Health Benefits Of Ashwagandha

If you’re looking to improve your overall health, manage stress, or deal with other medical issues, there is no shortage of herbs, botanicals, and supplements you could take.

Taking everything on the market, though, would be unrealistic, time-consuming, expensive, and possibly even detrimental to your health.

Plus, if you walk into a health food store with no real idea of what you’re looking for, you risk being sold products which aren’t suitable for you.

A little research into botanical medicine solutions can go a long way in determining what, if any, supplements would be most helpful for your current situation.

Today we will take a closer look at Ashwagandha, what it is, and what issues it could help with.

Keep reading to learn more.

What Is Ashwagandha?

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a plant from the nightshade family which grows in India, China, and Nepal¹.

That means it’s related to other nightshade plants such as potatoes, tomatoes, bell peppers, eggplant, and surprisingly, tobacco.

It’s an adaptogen, which means it assists the body to keep hormone levels in balance and to respond to stress.

Traditional Indian medicine, also known as Ayurveda, has used Ashwagandha as a treatment for centuries.

Benefits Of Taking Ashwagandha

Taking Ashwagandha has a number of health benefits, including boosting brain function, and lowering cortisol and blood sugar levels.

We will go into more detail on some of this plant’s benefits, some of which have been known for hundreds of years.

1. May Help You Manage Stress

When you are stressed, the adrenal glands release a hormone called cortisol, which, in the short term, helps you to respond to stressors.

Long term, however, too much stress can lead to sustained elevated levels of cortisol, resulting in fat storage in the abdomen and high blood sugar levels.

In 2012, a study in the Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine found Ashwagandha to be effective in lowering cortisol levels in study participants when compared to the placebo group².

Another study found study participants with chronic stress who were given high-concentration full-spectrum Ashwagandha root extract showed a significant reduction in stress levels in addition to reduced cortisol levels³.

2. May Help Raise Low Thyroid Levels

The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located at the front of your neck.

It produces hormones which control a large number of bodily functions, including bone maintenance, metabolism, and brain development.

If your body doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone, it can negatively affect these thyroid functions.

A 2018 study in the Journal of Alternative and Contemporary Medicine showed over an eight-week period treatment with Ashwagandha resulted in significant increases in levels of thyroid hormones⁴.

As a result, it may be an effective treatment for an underactive thyroid.

3. May Increase Male Fertility

If you and your partner are trying to get pregnant, Ashwagandha might help move things along.

A 2010 study in the Journal Fertility and Sterility showed that Ashwagandha helped to improve sperm count and motility⁵.

It was also shown to increase testosterone levels and study participants had higher levels of antioxidants in their blood.

Of course, consult with your qualified heath practitioner before using of any herbs or supplements if there is a chance that you may be pregnant.

4. May Decrease Inflammation

Ashwagandha has been shown to reduce inflammation.

A 2012 study in the Pharmacognosy Journal showed Ashwangandha to possess anti-inflammatory effects in experimental conditions⁶.

More studies need to be done in order to examine the effects of Ashwagandha on inflammation in humans, but results are promising.

5. May Reduce Hyperglycemia

Studies have shown Ashwagandha to be helpful in lowering blood sugar levels.

A 2008 study showed use of Ashwangandha to improve fasting blood glucose levels in participants⁷.

It should be noted that initial studies are limited, and more research needs to be done into the effects of Ashwagandha on blood sugar. However, preliminary results are promising.

Risks Associated With Ashwagandha

Generally speaking, Ashwagandha is considered safe for most people.

Due to its role in increasing thyroid hormones, it should not be used by individuals who have hyperthyroid conditions, as it may exacerbate symptoms.

Also, it can interact with medications that are used in the following situations:

• Immunosuppression
• Diabetes
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Psychoactive disorders
• Hypothyroidism

As with any supplement, it’s important to discuss with your doctor or naturopath if you are considering adding it to your routine.

This is especially important if you’re on medication for any of the above conditions.

Due to its immune-stimulating effects, individuals with autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or multiple sclerosis should also avoid Ashwagandha.

Those that suspect or have been diagnosed with a food sensitivity to nightshade plants, should also avoid Ashwagandha.

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solanaceae
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23439798
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3573577/
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28829155
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19501822
6. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0975357512800538
7. https://blog.priceplow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/withania_review.pdf

Book An Appointment With Nardini Naturopathic

Are you intrigued by Ashwagandha?

Do you think it could be helpful to manage symptoms you’ve been experiencing?

Maybe you just want to learn more about this and other natural solutions for health issues you’ve been experiencing.

I’m Dr. Pat Nardini, a naturopathic doctor in Toronto, and I’m here to help.

If you have any questions about how naturopathic medicine can help you, I offer a free 15-minute health clarity session to answer your questions and help you understand your options.

Contact me, Dr. Pat, today to book your free 15-minute session.