What is ashwagandha and L-theanine good for?
Ashwagandha and L-theanine are natural supplements popular for reducing anxiety, improving cognitive ability, and increasing energy. Derived from plants, ashwagandha comes from an Ayurvedic root native to India and L-theanine from tea leaves grown in Japan.
Overall, they can reduce stress and promote good mood and sleep. Thanks to their calming effects when taken together, they help you feel more relaxed to better manage daily stress! Start taking these two supplements together for an all-natural way to reduce stress and improve sleep.
L-Theanine has been safely used in research for dosages of 900mg for 8 weeks. What dosage should you take? I recommend taking a standardized, well-tested ashwagandha supplement. The best time to take them is at night before sleep to help relax, reduce anxiety, and improve sleep quality.
Understanding Ashwagandha’s Benefits for Stress Relief
Ashwagandha, also known as withania somnifera, is an adaptogenic herb used in traditional medicine for centuries.
Ashwagandha, omega-3, and L-theanine have various health effects. Ashwagandha can reduce stress symptoms and improve cognitive function. Omega-3 has anti-inflammatory effects and can improve mood and sleep. L-theanine, found in tea, has immunoregulatory, anti-anxiety, and anti-oxidation properties.
No interactions were found between 5-HTP and ashwagandha.
What is L-theanine good for?
L-theanine promotes relaxation by reducing stress and anxiety levels. Although L-theanine is not a sedative, it may help improve sleep quality.
The recommended dosage is 200 to 400mg daily. L-theanine can increase attention span and reaction time in anxious people. It also seems to reduce errors in tests of attention.
L-theanine enters the brain readily, increasing serotonin, dopamine, GABA and glutamate. This boosts mood, focus, attention and learning. It also reduces anxiety and has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
As a supplement, L-theanine promotes wakeful relaxation, calming without causing drowsiness.
Does the South American tea herb contain L-theanine?
The South American tea herb does not contain the water soluble amino acid l-theanine. When grown in the wild, leaves are harvested only every other year. In a controlled environment, the leaves grow more quickly, so they are harvested once each winter. Research found that the South American tea herb increases bile flow and enhances intestinal transit.
While the South American tea herb has some health benefits, it does not have the same antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties as matcha. Moreover, it does not contain the amino acid L-theanine or catechins, which are beneficial for the immune system and brain.
The South American tea herb has slightly more caffeine than matcha but, unlike matcha, does not contain L-theanine. Therefore, it does not provide a long-term energy source.
What are the side effects of L-theanine?
L-theanine is generally recognized as safe. The most common side effect is drowsiness at high doses over 600 mg. Other rare side effects may include headaches, nausea, diarrhea, and fatigue. L-theanine does not typically cause sedation or impair daytime alertness. However, it may interact with some medications by relaxing the body. While this amino acid seems to help promote sleep at night, it does not lead to next-day drowsiness like some sleep medications. When combined with caffeine, L-theanine may enhance focus and concentration. It can also help reduce negative side effects of caffeine, like the jitters. Overall, L-theanine is considered very safe with few side effects. Starting with a lower dose around 100-200mg can allow the body to adjust and reduce any potential adverse reactions.