Ashwagandha Health Benefits, Properties, and Uses

Ashwagandha, also known as winter cherry or Indian ginseng, is an herb that supports the nervous, immune, reproductive, and respiratory systems.¹ It’s best known as being used as an adaptogen. That means it energizes the body during the day and soothes it at night to help with sleep.¹ It also helps the body deal with and adapt to stress. In Sanskrit, ashwagandha translates into “smell of horse.” This is partially because the herb smells somewhat like a horse but also because it helps strengthen the body and promotes health.² The part of the plant typically used for medicine is the leaves, which can be dried and ground into a powder.² You can take ashwagandha capsules to enjoy the antioxidant and immune-boosting properties.³

Ashwagandha Uses and Health Benefits

Ashwagandha has many health benefits, including fighting cancer and affecting insulin and blood sugar levels as well as inflammation. You can also take ashwagandha sleep remedies as well as ashwagandha depression treatments.² Ashwagandha thyroids treatments are highly effective because they help balance hormones to treat conditions like hypo and hyper thyroid issues.⁴ Along with ashwagandha anxiety remedies, it’s also good for brain health, cancer treatment, improving mood, and increasing stamina.⁴ In regards to brain health, it isn’t just good for stress; it also contains properties that help protect the brain from degeneration to improve conditions like depression, anxiety, and dementia.⁴ Other conditions worth using the herb for include:

• Multiple Sclerosis - Multiple sclerosis is a condition that affects the central nervous system. Ashwagandha may help ease some of the symptoms.
• Cancer - With its immune-boosting and antioxidant properties, ashwagandha can help prevent the growth of cancer cells and slow tumor growth. It can also help relieve the stress associated with chemotherapy.⁴
• Mesothelioma - Mesothelioma refers to tumors in the tissue lining your lungs, stomach, and heart. Taking ashwagandha orally can help with mesothelioma symptoms.
• Alzheimer’s Disease - Alzheimer’s disease is a condition that impacts memory and behavior. Research shows that ashwagandha may be a promising solution for preventing Alzheimer’s at its onset as well as preventing its progression.⁵
• Stress - One of the most well-known benefits of this herb is to take it for easing stress.

Ashwagandha Side Effects and Precautions

Whether you’re taking an ashwagandha anxiety remedy or an ashwagandha depression treatment, it’s important to be aware of the side effects. Among ashwagandha side effects, individuals may experience:

• Drowsiness
• Slowed pulse
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain⁷

Ashwagandha may also interact with certain medications and other herbs. This includes enhancing the effects of sedatives and anti-anxiety medications like St. John’s wort. It also interacts with immune suppressants and drugs that lower glucose levels and blood pressure. It may also enhance the effects of alcohol when taken together.⁷ Among ashwagandha side effects, there’s a possibility that ashwagandha may induce miscarriages, so pregnant women should avoid it.⁷ Talk to your doctor if you plan on using ashwagandha as an herbal remedy if you’re taking other medications or have other health concerns.

References

1. http://lifespa.com/ayurvedic-supplement-facts/ashwagandha/
2. http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2016/06/13/ashwagandha-medicinal-uses.aspx
3. http://www.raysahelian.com/ashwagandha.html
4. https://draxe.com/ashwagandha-proven-to-heal-thyroid-and-adrenals/
5. http://research.msu.edu/promising-treatment-for-alzheimers-moves-toward-clinical-trials/
6. http://www.livestrong.com/article/149597-side-effects-of-ashwagandha-root-leaf/