5 Health Benefits of Ashwagandha You Must Know About

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Ashwagandha has long been an effective herb in Ayurvedic healthcare and is now becoming more popular worldwide. Here we’ll learn a few benefits of this promising adaptogen.

Table of Contents

Ashwagandha is also known as Indian Ginseng, or, to give it its Latin name, Withania Somnifera. Somnifera means sleep-bringing. It’s a member of the Solanaceae family that’s been used for thousands of years as a Rasayana in Ayurvedic medicine.

Rasayanas are tonic herbal preparations that promote a youthful state of physical and mental being and expand happiness. Ashwagandha root has a horsey smell that is thought to reflect the strength and vitality of a horse. Traditionally, the root would be powdered and cooked in milk with molasses or mixed with ghee.

Other parts of the plants also have health benefits. However, Ashwagandha is most commonly taken as a tincture; consisting of water and alcohol, or as a powdered supplement. Ashwagandha root can also be enjoyed as tea.

The active components of the herb include a range of alkaloids including isopelletierine, anaferine, cuseohygrine and anahygrine, as well as withanolides and withaferins lactones and saponins, which makes Ashwagandha a powerful adaptogen, a natural substance considered to help the body to adapt to stress. Despite research into the herb being limited, the findings are promising.

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Health Benefits of Ashwagandha

1. Sexual Stimulant

Traditionally, Ashwagandha has the reputation of being a male stimulant. Several clinical trials have highlighted its capability in improving erectile function and increasing sperm counts. In women, Ashwagandha has been found to promote sexual arousal as well as alleviate menopausal brain fog, headaches and muscle pain.

2. Immunomodulator

The herb also works as an immunomodulator, improving cell-mediated immunity and enhancing the body’s defence against disease and has demonstrated powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities, protecting the body from oxidative stress and free radical damage.

3. Relieves Stress & Anxiety

Ashwagandha is most commonly recognised for its adaptogenic properties. It’s comparable to Panax ginseng and Rhodiola in its ability to reduce the mental and physical effects of stress but has been proven to have greater anti-anxiety effects, reducing anxiety-associated symptoms such as heart palpitations, dry mouth and irritability.

A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study tested the efficacy of high-concentration, full-spectrum ashwagandha root in reducing stress and anxiety in adults, and found that over a 60-day course, there were improvements in all tested parameters and reduced serum cortisol by 28%, mediating the body’s response to stress.

4. Improves Sleep Quality

Its calming qualities can also be attributed to its GABA agonist characteristics, working as a mild sedative, while also improving cognitive function and memory. There is also research to suggest that Ashwagandha may be able to reduce insomnia, fatigue and improve the quality of sleep, as well as lessen symptoms of depression.

5. Aids in Hypothyroidism

Other studies suggest that Ashwagandha offers benefits for subclinical hypothyroidism patients. A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, showed that 600 mg of a 100% aqueous extract of ashwagandha (5% withanolides) had a significant increase in T3 and 14 and a notable reduction in TGH in the ashwagandha group compared to the placebo group.

Final Thoughts

Ashwagandha is generally safe to take. However, it is recommended not to be taken alongside immunosuppressant drugs or sedatives as it may enhance their functions.

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