Health Benefits of Ashwagandha - The Anti-Stress Medicinal Plant

Ashwagandha - A Medicinal Plant for You

Sometimes life is complicated...

And it seems that as time goes by, the days become even more demanding...

The modern world is like that. The consumerist fever demands excellent professional performance in exchange for a few simple pennies.

The stress of everyday life, combined with the need for great attention to detail, deplete our energies.

We get home exhausted, and we still have so many tasks to do...

At the end of the day already in bed, when we should be ready to sink into a deep sleep... The brain just can't switch off, problems are running through our thoughts without stopping.

Sleep is not enough, this one was lost in the hustle and bustle of the busy day!

When at last we found some long-awaited sleep comfort, trimmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!!!

Ring the alarm clock!

And now where will I find the strength to get out of bed!?

If it continues like this, I really don't know where it will end... 

Ashwagandha, what is it?

In Ayurveda, Ashwagandha is a well-known Rasayana.

Whoa... calm down there!

Don't get me wrong, but I didn't understand any of the Chinese you wrote...

Could you!

It's not Chinese, but it's Indian terms, incomprehensible to most of us. But don't worry, we'll explain it in detail.

Ayurveda or Ayurvedic medicine is the name of the well-known Traditional Indian Medicine. And it is in this ancestral practice that our dear herb - Ashwagandha has been used for over 2500 years!

Ashwagandha is a pretty weird name, we know. Translated it means the smell of a sweaty horse, as a reference to its characteristic odor. It is also well known as Indian Ginseng..

As I was telling you...

Ashwagandha, more precisely its root, is a Rasayana, that is to say a tonic, which helps the body to recover energy. But this tonic has a particularity, unlike other stimulating tonics, such as Korean Ginseng or Rhodiola, Ashwagandha has calming effects.

That is, it provides energy but without excites, unlike that little coffee you drink every day.

Sleep better and relieve anxiety

As the scientific name Withania somnifera indicates, Ashwagandha has a sedative action. This action can help you finally get that much-desired night of deep, a restorative sleep.

And this is written with full conviction! Not only because of the various scientific studies that prove its calming effects (1,2,3) but because of the extremely positive reports provided by our dear customers.

To get a better idea...

In one such study, 64 people with chronic stress when supplemented with Ashwagandha experienced an average 69% reduction in anxiety and insomnia, compared to just 11% in the placebo group. (1)

After these promising statements, you must be wondering…

How can an herb that is calming provide energy?

In our body there are in the upper parts of the kidneys, some glands called adrenal or suprarenal. These glands have the function of producing several important hormones, such as noradrenaline, adrenaline, cortisol and aldosterone.

These hormones are essential for our body's vital functions, including the normal functioning of the nervous system, heartbeat, blood pressure, blood sugar balance, and even the body's own anti-inflammatory effects.

The problem is that constant stress, combined with a lack of physical and mental rest, disrupts the proper functioning of our adrenals, causing the increasingly known adrenal fatigue.

It's that adrenal fatigue that causes:

• unbearable tiredness, especially in the morning and after lunch;
• difficulty waking up in the morning;
• increased energy levels and restlessness at night;
• need to consume coffee and other stimulants;
• changes in blood pressure;
• tendency to gain weight;
• reduced sexual desire;
• lack of enthusiasm to do things;
• among many other symptoms.

Face the stress of everyday life with Ashwagandha.

So Ashwagandha, like other adaptogens, helps balance the adrenals, reducing adrenal fatigue.

Despite being calming, by helping to slow down a completely accelerated and deregulated system, it ends up revitalizing the body.

Immune System Booster

Adaptogens, herbs that help increase the body's resistance, counteracting the effects of stress, also have immunomodulatory effects. That is, they have the ability to maintain the proper functioning of the immune system.

They help to reduce the excessive response of our immune defenses, in the case of autoimmune diseases and allergies. But strengthening the action of the immune system, when it is depleted, especially after long periods of stress.

Yes!

Because as we mentioned earlier, continuous stress affects the adrenal glands, which in turn deregulates cortisol (stress hormone), which undermines the immune system.

