Description
Ashwagandha contains many useful medicinal chemicals, including with anolides, (steroidal lactones), alkaloids, choline, fatty acids, amino acids, and a variety of sugars. While the leaves and fruit have valuable therapeutic properties, the root of the ashwagandha plant is the part most commonly used in Western herbal remedies. In Sanskrit ashwagandha means “the smell of a horse,” indicating that the herb imparts the vigor and strength of a stallion, and it has traditionally been prescribed to help people strengthen their immune system after an illness. In fact, it’s frequently referred to as “Indian ginseng” because of its rejuvenating properties (although botanically, ginseng and ashwagandha are unrelated).
- Confers immune system protection
- Combats the effects of stress
- Improves learning, memory, and reaction time
- Reduces anxiety and depression without causing drowsiness
- Stabilizes blood sugar
- Lowers cholesterol
- Reduces brain-cell degeneration
- Contains anti-malarial properties
- Offers anti-inflammatory benefits
Other benefits:
- Anti-Stress Powder
Ashwagandha powder is administered by Ayurvedic doctors to strengthen an exhausted nervous system that is manifesting signs such as emotional instability, agitation or feeling stressed out. The December 2000 issue of Phytomedicine published an experimental study led by Indian doctor S.K. Bhattacharya. It found that ashwagandha root has the ability to reverse damage caused by stress. Ashwagandha may be a leading herb to help individuals in our high-stress society. - Sexual Enhancer
Ashwagandha is also used in India to increase sexual potency and sperm production. The name ashwagandha means »the smell of a horse perhaps because the fresh root smells like horses’ urine, or because in folklore it is renowned for imparting the sexual stamina of a horse. Research show rejuvenating effect on the reproductive organs may help increase sperm mobility, increase sperm count and improve poor sexual performance. It also states that an external application of ashwagandha oil may be used for impotence. - Muscle Toner Ashwagandha is considered a rejuvenating or tonifying herb in Ayurveda. It is given to children who have low body weight, people with debility or those who are convalescing. In 2000, an article published in the Alternative Medicine Review showed the growth-promoting and rejuvenating effect of ashwagandha when the powdered root was given to a group of healthy children in milk for 60 days. The control group got a placebo in milk. At the end of the trial, there was an increase of weight gain and cell growth levels in the ashwagandha group over the control. Due to its muscle-building capabilities, specifically anabolic muscle, athletes may find it useful for increasing muscle weight, tone and athletic performance.
