Imagine that there’s a herb that can influence every aspect of both your physical and mental health in a good way. Just imagine all the possibilities. Have we found it? Withania Somnifera, also known as Ashwagandha, is a well-known and widely used herb that was originally found in India and Africa. This plant’s roots have been widely used by traditional medicine since the dawn of the very first civilizations.
Nowadays, its benefits are still considered to be a bit controversial for one reason only. There are still not enough clinical research on people to support their claims. However, people are still using it for the countless benefits this plant delivers.
Let’s face it. If you are questioning a herb’s efficiency only because you’re waiting for additional clinical research and tests to be conducted, then you’re missing a great opportunity to improve your health. People have been using this plant for centuries. Isn’t that the best proof you could possibly wish for?
Let’s evaluate Ashwagandha in this review. Is it really worth your time and money?
What is Ashwagandha All About?
We are talking about a unique shrub that manages to stay green throughout the whole year. That’s one of the main reasons; this plant is better known as the “winter cherry.” IMPORTANT NOTE: Ashwagandha is not to be confused with Physalis alkekengi, which goes by the similar “nickname.”
Our winter cherry has been praised as one of the most important ingredients in the traditional Ayurvedic medicine that has been successfully practiced by the Indian healers for many centuries. These healers have shown and proven over and over again that this herb can help you maintain the health of your body and mind like no other ingredient.
We are talking about an extremely wide specter of potential uses that modern medicine is still trying to grasp all the benefits associated with this plant. Truth to be told, Ashwagandha shouldn’t be treated as the only alternative to the regular drugs prescribed by your doctors.
The Science Behind Ashwagandha
Here’s a quick overview of the most important components this plant comes with:
Alkaloids:
Steroidal Lactones
- Withanolides
- Withalferines
Saponins
- Acylsterylglucosides
- Sitoindosides
- Sitoindosides
What Are The Ashwagandha’s Health Benefits?
Stress Relief
The adaptogenic effects of this plant are undoubtedly the most important ones. It’s no wonder this plant has built its remarkable reputation as a reliable stress relief solution. This herb can lower your stress in a natural and harmless way. Thanks to Ashwagandha, you can significantly reduce your anxiety and deal with insomnia issues, among other things.
Dealing With Depression
There aren’t enough scientific studies to prove this benefit, but make no mistake about it, this plant won’t let you down in your efforts to deal with depression. We can’t claim that Ashwagandha will cure and eliminate your depression for good. However, it can significantly decrease the most severe effects associated with depression.
Cancer Prevention
Again we are in the gray zone with this claim. There’s no substantial evidence, but this herb can certainly help you with your cancer-prevention and -fighting goals. To which extent? Well, this is a question that may vary a lot on an individual basis. It is possible to sufficiently slow down the development and spreading of tumor cells while using this ingredient. However, it would be irresponsible and potentially dangerous to claim that we have found a way to cure cancer.
Fertility and Testosterone
It has been proven that Ashwagandha can do a lot in improving your overall sex drive and fertility. Here’s something worth emphasizing. This herb works for both men and women. When it comes to the ladies, this plant represents an amazing alternative solution to various female sexual dysfunction issues. Yeah, you got this one right. You can restore your sexual desire and increase your libido by using Ashwagandha. In addition, the guys who used this supplement on a regular basis were able to experience a significant increase in their testosterone levels and the overall sperm count.
Strength and Muscle Mass
The bitter truth about muscle mass and strength supplements is that there so many of them available. However, not all of them are harmless and safe to use. In the sticking comparison, Ashwagandha is absolutely safe to use for these purposes.
Inflammation
Did you know that this supplement is a mind-blowing immunity booster? As such, Ashwagandha can significantly lower your inflammations. As a result, you will be able to fight all infections more successfully and much quicker.
The Impressive Memory Boost
This supplement can treat certain brain diseases and injuries. In traditional Indian medicine, we have already mentioned, this supplement can boost your memory and sharpen your focus to a certain degree.
What About Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s?
There’s more than one study that has shown this supplement can significantly slow down the neuritic atrophy and what’s even more important the synaptic losses. These are among the main causes for the development of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.
What About Arthritis and Diabetes?
Again, we are in the gray zone here. There’s not enough scientific proof that this supplement can help you with these conditions too. However, we know for sure that Ashwagandha can improve blood sugar.
Who Can Use Ashwagandha With The Absolute Peace of Mind?
This supplement is considered to be one of the safest and well-tolerated solutions available. However, some individuals with specific conditions should stay away from it.
For instance, if you are suffering from type-1 or type-2 diabetes, including arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, you should definitely consult your doctor first about the potential use of Ashwagandha.
Also, pay a visit to your doctor, if you are taking any kinds of medications to deal with your high blood sugar or blood pressure.
Needless to say, breastfeeding and pregnant women should hit a pause button when considering this supplement.
What About The Potential Side Effects?
This supplement is considered to be one of the safest available when used within the recommended dosage limits. Truth to be told, if you take more than you should, then it is possible that you will experience abdominal pain and nausea. Besides these potential issues, there haven’t been any reports associated with the severe side effects.
What Are The Optimal Dosage Recommendations?
There are no absolutely “correct dosages” when it comes to this supplement. However, there are certain limits you should stick to while using Ashwagandha. The safest dosage is anywhere between 500 and 1,000mg. So, how much should you take, exactly? Well, it depends on what are your particular goals and needs.
Let’s say that you want to improve your memory. Then, the recommended dosage for you is up to 300mg of Ashwagandha on a daily basis. If you want to improve your reaction time and overall performance, then you should use 500mg, give it or take.
If you want to deal with the inflammatory effects quickly and efficiently, then you should use between 12ml and 15ml of root extract or between 250 and 500mg of Ashwagandha in its supplement form. Finally, if your goal is to increase your muscle mass and strength, you need at least 750mg of Ashwagandha on a daily basis. For the best results, you should aim at the dosage of 1250mg.
One thing is sure; you should always talk to your doctor prior using any supplement and especially if you are planning to change your current dosage. That’s the best guarantee you will find your optimal dosage with nothing to worry about.
Ashwagandha: The Final Verdict
Is this supplement really worth your time and money? Well, Ashwagandha has gained a lot of popularity in recent years, and that’s not a coincidence. Yes, there is a lot of research waiting to be made in this field, but the people continue to use this supplement with no reports of the severe side-effects. Obviously, the customers care more about a supplement’s efficiency and lack of side-effects than scientific studies.
So, long story short, as long as you stick to the recommended dosages, you have nothing to worry about. This supplement has proven itself to be the worst enemy of stress and anxiety. It is safe to conclude that your investment in this supplement will pay itself of much sooner than you expect. So, give Ashwagandha a fair try and see for yourself how it gets down to work.
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