Ashwagandha

Withania somnifera, is an herb native to Asia and Africa. Also called “Indian ginseng,” it’s been used in traditional Indian Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years to ease Ashwagandha is also considered an adaptogen. That means it helps your body better Stress and Anxiety There are a few human studies on its Cancer Several studies have shown ashwagandha has compounds that may help fight certain types of Neurodegenerative Diseases Studies show ashwagandha can slow, stop, and possibly reverse certain types of nerve cell damage. That’s what leads to diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s. Still, almost all of the studies on ashwagandha and nerve cell damage in the brain have been done on animals or animal cells. Arthritis One study found ashwagandha eased Exercise Performance Another study found healthy young adults who took 500 milligrams of ashwagandha daily for 8 weeks had more speed and strength during Male Infertility One small study found infertile men who took 5 grams of ashwagandha daily for 90 days had a higher . The health of their sperm improved, too. Sleep One study in humans showed taking 300 milligrams of the herb two times a day improved sleep. Another study on animals found that the triethylene glycol in ashwagandha is what brings sleep on. But more research is needed. Before You Take Ashwagandha Talk to your doctor before taking any herbal supplement. They could cause problems with other SOURCES: African Journal of Traditional, Compliment...

Ashwagandha, an herb used in Ayurvedic medicine, has become quite popular in America. In Sanskrit, the word ashwagandha means “the smell of a horse” as the root is known for smelling like a one. It’s believed to help conditions like inflammation and daily stress, along with treating rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes and epilepsy. It’s also thought to enhance the function of the brain and nervous system improving memory and promoting sexual balance. Ashwagandha does sound like a miracle supplement, but there are some things to consider before you try it. Common names for Withania somnifera include ashwagandha, Indian ginseng and winter cherry. The small evergreen shrub grows to about four to five feet tall and is found in dry areas in India, the Middle East and parts of Africa. The herb is touted as an adaptogen (used to help adapt to everyday stresses) in Indian Ayurvedic medicine in order to improve overall health, longevity and energy levels. There are more than 35 chemical constituents of ashwagandha that have been isolated, and many have been studied, including bioactive components like alkaloids, steroidal lactones and saponins. However, most of the research on ashwagandha has been conducted in test tubes or on animals; few human studies have been done. This means there is extremely limited data of its supposed benefits. Below are two studies that show positive results, but certainly more research is needed. One study conducted on rats examined the effects of ashwagandha...

The Forbes Health editorial team is independent and objective. To help support our reporting work, and to continue our ability to provide this content for free to our readers, we receive compensation from the companies that advertise on the Forbes Health site. This compensation comes from two main sources. First, we provide paid placements to advertisers to present their offers. The compensation we receive for those placements affects how and where advertisers’ offers appear on the site. This site does not include all companies or products available within the market. Second, we also include links to advertisers’ offers in some of our articles; these “affiliate links” may generate income for our site when you click on them. The compensation we receive from advertisers does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides in our articles or otherwise impact any of the editorial content on Forbes Health. While we work hard to provide accurate and up-to-date information that we think you will find relevant, Forbes Health does not and cannot guarantee that any information provided is complete and makes no representations or warranties in connection thereto, nor to the accuracy or applicability thereof. 7 Science-Backed Health Benefits Of Ashwagandha Ashwagandha is a nontoxic herb gaining attention in the U.S. for its ability to modulate stress and anxiety. The herb is an important part of centuries-old Singh N, Bhalla M, de Jager P, Gilca M. “[Its] physi...

Verywell Fit content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Ashwagandha is native to India and Southeast Asia and is one of the most important herbs in Ayurveda, an alternative natural system of medicine that originated in Indian over 3,000 years ago. Its botanical name is Withania somnifera and it is also known as "Indian ginseng" and "winter cherry." The name is Sanskrit for "smell of the horse." Ashwagandha is commonly used as a household remedy in India and as an aphrodisiac for the elderly. It is now widely available all over the world and is promoted for use for a variety of reasons including anti-stress, anxiety relief, difficulty concentrating, and adrenal fatigue. The herb is sold in several forms including capsules, teas, and powders. Another study showed that 43 men who took ashwagandha for 8 weeks had a 14.7% increase in testosterone than those who took the placebo. While the current evidence is strong, there is not enough large-scale data to conclude any potential benefits of ashwagandha for male fertility and more studies are needed. Mental Benefits Ashwagandha is most commonly used for its role in reducing stress and anxiety. You may have heard it refer...

