Introduction
Phytoconstituents are the active compounds in plants. They’re responsible for most of the beneficial effects that we get from consuming plants and herbs. In this article, we’ll be discussing how you can extract phytoconstituents from ashwagandha leaves and roots to maximize their benefits and increase your chances of getting a positive result from them.
1. Gather the leaves.
Ashwagandha leaves can be used both fresh or dried. When picking the leaves, make sure that they are young and tender. You can also pick them when they are greenish in color. Dried ashwagandha leaves will not provide you with the same benefits as fresh ones, so if you want to retain all the phytoconstituents of this herb, opt for using them fresh instead of dried.
The flavor of ashwagandha leaves is bitter and pungent, so if you don’t like bitter tastes, then steer clear from using this herb in your cooking.
2. Harvest the roots.
You should harvest the roots in the fall, when they are at their most potent. Cut off the top of each root with a sharp knife, then wash them clean in cool water to remove any dirt or debris. Dry them in a warm, dry place out of direct sunlight for about seven days until they’re no longer moldy-looking and feel light enough to move around easily.
3. Extract the antioxidants.
The next step in the process is to extract the phytoconstituents from the ashwagandha roots. To do this, you’ll need to put your dried ashwagandha into a glass jar and fill it with alcohol. Alcohol can be replaced by vinegar or water. Then, let it sit for a few hours at room temperature until all of the roots have been absorbed into the liquid. This will yield an extract that’s a very dark brown color and smells like wood chips or sawdust—this is normal!
The antioxidant properties of ashwagandha are found primarily in its roots; therefore, we don’t recommend using an extract made from leaves because they contain almost no antioxidants whatsoever.
Takeaway:
The takeaway from this post is that you should be sure to consume ashwagandha in its highest quality form, which is to say the root. This can be difficult to find, so it’s best if you grow your own plants or buy only the roots of plants that have been organically cultivated.
In summary:
- The ultimate form of ashwagandha is its root.
- Always look for signs of maturity and ripeness when purchasing this herb.
Conclusion
The phytoconstituents of ashwagandha are a great way to support the body and mind. They can be extracted from the roots, leaves or flowers of this plant. The best way would be to use all three parts since they contain different nutrients which might complement each other.