Ashwagandha - Health Benefits 

As already mentioned, Ashwagandha is especially famous for relieving stress, increasing energy levels, and improving concentration and poor memory.

Certain studies also point to a neuroprotective capacity, with possible therapeutic effects in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease.

But the benefits of Ashwagandha do not end there…

In addition to the calming and revitalizing effects, it can also help to improve mood in situations of depression.

There are some studies that suggest it... (1,3)

In the same study mentioned above, the effect of Ashwagandha on depressive symptoms was also evaluated, obtaining an average reduction of 77% vs. only 5.2% of the placebo. (1)

It is often used in subclinical cases of hypothyroidism. And because it is rich in iron, it is also used in mild anemia and fatigue. Helps stabilize blood sugar levels.

Ashwagandha is also applied as a sexual invigorator, especially in cases of exhaustion and nervous disorders, both in men and women.

In India it is mixed with ghee butter or honey for effects on male impotence. So much so that popularly it is said, take Ashwagandha to have the strength of a stallion (horse)!

It is said that in addition to sexual function, it also improves testosterone levels and male fertility.

Today, many alternative healers use Ashwagandha in combination with other herbs to relieve pain and as an anti-inflammatory in osteoarthritis and other chronic inflammatory conditions.

It is sometimes used as a complement to treatments for fibromyalgia, asthma, irritable bowel syndrome (anti-spasm effect) and cancer.

It has diuretic, hypotensive (lower blood pressure) effects, and may improve heart health by reducing levels of cholesterol and other fats in the blood.

The consumption of Ashwagandha, unlike many sedative drugs, does not cause chemical dependencies or withdrawal symptoms.

How to take Aswagandha

Ashwagandha can be taken in its original form by making tea with the roots or its powder.

The powder, despite its bitter taste, can be consumed directly, mixed in water, juices, shakes, yogurts, etc.

If you are sensitive to flavors and smells, there are several formulations on the market. You can opt for a supplement in the form of tablets, capsules, or drops.

Recommended daily dose

Root powder: 2 to 6 grams per day. One teaspoon corresponds to 2g of powder.

Very important!

About the other presentations...

To have guarantees of effect, the pills or capsules must provide the same amount of pure ingredient, that is between 2000 to 6000mg per day. It is recommended that you start with a lower starting dose and gradually increase it.

In the case of choosing an extract-based product, it is convenient that it is standardized from a quality brand, and that it provides at least 200mg per day.

In short: Be careful what you buy, otherwise it's a waste of money...

The dose should be taken initially at bedtime. It can be taken during the day if you notice better results in improving daytime nervousness.

Contraindications and Interactions

Ashwagandha is sometimes used as a supplement in the treatment of autoimmune diseases, but it is a controversial topic.

There are those who indicate a theoretical risk of stimulating the immune system too much, aggravating the disease. But there are those who defend the opposite, that Ashwagandha, being an immunomodulator, will calm an overly reactive immunity and thus benefit the control of the disease.

Therefore, in cases of rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, lupus and other autoimmune pathologies, it is recommended that you consult a doctor before deciding to complement your treatment with Ashwagandha.

Patients undergoing therapy for thyroid, diabetes and blood pressure should be consulted beforehand with their physician due to Ashwagandha's potential to enhance the effects of medications.

There is also a risk that Ashwagandha potentiates the sedative effects of chemical depressants, so extra care should be taken.

As a rule, Ashwagandha is well tolerated.

However, it should be avoided in pregnancy, not recommended for breastfeeding and children, without first consulting your doctor.

What to expect…

With the intake of Ashwaganda, a rapid improvement in sleep is to be expected in most cases, associated with a feeling of greater calm.

It is worth mentioning an extremely positive effect on the body's response to stress, significantly improving anxiety and other related disorders.

Over time, you should feel a higher level of physical and mental energy, more concentration and less forgetfulness. You will be able to feel more cheerful and more motivated to perform the demanding tasks of everyday life.

Discover user opinions in this Reddit community.

Basically, it boils down to improving general well-being.

Due to its antioxidant effects and by maintaining the balance of the body's functions, it contributes to greater health.

Like other adaptogens, it helps to delay aging.

No publication on this page constitutes medical practice and as such does not replace medical advice and follow-up.