Benefits of Ashwagandha herb

Indian Ginseng or Winter Cherry in English, Ashwagandha in Hindi, Asgandh Nagori in Urdu and Withania Somnifera in Scientific language, is a traditionally famous Indian woody shrub with numerous proven benefits to human health. It also comes under the category of ‘adaptogen herbs’.

Ashwagandha Herb

Adaptogen Herbs support our body’s ability to handle various sort of stresses,  thus it improve body’s energy and performance, restores mental health, strengthens body’s ability to cope up with stress and anxiety, boosts immune system, reduces cortisol level,balances thyroid hormones and keeps sexual capacity and fertility at optimum level.

Ashwagandha is grown in India, Middle East and in some parts of Africa. Ashwagandha have key importance in Ayurveda from ancient times. Ashwagandha’s fruit leaves and roots are used for medicinal purposes and in recent studies, it has been found that Ashwagandha have an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant property that enhances its importance for human health.

Key Benefits and Uses

Ashwagandha is commonly available from various retailers, herb stores, vitamin stores and food stores as Ashwagandha root powder by different brands, Although Ashwagandha leaves powder is also available which use for making Ashwagandha tea, but traditionally, Ashwagandha root powder is popular. It is taken by mixing it with water, butter or honey

A famous recipe is Ashwagandha Butter Coffee

½ tablespoon of Ashwagandha powder

 2 ½ tablespoons of certified ghee or butter

6oz coffee

Sweeten it to taste.

Photo by Alejandro Martinez on Unsplash

Ashwagandha Supplement / Capsules

Many Ashwagandha supplements and Capsules are also available on medical or pharmaceutical stores, herb stores and vitamin shops. Always purchase contamination free and third party lab tested supplement of some renowned brand. Also, stay away from the supplements with mixing of other ingredients or additives, which might have no potential value.  

Photo by Neha Deshmukh on Unsplash

 Key Benefits and Uses 

Here we will discuss the key and proven benefits of Ashwagandha herb.

 For Treating Insomnia or Sleeping Disorders

Sleeping Disorder or insomnia is common disease of present fast growing age due to constant long working hours in stressful environment, pain or discomfort. Ashwagandha is suggested when stress is a main factor for sleeping discomfort. It improves the sleeping time and quality thus helps to treat insomnia.

Ashwagandha plant leaves are more beneficial to treat insomnia than its root. Ashwagandha leaves contain compounds that promote healthy sleep.

For Treating Sleeping disorders and insomnia, warm some water, mix a teaspoon of organic raw honey into it and take a teaspoon of Ashwagandha powder with this warm honey water mix.

 For Reducing Blood Sugar Levels

Ashwagandha proved to be very helpful to reduce the levels of blood sugar in several studies; however, patients taking medicine to reduce blood sugar level should not use Ashwagandha, as it may drastically reduce blood sugar levels.

1-    Take a teaspoon of Ashwagandha powder with a glass of warm water; drink it daily for best results.

2-    Take 8 to 10 drops of Withania Somnifera (Ashwagandha) tincture in warm water, drink it daily

 For Relieving Stress and Anxiety

Ashwagandha is an excellent herb to reduce stress, anxiety and emotional imbalances, we all know that prolonged stress may lead to depression and high blood pressure, as an adaptogen herb Ashwagandha enhances body ability to counter physical and emotional stresses and keeps the body functions in balanced state.

Taking Ashwagandha root powder together with honey before going to bed is beneficial for mental stress and anxiety.

For Treating Thyroid Problems

One of the excellent qualities of adaptogen herbs is that they relieve people with thyroid problems. Ashwagandha has been proved to support an underactive thyroid. Thyroid gland is the master governing gland of metabolism. Thyroid, issue or sluggish thyroid may lead to wide variety of issues such as chronic fatigue, poor blood circulation, increase in cortisol, fluctuations in weight, insomnia and many others. Ashwagandha has an ability to correct all thyroid disorders 

 Taking Ashwagandha powder or capsules with warm milk at night benefits all type of thyroid problems.

For Nervous System and Memory Boosting

Stress has damaging effects on human memory and nervous system, as Ashwagandha is a proven stress reliever; it protects brain from cell degeneration, which results in Alzheimer’s disease.

Ashwagandha’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that are helpful in destroying free radicals, effectively heal the brain, and boost its performance.

 For Efficient immune system

A healthy and efficient immune system protects the body from various bacterial, fungal and virus attacks, it neutralizes and destroys the microorganisms and cleans the poisons, which could harm to the body. While stress, unhealthy lifestyle, excess medication, old age and lack of nutrition, are the causes for weak immune system, which lead to flue, herpes, cold sores and other life threatening infections. Being an adaptogen herb Ashwagandha reduces body’s stress hormone thus boosts immune function and reduce inflammation. Here is a simple home remedy to boost immune system

Take a teaspoon of Ashwagandha powder and a teaspoon of asparagus powder, mix both in warm milk and take it daily at night.

