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Ashwagandha benefits, contraindications, properties and method of administration!
Ashwagandha is one of the most used and important plants used since ancient times. It represents a traditional form of alternative medicine based on Indian natural healing principles. It is known as an excellent herb for improving the immune system, and this has led it to be used to increase energy levels, reduce stress and improve concentration.
Contents:
- Ashwagandha - what is it?
- Ashwagandha - health benefits and effects
- Ashwagandha - contraindications
- Ashwagandha properties and method of administration
1. Ashwagandha - what is it?
Ashwagandha is a medicinal plant, known under different names: "Withania somnifera", "winter cherry" or "Indian ginseng". The shrub is quite small, always green and full of spectacular yellow flowers. The plant is native to Asia and, especially from India, Ashwagandha can be made into a powder that has many benefits, being used to treat anxiety and depression, fertility problems, improving the immune system and many other ailments.
This plant has neuroprotective activities, which means it has the ability to reduce pain, inflammation, skin diseases, epilepsy, fatigue, anxiety, arthritis and more. Besides all this, Ashwagandha is used as a general energy boost , strengthening the immune system and delaying aging.
Although not all the studies carried out over time have concluded all these benefits above, the use of the plant has demonstrated since ancient times in Ayurvedic medicine, that the plant is an effective one.
It is important that Ashwagandha is not confused with another type of winter cherry, also called " Physalis alkekengi" or with American ginseng. More and more people are turning to such natural remedies, which has made the popularity of this plants to grow considerably.
For example, people use Ashwagandha to help treat the following conditions:
- stress;
- anxiety;
- fatigue;
- pain;
- skin conditions;
- diabetes;
- arthritis;
- epilepsy;
- lowering high blood pressure;
- lowering high cholesterol;
- relief of chest pain;
- prevention of heart diseases;
2. Ashwagandha - health benefits and effects
Ashwagandha powder has many benefits. It is important to know them before administering these supplements for health , because vitamins are necessary for the body, but it is not advisable to take them before informing yourself about what this process entails and, above all, about the needs of your immune system at has So, here are the main benefits of Ashwagandha powder.
These are probably the main benefits for which the plant is known, because specialists have classified Ashwagandha as an adaptogen, i.e. a substance that helps the body control stress, i.e. c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase and cortisol, activated by stress. There are several studies that have demonstrated these benefits. For example, a study on 58 patients who took Ashwagandha for eight weeks showed that they had a much lower level of stress, compared to those who were given a placebo. Moreover, the patients present in the study mentioned an improvement in the quality of their sleep.
The substances in Ashwagandha are very good hormonal stimulants , which makes it an extremely effective supplement for athletes. A study carried out on both men and women demonstrated that the administration of tablets improved physical performance, but also the use of oxygen during physical exercises and muscle strength. Of course, all people can enjoy these benefits, not just athletes.
Ashwagandha is believed to improve mental health and help reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. A study conducted on 66 people who suffered from schizophrenia and also faced anxiety and depression, showed that these were significantly improved during the administration of Ashwagandha.
- It can reduce the sugar level in the body
Although limited, research in this area of diabetes has shown that Ashwagandha can have benefits for those suffering from this condition, by reducing the level of sugar in the body. This type of treatment managed to reduce the level of glucose, insulin, hemoglobin A1c and blood lipids. Moreover, it can be a very good antidiabetic prevention, because it stimulates the cells to take glucose from the blood.
This substance made from the Ashwagandha plant can reduce inflammation in the body, due to the fact that it has compounds that deal with it. It can reduce these inflammatory markers in both animals and humans.
Several studies have been carried out over the years in which it was demonstrated that people who administered Ashwagandha improved their attention, performance in cognitive tasks, reaction time, immediate memory and information processing speed.
There are many people who take Ashwagandha to enjoy a much more restful sleep. Also, mental alertness upon waking is also improved. The pills can be administered in the evening to have an immediate effect on sleep.
