Withania somnifera, or Ashwagandha as it is commonly known, is a plant. This plant has roots that are harvested in winter and used to treat various ailments because of its ability to rejuvenate the body while also helping with stress relief.
It belongs to the Solanaceae family like Goji berries and Datura which means you’ll find them growing alongside tomatoes and potatoes. This dynamic herb falls under Rasayan (Ayurvedic) medicine classifying itself as one such tonic remedies; adaptogens – do they sound familiar? The latin name also speaks volumes; ‘somnifer’ translates roughly into dream carrier because it was often ingested before sleep time so one would dream sweetly and upon waking up they would feel refreshed without any tension lingering around, thanks again those little lady greens we all know.
Benefits of Ashwagandha
Relieves Stress
Chronic stress is ever-present in modern society and increases the risk for illness. Ashwagandha’s ability to act as a mood stabilizer, improve resistance under stressful conditions has been researched extensively due to its benefits on humans who are constantly facing challenges both personal (such as high levels of cortisol) or environmental (like natural disasters). Most studies show significantly better results with subjects given Ashwagandha compared to those receiving placebos; one study showed that using this herb improved cell health among chronically stressed rats while another analyzed 64 patients over 60 days noting an overall reduction by up to 20%
Helps Fight Diabetes
Diabetes affects about nine percent of people in the United States, and pre-diabetes affects even more. Ashwagandha contains phenolic compounds that help stabilize blood sugar levels. s Studies show it can regulate insulin production to prevent spikes or crashes from occurring during specific times when you might typically consume high amounts of carbohydrates.
Stimulates the Immune System
The immune system protects us against disease by distinguishing between pathogens and healthy cells. Pathogen-fighting agents produced in bone marrow travel to lymph nodes all over the body, where they act on these foreign bodies that are not supposed to be there! One way Ashwagandha could help our fight is if it stimulates natural killer cells – those who are dedicated at fighting viruses for you. A study I read about says ashwagandha increases the activity level of these important Immune Defense Agents which can’t always do its job without some extra support; so this herb helps aid in providing extra support.
Depression
There’s evidence that ashwagandha may help ease the symptoms of depression. One study found that adults who took this herb experienced a 79% reduction in depressive symptomatology, while those on placebo reported an increase by 10%. The root also has stress-reducing capabilities and is known for its ability to reduce anxiety alongside major mental illnesses like Major Depressive Disorder or Anxiety – so if you’re feeling down one too many times without any relief from your current treatment please consider adding our native plant into your regimen!
Cholesterol Control
Ashwagandha is a herbal supplement proven to lower cholesterol and triglycerides, with the addition of ashwgandhas’ benefits shown when consumed alone or in tandem. Ashawaganda has has anti-inflammatory capabilities that make it an interesting alternative for those who are looking into natural ways to improve heart health without risking side effects from medication prescribed at their physician’s request.
Memory Improvement
Ashwagandha has a long history of use for boosting memory. It protects against free radicals, including those in the nerve cells; which may be why it appears to have brain-protective benefits like preventing Alzheimer’s disease and improving mental performance such as reaction time or focus. It also helps with everyday tasks like learning new things because Ashwagandha can help your short term memory.
Check out a product that contains Ashwagandha here
Side Effects
Ashwagandha is possibly safe when used for up to 3 months. The long-term safety of ashwagandha has not been established, so it’s best to consult with your doctor before taking large amounts over an extended period of time in order to avoid any potential side effects such as stomach upset, diarrhea or vomiting.
Mild constipation may also occur but this should go away on its own after a few days without any use.
Conclusion
Ashwagandha belongs to the Solanaceae family and as a herb it provides many benefits to the body. Benefits of Ashwagandha are stress relief, memory improvement, improvement of night vision, color perception near or far away focus, cholesterol control, depression, fighting diabetes and stimulating the immune system. You can take this herb by mouth or by applying it to the skin. It is safe when used in moderation over a period of time but could potentially bring about side effects such as upset stomach or diarrhea if ingested in large amounts over an extended period of time.
Good article!