The roots and herbs have been used medicinally for centuries. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a non-toxic herb that has gained public attention for its many health benefits. This herb, also known as winter cherry or Indian ginseng, has been used in Ayurveda for hundreds of years.
Ayurveda is a traditional medical system used by Indians to treat various ailments such as insomnia and rheumatism. Practitioners use ashwagandha root as a general tonic to increase vitality and reduce stress.
In addition, some experts believe that ashwagandha root extract may be useful in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and certain types of cancer.

In this article, we take a look at nine proven health benefits of ashwagandha. We will also cover other topics such as the potential risks of ashwagandha and ways to take ashwagandha.

Ashwagandha, also known as Ashwagandha, is a popular form of traditional alternative medicine in Ayurveda. Ashwagandha root is named for its “horse” smell, which is said to impart strength and vitality to the user’s horse.
“Ashva” in Sanskrit means “horse” and “gandhi” means “smell”. Different parts of the Ashwagandha plant are used for different purposes. However, the ashwagandha supplements that most people take are derived from its root extracts.
Adaptogens such as ashwagandha increase the body’s natural resistance to stress. Rodent and cell culture studies show that ashwagandha has a range of health benefits. That being said, here are nine proven health benefits of ashwagandha.
Ashwagandha’s ability to reduce anxiety is one of its most well-known effects. Stress, regardless of its form (physical, emotional, or psychological), is often associated with cortisol.
The adrenal glands release cortisol, the “stress hormone,” in response to emotional or physical stress. However, this can be a benefit, as numerous studies have shown that ashwagandha root can help reduce anxiety and stress levels in users.
In addition, experts believe that consuming ashwagandha may help improve users’ overall sleep quality. In addition, studies have shown that people who took ashwagandha supplements had significantly lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol than those who took a placebo.
On the other hand, high doses of ashwagandha root extract are thought to significantly reduce serum cortisol levels. One study found that ashwagandha reduced participants’ stress levels and improved their overall quality of life.
When combined with other therapies, Ashwagandha greatly improves mental clarity, physical stamina, social interaction, and vitality.
Taking ashwagandha supplements will not prevent the development of diabetes. However, they can help reduce blood sugar spikes caused by eating things like brownies. Preliminary research suggests that taking ashwagandha may improve blood sugar control and reduce the occurrence of blood sugar spikes and dips.
While the mechanism is unclear, animal studies suggest that ashwagandha’s antioxidant activity may play a role. According to several small clinical studies, ashwagandha treatment is effective in lowering triglyceride and blood sugar levels.
Experts also believe that ashwagandha may lower blood sugar, similar to conventional treatments for type 2 diabetes.
Use ashwagandha powder or testosterone boosting pills to increase strength and speed. According to research, eating this herb can help increase muscle strength and lower cholesterol and body fat percentage. However, more research is currently being done on the effects of ashwagandha on increasing muscle mass and strength.
Experts believe that the anti-stress properties of ashwagandha may help women with libido issues. In addition, this herb may help improve female sexual dysfunction by increasing androgen levels.
At least one clinical study suggests that ashwagandha may help women cope with sexual dysfunction. According to the study, participants reported significant increases in orgasm, arousal, lubrication, and satisfaction after taking ashwagandha.
The study also showed that Ashwagandha significantly increased the number of satisfying sexual encounters.
The ashwagandha plant is also popular due to its positive effects on male fertility. Studies show that taking ashwagandha can improve sperm quality in infertile men by restoring hormonal balance.
Also, in a stress study, ashwagandha was found to increase testosterone levels in men, but not in women. Another study evaluating the effect of ashwagandha on muscle strength in men also saw a significant increase in testosterone levels.
Using ashwagandha plants can improve cognition and memory. Also, this herb has shown promising results in improving motor response as stated.
Studies have shown that ashwagandha is much better than placebo at improving users’ reaction time on psychomotor and cognitive tests. These tests measure the ability to follow directions and complete tasks.
In addition, studies have shown that taking ashwagandha can improve concentration and overall memory in a variety of tests. Experts believe that the chemicals in this herb may help regenerate brain cells.
In addition, this plant has shown promise in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease and mild cognitive impairment. In addition to the above benefits, some scientific evidence suggests that this herb may help relieve symptoms of other mental illnesses such as depression and bipolar disorder.
Although studies show that ashwagandha may have antidepressant properties, you should not use it in place of standard antidepressants. If you’re experiencing symptoms of depression, it’s best to see your doctor for advice or treatment.
