Health Benefits of Ashwagandha

• Introduction of Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha refers to both, the potential ability to increase strength and the herb’s scent. Its botanical name is Withania Somnifera. Based on Indian principles of natural healing, it is a traditional form of alternative medicine. It is important herb in Ayurveda. It is Sanskrit for smell of horse. It is also known by several names such as winter cherry and Indian Ginseng.  The Ashwagandha plant is small shrub with yellow flowers. It is native to Southeast Asia and India. Ashwagandha powder and extracts from the leaves of plants and roots of plants are used to treat many chronic conditions such as fertility issues as well as anxiety issues. For thousands to years, people use Ashwagandha to increase energy level, to improve concentration and to relieve stress.

Ashwagandha grows in Africa and Asia. It is an evergreen shrub. It is commonly used to relief from stress. As an adaptogen, there is a little evidence for its use. It contains chemicals which might help to reduce swelling, to calm the brain, to alter the immune system and it lower blood pressure.

• Etymology of Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha is evergreen shrub. It grows in India which is the Middle East area and parts of the Africa. Its name describes the smell of its root. The meaning of Ashwagandha is like a horse. This herb is used by practitioners as a general tonic to reduce anxiety and stress and also boost energy.

• Origin of Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha is also known as Indian Winter Cherry. It is originated in Asia and Africa. It is also called Indian Ginseng. It is used for thousands of years in Indian Ayurvedic Medicine, to treat insomnia, boost nutrition and to ease inflammation and pain.

• History of Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha has a varied and long history of use. In various traditional Ayurvedic texts, which is the oldest being the kasyapa-Samhita from 600 A.D., Ashwagandha root has been documented. The Latin and common names of the plant, point outs it towards the most common use of the plant.

• Nutritional Information of Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha has many nutrients. It is very beneficial for our health. 100 grams Ashwagandha root powders and extracts contains following nutrients.

• 8g Protein
• 32g Fibre
• 7% Moisture
• 3g Fat
• 244 Kcal
• 23mg Calcium
• 50g Carbohydrates
• 6g Vitamin C
• 2 mg Iron
• 74mg Carotene
• Health Benefits of Ashwagandha

There are many health benefits if Ashwagandha. It is beneficial for our health in different ways. It prevents us from various chronic diseases. Important health benefits of Ashwagandha are described in detailed manner.

1. Relief from Stress and Anxiety

Ashwagandha may play an important role to relief from anxiety and stress. When compared with the anxiety and sedative medication and the drug Lorazepam, Ashwagandha may have the calming effect on symptoms of the stress and anxiety. A study was conducted by researchers in 2000, in which they found that, Ashwagandha play an important role to relief from stress and anxiety as compared to anxiety reliving drugs, Lorazepam. But this is an animal study. Further researches need to be conducted to found evidence on human being.

1n 2019 study, researchers found that daily dose of 240 mg Ashwagandha may help to reduce the stress level and anxiety level and it reduce the stress hormone which is called cortical.  When compared to the placebo.

Although these researches have promising evidence, but further researches are needed to be explore for this fact.

2.     Treating Arthritis

Ashwagandha play an important role in treating arthritis. Ashwagandha is preventing pain signals which are travelling along the nervous system. It is also act as a pain reliever. It has also anti-inflammatory properties. Some researchers are thought to be effective for this reason to treat the arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis. A research was conducted by researchers for small study in 2015. In this research, the researchers found out that the anti-inflammatory properties of Ashwagandha may help to treat arthritis which includes rheumatoid arthritis.

3.    Boost Heart health

Ashwagandha play an important role to boost our heart health. People use Ashwagandha to boost heart health such as

• Preventing Heart Disease
• Lower cholesterol level
• Easing Chest Pain
• Lower blood pressure

However, further researches are needed to be conduct to support these findings.

A study was conducted in 2015, in which researchers found that, Ashwagandha root extract could enhance the cardio respiratory endurance of person which improves heart health. Further researches need to be conduct to support findings.

4.     Alzheimer’s Treatment

Ashwagandha play an important role in treating Alzheimer. According to the 2011 review, number of researches have been conducted to examine the ability ofAshwagandhato prevent the loss of brain function with neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease as well as Huntington’s disease. This study showed that at early stage of this disease, if a person intake moderate level of Ashwagandha then it could help to prevent from this disease in an effective manner.

5.     Prevent from Cancer

Ashwagandha play an important role to prevent from cancer. The 2012 review showed that, Ashwagandha might be able to stop cell growth in cancers. This includes, reducing the lung tumours or lung cancers in animal studies.

Summary

To sum up, it can be concluded that, Ashwagandha is medicinal herb. It has multiple health benefits for human beings as well as animals. Many researches are supporting these benefits. Studies showed that, Ashwagandha may help to improve cognitive functioning, it help to reduce stress, it support restful sleep, it help to reduce anxiety in certain populations. It can also conclude that, Ashwagandha is relatively considered safe for most of the people. It helps to prevent cancer diseases. It can also play an important role in boosting our heart health. It can also conclude that, Ashwagandha is not only beneficial for our physical health; it is also beneficial for our mental health such as cognitive decline, stress and anxiety. That is why it is said that, Ashwagandha has multiple health benefits for human body.