The root and berry of the Why do people take ashwagandha? There's some early evidence that ashwagandha affects the immune system and helps reduce swelling, from both arthritis and fluid retention. However, the practical benefits and risks for people aren't clear yet. One study found that a compound containing ashwagandha helped relieve Some lab tests of People use ashwagandha for other health conditions, including How much ashwagandha should you take? There is no standard dose of ashwagandha. Some people use between 1 to 6 grams of the whole herb daily. Others mix 3 grams of ashwagandha powder in warm milk. There are also standardized extracts available. Ask your doctor for advice about forms of ashwagandha and doses. Can you get ashwagandha naturally from foods? In some parts of the world, people eat ashwagandha shoots, seeds, and fruit. What are the risks of taking ashwagandha? • Side effects. Since ashwagandha has not been well-studied, we don't know all of its side effects. Large doses can cause • Risks. Talk to a doctor before using ashwagandha if you have any health conditions, including • Interactions. If you take any drugs or Given the risk of miscarriage, pregnant women should not use ashwagandha. Women who are breastfeeding should also not use the herb. SOURCES: Fundukian, L. ed. The Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine, third edition, 2009. Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center web site: “About Herbs: Ashwagandha.” Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database ...

People often use ashwagandha to reduce stress and anxiety and manage several chronic conditions. Research into the efficacy of ashwagandha for these purposes is inconclusive. For hundreds of years, people have used the roots and orange-red fruit of ashwagandha for medicinal purposes. The herb is also known as Indian ginseng or winter cherry. The name “ashwagandha” describes the smell of its root, meaning “like a horse.” By definition, ashwa means horse. sddPractitioners use this herb as a general tonic to boost energy and reduce stress and anxiety. Some also claim that the herb may be beneficial for certain More research is necessary; to date, promising studies into the health benefits of ashwagandha have mainly been in animals. This article looks at the traditional uses of ashwagandha, how to take it, and the evidence behind its possible health benefits and risks. Share on Pinterest Image credit: Eugeniusz Dudzinski/Getty Images Ashwagandha is an important herb in Ayurvedic medicine. This is one of the world’s oldest medical systems and one of India’s healthcare systems. In Ayurvedic medicine, ashwagandha is considered a Rasayana. This means that it helps maintain youth, both mentally and physically. There is some evidence to suggest that the herb can have neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects. For example, people use ashwagandha to help treat the following: • • anxiety • • pain • skin conditions • • • Different treatments make use of different parts of the plant,...

Ashwagandha is a medicinal herb with a long history. It’s one of the most important herbs in Ayurveda, an ancient study of natural healing that’s been practiced in India for more than 6,000 years. Although it’s better known as ashwagandha, the small shrub native to East Asia and North Africa is referred to as Withania somnifera in many studies. Some of ashwagandha’s traditional and medicinal uses include: • Promoting • Reducing • Treating Modern research confirms some aspects of these claims and points to additional potential health benefits. Ashwagandha is made up of nutrients with Ashwagandha is available in powder, extract, and supplement form at nutritional shops and health food grocers. It’s also sometimes called Indian ginseng or Winter cherry. Health Benefits In Ayurvedic medicine, ashwagandha is most commonly known for its mood-lifting effects. Scientific research supports its potential to treat clinical depressive disorders. Studies show that its effects are comparable to common These findings are in line with ongoing research into the herb’s potential to treat a wider range of cognitive diseases — like Research also shows how taking ashwagandha provides you with more health benefits, like: Stress Reduction Studies show ashwagandha reduces cortisol levels in your body, reducing stress and its symptoms like elevated It also helps block nervous system activity associated with conditions like Reduced Risk of Chronic Diseases Ashwagandha has anti-inflammatory properti...