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Ashwagandha, scientifically named Withania somnifera, is a plant belonging to the Solanaceae family. There is a wide range of benefits of Ashwagandha that you can experience by consuming them either directly as powder or as a concoction. However, like other medicines, Ashwagandha also has some limitations.
Also, there are certain people who must avoid the consumption of Ashwagandha to keep from its negative effects. Read more about the benefits of Ashwagandha below and learn how to acquire its qualities.
There are several uses of Ashwagandha in the medicinal field since it offers an array of benefits to its loyal users. These include:
Ashwagandha plays an effective role in controlling blood sugar levels in patients suffering from diabetes. A compound known as Withaferin A present in Ashwagandha has potent anti-diabetic properties. This compound stimulates the body cells to take up glucose from the blood to keep blood sugar levels within a normal range.
If you are suffering from stress or anxiety, you can easily opt for Ashwagandha to get some relief. Over the years, researchers have conducted several studies on different groups of people with positive results in stress relief. They do so by controlling the level of heat shock proteins, JNK-1 and cortisol.
One of the several advantages of Ashwagandha is that it positively influences cognitive functions such as attention and memory. This greatly aids students in retaining information for a longer time. Additionally, it enhances the information processing speeds to understand and take immediate action to gain maximum benefits from a situation.
Ashwagandha increases muscular strength in men to a considerable extent. Additionally, it reduces the percentage of fat in the body and increases the muscles of the chest and arms. People engaged in a rigorous workout can also benefit from Ashwagandha as they cure micro tears in muscles caused post-workout.
Ashwagandha plays a key role in enhancing male fertility by increasing the testosterone level. In addition to this, Ashwagandha also enhances the quality of sperm. Thus men suffering from the problems of infertility can take Ashwagandha. The increase in muscles is also a result of increased testosterone in males.
Maintaining good heart health is extremely important to avoid strokes. Ashwagandha significantly aids in the process by lowering high blood pressure, relieving chest pain and controlling different heart diseases. Additionally, root extracts of Ashwagandha have a proven effect on cardiorespiratory endurance.
Women experiencing sexual dysfunction can benefit massively from Ashwagandha. Many Ashwagandha consumers have experienced its effects on arousal, orgasm, vaginal lubrication, and satisfaction, thus significantly improving their sex lives.
Ashwagandha has shown prominent results in relieving depression and schizophrenia in many patients. Ashwagandha also cured people who have bipolar disorders to a certain extent.
Ashwagandha intake has prominently resolved inflammations in people. They contain a compound known as WA that targets inflammatory pathways of the human body. They mainly modify the signal molecules such as NF-κB and Nrf2 to reduce inflammations significantly.
People having sleep disorders often opt for Ashwagandha to induce sleep. Ashwagandha also has prominent effects on reducing anxiety levels, inducing sound sleep, and helping you wake up fresh in the morning.
One of the significant health benefits of Ashwagandha is that it provides relief from joint pains. It inhibits the central nervous system from transferring the pain signal, thus acting as a pain reliever. Hence, it is popularly used during the treatment of arthritis.
Researchers have gotten some evidence of Ashwagandha significantly benefitting people who have Alzheimer’s disease. However, you must consult your doctor before taking Ashwagandha as a medicine during the same.
If you take Ashwagandha daily, you will notice a significant improvement in your immunity. But you must only take it twice a day and avoid consuming in excess to avoid harmful effects.
Athletes can benefit immensely from Ashwagandha as it plays a significant role in improving their performance. Ashwagandha acts as a significant substitute for harmful supplements that have a negative effect on health.
During stress, ACTH hormone is released. This subsequently increases the secretion of cortisol hormone in the blood, thereby resulting in high blood pressure. Ashwagandha acts to keep a check on the cortisol level so that the problem of high blood pressure is resolved.
