What is Ashwagandha? How does it work? And why should I take it?
Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera) is a herb native to India. It has been used traditionally for its medicinal properties. It is also known as Indian ginseng because it was used during ancient times as a tonic for mental health.
Ashwagandha is a powerful adaptogen that helps the body cope with stress. It is commonly taken as a supplement to improve overall well-being.
Ashwagandhas roots are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, including iron, zinc, calcium, copper, manganese, and vitamin B-complex. It also helps improve your sexual health. It is a great natural remedy for ED(Erectile Dysfunction). Taking Ashwagandha powder regularly improves your libido.
Ashwagandha is known for its adaptogenic effects, meaning it helps the body cope with stress. Adaptogens have been shown to improve mood, reduce anxiety, increase focus, boost immunity, and even help with weight loss. It also has anti-aging properties. Ashwagandhas active compounds are called withanolides, including withaferin A, with anyone, and withanoside IV.
Benefits of Ashwagandha
1. Stress Relief
Stress is something we all deal with at some point in our lives. Whether it's work-related stress, relationship issues, or just plain old day-to-day stress, stress can take a toll on us mentally and physically. When we're under stress, our bodies release cortisol, a hormone that makes us feel anxious and nervous. Cortisol also increases blood pressure and causes muscle tension. Ashwagandhas adaptogen properties help the body regulate these hormones naturally, making it easier to handle stressful situations.
2. Immunity Boosting
When we're stressed out, our immune system suffers. Our adrenal glands produce adrenaline, which is what gives us that burst of energy when we're scared or excited. Adrenaline also triggers the fight-or-flight response, which means our heart rate speeds up and our muscles tense up. These responses are good when we need to run away from a bear, but they don't do much for our immune systems.
The adaptogenic properties of ashwagandhas help the body maintain normal levels of cortisol while still stimulating the immune system. Ashwagandhas also help balance the amount of testosterone and estrogen produced by the body. Too much testosterone can lead to aggression, while too much estrogen can cause acne, hair loss, and other problems. By balancing the ratio of these two hormones, ashwagandhas can help prevent many physical conditions associated with high amounts of either hormone.
3. Weight Loss
Ashwagandhas have been shown to help people lose weight. In a study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, researchers gave overweight men and women ashwagandhas for six weeks. After taking ashwagandhas, participants lost an average of 2.8 pounds. Another study showed that ashwagandhas helped obese mice burn fat. Researchers fed mice ashwagandhas and saw their body mass index decreased by 10 percent.
4. Mood Enhancer
Ashwagandhas have been shown to help ease depression. One study showed that ashwagandha extract reduced symptoms of depression in patients who were suffering from a major depressive disorder. Another study showed that a combination of ashwagandha and St. John's wort was effective in treating mild to moderate depression.
5. Focus Booster
Ashwagandha's adaptogenic properties make it great for helping us stay focused and calm down if we get distracted easily. Studies show that ashwagandha can help treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). ADHD is characterized by having trouble focusing and staying organized. People with ADHD often find themselves unable to sit still and may act impulsively. Ashwagandha's adaptogenic properties help the body regulate neurotransmitters, which are chemicals that transmit messages between neurons.