Winter is a way of life

Minnesotans don't hide from winter. They ice fish, cross-country ski and shovel more snow than most states see in a decade. Days are short for months, and that affects sleep and mood for a lot of people. When summer finally arrives, everyone heads for the lake.

When the sun sets before five in December, rest can slip. Our article on sleep support that skips melatonin walks through what ashwagandha research can and cannot promise.

Inside a bottle bound for the North Star State

Twin Cities office workers, Iron Range miners and Red River Valley sugar-beet growers keep their routines through forty-below mornings. Ashwagandha, studied for calm and sleep quality, is the ingredient Minnesotans ask about most during the dark months. The study list is here.

Ice houses, cabins and long winters

A Minnesota winter weekend might mean a fish house on Mille Lacs or a ski trail near Ely. Capsules handle cold fine, but condensation can form when a frozen bottle comes into a warm cabin, so let it warm up before opening. Summer cabin weekends call for a small pill case rather than the full bottle.

Boundary Waters trips and the State Fair

Every summer, paddlers portage canoes through the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, often for a week or more without resupply. Then late August arrives, and the Great Minnesota Get-Together takes over Falcon Heights for twelve days. If you're heading into the wilderness, portion your capsules into a waterproof bag before the trip, so nothing in the pack gets damp.

Shipping and refunds to Minnesota

Duluth, Rochester and Bemidji parcels travel north by ground, and a cold porch will not harm the sealed bottle for a few hours. At $50 shipping is waived; below that you choose from two speeds. Opened or not, the first bottle can be refunded within 30 days.

Questions from Minnesota customers

Will ashwagandha make me drowsy during the day?

It isn't a sedative, and most people don't feel drowsy. Some feel more relaxed, so if you notice that, take your capsules with dinner instead of breakfast. A small number of people find ashwagandha disrupts their sleep. If that's you, stop taking it.

I take thyroid medicine prescribed through the Mayo Clinic. Is it compatible?

Check with your Mayo care team, because ashwagandha may influence thyroid levels. Our overview of ashwagandha interactions explains.

How should I pack it for a canoe trip?

Count out the days you need into a small waterproof container, and keep the bottle at home. Dryness matters more than temperature.

A Minnesota first order

Skip the icy parking lot: delivery comes to your door every month, or in a double batch every other month. Order for Minnesota.