The scientific name of Ashwagandha is Withania somnifera.The Latin species name somnifera means "sleep-inducing".The name "ashwagandha" is a combination of the Sanskrit words 'ashva', meaning horse, and 'gandha', meaning smell, reflecting that the root has a strong horse-like odor.
Withania somnifera, known commonly as ashwagandha or winter cherry, is an evergreen shrub in family Solanaceae or nightshade that grows in India, the Middle East, and parts of Africa. Several other species in the genus Withania are morphologically similar.
The plant, particularly its root powder, has been used for centuries in traditional Indian medicine. Although it is used in herbalism and also sold as a dietary supplement.
Withania somnifera is cultivated in many of the drier regions of India. It is also found in Nepal, Sri Lanka, China, and Yemen. It prefers dry stony soil with sun to partial shade. To propagate it can be grown from seed in the early spring, or from greenwood cuttings in the later spring.
The main phytochemical constituents are withanolides – which are triterpene lactones – withaferin A, alkaloids, steroidal lactones, tropine, and cuscohygrine.Some 40 withanolides, 12 alkaloids, and numerous sitoindosides have been isolated. Withanolides are structurally similar to the ginsenosides of Panax ginseng, leading to a common name for W. somnifera, "Indian ginseng".
Ashwagandha contains chemicals that might help calm the brain, reduce swelling, lower blood pressure, and alter the immune system. Since ashwagandha is traditionally used as an adaptogen, it is used for many conditions related to stress. Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb, meaning it may help your body bounce back from stress.
Adaptogens are believed to help the body resist physical and mental stress.Adaptogens are plants and mushrooms that help your body respond to stress, anxiety, fatigue and overall wellbeing. Adaptogens bring your body back to a steady balance by managing both physical and mental stressors.
Ashwagandha has several health benefits and may enhance certain aspects of sexual health.Studies have shown that supplementation with ashwagandha in men led to a significant increase in testosterone levels, improved sperm quality, and higher antioxidant levels.
Ashwagandha is different from Viagra. Viagra is a prescription drug specifically designed to treat Erectile Dysfunction in adults. Ashwagandha root extract may boost testosterone levels, sexual function in men. Supplementation with the branded ashwagandha root extract KSM-66 may significantly increase testosterone levels and boost sexual function in men with lower sexual desire, says a new study.
Dose of Ashwagandha:
It is perfectly safe to take ashwagandha daily, for up to eight weeks. However, more studies are needed to demonstrate the long-term safety of ashwagandha. You should be mindful not to take more than the recommended dose, and you should also try to avoid taking it on an empty stomach.Extracts of ashwagandha are often supplied as tablets which are taken once to three times daily.
Ashwagandha per day:
Studies on ashwagandha have used dosages of 250–600 mg/day of a root extract. The most common dosing protocol is 600 mg/day divided into two doses, with one taken in the morning with breakfast and the other in the evening. Evidence suggests that 600 mg/day is superior to lower doses for improving sleep.
Ashwagandha is typically taken in capsule or tablet form. You can take it with food or without, and you can take it at any time of day. One of the most popular times to take Ashwagandha is a few hours before bed. This is because the supplement has been shown to help promote better sleep quality.
The benefits of Ashwagandha are unlimited, but it is the best pick for enhancing and deepening focus without causing mental fatigue.
Research shows that it can help in several ways:
• Normalizes cortisol levels, which reduces the stress response.
•Reduces inflammation.
•Reduces cancer risks.
Patanjali ashwagandha:
It is beneficial for fatigue, restiveness and general weakness. It also treats muscles deficiency, gastric problems, arthritis and others. Helps to increase energy of body cells naturally. Ashwagandha is a natural herbal tonic for increasing memory and brain power.
Zandu Ashwagandha tablets and capsules are available in market.Also Baidyanath and Dabur and other products are in market.
Himalaya drug company's Ashwagandha tablets and power are also available in the market.
Ashwagandha has most often been used by adults in doses up to 1000 mg daily, for up to 12 weeks. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what dose might be best for a specific condition.
Ashvagandha augments immunity by improving immune factors and the level of white blood cell activation, especially Natural Killer (NK) cells, which play a major role in neutralizing virus-infected cells and help restrain infections.
Summary Benifits of Ashwagandha:
•Ashwagandha may be effective for reducing stress and anxiety symptoms. However, more research is needed to form a consensus on appropriate forms and dosing to address stress and stress-related disorders.
•Ashwagandha may help improve measures of physical performance in athletes and healthy adults, including VO2 max and strength.
•The limited research available suggests that ashwagandha may help reduce symptoms of depression and benefit people with some mental health conditions.
•Ashwagandha may help increase testosterone levels and may have some potential benefits for male fertility.
•Limited evidence suggests that ashwagandha may reduce blood sugar levels through its effects on insulin secretion and cells’ ability to absorb glucose from the bloodstream.
•Ashwagandha may help reduce inflammatory markers in the body.
•Ashwagandha supplements may improve memory, reaction time, and the ability to perform tasks in certain populations.
•Recent evidence suggests that ashwagandha may be an effective natural remedy to improve sleep and may especially help people with insomnia.
•Although ashwagandha is safe for most people, it’s not safe for everyone. It’s important to check with a healthcare professional before taking ashwagandha.
However, more research is needed to confirm above benifits.
Adverse/side effects:
W. somnifera may cause adverse effects if taken alone or together with prescription drugs. Side effects may include diarrhea, headache, sedation, or nausea, and the product should not be used during pregnancy or breast-feeding.
Side effects are uncommon and have not been clearly defined. Large doses can cause gastrointestinal upset, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, probably because of direct irritation to the intestinal mucosa.
After usage of one plus months you may feel less stressed out, but persistently using it for long term is not very useful, you may feel little less active and less shrewd, more importantly may feel absence of mind in many occasions. So use Ashwagandha with caution.
Information compiled by
Dr. Bhairavsinh Raol
