The Ayurvedic herb ashwagandha , also known as Indian ginseng, is an adaptogen with a variety of benefits. In India, it is often consumed in milk or masala chai to promote sleep and combat anxiety. The most important benefits of Ashwagandha capsules are its ability to increase strength, endurance, and stamina; improve mood; reduce anxiety, and lessen fatigue among others. It also has some interesting benefits like enhancing libido in males or promoting fertility in females by increasing sperm quality. Here are the top 10 benefits of ashwagandha.
1) Fights stress: Ashwagandha supplement helps combat stress due to its calming action on the mind and body. It calms adrenaline levels and reduces cortisol levels in the blood–common markers of chronic stress. This allows our body’s system to repair itself from long-term poor health patterns that usually come with high cortisol levels such as low energy, weight gain, sexual dysfunction, etc…
2) Sleep aid: According to David Frawley (Ayurvedic physician, author, and Vedic scholar), ashwagandha is one of the best herbs for sleep. He recommends taking 1-3 capsules or half teaspoons of the root extract one hour before bedtime. A few other adaptogens that also aid in sleep are Siberian ginseng, Rhodiola, and Schisandra Chinensis.
3) Immune booster: The early onset of colds and flu in the winter season may be linked to low immune system functioning. Ashwagandha stimulates the immune system by increasing white blood cell count, strengthening the thymus gland, and boosting the production of antibodies for a stronger immune response.
4) Anti-inflammatory: Ashwagandha is also an anti-inflammatory herb for inflammatory conditions such as arthritis. It helps reduce joint pain and swelling as well as discomfort, stiffness, and weakness in the body. It can also help combat headaches due to chronic inflammation in the brain tissues from stress, toxicity, and hormone imbalances.
5) Cancer treatment: Ashwagandha has been used by Ayurvedic practitioners to combat tumors and cancer cells since 1919. The root extract contains with an olides that have been show to kill cancer cells and inhibit their growth. Recent studies have shown that this herb may increase survival rates in patients with malignant melanoma, lymphoma, breast cancer, brain cancer, and leukemia.
6) Energy booster: Ashwagandha increases stamina and endurance by stimulating the Kapha dosha (energy systems in the body) to improve athletic performance. It also increases sexual drive and libido by improving reproductive functioning in men and women.
7) Joint mobility: It is one of the best herbs for arthritic disorders because it helps prevent inflammation while reducing discomfort, swelling, stiffness, and weakness in joints. It is also useful for fibromyalgia because it helps reduce muscle pain and stiffness.
8) Promotes fertility: Ashwagandha has bioactive steroidal alkaloids that promote the production and release of natural male hormones in men. This herb also suppresses the body’s normal production of testosterone–thus helping men who are trying to get pregnant, as well as those who have no libido or are low in sperm count.
9) Addictive-free: Because it binds with the brain receptors used by addictive drugs, ashwagandha is an effective remedy for drug dependency including alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine addiction.
10) Strong heart: Ashwagandha strengthens the heart and circulatory system, which lowers blood pressure and prevents irregular heartbeats. It is helpful for anyone with high blood pressure. It can also treat peripheral arterial disease–a significant cause of cardiac failure in women . Who have had breast cancer or radiation therapy to the chest.
Conclusion:
Ashwagandha is a powerful adaptogen herb. It helps in the reduction of oxidative stress and promotes the body’s ability to gain strength, balance. And resistance when it is under conditions of mental or physical demand. Ashwagandha also has anti-inflammatory properties that can help to reduce inflammation and promote better sleep quality.
