If you live in India then you must have heard about Ashwagandha salt herb. This herb is used to cure many types of diseases. You will not believe it, but many benefits of Ashwagandha have been explained in detail in Ayurveda and Unani system of medicine. This herb is known to benefit the human body in many ways.

Ashwagandha, also known as Indian ginseng, is known for its ability to lower blood sugar levels, fight cancer, reduce stress and anxiety, and increase fertility in men. Apart from this, it also helps in preventing arthritis , asthma, and high blood pressure. Also, Ashwagandha increases the supply of antioxidants and regulates the immune system. This is unbelievable, but apart from all this, ashwagandha also has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties.

Ashwagandha is an incredibly health medicinal herb.

Let us know about its amazing properties. Just as no item, product or human being is completely endowed, in the same way there are some disadvantages of Ashwagandha, about which we will also tell you in this article. Let us first know what are some important facts about Ashwagandha?

some important facts

• It is an incredible health medicinal herb.
• Ashwagandha is called the king of Ayurvedic herbs.
• Ashwagandha is also known as Indian ginseng.
• It originates in India and grows best in dry areas.
• Ashwagandha is so named because of the smell of horse sweat.
• Pregnant women should avoid using ashwagandha as it can lead to early labor.
• It can be beneficial for some types of cancer, Alzheimer’s and anxiety.

What is Ashwagandha?

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a medicinal herb that has been used for thousands of years in Ayurvedic and Unani medicine. It is an adaptogen, which means it has the ability to help our bodies manage stress. It belongs to the Solanaceae family (an economically important family of flowering plants ranging from annual and perennial herbs to vines, lianas, epiphytes, shrubs, and trees.) It is also known as Indian ginseng or winter cherry.

If we talk about the literal meaning of Ashwagandha, then it is derived from Sanskrit. In Sanskrit, the word ashwagandha means  “smell of the horse” , possibly in reference to its sharp short and potential properties as a potency enhancer.

Ashwagandha’s use over many centuries has sparked curiosity in modern medical science, prompting scientists to investigate the medicinal properties of the plant. Preliminary studies indicated the presence of potential therapeutic potentials and the chemical constituents of this plant showed no toxicity.

According to a study, Ashwagandha has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidizing, anti-stress, sleep-inducing and drug withdrawal properties. Several compounds made from this herb have been shown to improve musculoskeletal problems such as arthritis and rheumatism. It also acts as a tonic that boosts energy and provides overall health and longevity.

History of Ashwagandha and place of production

The history of Ashwagandha is essentially intertwined with the history of Ayurveda, as it is considered one of the most important Ayurvedic herbs. Ayurveda is a Sanskrit word where Ayur means “life” and Veda means “to know”.

Ashwagandha is an evergreen shrub that grows in India, the Middle East and parts of Africa. Its roots and orange-red fruit have been used for hundreds of years for medicinal purposes.

Ashwagandha intake and quantity

The intake or dosage of ashwagandha used depends on the condition you are trying to treat. There is no specific standard dosage that has been mentioned by any modern study.

Ashwagandha can be used in the form of Ashwagandha powder in dosages ranging from 450 mg to 2 grams. You can take it as a capsule, powder or health food or supplement.

It is generally recommended to take 1-2 teaspoons or 5-6 grams of the powder a day and consult your doctor if you are taking it for any specific disease.

Benefits of Ashwagandha

Many modern studies have shown that Ashwagandha can be beneficial for human health in many ways. Let us have a look at the benefits of Ashwagandha –

1. Ashwagandha Controls Blood Sugar Levels

Ashwagandha has long been used in Ayurvedic medicine for the treatment of diabetes. According to a research, flavonoids found in the roots and leaves of Ashwagandha are used to cure diabetes. It was concluded from this research that ashwagandha has antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic properties that significantly reduce blood sugar levels.

2. Ashwagandha is helpful in fighting cancer:

Mary Winters, a naturopathic doctor, made specific observations for ashwagandha in one of her research studies. According to him, due to the anti-cancer properties of Ashwagandha, ashwagandha combined with radiation therapy and chemotherapy can be a new invention in the field of oncology. In addition, it is also well-known because it is known to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy without interfering with the tumor cell-killing activity.

3. Ashwagandha Controls Cholesterol Levels

The roots of organic Ashwagandha have anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties that are good for cardiovascular problems. It strengthens the heart muscle and also controls cholesterol. According to a study published by the World Journal of Medical Sciences, it has hypolipidemic properties that help bring down the cholesterol level in the blood.

