Ashwagandha Benefits and Medicinal Uses

What is Ashwagandha?

Withania Somnifera, popularly known as Ashwagandha is used as a single herb or used in polyherbal or herbomineral formulations in Ayurveda.  The word ashwagandha in Sanskrit means ‘horse’s odor’ because of the characteristic odor of the herb similar to horse’s sweat.  It can also mean that the herb bestows the strength and vitality of a horse to the user.   Lots of studies are going on worldwide to test and verify the various healing properties of this herb.

Also known as Indian ginseng, Ashwagandha is used in Ayurveda to treat various disease conditions like epilepsy, tumors, gout, lumbosacral stiffness, stiffness of joints, cardiac failure, vitiligo, ulcers in genital area, diseases of the urinary tract in women, abscess, depression etc.  It has anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, cardioprotective properties.  It is used as a mild tranquilizer because of its sleep inducing property.  It has excellent thyroprotective and hypoglycaemic properties.  It is regarded as a broad spectrum remedy for various disease conditions.  Ashwagandha benefits all parts of human body and can be taken in powder, tablet or capsule form.  Ashwagandha.

Ashwagandha Health Benefits

 Ashwagandha Root Powder

Ashwagandha is also called winter cherry and grows as a small evergreen shrub to a height of 4 or 5 feet. It belongs to the Solanaceae family of which the tomatoes and eggplants belong. It is cultivated widely in central and north western India and used in more than 100 Unani, Siddha and Ayurveda formulations.  All parts of this wonder herb have medicinal value.  Ashwagandha leaves have anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective and antibacterial properties.  The fruits and seeds of the plant are used as diuretic.  It is the root that is mainly used in Ayurvedic formulations.  The root has anti-inflammatory properties and is used in treating swellings, tumors, rheumatism etc.

Chemical Constituents of Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha has steroidal lactones called withanolides.  The pharmacological activity of the herb can be attributed to these steroidal lactones.  In addition to that, Ashwagandha also contains 18 fatty acids, some of which are sedative and hypnotic.  It has amino acids aspartic acid, glycine, tyrosine, alanine, glutamic acid and cysteine present in its roots.

Ashwagandha as Adaptogen

Adaptogens help our bodies to adapt to the stresses they are subjected to on a daily basis. They help normalize the physiological functioning of our bodies.  Ashwagandha is clinically proven to have excellent adaptogenic capabilities.  Double blind trial involving 60 healthy children of 8-12 years with oral intake of 2 gm a day of root powder showed an increase in mean corpuscular haemoglobin, total protein and body weight of the children.  No toxic effects were observed even after eight months of daily consumption.  Another study conducted on adults showed increase in haemoglobin and red blood cell count. There was a good reduction in ESR levels and improvement in sexual performance.  Thus Ashwagandha is found to be very helpful in restoring and maintaining general health. 

Ashwagandha for Skin

Ashwagandha for Stress and Anxiety

Ashwagandha root powder was tested in highly stressed individuals and found to safely and effectively increase an individual’s threshold levels to stress, thereby improving his/her quality of life.  Ashwagandha is found to be effective in treating insomnia.  It helps the body generate the necessary energy to settle and sleep and act as a rejuvenator and nervine tonic.  Thus it helps overcome stress related conditions in a positive way.  It rejuvenates the nervous system, eases out stress and takes care of insomnia.  Ashwagandha root powder can be taken with cow’s ghee or sugar to cure sleeplessness.  How much ashwagandha should I take for anxiety?  The usual ashwagandha dosage for anxiety is 3-6 grams a day.

Ashwagandha’s Diuretic, Hypoglycaemic and Hypocholesterolemic Effects

Ashwagandha was found to decrease blood glucose levels comparable to that of an oral hypoglycemic drug. It helps normalize high blood sugar and improve insulin sensitivity.  Ashwagandha is an excellent diuretic and complements weight loss efforts.  A decrease in serum cholesterol levels was also observed on regular consumption of ashwagandha root powder.  Ashwagandha lowers blood pressure and is found to arrest formation of stress induced ulcers.

Ashwagandha and Cancer

Growth Promoting Effects of Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha is well known for its growth promoting effects in children.  Studies showed that a 60-day consumption of ashwagandha root powder 2 gm/day along with punarnava 2gm/day had a marked increase in haemoglobin levels, serum iron, MCV and increase in body weight of participants.  Ashwagandha root powder is an excellent growth promoter in children.  It is a well known memory booster.  Children can benefit from drinking a glass of warm grass-fed cow’s milk mixed with a spoonful of ashwagandha root powder every day morning after breakfast.