People who have Parkinson’s disease have damaged nerve cells which disrupt the smooth conduction of signals. One of the medicinal benefits of Ashwagandha is that it acts as an antioxidant and shields the damage of nerve cells reducing the problems associated with Parkinson’s.
It has been found that Ashwagandha encourages normal thyroid function, particularly in cases of hypothyroidism. Its adaptogenic nature helps to balance thyroid hormone production, thereby promoting overall endocrine health. Its hormones tend to correct the metabolism and regulate some signs such as weakness or weight gain.
Ashwagandha may increase sperm count and motility while raising testosterone levels in the body. These reproductive activities help reduce oxidative stress caused by free radicals within sperm cells so that the system can work better for reproduction purposes. Besides, it may boost libido and sexual performance in men based on studies done.
Another way in which Ashwagandha might benefit weight loss is by lowering cortisol levels, which cause increased fat storage, especially around the tummy region. Its role in enhancing metabolic rate and reducing stress-induced eating can facilitate healthy weight loss while averting the health problems related to obesity.
Ashwagandha's antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties benefit skin health. They reduce oxidative stress, which causes skin damage and premature ageing. Using Ashwagandha also prevents acne, eczema, and psoriasis, among other skin conditions, by reducing inflammation and facilitating wound healing.
To acquire the health benefits of Ashwagandha, one can consume it in various ways. Some of the ways to use it are:
Ashwagandha can be taken as both powder or capsule. Mostly the roots of Ashwagandha are taken in powdered form to gain maximum benefits. You can simply grind the roots in a mixture grinder to obtain the powdered version. This powder is often mixed with milk or honey to enhance its taste. You can also mix Ashwagandha powder with your food or juices.
Alternatively, you can even directly boil the dried Ashwagandha root in one cup of water till the water comes to a simmer to prepare an Ashwagandha tea. This saves time as you don’t have to take the additional step of grinding the roots, and people who are extremely busy can make it in no time and run for their chores.
You can also intake Ashwagandha in the form of milkshake or laddoo or shrikhand to make a healthy twist to make it tasty. You can opt for a maximum of 600 mg to 1000 mg per day that too divided into two dosages. Adding Ashwagandha to your meals can give you its health benefits while enjoying your favourite dishes.
This is a powerful liquid extract of the Ashwagandha herb. It can be included in water, juice, and herbal tea; hence, it is very fast-acting. The body absorbs the herbs quickly, making them ideal for busy individuals. The liquid extract will prepare the tea faster than the dried Ashwagandha.
Ashwagandha can also be combined with other adaptogenic herbal plants, such as turmeric, ginger, or holy basil, to form potent herbal mixes. These may be used for preparing teas and smoothies or consumed as supplements, aiming to boost health with the benefits of all the herbs included in the mix.
However, you must avoid consuming Ashwagandha in excess to avoid its side effects.
Ashwagandha packs several nutrients, making it a top pick for adding to your daily diet. Below is a table showing the nutritional values of Ashwagandha powder:
Like other herbs, Ashwagandha too has several side effects if its intake is not carefully monitored. You can become prone to the following if you do not keep a check on ashwagandha consumption
An augmentation of Ashwagandha consumption may result in nasal congestion and difficulty in breathing. This is possible due to the fact that it has warming effects that can lead to increased production of mucus.
In small quantities, Ashwagandha aids digestion, but excessive use may cause constipation. The ability to harden stools and decrease the frequency of bowel movements causes this. Correct dosing and appropriate hydration can help prevent this.
Ashwagandha acts in the centres that control hunger, possibly increasing or decreasing an individual's appetite. This oscillation results in disorders of eating behaviour as well as nutritional intake levels, thereby leading to weight fluctuations.
Overusing Ashwagandha could worsen a cough or cold. It is advised not to use it excessively since its effect on the body leads to irritation of the respiratory system, hence a chronic cough or an aggravated cold condition.
However, it is also associated with a very high level of libido, which, if not controlled well, can be too much for someone. This has the potential to disrupt daily life and personal relationships if not properly managed.
