Ashwagandha (or Indian ginseng) is an adaptogenic herb that has been used for thousands of years in ancient Ayurvedic medicine to treat various medical conditions. It also helps to calm the body and mind while restoring balance and relieving stress without the use of prescription drugs. This evergreen shrub is native to the Middle East, Africa and India and is consumed primarily as a tea or taken as a supplement. Ashwagandha is undoubtedly a wonder of nature, which is particularly well known for its ability to reduce stress as well as spice up your love life.
Here are some of the amazing benefits of this powerful herb.
It improves concentration.
Ashwagandha root extract has been shown to reduce feelings of stress that cause mental confusion and hinder concentration. It does this by reducing the level of stress hormones in your body and sharpening the mind for the task at hand.
It reduces adrenal fatigue.
Adrenal fatigue is a serious health problem that can occur after prolonged periods of intense stress and excess adrenaline. It essentially occurs when the adrenal glands are overloaded and exhausted. The adrenal glands are unable to produce adequate amounts of the hormones cortisol and adrenaline, which allow your body to respond appropriately to stress. When you experience emotional, physical or mental stress, you are tired and moody and may experience a state of mental confusion instead of a healthy stress response that sharpens your reactions.
Studies have shown that ashwagandha can help repair damaged adrenal glands and make them fully functional again. This allows your body to better handle stress and may prevent burnout.
It helps lower blood sugar levels.
Ashwagandha may be of particular interest to diabetics. It has been shown to help regulate blood sugar levels and control insulin. It has also proven to be a useful blood sugar management tool for healthy people. In fact, one small study showed that ashwagandha was just as effective in lowering fasting blood sugar levels as oral diabetes medication.
It can improve memory and cognitive function.
Ashwagandha is known to boost antioxidant activity and protect cells from harmful free radicals, which cause mental decline, especially in the elderly. In one study, test subjects showed a significant increase in reaction speed, memory and cognitive performance compared to the control group who received a placebo.
Withania somnifera, known commonly as ashwagandha, Indian ginseng, poison gooseberry, or winter cherry, is a plant in the Solanaceae or nightshade family.
It relieves pain due to arthritis.
Since ashwagandha has anti-inflammatory properties, its effects on arthritis sufferers have been studied. According to this research, this herb acts as a pain reliever and could help treat rheumatoid arthritis.
It improves sexual performance.
This herb not only helps to increase testosterone in men, thus improving their libido and sexual performance, but it can also act as a powerful natural aphrodisiac. If you've been uninspired in the bedroom recently, try consuming ashwagandha to help spice up your love life. Studies have shown that ashwagandha can also increase sperm count and motility, making it an excellent fertility booster.
It may help treat cancers.
Although most of the research has been conducted in the laboratory or on animals, the early results of ashwagandha as a possible cancer treatment are promising. These studies have shown that it may be effective in treating lung, ovarian, brain, colon and breast cancers. A study on mice with ovarian tumors showed that ashwagandha, in combination with an anti-cancer drug, could reduce the number of tumors by 70 to 80 percent and prevent the spread of cancer to other organs.
It fights anxiety and improves mood.
According to a study published in the journal Phytomedicine, ashwagandha may be just as useful as lorazepam, a sedative and anxiolytic sold in pharmacies. It also has antidepressant effects and may act as a mood stabilizer due to its adaptogenic effects, which help the body cope with stress-induced tension.Some important notes -
- Pregnant women should not consume ashwagandha, as it can cause premature delivery.
- Ashwagandha can cause side effects such as stomach upset, diarrhea and vomiting, but it is generally considered safe for short-term use. Stop using it immediately if you experience any side effects.
- If you are taking prescription medication, consult your doctor before starting to use ashwagandha
