Find out about Ashwagandha’s health benefits, such as how it can help you deal with stress and how it might help your immune system work better. Start getting the benefits right away!
Ashwagandha is an Indian herb commonly used in a medicine method known as Ayurveda to promote strength. Ashwagandha has health benefits.
Ashwagandha is becoming increasingly popular in the U.S. as a health supplement. Ashwagandha is classified as an adaptogen, meaning that it can combat physical and chemical stress.
This herb has been used to combat stress for over three millennia. The ashwagandha plant is native to India and North Africa. Who can form extracts and powders from the plant’s root to take it for various health reasons?
Top 10 Ashwagandha Health Benefits
Ashwagandha is good for your health in many ways, like lowering stress and making sleep better. Now you can find out more about this strong herb.
Ashwagandha is a natural herb, and it is safe for most people except for women who are breastfeeding or pregnant.
Additionally, individuals suffering from thyroid disease taking medication should avoid taking Ashwagandha since some research has shown that the herb can increase thyroid hormones.
Reports have also suggested that individuals suffering from autoimmune disorders should consult with a doctor before using Ashwagandha. It is important to note that some of the reported benefits of Ashwagandha are more and less significant in different cases.
Currently, research is being done with varying amounts of the herb, so it may be challenging to find the best dose for your reason for taking the herb.
However, the lowest effective dose of Ashwagandha has been reported to be around 300–500 mg. Research has suggested that the optimal dose is 6,000 mg divided into three even doses. Supplement consumption appears to be best with food.
There are many reported benefits of Ashwagandha, which we will cover in this article.
#1. Managing Anxiety
One of the original uses of Ashwagandha was for its anti-anxiety properties. The most significant body of research regarding the herb has been done in this area.
Ashwagandha has been shown to reduce cortisol levels as well as the immunosuppressive effects of stress. In addition, studies have found that taking Ashwagandha can lead to a reduction in reported anxiety.
These properties of Ashwagandha make it a possible treatment for not only anxiety but depression and insomnia as well.
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#2. Cancer-Fighting
Ashwagandha has also shown the potential to fight cancer cells. Certain studies have found that the herb can help induce cell death in cancer cells, which is a mechanism that the cells can typically evade.
Studies have also found that using Ashwagandha in conjunction with other cancer treatments can increase the reduction in tumor growth.
#3. Lowering Blood Sugar
Studies have also demonstrated the ability of ashwagandha to lower blood glucose levels. This has been found in healthy people and those suffering from conditions involving elevated blood glucose, such as diabetes.
This is a significant benefit of the herb since high blood glucose is beneficial for several progressive diseases.
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#4. Improved Blood Lipids
Irregular blood lipids can be a contributing factor to many of the diseases we face today. Ashwagandha has been shown to decrease not only triglyceride levels but also total cholesterol levels.
This has been shown primarily through the lowering of what is considered bad cholesterol, LDL. Several studies have also found that Ashwagandha can improve blood lipids by increasing our good cholesterol, HDL.
#5. Testosterone Booster
Ashwagandha can also aid in endocrine function, improving hormonal levels. Research has found that men who have infertility could increase their sperm count through the supplementation of Ashwagandha.
The hormonal effects of ashwagandha also allow for reported increases in testosterone levels. This increase in testosterone is likely responsible for the increases in strength and muscle mass that have also been reported through the use of the herb.
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#6. Body Composition
As mentioned above, Ashwagandha has improved muscle mass, which increases hormone levels as testosterone may potentiate. Additionally, there is now research coming out showing the herb may aid in weight reduction.
This may be through increases in fat oxidation, which has also been shown in some studies. Increases in fat oxidation may result from lower blood glucose, which can increase the body’s reliance on fat for energy.
#7. Sports Performance
Of course, increases in muscle mass and testosterone can allow for improvements in sports performance. However, Ashwagandha may also benefit this area through reductions in muscle damage, as has been shown in studies.
These studies have found that supplementing with this herb may reduce plasma creatine kinase levels, a systemic marker of muscular damage.
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#8. Improved Sleep
We reported earlier that the use of Ashwagandha might be a viable option for improving the symptoms of insomnia.
Women using Ashwagandha during chemotherapy have reported improved sleep while using the herb. The decrease in cortisol, which can lead to better sleep, may potentiate this herb’s effects.
#9. Brain Function
Studies looking at the use of Ashwagandha in animals have found that the herb can help improve brain function in animals suffering from impairments from disease or injury.
Studies have also been carried out on animals suffering from disorders like epilepsy. Additionally, studies in humans have found that Ashwagandha can improve reaction time and performance on various cognitive tasks.
This makes the herb a possible option to help manage neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease.
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#10. Anti-Inflammatory
Another compelling potential of Ashwagandha is its inflammation-reducing properties. Research has found that the herb may be able to improve immune function and reduce systemic inflammation.
Inflammation can aid in the progression of many diseases, like cancer and Alzheimer’s. While some websites suggest taking Ashwagandha in the morning, I would suggest taking it several hours after you wake up since cortisol plays a significant role in our circadian rhythms.
As mentioned earlier, who can consume ashwagandha in powder form? However, it is most commonly found in pill form, which ranges from 100 mg capsules to 500mg and can be purchased at most supplement shops.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Ashwagandha
How long does ashwagandha stay in your system?
How long ashwagandha stays in your body depends on how much you take, how often you use it, your metabolism, and other physiological factors. It takes about a few hours to a day for half of the ashwagandha to be used up. Its active ingredients may stay in the body longer, though. Few studies have been done on Ashwagandha’s effects on the body, and different people may react differently.
Does Ashwaghanda make you horny?
It is said that ashwagandha can improve your health, including your libido and sexual function, but different people have different experiences. Some people may feel more sexually aroused after taking Ashwagandha, but not others. We are still looking into how ashwagandha affects sexual health, so more study is needed. As with any vitamin, you should talk to your doctor before taking ashwagandha, especially if you are already sick.
Does ashwagandha affect birth control?
Few studies have shown that ashwagandha may not have a direct effect on oral contraception. If you are on birth control, you should talk to your doctor before taking Ashwagandha or any other plant medicine. Herbs may make chemical birth control less effective. Talk to your doctor about taking supplements to make sure you are safe and that your birth control method works.
Is ashwagandha safe during pregnancy?
It’s not clear if ashwagandha is safe to take while pregnant. Some studies suggest that pregnant women may be able to safely consume alcohol in small amounts, but there isn’t enough proof to prove this. Because there isn’t enough research on Ashwagandha and it might be harmful, pregnant women shouldn’t take it unless their doctor tells them to. To protect themselves and their kids, pregnant women should talk to a doctor before taking Ashwagandha or any other herbal supplement.
Can you take ashwagandha while pregnant?
Women who are pregnant should not take ashwagandha without first talking to a doctor. In small amounts, ashwagandha might be safe for pregnant women, but there is no proof to support this claim. Due to the risks and a lack of studies, you should talk to your doctor before taking Ashwagandha while you are pregnant. Your doctor or nurse can give you information that is specific to your needs.
Can you take ashwagandha while breastfeeding?
No one knows for sure if ashwagandha is safe to take while nursing. Not much is known about how Ashwagandha affects breastfeeding moms and their kids. Taking ashwagandha supplements while nursing is usually not a good idea without first talking to a doctor. Chemicals in ashwagandha could get into breast milk and hurt the baby. To protect both the mother and the baby, talk to a doctor before taking Ashwagandha or any other herbal supplement while nursing.
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