4. Ashwagandha relieves stress

Ashwagandha extract works to reduce the level of cortisol in the body and thus reflects the anti-stress properties present in it. Traditionally, it has been known to provide a soothing and calming effect to a person. A study published in the Indian Journal of Clinical Biochemistry found that several types of stress can be ameliorated when treated with herbal extracts of ashwagandha.

5. Ashwagandha Removes Anxiety

Ashwagandha helps in reducing anxiety. In India, natural ashwagandha is traditionally used in Ayurveda to improve both physical and mental health. At Banaras Hindu University, India’s Institute of Medical Sciences, ashwagandha was tested specifically for depression and the study found almost positive results for depression and anxiety.

Ashwagandha has a much better effect on anxiety symptoms than lorazepam (a sedative and anti-anxiety drug).

6. Ashwagandha Increases Fertility In Men

Apart from increasing testosterone levels, Ashwagandha also helps in improving the quality of semen. A 2010 scientific study published by the American Center for Reproductive Medicine indicated that ashwagandha plays an important role in improving semen quality by increasing sperm count and sperm motility along with being an aphrodisiac. This is why, for many centuries, people have been using it as a medicine to please their partner in bed.

7. Ashwagandha relieves arthritis

Ashwagandha is known as a pain reliever that acts to prevent the transmission of pain signals to the nervous system. In addition, it also has some anti-inflammatory properties. For that reason, some research has shown it to be effective in treating various forms of arthritis.

8. Supports Muscle Growth

Ashwagandha has been found useful in improving the muscle strength of the lower limbs and helping to cure weakness. It also has a positive effect on neuro-muscle coordination.

9. Ashwagandha Boosts Immunity

Several studies have shown that consumption of ashwagandha resulted in significant modulation of immune system reactivity and prevented myelosuppression in rats induced by immunosuppressive drugs. Ashwagandha capsules can help in increasing the red blood cell, white blood cell and platelet count, which help in boosting immunity.

10. Ashwagandha is beneficial for heart health

Ashwagandha may have a variety of benefits for heart health, including some treatment:

• high blood pressure
• high cholesterol
• Pain in chest
• heart disease

A human study published in the International Journal of Ayurveda Research found that using the herb for heart health (in combination with another Ayurvedic herb) was helpful in improving muscle strength and endurance.

11. Ashwagandha has anti-bacterial properties

According to Ayurvedic medical texts, Ashwagandha is effective in controlling bacterial infections in humans. A 2011 study conducted by the Center for Biotechnology at the University of Allahabad, India and published in Alternative Medicine Reviews, showed that ashwagandha has antibacterial properties.

It was also concluded that when ashwagandha is consumed orally, it is also quite effective in urogenital, gastrointestinal and respiratory tract infections.

12. Ashwagandha May Improve Brain Function, Including Memory

Many studies show that Ashwagandha is very helpful in correcting memory and brain problems caused by injury or disease. Apart from this, research has also shown that it promotes antioxidant activity that protects nerve cells from harmful free radicals.

An eight-week study on 50 adults found that taking 300 mg of ashwagandha root extract twice a day improved general memory, task performance, and attention.

Where can I buy Ashwagandha powder or Ashwagandha tablet?

By the way, you can search by visiting the website of Amazon, Flipkart, 1mg and vediherbals.com. After finding Vedi Ashwagandha Churna or Vedi Ashwagandha Tablet, you can identify them by Vedi Brand.

Side Effects of Ashwagandha – Disadvantages of Ashwagandha

Generally taking very low or moderate doses of Ashwagandha is good for the body and health. But taking an excessive amount of it can also cause some harm. Let us know about the harm of Ashwagandha –

• Risks for pregnant women:  Pregnant women are advised to avoid the consumption of Ashwagandha as it has contraceptive properties.
• Risk of medical interactions:  Your doctor may advise you to be careful if you are taking medicines for any disease as it can be harmful with regular medicines, especially for people who have diabetes, high blood pressure , anxiety , are suffering from depression or diseases like depression and insomnia.
• Others:  Avoid consuming very high amounts of ashwagandha, as it can cause side effects such as diarrhea, upset stomach, and nausea.

Ashwagandha has a history dating back thousands of years, during which it has been revered as a powerful herb with many therapeutic gifts. Today, people have the resources to fully understand the range of benefits this herb can provide, especially when it comes to cognitive-enhancing benefits.

It is extremely important to remember that ashwagandha should not be replaced by any medical treatment prescribed by your doctor. If you choose to use the herb as your treatment, be sure to discuss it with your doctor first.