The Virtues Of Ashwagandha

What is ashwagandha? What are the virtues of Ashwagandha? Is ashwagandha effective? What are the possible side effects of ashwagandha? What are the drug interactions with ashwagandha? Let’s discover the answers down below!

What is ashwagandha?

Ashwagandha is a small evergreen shrub that grows in India, the Middle East and parts of Africa.

• Its botanical name is Withania somnifera. It is also known as Indian ginseng or winter cherry. Its active chemical ingredients are called “withanolides”.
• The roots and berries of this shrub are used to make an Ayurvedic medicine (traditional Hindu medicine).
• Ashwagandha is available in capsules and powder to mix into soft foods (such as yogurt or porridge).
• The root, root powder and standardized extracts of whitanolides are used in a wide range of dosages. (Unlike prescription medications, there is often little or conflicting evidence to determine the optimal dose of supplements, including ashwagandha.)
• Some food supplements used to improve sleep or relieve stress contain ashwagandha, among other things.

What are the virtues of Ashwagandha?

Its supporters consider ashwagandha to be an adaptogen. The term “herbal medicine” means that this substance is believed to help the body respond to mental and physical stress, and to restore normal emotional and physical function.

In 2020 and 2021, some people began using ashwagandha to reduce the harmful effects of COVID-19, although there is no evidence supporting this use.

The long list of the virtues of ashwagandha includes the following:

• Reduce symptoms of stress that can cause anxiety and depression
• Increase fertility in men
• Helping people with insomnia sleep
• Increase muscle mass, strength, endurance and energy
• Reduce inflammation (for example, to help prevent cartilage damage caused by osteoarthritis)
• Reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels
• Lower blood pressure
• Improve brain function (especially memory)
• Reduce blood sugar in people with diabetes
• Kill cancer cells
• Limit weight gain associated with cortisol (hormone secreted in response to stress)

Is ashwagandha effective?

It is very unlikely that any single compound, including ashwagandha, would provide so many health benefits.

Laboratory studies (e.g., on cells and organs) have demonstrated that ashwagandha reduces inflammation and relaxes the central nervous system. Studies in mice also suggest that this herb can reduce blood sugar, boost the immune system (although it’s not entirely clear what that means or what mechanism would explain it), and kill cancer cells. The results of studies in the laboratory and in mice are still unconfirmed by studies carried out in humans.

Small studies in humans suggest that ashwagandha may:

• Help reduce stress, anxiety and fatigue
• Improving sleep quality in people with insomnia
• Improve brain function and help relieve anxiety in people with bipolar disorder

Larger studies in humans are of need to confirm the benefits of ashwagandha.

What are the possible side effects of ashwagandha?

Taking ashwagandha orally for up to 3 months appears safe. High doses can cause stomach upset, diarrhea, vomiting and, in rare cases, liver problems.

• Ashwagandha is probably dangerous for pregnant women because it could increase the risk of miscarriage.
• It is still unknown whether nursing mothers who take ashwagandha could pass its components into breast milk. Likewise, the effects of ashwagandha in nursing mothers and infants are unknown.
• Ashwagandha may irritate the digestive system.

What are the drug interactions with ashwagandha?

• Ashwagandha may reduce blood sugar; its use with hypoglycemic drugs could therefore be dangerous (by reducing blood sugar levels too much).
• Because of its blood pressure-lowering potential, ashwagandha could be dangerous for people taking medications for high blood pressure.
• As it appears to intensify the activity of the immune system, ashwagandha might also interfere with medications that inhibit the immune system.
• Ashwagandha may cause drowsiness. Combining it with sedative-hypnotics (used to facilitate sleep) could therefore cause excessive drowsiness.
• Ashwagandha may increase thyroid hormone levels; Therefore, doctors should carefully monitor thyroid function by ordering blood tests for anyone taking thyroid hormones and ashwagandha simultaneously.

Recommendations

No beneficial health effects of ashwagandha have been confirmed by high-quality studies in humans.

The use of ashwagandha is not recommended, as no confirmed benefits outweigh the possibility of negative side effects.

Ashwagandha is probably safe for most people. However :

• Pregnant women, people with gastric ulcers, and those with liver disease should avoid ashwagandha.
• Breastfeeding women and people taking certain medications (including medications to suppress immune system activity, lower blood sugar, reduce blood pressure, and certain sedatives) should consult their doctor before taking ashwagandha.
• People who take thyroid hormones should also consult their doctor if they want to take ashwagandha, as it may affect blood levels of thyroid hormones.

Before consuming or adding any “super food” to your diet or taking food supplements, do not hesitate to ask you doctor or a professional for advice.

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I hope you enjoyed this overview of the virtues of Ashwagandha and found it useful. Comment down below what you think of this shrub. Have you ever tried it? If yes, please share with us your experience.

Looking forward to reading your comments, sending you love and positive energy!!!