Expectant mothers should be cautious with Ashwagandha because large amounts can increase the chances of miscarriages. If taken during pregnancy, it may damage the uterus through contractions that are caused by its ability to stimulate them.
Additionally, if you consume Ashwagandha in large doses, there can also be more severe adverse effects, such as:
Ashwagandha contains high amounts of bioactive compounds, which, if consumed in excess, might stimulate diarrhoea since they can be irritating to the stomach. This will make you have regular loose, watery stools and become dehydrated and uncomfortable.
Excessive Ashwagandha consumption could lead to vomiting because its phytochemical concentrations may elicit undesirable responses within the body. As a result, important nutrients and fluids may be lost, leading to symptoms like fatigue and dehydration.
Taking excessive amounts of Ashwagandha can cause nausea—a feeling of discomfort or uneasiness in the stomach that tends to precede vomiting. This side effect may greatly affect your appetite, thereby greatly affecting general health conditions.
Besides helping relaxation and inducing sleep, Ashwagandha induces extreme drowsiness if taken in large amounts. This hinders one from staying awake during the day and prevents them from being active on a given task.
Overdosing with Ashwagandha may lead to stomach upsets like discomfort, cramps, and aches. These inflammations hinder the normal passage of food through digestion, leading to various conditions affecting the digestive system.
Even though Ashwagandha provides numerous health benefits, one must be cautious before using it. You must take the following precautions to avoid any severe side effects:
Although Ashwagandha has a vast array of advantages, there are several groups of people who must avoid having Ashwagandha. They include:
Ashwagandha should be avoided by those with too high blood pressure as it could interact with hypertension medications, resulting in fluctuations of an unpredictable nature in blood pressure levels that can pose a cardiovascular health risk.
People allergic to this product should not take any to avoid experiencing some form of allergic reaction. Itchy skin, hives, swelling, or severe cases that result in breathing problems may make it necessary to discontinue using the product altogether.
Pregnant women, to avoid any sort of allergic reaction, must stop consuming Ashwagandha. Limited research exists on its safety during pregnancy, and it may cause contraction of the uterus. Therefore, consulting your doctor is important when you want to use it.
People who are suffering from stomach upset or nausea must stop using Ashwagandha.It should not be taken by anyone experiencing nausea or stomach upset, as it may worsen these conditions. It can irritate the gastrointestinal tract, thereby increasing discomfort.
Ingesting Ashwagandha might lead to gastrointestinal irritation in individuals who have ulcers in the stomach lining. This can intensify symptoms associated with ulcers and retard healing. Any new supplements must be first discussed with a healthcare provider.
The immune system-boosting effects of Ashwagandha can pose dangers for sufferers of autoimmune diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis. It could aggravate symptoms or interfere with drug treatments.
One should avoid Ashwagandha if it makes one feel sleepy during activities that require attention because it acts like a sedative. Such activities include driving and handling heavy machinery. The body needs to be watched for its reactions to Ashwagandha.
Thyroid patients suffering from severe conditions, mostly hyperthyroidism, are discouraged from using Ashwagandha as this may result in changes in the levels of thyroid hormones. This will cause complications and interfere with procedures for treating the thyroid.
During and after any form of operation, it would be prudent to avoid Ashwagandha as this can interfere with the anaesthesia and other drugs that may be administered. Besides, it is highly likely to disrupt blood pressure and stress hormone levels.
If you regularly consume anticonvulsants, benzodiazepines, and barbiturates, Ashwagandha can interact with them, possibly enhancing their sedative effects. Consequently, it results in excessive sleepiness, among other side effects.
Now that you have known all the benefits of Ashwagandha, you must also consider avoiding them under the above mentioned conditions. Incorporating Ashwagandha into a balanced lifestyle can be a valuable strategy for improving physical and mental health. In case you have doubts regarding preparation or dosage, you must consult a doctor before proceeding with the concoction.
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