Ashwagandha is an Evergreen Shrub that grows in Asia and Africa called Indian Ginseng in English. it is an excellent gift of nature and Ayurveda commonly used for depression, anxiety, Insomnia, sexual stimulation, weight gain, muscle growth, bodybuilding and immunity.
Botanical name
- WITHANIA SOMNIFERA
Family:
- SOLANACEAE
Ashwagandha Medicinal qualities
- Rasa- Katu [pungent], Tikta [bitter], Kashaya [astringent]
- Guna- Snigdha [unctuous/oily], Laghu [light]
- Veerya- Ushna [hot in potency]
- Vipaka- Katu becomes pungent after digestion
- Action on doshas- Balances tridosha, mainly Vta-Kapha hara
- Balya, Rasayana, shukrala
What are the benefits of Ashwagandha?
Helpful in stress and anxiety
Reduce symptoms of some mental conditions
increase physical strength
increases sexual strength
Ashwagandha helps to boost testosterone hormone Levels
Helpful in some inflammations
Improve brain functioning including memory
Really helpful insomnia
Relatively safe and available almost everywhere
Makes the skin glow
And many more benefits are there and we will discuss them in this post later
Benefits for skin
- Cure and Correct acne
- Repair dull and dry skin
- It keep the skin suited clarified and replenished
- It possesses anti-ageing properties thus keeping the elasticity of the skin
- Retains natural moisture
- Promotes skin preparation
- Nourish the skin
- Naturally plums the skin
Benefits for females
- It is one of the Ayurveda medicinal herbs which is used extensively in hormonal problems related to women
- It is used in menopausal mental problems, stress and anxiety.
Ashwagandha Benefits for males
- Increase of testosterone levels normally / naturally
- Helpful in sexual drive
- Helpful in erectile dysfunction
- Increases Confidence during the sexual act
Benefits for hair
- It can be taken at Rasayana by Consulting a Medical Practitioner for hair growth
- it increases haemoglobin so increases blood circulation to the scalp and afterwards increases black pigment in the hair
Ashwagandha For Bodybuilding
It helps maintain good hormone levels, it directly helps in increasing testosterone levels. Thus it is indirectly helpful in increasing muscle mass and strength
Ashwagandha Benefits for height
Already mentioned above it is Very useful in maintaining good hormone levels. It stimulates growth hormones in pituitary glands and is beneficial for height growth in adolescent children.
How does Ashwagandha help with anxiety and stress?
In stress and anxiety problems it helps to control mediators of stress & heat shock proteins. It also effectively controls cortisol levels in the blood.
For paralysis:
It has properties of a natural nerve tonic, In Ayurveda, it is Said to have Balya properties which is a herb that can provide strength.
Ashwagandha For sex / for erectile dysfunction
It effectively increased DHEA-S a sex hormone to 18% more than normal and significantly increased sperm concentration, volume and sperm motility for men with low sperm count.
For weight gain
It is used by body building Athletes to increase body weight, to increase muscle mass and also have more physical strength. By stimulating various male hormones like testosterone growth hormone It may help with weight gain
For blood circulation
No research is still available for It supporting good blood circulation, but in Ayurveda, it is used as a Rasayan for many centuries so it may help in overall blood circulation.
For increased blood sugar
Some Limited evidence suggests that It May have some benefits for reducing hyperglycemia. In some diabetic patients after checking HB a1c a lab test for diabetes it significantly reduced blood sugar.
Who should take ashwagandha?
Anyone who is health conscious and wants to improve their immunity, physical strength and mental health can take it. It is good if taken with consultation from a certified medical practitioner.
Can ashwagandha be taken as a daily supplement?
It can be taken as a daily supplement, but if you have any medical conditions you should visit your nearest Ayurveda medical practitioner or your family doctor to know more.
How to consume ashwagandha
It can be consumed daily if needed and it is available in the market in different forms. They are
Powder or churna
Decoction or Tea
Rasayana
Kshirapaka
Tablets, capsules
And in all forms available in the market
What is the best way to consume ashwagandha?
There is no fixed way to consume this herb to enhance your health. In different forms with different catalysts, it acts differently, that’s why you need a proper guide to consume its Safely.
How much ashwagandha dose can I take per day?
3-6 Grams/day in almost any form.
Part used:
- Root, Leaf, Alkali.
Vedio
In what health conditions ashwagandha can be used?
Shopa, Shvitra, Nidranasha, Granthi, Kshaya, Gandaroga, Apachi, Klaibya, Vnadhyatva.
Important formulations of Ashwagandha
- Ashwagandharishta
- Ashwagandha avalehya
- Ashwagandhadi churna
Does ashwagandha have sedative properties?
If taken in very high doses, it may show sedative effects. But it doesn’t mean that if taken in the daytime it will induce sedation. But you can avoid it if you are afraid of getting sleepy.
Can Ashwagandha cure insomnia?
It can help to get better sleep, the sleep-inducing effect is directly related to anxiety and depression.
Can children take ashwagandha?
Yes of course, but in a recommended dose
Can lactating mothers consume Ashwagandha?
Lactating mother can consume it under medical supervision.
Can this be used while using homoeopathy medicine?
Yes, this won’t react with homoeopathic medicines.
Interaction With modern medicine
Some Ayurvedic medicine can react with allopathic medicines So seek your doctor’s advice if you are taking both medicines. You can take an interval of 30 minutes between ayurvedic and allopathic medicines.
Ashwagandha benefits can be seen in how many days?
For energy boosting it takes a week.
For bodybuilding for up to 2-3 months.
For stress anxiety and depression it takes at least 10 days.
In Sexual problems, it takes 2 weeks to show results
As per research some of the uses
- Arthritis
- Parkinson’s disease
- Male infertility
- Tuberculosis
- Tumours and cancers
- Liver problems
- Swelling
- Ulcerations
- Anxiety
- Anti-ageing
- Fibromyalgia
How to use Ashwagandha?
Withania somnifera can be consumed in powdered form tablets and capsules available in the market
Powder/Churna – You can get the finest result by taking its powder with milk every night, this will help you with above mentioned all health conditions.
Tablet – Using tablet form is also a good way because you can maintain a perfect dose for the long term to see the outcome. Tablet has the same results and benefits as Churna
Capsule – In capsule form, all the Constituents and nutrients are preserved well so this is also a good option for regular intake.
Conclusion
Ashwagandha is a super herb which useful in many disease conditions because of a lot of benefits. Good thing doesn’t means you should consume it right away, please contact your doctor and get an opinion
