Ashwagandha is a powerful herb primarily used in Ayurvedic medicine to promote general wellness and general health. It has many amazing properties that can promote strength and good health and its name even means ‘smell of a horse’ in Sanskrit. This refers to the strength and stamina of those who take this medicine.
This is because Ashwagandha is an adaptogen and they enable the body to better handle stress, which is why they are often given to people who are feeling weak and run down as it can give them an extra energy boost.
Ashwagandha is similar to Indian Ginseng in its properties although perhaps not as potent, it can have relatively calming properties and this is why it’s often suggested for people who are suffering with anxiety or insomnia. It is a very powerful herb for promoting clarity, clear thinking and concentration so is ideal if anyone wants to reduce their stress levels and improve their learning and memory capabilities.
Ashwaganda Health Benefits
Eases Anxiety and Stress. Studies have indicated that Ashwagandha has anti-stress properties and could help with easing any feelings of anxiety. It does this by reducing the concentrated levels of cortisol and providing an immunosuppressive effect on stress.
Promotes Fertility. Ashwagandha can address many fertility issues and improve reproductive abilities. For women it can ease any painful symptoms of menstruation and can stimulate a low libido when it’s combined with Shatavari, another Ayurvedic herb. Ashwagandha can also strengthen the uterus in women who have suffered with miscarriages, although it’s not suggested for pregnancy. For men, it can address impotence, problems with premature ejaculation, while improving the quality and quantity of sperm. All of this means it’s an excellent herb for anyone who is looking to improve their fertility and start their own family.
Anti-Cancer. Certain lab tests have shown that Ashwagandha could slow down the growth of cancer cells, while animal studies have shown that Ashwagandha could boost the effects of radiation therapy. These are early results however and more research may be required to determine its wide range of benefits. Although several studies are indicating that Ashwagandha can make chemotherapy and radiation therapies more effective.
Supports a Low Thyroid or Adrenal Burnout. Ashwagandha is a chemical complex that is full of vitamins, minerals and alkaloids along with phytochemicals that can act as hormonal precursors within the body. This makes Ashwagandha beneficial for anyone who is currently undergoing a lot of stress or who wishes to ease the effects and lower their cortisol levels. Eventually this can ease any stressful effects and lower cortisol and this can help to bring the cortisol levels back into balance. This is one of the reasons why Ashwagandha is often used in herbal adrenal formulas for maximum effectiveness.
Is Ashwagandha safe to take?
Yes, everyone from children to the elderly can take Ashwagandha to receive its benefits. While there is no standard dose to take, it’s suggested that 1-6 grams of the herb taken daily is recommended for best results.