What is Ashwagandha?
Also called Withania somnifera as part of the nightshade family, ashwagandha is an herb used originally in traditional Ayurvedic medicine. Ayurvedic medicine originates in India, where 80 percent of the population uses the ancient medicine today. It’s a holistic system that heals the body, mind and spirit by balancing these three aspects.
People in India and Africa have taken the herb for thousands of years. Other names for ashwagandha are winter cherry, poison gooseberry and Indian ginseng.
Rasayana is a health tonic made by Ayurvedic practitioners. According to some Ayurvedic specialists, there are different Rasayana recipes for specific elements. Ashwagandha is a principal ingredient in recipes that requires anti-inflammatory biological effects.
Once made, practitioners use Rasayana to treat stress, ulcers, tumors, arthritis and neurodegenerative diseases (x).
Ashwagandha supplements are available in capsule form and have many health purposes. Research shows that the herb can help relieve pain, inflammation and stress. It even relaxes the body for a good night’s sleep. The herbal capsules can also help improve sexual health and boost the body’s energy.
What are the Benefits of Taking Ashwagandha?
People take this herbal supplement for many health concerns. They also use ashwagandha in combination with other herbs, vitamins and supplements. Ashwagandha has components that naturally and positively influence sleep, the central nervous system, focus and stress. These components include:
Alkaloids: The benefits include supporting the central nervous system, anticancer properties, and antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects.
Saponins: The benefits include supporting the immune system and anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antioxidant effects.
Steroidal Lactones: Its benefits include helping to prevent neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, male fertility, anti-stress, lowering blood pressure and reducing heart disease. The component also helps support the immune system, anticancer effects and anti-inflammatory properties.
Let’s examine the potential uses of ashwagandha to help you comprehend the advantages it has for the body.
Reduces Anxiety and Stress
An article in the American College for Advancement in Medicine (ACAM) explains that adrenal glands release hormones during stressful situations as part of the fight-or-flight reaction. Sometimes these glands respond without being aware or over-respond. When this happens, the ideal way to handle stress is to restore adrenal well-being.
Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb, which means it’s a botanical that neither increase nor decreases your body’s functions. The adaptogenic pushes for regular operation. The herb boosts the adrenal function back to normal if your body has a low adrenal function where you’re fatigued and feel overwhelmed. But if you feel super stressed and jittery, ashwagandha draws the excessive adrenal function back to normal.
The herb helps modulate gamma amino-butyric acid (GAMA), creating a sense of calm. Some find that ashwagandha helps them feel more in control and stronger despite stressful situations. A study found that ashwagandha reduces anxiety levels between 44 and 56 percent (x).
Five studies concluded ashwagandha helped lower patients’ anxiety and stress levels. Such results prove a natural course of action is far better than clinical and prescription drugs (x).
Another study showed that ashwagandha reduced anxiety better compared with those receiving psychotherapy (x).
Boosts the Central Nervous System Function
A study assessed ashwagandha’s safety and effectiveness in improving mild cognitive impairment. The results showed the herb is safe and enhances immediate and general memory for people with cognitive impairment (x).
In another study, 20 healthy males took 250 mg capsules of ashwagandha twice daily for two weeks. The men went through a battery of tests. The results showed ashwagandha could improve motor skills and cognitive function (x).
A summary of related studies showed the effectiveness of ashwagandha in preventing neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s, Huntington’s and Alzheimer’s and restoring spinal cord injury (x).
Ayurvedic medicine creates formulas containing ashwagandha to help prevent and treat dementia. These formulations help trigger specific brain functions, such as increasing blood flow and helping maintain one’s memory. Research confirms the formulas work (x).
If you are concerned about age-related diseases, talk to your healthcare provider about taking ashwagandha capsules.
Reduces Inflammation
Ashwagandha has properties that can reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the body. ROS causes inflammation, oxidative stress, free radicals and DNA damage. Studies have supported the ashwagandha’s capacity to reduce inflammation in the body by eliminating ROS. The herb’s anti-inflammatory properties cause several positive biological effects that help restore the body to health (x).
A study verified that ashwagandha could protect the skin from inflammation caused by cytokines (x). Another anti-inflammatory research, using in vitro, showed that the alkaloid and steroidal lactones properties helped reduce inflammation (x).
Eases Arthritis and Osteoarthritis
As an anti-inflammatory, there are many positive uses for ashwagandha, such as arthritis and osteoarthritis. Animal studies have shown positive results when treating induced arthritic conditions (x).
In a clinical trial, 42 patients with osteoarthritis took 450 mg daily for three months. The study showed reduced severity of disability and pain (x).
Ayurvedic medicine practitioners have a tonic called Rasayana. When taken, the brew includes a fair amount of ashwagandha, which works as an antiarthritic agent. It helps treat rheumatoid and osteoarthritis (x).
Anti-Cancer Properties
Research into treating various forms of cancer shows that ashwagandha has antitumor and radiosensitizing effects. Radiosensitizing means the herb helps make tumor cells more responsive to radiation therapy.
Animal studies took the whole plant, 200 mg, and daily feed cancer-induced rats. The results showed the animals given ashwagandha had reversed and protected the animals from the disease (x).
