An indigenous to the Indian subcontinent member of the nightshade family is Withania somnifera. Winter cherry, Indian ginseng, and ashwagandha are some of their more popular names. It is a shrub with tiny, light green berries, simple leaves, and pale green blooms. It has a ginger- or carrot-shaped tuberous root. The name "ashwagandha" is derived from the Sanskrit words "ashwa" for horse and "gandha" for the smell. It has a unique smell that has been likened to that of a horse. It is considered to provide the stallion power because one of its properties is strengthening.
It has long been held in high regard in Ayurveda as well as other traditional medical systems. Scientific investigations are showing what popular belief is true, and it is quickly regaining favor. The herb has numerous therapeutic qualities, which traditional medicine has long recognized.
Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha's roots and leaves are where most of its health benefits are found. The most popular usage for the leaves is in teas. The root can be consumed in a variety of ways, although nowadays it is most frequently dried, powdered, and used as a supplement.
Asthma, leukoderma, bronchitis, back pain, fibromyalgia, menstrual irregularities, hiccups, chronic liver disease, arthritis, anxiety, insomnia, tumors, tuberculosis, asthma, leukoderma (a skin condition characterized by white patchiness), stress, focus, stamina, and strengthening are among its uses.
Benefits of Ashwagandha for health
Numerous of these medicinal effects of the plant have been discovered through research. It has been discovered that:
1. Lowers blood glucose levels - It was discovered that ashwagandha increased the release of insulin and insulin sensitivity, lowering blood sugar levels in both diabetics and non-diabetics.
2. Anti-carcinogenic - Many studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of ashwagandha as a cancer treatment. It has been discovered to stop the development of brand-new cancer cells and to kill any cancer cells that already exist. Several tumors may be treated using most of these findings from animal studies rather than human trials.
3. Strengthens heart health - It has been discovered to drastically lower blood levels of triglycerides and cholesterol. Studies on both animals and people have supported this, however, the impact is far more pronounced in animals. Nevertheless, it decreased cholesterol levels by 17 percent on average. In a 60-day trial of chronically stressed persons, levels of triglycerides decreased on average by 11%, while blood pressure dropped by 1%.
4. Increases immunity - Our immune is weakened daily by several variables, and in today's world, it is frequently internal elements like stress, inflammation, and lack of sleep. Ashwagandha has considerably increased our immunity by enhancing all of those and enhancing general physical health and stamina. Additionally, the immune cells known as natural killer cells—combatting infection— function better.
5. Low stress and cortisol levels - Numerous studies have shown that ashwagandha remarkably impacts the body's cortisol levels. The body experiences wear and tear due to the stress hormone cortisol. The body is under constant stress, which is easy to happen in the current world.
6. Increases male sperm quality - Fertility is impacted by stress. Poor testosterone and low sperm counts are common in the majority and men under a lot of stress. It is unknown whether ashwagandha directly affects your reproductive organs or if its ability to reduce stress levels is what causes the improvement, but there is a significant correlation between ashwagandha and better testosterone production & sperm health. According to a study, males who took ashwagandha for stress had greater antioxidant levels and higher-quality sperm. 14% of the men's partners had given birth after three months of treatment.
7. Brings down inflammation - Chronic inflammation is one of the most common causes of diseases in the modern world. because among many other things, ashwagandha is one of its greatest treatments. It has been discovered to reduce C-reactive protein, a sign of inflammation, by 36%.
8. Helps to strengthen muscle - In a study to identify the safest ashwagandha dosage for adults, it was discovered that previously healthy individuals had increased muscle and decreased fat. The same results were obtained by another investigation that examined its supporting assertions.
9. May enhance mental abilities, particularly memory - Ayurveda has always claimed that it enhances memory, and studies on humans have revealed that it does. More intriguingly, numerous research on animals and in test tubes have discovered that it lessens the mental issues brought on by illness and injury; these findings hold promise for the future treatment of humans.