Ashwagandha is an herb that has been used in Indian Ayurvedic medicine for centuries to improve one’s health.
Known as ‘Indian ginseng’, ashwagandha belongs to a group of herbs known as adaptogens.
They’re known as such because of their ability to adapt their functions to suit the specific needs of the individual and help to relieve stress.
The good news is that it’s easy to get ashwagandha.
Over the past few years, it has seen an increase in popularity because supplement manufacturing companies are producing and marketing ashwagandha supplements.
There are a plethora of benefits that can be accrued by consuming ashwagandha. Let’s see why it’s so potent…
Note: This is not medical advice and you should always consult your doctor if you have any health concerns.
1. Aids In weight loss
This benefit alone is enough to make millions of people take it daily.
Since it boosts metabolism, your body will be burning calories at an accelerated rate.
Over and above that, this herb reduces inflammation in the body.
When your body is less inflamed, the cells will be more responsive and your weight loss efforts will yield more progress.
2. Increases Muscle Mass
Whey protein is not the only supplement that can help build muscle.
Ashwagandha can help increase muscle mass.
This in turn increases your basal metabolic rate – which ties into the earlier point of helping you lose weight faster.
Related: 4 Reasons Your Smoothie May Be Hindering Your Weight Loss
3. Stress Relief
No list of ashwagandha benefits would be complete without mentioning how it has a positive effect on your mind.
People suffering from anxiety, inability to concentrate, stress, etc. will do well to consume an ashwagandha supplement.
It will help lower cortisol levels in your body and will help you feel productive without being stressed out.
4. Improves Endurance
Ashwagandha can have a positive effect on your endurance levels.
Once again, this will help with weight loss too because your performance during your workouts will be better and you’ll burn more calories.
5. Improves Cognitive Function
As mentioned earlier, it improves concentration and also your memory power.
By protecting the neurons in the brain from damage and enhancing neuronal growth, your mental functions will be boosted and bolstered.
6. Helps Normalizes Blood Sugar Levels
This herb will be useful for people suffering from diabetes because of its ability to stabilize blood glucose levels.
7. Boosts Testosterone
Men suffering from low testosterone levels should definitely give ashwagandha a try.
This is one of the most popular benefits of this herb and it’s mentioned over and over in men’s health magazines and many men have reported an improvement after taking ashwagandha supplements.
8. Helps Boost Immunity
Since it has strong antioxidant properties, it helps to repair and protect the body’s cells.
This helps prevent inflammation and other nasty diseases from ravaging the body.
9. May Help Reduce Joint Pain
Because Ashwagandha is an analgesic it helps soothes the nervous system from pain response, therefore, has powerful anti-arthritic properties.
When Is The Best Time To Take Ashwagandha?
Users report they get the most benefits from ashwagandha when they take it in the morning or just before bed.
If you can, start using it.
Over time, you’ll definitely notice a positive difference in your health and well-being.
Is Ashwagandha Safe For Everyone?
Ashwagandha has been used by people in different age groups and both sexes without no reported side effects.
The average amount of dried root consumed in India is 2 grams per day although much larger amounts have been used in extreme cases of emaciation.
No adverse events or toxicity have been reported when consumed in the short term or on a continual basis.
The Ashwagandha I Use
Of course, if I write about it most likely I've taken it at some point.
I've taken the pill and powder forms in the past but never stayed consistent with them.
I've found it's easier for me to remember and when it tastes good and feels like a treat rather than just downing another pill.
My favorites are BEA Energy Drink and this Adaptogen Elixir.
BEA replaces my morning coffee a few times a week and the elixir just makes me feel less stressed and helps me sleep better at night.
Bottom Line
The takeaway is that ashwagandha has too many benefits to ignore and during these stressful times most of us could benefit from adding it to our daily regimen.
Sources:
https://journals.sagepub.com
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
https://inspirehealthandspirit.com