 For Improving Sexual Function and Fertility

Ashwagandha has been used as a natural remedy to improve sexual dysfunction, boosting testosterone level and male fertility from years. As an adaptogen herb, Ashwagandha helps the body to combat stress naturally by re-balancing the hormones produced by the adrenal glands to help improve the natural rhythm of the body.

Some Useful Ashwagandha recipes

After a long and hectic day, we are in search of food of comfort.  It may be some cooked food or sweet dish, but we cannot deny that what we are looking for should make us feel energetic and refreshing physically and mentally, being an Adaptogenic herb, Ashwagandha is the best choice for getting instant relief from stressful and toilsome conditions.  By using these wonderful Ashwagandha recipes, you will be able to get maximum benefit of this super herb.   

Ashwagandha and Milk multiplies Ashwagandha’s benefits; here is a quick recipe for making Ashwagandha Milk.

Photo by Oriana Ortiz from Pexels

Water – 1 cup

Boiled milk – ½ cup

Ashwagandha powder – ½ tsp.

Cardamom powder – 1 tsp.

Mix the all ingredients and take a glass an hour before the sleep for comfortable sleep.

Drink tasteful Ashwagandha tea with many benefits, here is a recipe

2-3 cups of Water

½ cup of organic dried Ashwagandha

Stir and cook for 15-20 mints

Strain the Water and add a tsp. of honey

Ashwagandha tea is ready.

Photo by Julia Sakelli from Pexels

Enjoy tasty Ashwagandha Cookies with warm glass of milk. Recipe is

Photo by Marco Verch

½ cup of wheat flour

1 ½ tsp. of Ashwagandha Powder

¼ cup of certified butter

1 tsp. of honey

¼ cup of milk

Strain wheat flour and Ashwagandha powder and set aside, now melt the certified butter by adding sugar in a bowl, gradually add milk in bowl and stir it well, add mixture of wheat flour and Ashwagandha powder in bowl and knead into dough. Now from dough into 1 1/2 “biscuits and place on butter sheet.

Ashwagandha Side Effects, Precautions & Drug Interactions

Although Ashwagandha is almost safe, if taken for short term, but long term usage of this herb may cause stomach upset, diarrhea, dizziness, abnormal heartbeat, low blood pressure, low blood sugar level and vomiting, So it is recommended to consult your health consultant

Interaction with Thyroid

Ashwagandha is used in supplements as a natural way to cure Thyroid problems; however, patients with thyroid disorder should not use Ashwagandha, as it might increase thyroid hormones and disrupt thyroid medication. Therefore, individuals with thyroid issues, willing to use Ashwagandha should get doctor’s advice first.

 Interaction with Diabetes

Ashwagandha helps to keep optimum blood sugar level but Interaction with other medication to control diabetes levels may drastically reduce the blood glucose level; therefore, diabetics are advised to use Ashwagandha cautiously.

 Ashwagandha and Pregnancy

Women with pregnancy may take moderate amount of Ashwagandha for a short term, but taking high doses for a long period might be dangerous and could lead to miscarriage, it can also harm the fetus, also Women with breast-feeding are not advised to use this herb, Therefore, pregnant women should consult with the doctor and refrain from taking Ashwagandha.

Ashwagandha and Autoimmune Diseases

Ashwagandha boosts the immune system, but if you are suffering from any autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid, arthritis, multiple sclerosis or lupus then stop using Ashwagandha, this is because medications taken for autoimmune diseases, decreases immune system response and supplementing them with Ashwagandha may interfere with their effectiveness.   

Ashwagandha and Surgery

Ashwagandha should not be taken before and after the surgery, because it slows down the central nervous system therefore, anesthesia and other pre- and post-surgery medications might increase this effect. It is suggested to leave the use of Ashwagandha two weeks before the surgery.

General Precautions
 

Generally, long-term use of Ashwagandha is almost safe for the people of all age groups. Use this herb with prescribed dosage and should strictly follow the medical advice to avoid any adverse reaction. It is suggested to take Ashwagandha with meals, with a full glass of water or with breakfast, if you are taking once in a day, As Ashwagandha increases the effect of certain drugs and medication; it is advised to review the drugs and medications you are taking before taking Ashwagandha.

Those who experience diarrhea or stomach upset after using Ashwagandha should take it in capsule form along with food.

Ashwagandha is a super food for body and there are no dietary restrictions while consuming it, but it is suggested to avoid excessive use of spicy and junk food.

Ashwagandha makes you more energetic, active and relaxed. Consuming Ashwagandha for a long period will have long lasting benefits. Those who follow these precautions would definitely prevent the side effects of Ashwagandha and reap its benefits to the fullest.