Ashwagandha has anti-arthritic effects and brings down arthritic pain in joints when taken regularly. A painful, dry, swollen and inflamed joint is taken care of with Ashwagandha herb.  One teaspoon of the root powder is taken in warm milk to reduce the arthritic pain.

Ashwagandha for Young and Old

Ashwagandha Benefits for Weight Loss

When used along with other weight loss supplements, Ashwagandha is found to improve their weight reduction capabilities.  This is due to its adaptogenic property of stabilizing stress related fluctuations.  This helps people who gain weight due to overeating. 

For weight loss efforts to succeed a strong immune system is imperative.  A vibrant immune system facilitates the body to continue its fat burning activities as the general tendency of the body in an immuno-compromised situation is to move away from fat burning mode as fighting the pathogens takes priority.  Hence a strong immune system is necessary for an effective weight loss regimen.  Ashwagandha comes in handy with its immunity boosting capabilities.  Ashwagandha reduces inflammation commonly observed in overweight people.

When adrenal glands produce cortisol in excess in a stressful condition, and when this happens day in and day out, it leads to weight gain, nervous eating, muscle loss etc.  Cortisol being a survival hormone, also stimulates production of glucose and triggers a hunger response in the brain.  Ashwagandha is known to bring down cortisol to reasonable levels thus protecting the adrenal glands and helping weight loss.

How to take Ashwagandha Powder for Weight Loss?

Ashwagandha powder is either mixed in milk or honey, and taken in the mornings after food.

Ashwagandha boosts Immunity

Ashwagandha Leaves for Inflammation

A paste made of ashwagandha leaves is applied topically on local inflammation for quick relief from pain.  Ashwagandha oil (made by adding ashwagandha powder to coconut oil) is used as massage oil for paralysis, sleeplessness etc.

Ashwagandha for Skin

Ashwagandha oil is also used in treating certain skin conditions.  Vitiligo responds favorably to the action of ashwagandha.  Paste made of ashwagandha powder is used in treating keratosis.  It is also an excellent skin toner.  For this purpose, a spoonful of fine ashwagandha root powder is mixed in organic coconut oil and made into a thick paste.  This is applied as a thin layer on affected areas of the skin.

Ashwagandha for Debility and Weakness

Regular intake of Ashwagandha churna helps improve old age weakness, brain fag, tiredness, spermatorrhea, loss of muscular energy etc.  Ashwagandha is very much helpful in patients suffering from chronic diseases like rheumatism, syphilis, and post-surgery recuperation etc.  It rebuilds the system that has been ravaged by the disease.  It is found to be very effective in treating retinopathy and conjunctivitis.  It is also recommended for treating uterine fibroids in women. 

Ashwagandha for Men and Women

Ashwagandha churna taken with honey and ghee in the prescribed format helps improve semen quality.  When taken regularly it helps overcome erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation.  It boosts libido and heightens sexual experience while promoting a calm state of mind.  It also benefits the female reproductive system and increases weight of the ovaries.

Ashwagandha and Cancer

Studies done in 2003 and 2007 have shown that ashwagandha is found to be beneficial in inhibiting the growth and spread of breast, lungs and colon cancers.

Ashwagandha an Excellent Anti-oxidant

Ashwagandha neutralizes and eliminates free radicals in our body’s immune system.  It is these free radicals that wreak havoc and cause breakdown of tissues which leads to rapid aging.  Lactating mothers can improve their breast milk’s nutritive quality with consumption of ashwagandha tablets.

Ashwagandha for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease

Ashwagandha is found to enhance memory and stabilize mood.  It improves the capacity to learn.  Further research in this direction is ongoing.

Though not many studies have been conducted with regard to bipolar disorders, a very limited study has shown promise in the mood stabilizing capacity of ashwagandha.  Mood and anxiety score levels remained stable in the subjects during the period of intake of ashwagandha.  Ashwagandha also benefits people with ADHD and ADD disorders.

The health benefits of ashwagandha are well known in the Ayurvedic world for thousands of years.  It has been used to treat a range of disease conditions.

