9 Surprising Benefits Of Ashwagandha That You Didn’t Know About

Are you looking for benefits of ashwagandha? There are many benefits, and here are 9 you might not know about.

About Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha, commonly known as Withania Somnifera is a plant in the Solanaceae family.

The name Ashwagandha is a combination of ‘ashwa’ meaning horse, and ‘gandha’ meaning smell. It refers to a belief that consumption of this herb will give you the strength and potency of the horse.

This extract is taken from the roots and berries of the plant and is native to North Africa, the Middle East, and India.

It is commonly used as a medicinal remedy in Ayurveda and also works as both anxiolytic (for a reduction in stress levels) and an adaptogen (for helping the body adapt the stress). Ayurveda is a mind-body health system developed by sages of India offers a body of wisdom designed to help people stay vibrant and healthy while realizing their full human potential.

This herb has also been used in Chinese medicine for ages aiming to improve many health benefits like reducing blood pressure, improving brain function, and more.

Dig in to learn more about the benefits of ashwagandha and how you can use it to your advantage.

Benefits Of Ashwagandha

Reduces Stress Levels

Ashwagandha contains incredible anti-stress properties. It can reduce cortisol (stress hormones) levels in your body.

Our modern-day lifestyle not only affects your body but also takes a toll on the brain too. When we experience stress, our cortisol levels increase and start interfering with our nervous system.

By reducing the stress hormones, it can be helpful for the individuals who are suffering from anxiety, chronic stress, and depression. It is also used in antidepressant drugs and tranquilizers since it relieves both mental and physical stress.

Acts as an Anti-Carcinogenic

Another one of the benefits of ashwagandha is it may slow down the growth of new cancer cells and induce death in the existing cancer cells. It may reduce the side effects of chemotherapy without interfering in the cell killing process of chemo in the tumor. Ashwagandha also regenerates the reactive oxygen species (atoms or molecules subjected to a chemical process or measurement), which are toxic to cancer cells leading to their reduction.

In a study by NCBI, subjects with ovarian tumor were treated with ashwagandha that later on resulted in 70%-80% reduction in tumor growth.

Improves the Functioning of the Brain

Studies have stated that one of the benefits of ashwagandha is that it offers long-term cognitive benefits.

The intake of this herb (according to the recommended dosage by a doctor) increases memory, decreases the brain stress, and prevents the degeneration of nerve cells.

It is also effective for various neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s, and Parkinson’s.

Improves Heart Health

Ashwagandha may significantly reduce the cholesterol and triglycerides levels in your bloodstream. It inhibits a regulated cell death process and aids in the functional recovery of the heart health. Moreover, it also restores the antioxidant levels of the muscular tissue of the heart.

According to various researches, the consumption of this herb reduces cholesterol levels by an average of 17% and the triglycerides level by 11%.

Boosts Immunity

Well, there is no denying the fact that our daily lifestyle, stress, and lack of sleep affect our immunity in a drastic way.

And here again, ashwagandha (the wonder herb) comes to the rescue!

Ashwagandha boosts stamina, improves our immune system and overall health in a significant way. It enhances the activity of killer cells, the cells that fight infection in our bodies.

Not only this, but it also prevents the toxic effects on bone marrow that happen by the intake of suppressive drugs.

Reduces Inflammation

Along with boosting the immunity, it is also well-known for its anti-inflammatory properties. It contains the active compounds known as withanolides (naturally occurring steroids) which leads to a reduction in the inflammation levels.

Also, the extract of its compounds stops the growth of harmful bacteria which is responsible for a wide range of skin infections. It also decreases the various markers of inflammation such as C-reactive protein and others.

Strengthens The Muscles

Yes, this herb has something for the bodybuilders too!

Ashwagandha can strengthen the lower limb muscles and improve the coordination of the nerves and muscles.

It reduces fatigue, increases energy levels, and helps the body to adapt to the stress. Once the body normalizes bodybuilding stress; the consumption of this herb reduces fat and helps in the building of muscles.

Combats Signs of Aging

Yes, you can say goodbye to all your pores, lines, wrinkles, and other signs of aging with ashwagandha.

This herb comes packed with the antioxidants. They combat the free radicals of the skin, which are a result of exposure to harmful UV rays, dirt, pollution, and more. Apart from this, it also reduces the risk of skin cancer and gives you healthy skin for regular consumption.

Recommended Dosage for Ashwagandha

Before you add the ashwagandha supplement in your diet, make sure you read manufacturer’s instructions carefully.

The recommended dosage for this herb is 1,000 mg per day if you’re using the Herbolab Ashwagandha. But, the withanolide content in the supplement will affect the strength of dosage and benefits, ours is 5%. It has different effects on every individual, and the advantages also vary from person to person.

Also, the appropriate usage depends on the various factors like age and health. Make sure you follow the proper dosing instruction or consult your doctor before its intake.