I will always advise to keep an eye on what your scales are telling you,” Parker concludes.
“It’s better to start supplementing sooner rather than later.”
“There’s a specific type called KSM-66 Ashwagandha that I always recommend,” Parker advises.
Often, the Ashwagandha you find in retail stores is advertised as ‘full-spectrum’.
It is extracted from the leaves and the root of the plant.
While it sounds good in theory, this extraction method actually makes most regular Ashwaganda supplements less potent.
KSM-66 Ashwagandha is derived specifically from the root of the plant.
This way, the potency of the root is not ‘diluted’ with leaf extracts.
“Just make sure to look for supplements that specifically mention KSM-66 Ashwagandha,” Parker highlights.
“Most brands provide KSM-66 Ashwagandha in doses less than 600 mg,” Parker explains.
This often leads to subpar effectiveness…
And when women don’t feel Ashwagandha working, they waste money on additional supplements.
Instead of trying to stomach multiple different capsules, look for a one-stop solution.”
There is one I turn to, and it’s called Her Bodhi.
The base of this supplement is KSM-66 Ashwagandha in the optimum dosage, the importance of which we already discussed.
However, what I love about it is that it adds other natural extracts like Red Clover and Soy Isoflavones to further enhance the effectiveness of Ashwagandha.
I stand behind it because it’s a women-led project with a very precise formulation.
It uses only the highest quality ingredients and follows stringent extraction methods.
I suggest this supplement to women who feel impacted by moodiness, weight gain, and loss of intimacy, and the results have been very encouraging,” Parker smiles.
4 sources
Ashwaganda: Current Research on the Health-Promoting Activities: A Narrative Review
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10147008/
Effect of standardized root extract of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) on well‐being and sexual performance in adult males: A randomized controlled trial
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9297375/
Sex hormones affect neurotransmitters and shape the adult female brain during hormonal transition periods
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4335177/
Effects of flavonoid phytochemicals on cortisol production and on activities of steroidogenic enzymes in human adrenocortical H295R cells
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11948020/
Thank you for your comment
Quality matters, especially when it comes to our health, I recommend the herbody supplement too
Wow, I never knew about Ashwagandha’s benefits! Definitely going to look into this more. Thanks for the article!
I’m currently in the thick of it at 48. It’s definitely tough, but knowing there are experts like you out there offering guidance makes it a little easier xx