Ashwagandha Dosage

There no recommended dosage of ashwagandha but it is safe to take 3 to 6 gm a day.  For better results fresh ashwagandha powder should be used, preferably organically grown.  Due to the increase in demand for the herb, commercial cultivation has gone up considerably.  Hence it is wise to look out for organically grown ashwagandha to reap full benefits of the herb.

How to take Ashwagandha Churna?

The term churna means powder and Ashwagandha can be taken in powder, tablet or capsule form. 

Side Effects of Ashwagandha Root Powder

Caution should be exercised when taking Ashwagandha along with barbiturates or sleep inducing compounds.  It is advised not to take Ashwagandha in such conditions.  Similarly, consumption of Ashwagandha when under the influence of alcohol is not advised.  No toxic effects were noted on regular ashwagandha root powder dosage of up to 6 gm per day.  Excessive consumption of the herb can cause stomach upset, vomiting and diarrhea.  It has a tendency to induce abortion in women, hence pregnant women should desist from taking this herb.

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Ayurvedic Home Remedies: Home Remedies for Women - Summary

Most of the gender specific diseases that affect women revolve around menstruation, childbirth and post menopausal complications. Some problems that women face include irregular menstruation, white discharge, vaginal itch, delayed puberty, excessive discharge etc.

Due to the oppressive nature of the male dominated society, almost all women are faced with self-esteem issues. Those who feel bad being born as women are prone to various illnesses and psycho-somatic disorders. Conversely, women with good self-esteem can lead a healthy life. A lucky few are born in a nurturing environment while the rest have to deal with various issues before restoring their self-esteem.

Some problems with menstruation include painful menstruation, scanty or excessive menstruation, and irregular menstruation. Juice of drumstick leaves is helpful in treating painful menstruation. One cure for excessive menstrual bleed is arugampul (Bermuda grass) juice. Powder of mango seeds is another remedy. Powder of Java plum seeds is yet another remedy for this condition.

One disturbing trend observed these days is girls attaining puberty prematurely (before age 10). You need to seek immediate medical intervention if you find your near and dear ones with this condition. Left untreated, this can impair the functioning of internal organs especially the heart.

While abortion is resorted to by couples for various reasons, frequent abortions weaken the womb. This will impair the capacity of the womb to bear child. It may even lead to hysterectomy (removal of womb). One safe way to avoid pregnancy is for women to take a few tulsi leaves in the mornings.

Nausea and vomiting is one of the first symptoms of pregnancy. While in most cases, this tapers off with time, in some cases it persists for quite a long time. Lemon juice with a pinch of salt is helpful in treating this condition. Ginger tea is also found to be effective in tackling this problem.

Women need to do some mild exercises during pregnancy to help with easy child delivery. They should not put on weight during this period. After childbirth, taking neem leaves with turmeric is said to heal all internal wounds and help in recuperation. Mutton curry with garlic, pepper and cumin seeds is an excellent rejuvenator. Kurunthotti paal kashayam is a vegetarian alternative for this.

Breast milk is the best food and medicine for the newborn. It would do a world of good for the child if it is fed on breast milk alone for the first four to six months. For adequate of supply of breast milk, women can add drumstick leaves, tender papaya to their diet. Fried sesame seeds also help in improving lactation. Applying a paste of cucumber seeds on the breasts is also beneficial.

Female infertility increases with age. A woman can be infertile due to genetic reasons. Incomplete or improper development of internal sex organs is another cause. Triphala choornam is said to be effective in such cases.

In general, women’s diet should contain adequate amount of fruits and vegetables. Proper rest and some basic physical exercises are necessary. Meditation and a spiritual outlook to life will help in managing the stresses of daily life. Above all, positive self-esteem is the foundation on which a healthy mind and body can be built to lead a meaningful and fulfilling life.

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Ayurvedic Home Remedies: Home Remedies for Women - 5

Lactation

Paste made of banyan tree seeds mixed in milk and taken in the mornings and evenings can help lactation.

A few drops of milk and ripe cucumber seeds are used to make a fine paste. This paste then applied on breasts. This is found to increase lactation in women.

Mother’s milk is the best food for the newborn child. It is a medicine for diarrhea, skin allergies, and has excellent nutritional value. Research has shown that women can put off pregnancy as long as they keep breastfeeding the child. So this is a natural birth control method. Also chances of breast cancer decrease in mothers who breastfeed their newborns.

Milk gets engorged in breasts when there is a considerable time lapse between feeding. For instance, women working in offices cannot breastfeed their child frequently. Alternatively if the child avoids breast milk for unknown reasons, the breast gets engorged with milk. This will turn into a very painful condition when left unattended.