Another study showed that the herb inhibited tumors and caused complete regression after the initial growth (x).
It’s even effective against breast cancer based on a collection of clinical studies. They confirmed ashwagandha exhibited anti-inflammatory properties that averted and treated breast cancer (x).
Supports Immune Function
Studies show that taking ashwagandha capsules can help build up your immune system by increasing the activity of immune cells. Rasayana boosts energy and helps prevent diseases because of its positive influence on the immune system.
Ayurveda practitioners value ashwagandha and use it regularly, not just as a tonic. The herb’s potent antioxidant properties combat oxidative stress, which leads to free radicals. As a result, it supports the immune system (x).
Studies show the herb helps the body fight against COVID-19 because of its antibody properties. Ashwagandha positively influences the immune system in helping prevent and treat COVID-19 (x).
Remember to talk with your healthcare provider before using a new supplement.
Supports Muscle Strength and Endurance
Ashwagandha may help strengthen and increase muscle mass. Studies show that capsules can help improve endurance during training and sports competitions. Fifty healthy female and male athletic adults had their cardiorespiratory endurance assessed by measuring their oxygen consumption at peak physical exertion while taking the herb. The results show ashwagandha improves cardiorespiratory endurance and quality of life in adult athletes (x).
Another study showed increased muscle strength and lowered body fat percentage when 18 young adult volunteers took the herb. It also showed that their cholesterol levels decreased. Even some volunteers mentioned they slept better (x, x).
A study strictly with 29 males showed an improvement in muscle power while taking ashwagandha. They performed resistance training and took the herb twice daily. After eight weeks, the study showed the male had increased muscle mass and strength (x).
Lowers Cholesterol and Blood Sugar Levels
Some clinical studies showed ashwagandha helps reduce blood glucose levels and triglycerides (common fat in the blood). The study also noted that second-generation antipsychotics (supposedly lower risk) cause a higher risk of metabolic syndrome, which is obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes. Taking ashwagandha instead of antipsychotics is a better alternative (x). One study found that the herbal plant lowered blood sugar, similar to medications given to type 2 diabetes (x).
Human studies suggest ashwagandha can lower blood sugar levels when administered to people with diabetes (x). Another study suggests that taking the herbal plant helps improve fasting blood glucose levels in adults with stress-related health concerns (x, x). Testing Fasting blood glucose levels helps determine if you are prediabetic or diabetic (x).
Boost Testosterone Levels and Fertility in Men
Ashwagandha may support male reproductive health. Infertile men who took the herbal plant showed an improvement in sperm function. It also rebalanced the male reproductive hormone levels (x). One study reported 14 percent of male patients had partners who became pregnant after taking the herbal supplement (x, x).
Another study testing the herb’s effect on muscle strength showed that the male participants also had a boost in testosterone levels (x). A stress-related study administered ashwagandha to men and women. It showed the men’s testosterone levels increased, but the women’s did not, which shows the male and female bodies respond appropriately (x).
Enhances Sexual Function in Women
A clinical study has shown that Ashwagandha can help women experience increased sexual arousal. After taking ashwagandha, the participants reported improved lubrication, arousal, orgasm and satisfaction.
The findings support Ayurveda medicine in that the herbal supplement helps protect the body from stress while helping the body deal with stress. Normalizing the nervous system with ashwagandha helps restore the body to balance adrenal function, thus improving sexual arousal (x).
Where to Buy Ashwagandha Capsules?
You can purchase Ashwagandha Capsules at BulkSupplements.com. The company is an industry-leading manufacturer and distributor of pure dietary supplements.
BulkSupplements.com is not just a consumer brand. It also supplies pure ingredients to other brands that distribute food and other supplement products. All products at BulkSupplements.com are manufactured and tested according to current and proper manufacturing practices.
Are you interested in trying ashwagandha as a dietary capsule supplement for its potential to support your immune system, adrenaline system, blood glucose levels, central nervous system and muscle strength and endurance? Contact BulkSupplements.com to place an order today.
Ashwagandha Dosage
Most health practitioners recommend 500 mg of ashwagandha twice daily in capsule form. It’s best to check with your healthcare provider to determine the correct dosage (x).
Ashwagandha Side Effects
Even though side effects are uncommon, some people have experienced vomiting, nausea, diarrhea and gastrointestinal upset. Side effects usually happen after long term use (x).
If you are pregnant or nursing, avoid taking ashwagandha. And if you’re scheduled for surgery, stop taking the supplement two weeks in advance (x).
The Bottom Line
You can buy ashwagandha in capsule form, which has multiple health benefits. Research suggests that the herb can ease pain, inflammation and anxiety. It can help the body relax for a peaceful slumber. Herbal capsules may help to enhance sexual health and vitality.
Many people use this herbal supplement to help with health problems. Ayurveda practitioners combine ashwagandha with other herbs, vitamins and other dietary supplements. Ashwagandha contains elements that naturally help with sleeplessness, the central nervous system, focus and stress. The herbal supplement has three components that benefit your body. They are alkaloids, saponins and steroidal lactones.
Not only can it help with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, but it also has positive effects on male fertility, stress, blood pressure, and heart disease. It also helps promote the immune system, prevent cancer, and decrease inflammation.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
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