This supplement works as an analgesic for those suffering from arthritis, because it prevents pain signals from circulating along the central nervous system. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that help with this problem. This makes Ashwagandha suitable for rheumatoid arthritis and may become a very effective treatment option in the future.
- May prevent loss of brain function for those with neurodegenerative disorders
Some studies have shown that the substance has the ability to slow down the loss of brain function for those with neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease or Alzheimer's disease.
Ashwagandha can offer benefits to women, especially regarding sexual dysfunction. Studies conducted in recent years have shown that the administration of this substance improves lubrication, arousal capacity, but not only that.
Ashwagandha has the ability to provide benefits to men's testosterone levels and reproduction. Constant administration in infertile males has shown that sperm can have a much better quality after a period of time. This happens because the levels of reproductive hormones are rebalanced.
However, specialists believe that more studies are needed to fully determine the benefits of this plant and, including, the ancestor supplements.
3. Ashwagandha - contraindications
Adverse effects have not yet been fully identified, but it is known that much too high doses can cause diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and gastrointestinal disorders. This happens because the substances in the Ashwagandha plant can irritate the intestinal mucosa.
Ashwagandha is widely available and is considered a safe supplement for most people. However, the long-term effects are not yet fully known, which means that administration must be done in a controlled manner.
For example, doctors believe that pregnant women should avoid this supplement, to avoid the risk of pregnancy loss. Also, people who are facing prostate cancer and take certain medications that may have an adverse reaction to the substances in this plant, should avoid Ashwagandha. Another adverse reaction may be related to the thyroid. Those who are facing thyroid disorders should consult their doctor before administration.
There are also adverse reactions that have been discovered, such as diarrhea, gastrointestinal disturbances or increased drowsiness. However, it is considered by specialists that they can appear only when the dose of Ashwagandha is much too high.
In quite rare cases, liver problems following administration have been observed in certain people. This, for example, can be due to the purchase of unregulated supplements. Therefore, you must make sure that you will buy the supplements from a reliable distributor.
Do not forget to ask your doctor for advice if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking antidepressants, sedatives or immunosuppressants before administering this supplement.
4. Ashwagandha properties and method of administration
Ashwagandha has approximately 35 chemical constituents, including: alkaloids, saponins, iron or steroid lactones. In most cases, you will notice that these extracts are presented in the form of tablets, to be easier to administer.
The recommendations regarding the dosage vary, because it should be made according to the needs of each individual patient. It is best to consult a specialist in the field of health, to determine the right dose for you.
The findings of specialists over the years suggest that the beneficial effects are not immediate, which means that Ashwagandha must be administered over a longer period of time for them to be seen.
Usually, one tablet per day is recommended, but multiple doses are also accepted if the doctor recommends it. It is recommended that all supplements be administered after meals and not on an empty stomach, to avoid nausea.
Ashwagandha is available on the market in the form of powder, tablets or capsules. It is also found in the form of cream or oil and is also found in cosmetic products. However, studies are limited in the case of cosmetic products. Supplements that are administered orally are considered much more effective.
Ashwagandha can be administered in the morning or in the evening, depending on your own preferences. However, specialists consider that it is much more effective to take it in the morning, to be able to have its effect throughout the day. Attention, it should not be administered on an empty stomach, so as not to cause discomfort. In any case, the recommended dose is usually specified on the product packaging. Thus, these instructions on the label must be followed, and the dose change must be discussed with a doctor or a specialist beforehand.
Therefore, Ashwagandha is a plant with countless benefits for both women and men. Consider the information and advice above and enjoy a healthy life. Your immune system will thank you!
Photo source: Unsplash.com
References:
National Library of Medicine - Adaptogenic and Anxiolytic Effects of Ashwagandha Root Extract in Healthy Adults
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
Ashwagandha
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK548536/
Safety and clinical effectiveness of Withania Somnifera
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32201301/
