Ashwagandha Benefits
What is ashwagandha herb? Find out what ashwagandha benefits are, what ashwagandha is used for and also ashwagandha side effects.
Ashwagandha herb is also known as withania somnifera, winter cherry and Indian ginseng. The shrubs are found in abundance in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Northern Africa. For centuries, ashwagandha root, ashwagandha leaves and the red cherries have been used as an anti-inflammatory agent, aphrodisiac, astringent and liver tonic in Ayurvedic medicine which is a traditional medicine native to India.
The active constituent in ashwagandha is withanolides. There are about 35 withanolides and withaferin A and withanolide D are the major compounds that have been attributed to ashwagandha benefits and healing activities. Other withanolides include withanoside IV and VI. Ashwagandha root also contains about 12 alkaloids.
Benefits of Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha benefits No. 1 - Natural remedy for stress, anxiety and depression
Ashwagandha herb is known as an adaptogenic herb and tonic. An adaptogen has the ability to assist the body to cope with stress and emotional changes by recharging the adrenal glands and balancing cortisol levels. Because of its adaptogenic actions, ashwagandha makes a good natural antidepressant and anti-stress agent and is recommended as an alternative remedy for psychological problems.
Stress, anxiety and depression can lead to impotence, physiological problems and immunosuppression. The secondary benefits of taking ashwagandha root extract include treating male sexual dysfunction and fatigue as well as strengthening the immune system to fight against infections and auto immune problems.
Ashwagandha benefits No. 2 - Alternative treatment for hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is caused by the underproduction of thyroid hormones and this condition can affect the metabolism of every cell in the body. Studies on mice suggest that ashwagandha extract has the potential to treat hypothyroidism. The T4 increased in mice that were given dried withania somnifera extract for 20 days. This can also mean that if you have hyperthyroidism or overactive thyroid production, you should avoid taking ashwagandha herbal supplement.
Ashwagandha benefits No. 3 - Improve cognitive function and brain efficiency
Taking ashwagandha may help improve cognitive and neurological disorders and improve brain health. German researchers discovered that ashwagandha extract has the ability to induce acetylcholine activity including improvement in learning, memory, moods and muscle contraction. An imbalance of acetylcholine which is a neurotransmitter and brain food can lead to Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and multiple sclerosis.
Ashwagandha benefits No. 4 - Treat impotence
A double blind clinical trial tested on 101 healthy males between 50 to 59 years showed that this Indian ginseng extract helped in improving their sexual performance. One of the possible reasons is that ashwagandha aids in the production of nitric oxide which helps in dilating blood vessels.
Other Ashwagandha Benefits and Uses
- Ashwagandha is an antioxidant and its benefits include reducing oxidative stress which can lead to premature aging.
- An in vitro study discovered that ashwagandha extract was able to slow down the growth of cancer cells.
- Ashwagandha has anti-inflammatory properties and may help in protecting against inflammations and damage to the cartilage and cause conditions such as osteoarthritis.
Ashwagandha Dosage and Side Effects
There are no reported side effects caused by taking ashwagandha extract. But any dietary supplement or medication taken in overdose will cause toxicity and adverse effects. It can cause diarrhea, stomach upset and vomiting or more serious problems that can affect the thyroid glands, heart and spleen. If you want to take ashwagandha supplement, you must follow the dosage recommended.
Ashwagandha supplements contain different percentage of withanolides ranging from 1.5% up to 8% of which 4.5% is sufficient. The normal dosage for ashwagandha extract is 225mg to 560mg per day. You can make ashwagandha tea from the dried roots or ashwagandha powder and the dosage is between 3g to 6g a day. Ashwagandha is also available in liquid extract. Remember not to take it for an extended period of more than 3 months. It's best not to take during pregnancy or while breast feeding.
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