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.
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| 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.
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| Ashwagandha for Skin |
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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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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