Health benefits of Ashwagandha

 

Ashwagandha is a perennial shrub native to India, the Middle East, and portions of Africa. It's been used in traditional medicine for a long time.

People have employed the roots and orange-red fruit of ashwagandha for medical purposes for hundreds of years. The herb's other names include Indian ginseng and winter cherry.

The term "ashwagandha" refers to the fragrance of the root and means "like a horse." Ashwa, by definition, means horse.

This plant is used by practitioners as a general tonic to increase energy and relieve tension and anxiety. Some people believe the herb can help with cancer, Alzheimer's illness, and anxiety.

More study is needed; promising investigations investigating the health effects of ashwagandha have primarily been conducted in animals.

This page examines the traditional usage of ashwagandha, how to take it, and the research supporting its potential health benefits and hazards.

What is the purpose of ashwagandha?

In Ayurvedic medicine, ashwagandha is a vital herb. This is one of the oldest medical systems in the world, as well as one of India's healthcare systems.

Ashwagandha is classified as a Rasayana in Ayurvedic medicine. This indicates that it aids in the preservation of youth, both mentally and physically.

There is some evidence that the herb has neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties. Many health disorders are caused by inflammation, and lowering inflammation helps protect the body from a range of illnesses.

Ashwagandha, for example, is used to treat the following conditions:

• Anxiety 
• fatigue 
• pain 
• skin problems
• diabetes
• arthritis
• epilepsy
• stress

Different treatments use various elements of the plant, such as the leaves, seeds, and fruit.

This plant is becoming more popular in the Western world. Ashwagandha is now available as a supplement in the United States.

What are its health advantages?

According to scientific evidence, ashwagandha may be effective for a variety of illnesses.

However, experts know little about how the plant interacts with the human body. Because most research have employed animal or cell models, scientists do not know if the same outcomes will occur in humans.

There is some evidence to suggest that ashwagandha can help with the following:

Brain actives with ashwagandha

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Anxiety and stress

When compared to the sedative and anxiety medication lorazepam, ashwagandha may have a soothing effect on anxiety symptoms.

A 2000 study found that the herb had a comparable anxiety-reducing impact as lorazepam, implying that ashwagandha may be just as effective. The researchers, however, did this investigation on mice rather than humans.

In a 2019 study(Trusted Source) in humans, researchers discovered that consuming 240 milligrams (mg) of ashwagandha daily significantly lowered stress levels when compared to a placebo. This includes lower levels of cortisol, a stress hormone.

Another 2019 study(Trusted Source) in humans found that ingesting 250 mg or 600 mg of ashwagandha per day resulted in lower self-reported stress and cortisol levels.

Although this study is encouraging, scientists need to collect a lot more data before suggesting the herb to treat anxiety.

Arthritis

Ashwagandha may function as a pain reliever by blocking pain signals from going through the central nervous system. It may have anti-inflammatory qualities as well.

As a result, some study has suggested that it is useful in treating many types of arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis.

A minor research conducted in 2015

In 125 persons with joint discomfort, the plant was determined to offer potential as a therapeutic option for rheumatoid arthritis by a Trusted Source.

Cardiovascular health

Some people utilize ashwagandha to improve their heart health, such as:

• reduce high blood pressure
• decreasing high cholesterol levels
• reducing chest pain
• heart disease prevention

However, there is little data to back up these claims.

According to one 2015 study In humans, (Trusted Source) suggested that ashwagandha root extract could improve cardiorespiratory endurance, which could improve heart health. More research, however, is required.

Alzheimer's disease treatment

Several trials have explored ashwagandha's capacity to reduce or prevent loss of brain function in persons with neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, and Parkinson's disease, according to a 2011 review (Trusted Source).

As these disorders worsen, sections of the brain and its connective pathways are destroyed, resulting in memory and function loss. This review suggests that giving ashwagandha to mice and rats during the early stages of disease may provide protection.

Cancer

The same review from 2011.

Trusted Source also discusses a few promising research that discovered ashwagandha may be able to inhibit cell development in some malignancies. In animal trials, this includes lowering lung cancers.

How to Consume Ashwagandha

The dosage of ashwagandha and how it is used depend on the illness being treated. Based on modern clinical investigations, there is no typical dosage.

Different dosages have been utilized in various investigations. According to some research, ingesting 250-600 mg per day can help lower stress. In other investigations, much greater doses were employed.

Ashwagandha capsule dosages are typically between 250 and 1,500 mg. The herb is available in capsule, powder, and liquid extract forms.

High doses can have negative side effects in some circumstances. Before beginning any new herbal supplement, including ashwagandha, consult with a healthcare expert about safety and dosage.

Are there any unintended consequences?

Small-to-medium doses of ashwagandha are normally tolerated by most people. However, there haven't been enough long-term trials to thoroughly investigate the potential adverse effects.

Is it secure?

Ashwagandha should be avoided by pregnant women because it can induce fetal discomfort and early labor.

Another potential issue with Ayurvedic herbs is that manufacturers are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This implies they are not held to the same standards as pharmaceutical and food industries.

Herbs may contain pollutants such as heavy metals, or they may not contain any of the herb at all. Before acquiring any goods, people should conduct some research about the producer.

According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative HealthTrusted Source, some Ayurvedic products may contain amounts of lead, mercury, and arsenic that exceed what experts consider safe for human daily use.

Taking excessive doses of ashwagandha might cause digestive distress, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. This could be caused to intestinal mucosal inflammation.

Summary

Ayurvedic medicine uses ashwagandha as a natural therapy. According to some research, ashwagandha may offer a variety of health advantages, including stress and anxiety reduction and arthritis relief.

Before consuming ashwagandha, pregnant women and those with preexisting health concerns should consult their doctor.

Many of the previous investigations were tiny, conducted on animals, or had problems in their methodology. As a result, researchers cannot be positive that it is an effective treatment. More work is required.

If a person decides to utilize this herb as part of a treatment plan, they should first consult with their doctor.

Brain Actives with Ashwagandha

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