| Part used |
Root |
| Use |
- 1/2 tsp dried root in 8oz water decoct 10 mins and steep 1/2 hour
- Supplement – Ashwagandha extract capsules
- Note that effects may take a week of daily use to become effective
|
| Benefits |
- Calming adaptogen
- Rejuvenating, balancing and strengthening to nervous system, relieving fatigue, nervous exhaustion and memory loss
- Treats anxiety, fatigue, cloudy thinking and nervous exhaustion
- It has been used for over 3,000 years to relieve stress, increase energy levels, and improve concentration (study)
- A study published in the journal Phytomedicine showed that the herb had the ability to reduce anxiety levels
- Studies have shown that ashwagandha may help reduce cortisol levels (study1, study2, study3)
- Several controlled studies have shown that it can reduce symptoms in people with stress and anxiety disorders (study1, study2, study3)
- Studies suggest ashwagandha may help alleviate depression (study1, study2).
- Anti-Alzheimer’s
- modifies the way the brain uses acetylcholine when brain oxygen is low
- prevents cannibalisation of brain cells which cause neuro-fibrillary tangles that lead to Alzeheimer’s
- Several studies have examined ashwagandha’s ability to slow or prevent loss of brain function in people with diseases like Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s, and Parkinson’s
- Other studies suggest that ashwagandha may mitigate memory and brain function problems caused by injury or disease (study1, study2, study3, study4).
- Treats cancer by suppressing tumors and preventing white blood cell depletion
- Enhances endocrine function
- regulates thyroid, testes and adrenal glands
- treats hypothyroidism by stimulating the thyroid gland
- Treats hypo- and hyper-immune function (eg auto-immune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis)
- Mild aphrodisiac that reduces premature ejaculation, increases sexual stamina, and have powerful effects on testosterone levels and reproductive health (study1, study2, study3, study4).
- Sports aide – gives instant charge of energy without stimulants
- Immune support – Studies have found that it increases the activity of natural killer cells, which are immune cells that fight infection (study 1, study2).
- Treats Arthritis
- Many of its health benefits are attributed to its high concentration of withanolides, which have been shown to fight inflammation and tumor growth (study)
- One study found the herb to have strong potential as a treatment option for rheumatoid arthritis
|
| Dangers |
Nightshade family plant; avoid in cases of hyperthyroidism; avoid during pregnancy (can induce abortion) |
Research studies
- Withanolide sulfoxide from Aswagandha roots inhibits nuclear transcription factor-kappa-B, cyclooxygenase and tumor cell proliferation; Mulabagal, V., Subbaraju, G. V., Rao, C. V., Sivaramakrishna, C., DeWitt, D. L., Holmes, D., Sung, B., Aggarwal, B. B., Tsay, H.-S. and Nair, M. G. (2009); Phytother. Res., 23: 987–992. doi: 10.1002/ptr.2736
- Withanolides potentiate apoptosis, inhibit invasion, and abolish osteoclastogenesis through suppression of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation and NF-κB–regulated gene expression; Ichikawa, H., Takada, Y., Shishodia, S., Jayaprakasam, B., Nair, M.G., Aggarwal, B.B. (2006); Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, 5 (6), pp. 1434 to 1445. doi: 10.1158/1535-7163.MCT-06-0096
Adapted from
Winston, D. & Maimes, S. (2007). Adaptogens: Herbs for strength, stamina and stress releif. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press
Balch, P.A. (2002). Prescription for herbal healing. New York, NY: Avery books
Additional resources
Medical News Today
Healthline
Like this:
Like Loading...
Related
ELATE! - Evolve, Love And Transform Everyday! 