{"id":6697,"date":"2024-11-20T00:00:19","date_gmt":"2024-11-20T00:00:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fitolympia.com\/?p=6697"},"modified":"2024-11-20T02:22:35","modified_gmt":"2024-11-20T02:22:35","slug":"benefits-of-ashwagandha","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fitolympia.com\/na\/benefits-of-ashwagandha\/","title":{"rendered":"Benefits of ashwagandha"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Fast facts about ashwagandha<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/brainmd.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/ashwagandha.jpg\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>To date, promising studies on the health benefits of ashwagandha have mainly been in animals.<\/li><li>Pregnant women should avoid using ashwagandha because it can cause early delivery.<\/li><li>The herb may be beneficial for certain\u00a0cancers, Alzheimer\u2019s, and\u00a0anxiety, but more research is needed.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>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. The herb is also called Indian\u00a0ginseng\u00a0or winter cherry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The name ashwagandha describes the smell of its root (like a horse). By definition, ashwa means horse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The herb is considered one of the most important herbs in the Ayurvedic medicine system, a healthcare practice that started in India over 3,000 years ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cdn-prod.medicalnewstoday.com\/content\/images\/articles\/318\/318407\/ashwagandha.jpg?w=1155&amp;h=1297\" alt=\"Ashwagandha\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Ayurvedic medicine uses herbs, special diets, and other natural practices as treatment for a variety of conditions. In Ayurvedic medicine, ashwagandha is considered a Rasayana. That means it\u2019s an herb that helps maintain youth, both mentally and physically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Historically, the roots of ashwagandha have been used to treat:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>arthritis<\/li><li>constipation<\/li><li>insomnia<\/li><li>skin conditions<\/li><li>stress<\/li><li>gastrointestinal issues<\/li><li>diabetes<\/li><li>nervous breakdowns<\/li><li>fevers<\/li><li>snake bites<\/li><li>memory loss<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The leaves, seeds, and even fruit have all been used in different ways for various treatments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Today, ashwagandha is sold as a supplement in the United States. It\u2019s still used to treat many of the conditions listed above. It also continues to be important in Indian medicine. Read on to learn more about the potential benefits of the herb as well as possible concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How is ashwagandha taken?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/app\/uploads\/2020\/01\/AdobeStock_216883129-scaled.jpeg\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The dosage and the way ashwagandha is used depends on the condition you\u2019re trying to treat. There isn\u2019t a standard dosage that\u2019s been studied by modern clinical trials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ashwagandha may be used in powdered form in dosages ranging from 450 milligrams to 2 grams. You can buy it in capsules, powders, or as a liquid extract from health food or supplement stores.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are the health benefits of taking ashwagandha?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.healthifyme.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Ashwagandha-Feature-Image.jpg\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Modern studies have shown that ashwagandha might be beneficial for a number of uses. But a lot is still unknown about how the herb reacts within the human body. A majority of the studies so far \u2013 while very promising \u2013 have been done on animals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Anxiety<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s possible that ashwagandha has a calming effect on anxiety symptoms when compared to the drug lorazepam (a sedative and anxiety medication).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A study published in the journal&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/11194174\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Phytomedicine<\/a>&nbsp;showed that the herb had the ability to reduce anxiety levels. In fact, the two treatments were found to offer a similar level of relief from anxiety as the above medication, suggesting ashwagandha might be as effective for reducing anxiety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Arthritis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Ashwagandha is considered a pain reliever that acts on the nervous system to prevent pain signals from being sent. It\u2019s also thought to have some anti-inflammatory properties. For this reason, some research has shown it to be effective in treating forms of arthritis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One study in the found the herb to have\u00a0<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/25857501\" target=\"_blank\">Indian Journal of Medical Research<\/a>\u00a0strong potential as a treatment option for\u00a0rheumatoid arthritis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Heart health<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Ashwagandha may have a variety of benefits to heart health, including treating:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>high blood pressure<\/li><li>high\u00a0cholesterol<\/li><li>chest pain<\/li><li>heart disease<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>One human study published in the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC2996571\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">International Journal of Ayurveda Research<\/a>&nbsp;found that using the herb for heart health (in combination with another Ayurvedic herb) was helpful in improving muscle strength and endurance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Alzheimer\u2019s treatment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>According to the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3252722\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine<\/a>, several studies have examined ashwagandha\u2019s ability to slow or prevent loss of brain function in people with diseases like Alzheimer\u2019s, Huntington\u2019s, and Parkinson\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As these diseases progress, parts of the brain and its connective paths become damaged, which leads to loss of memory and function. Research suggests that ashwagandha, when given to mice and rats during the early disease stages, may be able to offer protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cancer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A few very promising studies found that ashwagandha might be able to stop cell growth in certain cancers. Animal research showed the ability to decrease a lung\u00a0tumor. There are encouraging findings that suggest the herb has potential to slow human cancers including breast, lung, kidney, and prostate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are the side effects of taking ashwagandha?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Ashwagandha is generally considered well-tolerated in small to medium doses. But there haven\u2019t been enough long-term studies to examine possible side effects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Pregnant women should avoid using ashwagandha because it can cause early delivery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Another potential concern for Ayurvedic herbs is that the manufacturers aren\u2019t regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This means they aren\u2019t held to the same standards as pharmaceutical companies and food producers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One study funded by the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/nccih.nih.gov\/health\/ayurveda\/introduction.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health<\/a>&nbsp;found that&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/nccih.nih.gov\/health\/ayurveda\/introduction.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">21 percent of 193 products<\/a>&nbsp;(made in both the United States and India) had levels of lead, mercury, and\/or arsenic that were above what\u2019s considered acceptable for human daily intake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Next steps<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Ashwagandha and Ayurvedic medicine still remain somewhat of a mystery to modern science. Many of the studies so far have been too small, done only on animals, or had some flaws in their design. For this reason, researchers can\u2019t say with certainty that it\u2019s an effective treatment. But they can\u2019t ignore the benefits, either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s important to remember that ashwagandha shouldn\u2019t replace any medical treatments recommended by your doctor. If you do choose to use the herb as part of your treatment plan, make sure to first discuss it with your doctor.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Fast facts about ashwagandha To date, promising studies on the health benefits of ashwagandha have mainly been in animals. Pregnant [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6698,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center 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