Ashwagandha is a natural herb that has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries. It’s also known as Indian ginseng, but it should not be confused with other types of ginseng, such as Siberian Ginseng or American Ginseng. Ashwagandha has many benefits including being great for stress relief and boosting energy levels. If you are interested in trying this herbal supplement out for yourself, keep reading to find out what ashwagandha can do!
What is ashwagandha?
Ashwagandha is an herb that has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries to treat a number of different ailments. It’s also known as Indian ginseng, but it should not be confused with other types of ginseng, such as Siberian Ginseng or American Ginseng.
Ashwagandha is a Sanskrit phrase that translates as “horse smell.” The herb’s name combines the words “ashwa” and “gandha,” which both refer to horses. Its scientific genus name is Withania Somnifera, and it comes from the Latin word somnifera, which means “sleep-inducing.”
In India, the Middle East, and Africa, an evergreen shrub that grows called Ashwagandha is thought to be the most important herb. The Ayurvedic medicine system started more than 3 thousand years ago, and ashwagandha has been a part of it since then.
Rasayana is a herb. It helps you stay young. The roots are used to cure many things like stress, anxiety, and constipation. Even the leaves, seeds, or fruits are used to heal things.
The ashwagandha plant is native to India, Nepal, China, and Yemen. It prefers dry stony soil with lots of sun. But it also needs a lot of care because it can get sick or become infested by insects. You can grow the plant from seed or by cutting pieces off a stem. If you use the seeds, you have to let them dry for a few months before planting
Ashwagandha benefits
The herb ashwagandha is used in Ayurvedic medicine as an adaptogen. It has both mental and physical effects on the body. Here are some of its health benefits: –
Helps to combat the effects of stress
Ashwagandha helps people when they are stressed. It helps to reduce cortisol, the ‘stress hormone.’ Ashwagandha is also good for when someone has a problem and can’t solve it.
Reduces anxiety and depression
Ashwagandha is a herb that helps with anxiety and a feeling of worry. When someone takes it regularly, they will have less severe depression. It also calms the central nervous system.
Anti-cancer properties
Ashwagandha is used to treat sleep problems, anxiety, stress, memory loss, and other cognitive issues. The herb has anti-cancer effects by allowing cancer cells to undergo apoptosis – programmed cell death. Ashwagandha also inhibits the growth of new cancer cells. There are no verified tests or clinical research on people yet; however, there are studies that show it may be helpful in preventing skin cancer.
Offers anti-inflammatory and analgesic benefits
Ashwagandha promotes immune function by enhancing the white blood cells that combat infection. It is also linked to lower inflammation markers, raising the risk of heart disease.
Helps to lower cholesterol and triglyceride
Ashwagandha is found to lower LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels, which are linked to heart disease.
Improves learning, memory, and reaction time
Ashwagandha is a powerful antioxidant that protects nerve cells from harmful free radicals. It reduces oxidative stress and enhances memory and brain function. Ashwagandha in small to moderate doses aids in improving general memory, task performance, and attention. Although there is limited research on ashwagandha, it has been used traditionally in Ayurvedic medicine to improve memory.
Supports healthy thyroid function
Ashwagandha is used in Ayurveda for its properties to support a healthy metabolism, which can help lower high levels of the hormone TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone), produced by the pituitary gland that regulates normal growth and development as well as overall metabolism. A study found that ashwagandha extract decreased TSH levels in people with subclinical hypothyroidism (elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone, but normal thyroxine).
Helps to lower blood sugar levels
Ashwagandha can help with lowering high blood sugars by reducing insulin resistance and increasing the pancreas’ production of insulin.
Helps with sexual dysfunction in men
Ashwagandha is used for both male and female infertility, but it has been found to be more effective among infertile men. A study showed that taking ashwagandha can improve semen quality, sperm count, motility (how well the sperm moves), and vitality (how alive and active the sperm is) in infertile men.