Maasikkai (Aleppo oak seeds) paste is applied on breasts and nipples to alleviate pain. Similarly tamarind leaves made to a paste and mixed with sesame oil can be applied on breasts. Dry kuppaimeni leaves can be taken with milk and sugar. This tends to relieve the pain.

Cracked Nipples

The delicate breast skin and nipple breaks easily with improper feeding technique. When left unattended, this can lead to breast sores and infection. Maasikkai (Aleppo Oak seed) comes in handy to take care of this painful condition. A paste of this seed applied on the nipples can help in quick healing of sores.

To dry up breast milk

Children need breast milk for at least six months, but it is advisable to prolong this period and breastfeed as long as it is possible. Beyond six months, the quantity of milk may not be enough for the child. So the child’s diet should be complemented with other foods.

Breasts are covered with Pichi flowers or jasmine flowers for drying up of breast milk. The flowers can be placed inside the brassier till they wilt. Similarly cabbage leaves have also been found to serve the purpose. Women apply neem oil, aloe vera juice on breasts to induce aversion in children who refuse to give up breast milk.

Female Infertility

Female infertility can be due to genetic reasons, improper or incomplete development or malfunctioning of internal sex organs. Sexually transmitted diseases, smoking are some extrinsic causes that lead to infertility. Obesity also leads to this condition.

Females in general are fertile in their early 20s up to late 30s. There is a gradual decrease in fertility and by age 40, most women become infertile.

Triphala choornam is found to be effective in treating some forms of female infertility. The powder is mixed in water and taken in the mornings and evenings. Pirandai juice is also helpful in dealing with female infertility.

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Ayurvedic Home Remedies: Home Remedies for Women - 4

Nausea and Vomiting

Nausea gravidarum or morning sickness affects most pregnant women. Vomiting and nausea can be the first symptoms of pregnancy. Most of the time, the nausea is present in the morning and wanes off as the day progresses. In most cases this stops by the 12th week. In some rare cases, this progresses to excessive vomiting, necessitating immediate medical intervention.

Taking small gooseberries (ari nellikkai in Tamil) during this time can help deal with nausea and vomiting. Also taking lemon juice with sugar and a pinch of salt is found to be effective in treating nausea and vomiting in pregnant women. Care should be taken not to leave the stomach empty. Ginger tea is yet another effective cure.

Pain and Childbirth

Pregnant women should be healthy enough to endure the process of childbirth. Mild exercises after the fourth month up to the time of delivery help women to tone up their muscles as well as not to put on excessive weight. Walking in the evenings, small household chores etc are necessary. Childbirth occurs within couple of hours of onset of pain. Acupressure, hypnotism, anesthesia are some methods resorted to reduce pain.

Postpartum Care

Taking tender neem leaves with turmeric will heal the internal organs of any wounds that might result due to childbirth. Application of paste made from maasikkai (Aleppo Oak) seeds on vagina will help in rapid healing of wounds.

The herb manathakkali keerai (Black Nightshade) is ground to a fine paste using goat milk. This is taken in the mornings and evenings to help cure ‘body heat’ as well as internal wounds.

Women become extremely weak after childbirth due to the labor pain and extreme exhaustion. There are some time-tested home remedies that help women recuperate and gain back their strength.

Root of kurunthotti herb, cumin seeds, pepper, mustard, garlic of equal quantity is ground to a fine paste and added to Cornish hen curry and taken once a week will help in regaining health. This will help in healing joint pain and hip. Mutton curry made using cumin seeds, garlic and pepper is another excellent remedy that help women in getting back to normalcy. Kurunthotti palkashayam serves the same purpose for women who prefer vegetarian stuff.

Lactation

Breast milk is the ideal food for the newborn. It is food as well as medicine for the child. Women with poor nutrition find it difficult to lactate. Frequent usage of birth control pills too can lead to this condition. Inadequate availability of breast milk will affect the newborn’s health and growth.

Adding drumstick leaves and tender papaya to the diet will help in increasing lactation. Fried and powdered sesame seeds can be taken with rice to improve lactation.

Garlic is sautéed in sesame oil and added to palm candy and pepper powder and made into small marble sized balls. One or two of these balls are taken before food to help in lactation.

Amukkura (aswagandha) root and sada kuppai ground to a paste and taken with jaggery or sugar is yet another remedy to help lactation.

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