Ashwagandha: The Great Unclencher

You may have noticed a new addition at the Hillsdale Farmers Market this year - the Portland Ashwagandha Farm. We’ve gotten lots of questions about this product at the Info Booth (and more than one comment that it sounds like a type of yoga!), so we sat down with their farmer, Jeff, to learn more.
Ashwagandha is an herb used for centuries as a rejuvenator and nerve tonic that has become widely regarded as an “adaptogen”, a natural substance that helps the body respond to stressors. In the modern world, this is invaluable! The purported benefits* of Ashwagandha include better sleep, lower stress, reduced anxiety, less inflammation, hormone balance, and more.
When Jeff tells you that he is “in it for the ‘goosebumps’, not the money”, you believe him. The purpose at Portland Ashwagandha Farm is to educate and create a language of healing, so anything extra is a bonus! Stop by their booth, and his team will regale you with stories that are equal parts science, personal testimonials, and magic.
“People come back because it changed their lives” Jeff says. By relaxing the body, Ashwagandha helps users to unclench - meaning more energy for work, play, or relaxation.
Not to mention that Ashwagandha is one of the world’s most widely studied plants - there are over 950 PubMed scientific articles about the plant, with more coming every day. It helps the team to pay homage to this ancient Ayurvedic tradition while applying the scientific analysis that we consumers have come to expect.
The tinctures sold by Portland Ashwagandha are made primarily from the plant’s root - and processing it takes a lot of work! Plants seeded in March aren’t harvested until October, which is when they begin their unique fresh (not dried) preparation.
After harvest, the roots are first run through a modified wood chipper to break down their cell walls. Then, they are infused in a mix of ethanol & water for a minimum of five months at which point they are pressed to extract the Ashwagandha tincture. Once pressed the root is burned and the resulting sal
ts & ash are returned to the tincture for a final distillation. This intensive process ensures that Portland Ashwagandha’s products are of the highest quality.

And, they’re growing! Jeff has brought on new staff and expanded from two to three leases of land this year. They will also be rolling out a redesign of their packaging this spring and hope to expand their product line to include three to five formulations.
But, their goal will always be to prepare and present Ashwagandha in its highest possible form.
Learn more about Portland Ashwagandha Farm by visiting their website or, even better, stopping by their booth for a free sample and chat!
*These statements have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult a licensed healthcare professional before consuming this product, especially if you are pregnant or have any pre-existing medical conditions.