Know About How To Consume Ashwagandha With Their Benefits and Side Effects. Ashwagandha herb is commonly used for stress.
Ashwagandha is an evergreen shrub. It grows in India, parts of Africa and the Middle East. Ashwagandha berry and roots are used for their medicinal properties.
Ashwagandha herb is commonly used for stress. This medicinal herb is used as an “adaptogen” for various other conditions, but there is insufficient scientific evidence to support all medicinal claims.
Origins of the Herb Ashwagandha
The Ashwagandha herb (scientific name Withania somnifera) is an evergreen medicinal herb that is short with bellflowers. It has velvety leaves that contain orange berries similar to baby tomatoes.
Ashwagandha is indigenous to the Indian subcontinent, specifically the drier areas of India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan.
It has also grown in parts of Africa, and it can thrive in temperate climates, including Western North Carolina. So, check here How to Consume Ashwagandha.
Word of Caution: Don’t confuse Ashwagandha with Physalis alkekengi. Both the herbs are known as winter cherry. Also, don’t confuse Ashwagandha with American ginseng, Eleuthero or Panax ginseng.
How to Consume Ashwagandha?
Ashwagandha can be had as:
1. Ashwagandha with milk – Ashwagandha powder is a great mixture of milk. Here, Ashwagandha roots have most of the medicinal benefits are cut, dried, and sifted with warm milk or tea or powdered.
2. Ashwagandha powder balls – These powder balls are made with herbs like Safed Musli, Gokshura and Shilajit to enhance the health benefits of this herb for healthy skin and immunity.
3. Ashwagandha chocolate – Ashwagandha infused dark chocolate. This combination aids in promoting libido and acts as a natural aphrodisiac.
4. Ashwagandha tea – This is one of the best caffeine-free drink to soothe you into a blissful sleep daily. All you need to do is boil the herb’s roots in water so that the water is infused. There are brands like Organic India and Only Leaf that have an ashwagandha teabag product.
5. Ashwagandha Tablets – The most hassle-free, travel-friendly and convenient way to take this herb. This capsule or tablets for women aids in boosting their health by taking Ashwagandha twice a day.
6. Ashwagandha with water – Ashwagandha with water is the best drink for vegans, this is the simplest way to consume Ashwagandha. The prep is similar to Ashwagandha milk but without the milk obviously. Replace the milk with water or almond milk and you can drink this mixture.
7. Ashwagandha Oil – From arthritis to even sore muscles after working out, Ashwagandha oil massage is your go-to since it relieves muscle tension.
8. Ashwagandha mask for your hair – Ashwagandha can prevent premature greying of hair by producing melanin – the pigment responsible for the colour of your hair.
Benefits of Ashwagandha:
- Ashwagandha is used as an adaptogen. Hence it is used to aid the body to adapt to stress. It can help fight symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression and boost brain function.
- There are various Ayurvedic herbs that address excess inflammation. Ashwagandha is one of that herb that has proven to reduce inflammation.
- This Herb root has both antimicrobial and antibacterial properties which shield the skin from acne and infections. It promotes the building up of collagen in the skin hence prevents one from premature ageing.
- Ashwagandha is loaded with benefits to the high blood pressure, heart, including providing treatment for chest pain, high cholesterol, and various other heart-related diseases. Adding this herb powder to your diet consistently aids in maintaining a healthy heart.
- It has the qualities of inducing healthy sleep that might seem beneficial to those suffering from insomnia. Try a warm or lukewarm cup of milk mix it with this herb powder before you sleep to aid sleep quality.
- It provides the body to sustain and reserve vital energy all day long to promote good quality and peaceful sleep at night. It also increases your ability to work and exercise.
- This herb aids in diabetes control works by regulating the body’s insulin. It aids in the secretion of insulin in the body by aids the breakdown of sugars in the blood.
Side Effects of Ashwagandha:
Ashwagandha is generally a well-tolerated herb if taken in small to medium doses. But there is insufficient long-term analysis to examine possible side effects. Pregnant women should usually avoid using ashwagandha because it can cause premature delivery.
Although ashwagandha herb is typically well-tolerated when taken short-term in general dosages, headache, stomach, mild to moderate side effects such as sleepiness, upset has been witnessed.
Rarely, rapid heartbeat and allergic reaction have been reported too. Be careful, however, ashwagandha can effectively lower blood pressure and blood sugar, and spikes up thyroid hormone levels.
How does it work?
Ashwagandha contains chemicals that might aid in calming the brain, lowering blood pressure, reduce swelling (inflammation), and alter the immune system.
Ashwagandha & Ayurveda
In Ayurveda, ashwagandha is a Rasayana, or a herb that promotes vitality, longevity, and happiness. Such Rasayanas are traditionally given to kids and the elderly as syrup to support overall well-being.
The root is often dried and grounded, then consumed as a powder mixed with ghee, honey, and milk as it can often have a bitter taste. This warm drink is often consumed before sleeping.
This Herb is also used traditionally as a syrup for vitality, memory, and hormonal function, which supports balanced Vata energy.
It is also used to support sleep quality, and the ground powdered root can be applied topically to help maintain comfortable and healthy joints.
Also, check Ashwagandha: Benefits, Side Effects
Bottom Line
Ashwagandha contains chemicals that might aid in calming the brain, lowering blood pressure, reduce swelling (inflammation), and alter the immune system.
This natural remedy is helpful in sleeplessness, stress and improves the rate of stress.
Disclaimer: Even though Ashwagandha Herb has many health benefits, if you have a medical condition then make sure you consult your physician. Also, this shouldn’t be treated like a supplement to your physician prescribed medicines and treatment.