Helps to reduce symptoms of allergies and asthma
Traditionally, ashwagandha has been used for respiratory disorders such as bronchitis, whooping cough, measles-induced coughing, mucositis (inflammation or sores inside the mouth), pneumonia, and asthma. There is also some research that shows ashwagandha may help prevent anaphylaxis (a severe allergic reaction).
Aids in weight loss
Ashwagandha helps by increasing the metabolism of fatty acids, which promotes burning fat rather than storing it. It can also reduce cravings for carbohydrates when someone is on a diet.
Promotes healthy thyroid function, reduces inflammation and pain associated with arthritis, may protect against skin cancer.
ADHD
Ashwagandha is good for children with Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder. It also helps to improve attention and impulse control.
Helps to keep control of OCD
Some researchers say that ashwagandha helps to reduce the symptoms of OCD when taken with other medications.
Others
Ashwagandha appears to help with the following illnesses. However, there is no hard evidence indicating that ashwagandha alone can treat these diseases. Parkinson’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, tuberculosis, ulcers, and other ailments are among the disorders studied.
How to take ashwagandha powder?
Ashwagandha may be found in the form of roots, tablets, and powder on the market. While ashwagandha tablets are readily taken as any other tablet, ashwagandha powder and roots must be included in your daily plan.
Ashwagandha is traditionally consumed as a powdered extract, blended with honey or ghee to be taken twice daily on an empty stomach. There are also various recipes that can be made with ashwagandha powder including drinks, smoothies, and healthy desserts.
To alleviate stress, take Ashwagandha root powder in ghee along with a tablespoon of date sugar. Eat this at least 20 minutes before breakfast or later in the day with a cup of milk.
Ashwagandha and weight reduction
As for Ashwagandha’s uses, they are almost boundless. It not only has a long list of medical advantages; it may also help you lose weight.
- Ashwagandha is a natural antioxidant. It can help you get healthier and it also helps to burn fat.
- When the immune system is weakened, weight loss stops until the body has recovered. Immunity has a beneficial influence on weight reduction. Ashwagandha boosts immunity and promotes healthy weight loss.
- Another reason for weight gain that has been linked to stress is stress. As ashwagandha helps to reduce stress and anxiety, it aids in weight maintenance.
- It is thought that hypothyroidism is a major reason why individuals become overweight. Ashwagandha helps to decrease the thyroid-stimulating hormone and boost thyroid hormones.
- Cortisol is a stress hormone that increases sugar storage in the body by promoting insulin release. Ashwagandha improves insulin sensitivity and controls blood sugar levels, allowing you to lose weight.
Side effects of Ashwagandha
If you take the correct amount of Ashwagandha, it is considered safe to consume. There have been no reports of fatal or serious ashwagandha side effects in people who took large doses for a long time. Vomiting, diarrhea, and upset stomach can all be caused by very high dosages of ashwagandha.
Also, because ashwagandha has estrogen-like effects on the body, it should not be taken by pregnant women or nursing mothers unless they are under a doctor’s supervision.
Conclusion
Ashwagandha is a plant from India. People use the root of this plant to make medicine. They also sell it as capsules and tablets. It helps both men and women, but there have been no big studies done to find out if this is true or not.
Ashwagandha is a herb that has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for many diseases. There are not many side effects from it, but you should ask your doctor before taking it.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
Q. How long does it take ashwagandha to work?
A: It is determined by the person and why they are taking ashwagandha. It will also be dependent on the individual’s current health status.
Q. What does ashwagandha do for the body?
A: It increases the body’s ability to fight against stress. It also reduces cortisol, which is a hormone that tells your body to hold onto fat.
Q: Is ashwagandha good for Alzheimer’s?
A: Ashwagandha can help with memory loss and cognitive function in patients with mild Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
Q. Can Ashwagandha cause weight gain?
A: Stress-induced muscle wasting is aided by ashwagandha. It does not result in weight gain.