In addition to improving physical and mental health, this herb also supports heart health. At least two studies have shown that Withania somnifera increases VO2 max. VO2 max levels measure the maximum oxygen consumption during exercise.
Scientists also use VO2 max levels to measure cardiorespiratory endurance. This level also measures how efficiently the lungs and heart supply oxygen to the muscles during exercise.
Therefore, a healthy heart that performs well under certain conditions may have an above-average VO2 max.
Nowadays, internal factors such as inflammation, chronic stress, and lack of sleep can weaken your immune system. By improving all of these factors and boosting overall fitness and endurance, Ashwagandha greatly boosts our immunity.
In addition, this ancient herb promotes natural killer cell activity. Natural killer cells are immune cells responsible for fighting infections.
Ashwagandha extract has also shown promising results in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Ashwagandha root has anti-inflammatory properties, making it an effective treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.
The use of ashwagandha as an anti-inflammatory agent dates back centuries. Ayurvedic medicine specialists make a paste from the root and apply it topically to treat pain and inflammation.
Combining ashwagandha powder with another Ayurvedic arthritis remedy may help relieve joint pain in people with rheumatoid arthritis, according to a small study. Further research has also shown that ashwagandha consumption may help lower C-reactive protein (CRP) levels.
CRP is a marker of inflammation that leads to heart disease. However, more research needs to be done to fully understand the anti-inflammatory properties of this herb.
Ashwagandha is a safe herb with a number of health benefits. This herb promotes restful sleep, improves cognitive function, and relieves symptoms of stress and anxiety. Also, you can read about how to treat anxiety with ashwagandha or any other natural herbal remedy. While ashwagandha is generally considered safe, this herb is not for everyone.
Consuming ashwagandha root may cause adverse side effects in certain groups of people. For example, people with thyroid problems should avoid this herb. If you have thyroid problems, do not use this herb without consulting your doctor.
Ashwagandha improves thyroid function by converting T4 to T3. T3 is the more active thyroid hormone and T4 is the weaker thyroid hormone. While ashwagandha may improve thyroid function in healthy adults, it can cause severe hyperthyroidism.
It usually occurs in people with an overactive thyroid gland. By the way, ashwagandha may not be safe for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. The herb can also cause side effects in immunocompromised people and those who are about to have surgery.
Also, if you are allergic to certain herbs, talk to your doctor to determine if that herb is safe. If any of these conditions apply to you, talk to your doctor or healthcare professional to determine if it is safe for you to take ashwagandha.
In addition, this herb is known to weaken or enhance the effects of other medicines. Therefore, if you are currently taking medication, please let your doctor know before adding ashwagandha to your daily routine. If you belong to any of these groups, you should consult your doctor before taking this herb.
If you don’t, taking ashwagandha may cause side effects such as drowsiness, nausea, diarrhea, and upset stomach. Others who should consult a doctor before using ashwagandha are people with stomach ulcers, diabetes, and hormone-sensitive prostate cancer.
Ashwagandha is rich in bioactive compounds including flavonoids, alkaloids, steroid lactones, glycosides and steroids. The plant also contains solanolides, a class of steroidal lactones that are thought to contribute to the beneficial effects of the plant.
The ashwagandha plant is a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. These qualities are at least partially responsible for most of its beneficial effects. Ashwagandha can increase the levels of antioxidant enzymes in the body.
This includes antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase. In addition, this herb effectively inhibits lipid peroxidation, which is an important benefit. Ashwagandha, on the other hand, affects the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, which may be part of its anti-stress effect.
Due to the plant’s ability to lower cortisol levels, it also plays an important role in the body’s response to stress. In addition, ashwagandha appears to alter the signaling of various neurotransmitters that are dysfunctional in anxiety and stress-related disorders.
The beneficial effect of this herb on sleep can be attributed to its ability to enhance signaling through GABA receptors. Ashwagandha, on the other hand, can help you increase your endurance by boosting your hemoglobin levels.
Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells (erythrocytes) that carry oxygen throughout the body. However, more research is needed to confirm this efficacy. On the other hand, the effectiveness of ashwagandha for reproductive health is due to its antioxidant properties and ability to increase testosterone production.
This effect was more pronounced in men with infertility and low testosterone levels. However, some preliminary research suggests that ashwagandha may also increase testosterone levels in healthy men.
The berries and roots of the Ashwagandha plant have medicinal properties, so they can be harvested and eaten.