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’.
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Photo By :- Neha
Vidya [CC BY-SA]
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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.
Ashwagandha Root Powder
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| Photo By :- Asim Gulzar |
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.
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| 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.
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| Photo by Neha Deshmukh on Unsplash |
Key Benefits and Uses of Ashwagandha
Here we will discuss the key and proven
benefits of Ashwagandha herb.
Ashwagandha for 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.
Ashwagandha for Blood Sugar
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
Ashwagandha for Stress
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.
Ashwagandha for Diabetes
Ashwagandha supports diabetic patients to
maintain their blood sugar levels by improving insulin sensitivity. It helps to
decrease blood sugar levels and patients using medication to decrease their
blood sugar levels should not take Ashwagandha without consulting their health
provider, as it can drastically decrease their blood sugar levels.
Ashwagandha for 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.
Ashwagandha for Memory Improvement
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.
Ashwagandha for 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.
Ashwagandha for 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.
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| 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.
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| Photo by Julia Sakelli from Pexels |
Enjoy tasty Ashwagandha Cookies with warm glass of milk. Recipe is
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| 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.
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