Ashwagandha Root (Withania somnifera) : The everyday herbal

What is Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)?
An essential herb in Ayurvedic treatment is ashwagandha. This is one of India's healthcare systems and one of the oldest medical systems in the world.

Ashwagandha is regarded as a Rasayana in Ayurveda medicine. This implies that it promotes physical and mental youth maintenance.

The plant may have neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties, according to some data. Numerous medical disorders are rooted in inflammation, and the body can be shielded from a range of ailments by lowering inflammation.

It is important to distinguish between Physalis alkekengi, also known as winter cherry, and ashwagandha, also known as winter cherry.

The ancient Indian medicinal system known as Ayurveda has been using ashwagandha root extract as a herbal medicine for thousands of years.

Traditional uses of ashwagandha include treating anxiety, sleeplessness, aging, and other problems that might be made worse by stress. This is because ashwagandha is believed to be an adaptogen—a drug that could strengthen the body's ability to withstand stress.1. Withanolides, which are regarded to having anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities, may also be present in ashwagandha.

Ashwagandha has also been used to help males with infertility and sportsmen perform better. Nevertheless, there is scant scientific evidence to support these and other uses.

Characteristics of Ashwagandha

The ashwagandha plant is a little shrub with oval-shaped leaves and yellow blooms. In warm, tropical climes, it can reach five feet in height; in North America, however, it usually reaches only two to three feet. The plant produces mature, green fruits that resemble little cherry tomatoes. The active ingredients in medicine are found solely in the roots and leaves; the fruit is not used.

Hardy plants like ashwagandha can withstand drought and unfavorable soil. It is widely utilized in traditional Ayurvedic treatments and is commonly grown in arid regions of India. Because of its powerful, earthy scent, the plant is sometimes called "Indian ginseng."

Because of Ashwagandha's well-known adaptogenic qualities, the body can more easily handle stress and anxiety. It is also thought to have immune-stimulating and anti-inflammatory properties. Ashwagandha has become more well-known recently as a natural supplement for enhancing cognitive performance and lessening depressive symptoms.

Ashwagandha: Benefits And Uses

The following uses of ashwagandha are supported by some evidence:

Anxiety and stress

Ashwagandha may help reduce the symptoms of anxiety. Researchers discovered that when 240 milligrams (mg) of ashwagandha were taken daily as opposed to a placebo, people's stress levels were dramatically lowered (Trusted Source, 2019). Reduced cortisol levels—a hormone linked to stress—were one aspect of this.

In a different 2019 researchAccording to a reliable source, ashwagandha supplements containing 250 mg or 600 mg daily reduced cortisol and self-reported stress levels.

While this research is encouraging, much more information must be gathered before the plant is suggested by scientists as a treatment for anxiety.

Athletic ability

A meta-analysis and systematic review for 2021According to a reliable source, ashwagandha may aid in enhancing physical performance. For healthy men and women in particular, ashwagandha supplements may improve strength, fitness, and recuperation.

The review indicates that those undergoing intense resistance or endurance training may benefit from taking 300–500 mg twice a day, in the morning and right before bed.

Heart wellness

Ashwagandha may be used by certain individuals to improve their heart health, such as:

Reducing hypertension
Reducing elevated cholesterol
Relieving chest pain
Keeping heart disease at bay
Nevertheless, there isn't much human research to back up these advantages. A review published in 2023 points to several rat studies that raise the possibility of ashwagandha's cardioprotective benefits.

Treatment for Alzheimer's

According to a 2020 review, ashwagandha may have neuroprotective qualities and offer protection against a variety of neurodegenerative illnesses, such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and Huntington's.

Comparably, a review published in 2021 suggests that ashwagandha and other therapeutic herbs may be able to stop cognitive aging and help return normal cognitive function. It does, however, add that more research is still required.

Cancer Support

Anxiety, weariness, and stress are common in cancer patients. As a potential non-pharmaceutical option for alleviating these symptoms, ashwagandha could be a good choice.

According to a review published in 2023, ashwagandha may have anti-cancer effects. However, there is presently not enough research to supports its use to prevent or treat cancer.

References

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6979308/

2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK548536/

3. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/ashwagandha

4. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/ayurvedic-medicine-in-depth

5. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/information-consumers-and-patients-drugs/fda-warns-about-heavy-metal-poisoning-associated-certain-unapproved-ayurvedic-drug-products

6. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378874119339303

7. https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/ashwagandha

8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10147008/