Based in Asian and African countries, Ashwagandha is a popular evergreen shrub that helps relax the brain if it is stressed out. The botanical name of this shrub is Withania Somnifera. It is also known as the winter cherry or Indian Ginseng. Traditionally, the shrub was used as an adaptogen and useful for all stress-related conditions. Besides, it has multiple health benefits, which is why it is used to prepare several Ayurvedic medicines in India. Let us tell you more about this natural healer.
Ashwagandha Origin
From ancient times, this shrub was used in ayurvedic medicine. They are used for decreasing anxiety and inflammation and can improve overall health. It can create a balance between the body and mind with the environment. They are now mostly found in Asia and Africa, and the winter cherry or the Indian Ginseng’s botanical name is Withania Somnifera.
Why Is It So Popular?
When you are very stressed and require some relaxing methods, Ashwagandha in Canada can be useful. They are popular among people who want to heal themselves with herbal medicines. Modern urban life is full of stress and anxiety. Stress can even lead to mental and physical illness. So, people will look for ways to relax.
A healthy lifestyle with proper exercise, adequate sleep, and a healthy diet can keep you physically and mentally fit. However, some people need short-term remedies with medicines. The ashwagandha capsules can be taken for relieving stress but should always be consulted with health care providers first.
Though most capsules are safe, some people may face side effects like vomiting, diarrhea, gastrointestinal problems, and nausea.
What Are The Benefits?
When the cortisol levels of the heart increase, the pumping of the heart goes faster. During stressful moments, breathing goes very fast when more glucose gets generated with the burst of energy. Your body and mind can get hyper during stressful situations, like threats. The symptoms get resolved when the situation gets over, and the cortisol level normalizes. When stress goes on for a long time for work, finances, or any pandemic, chronic conditions like obesity, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and stroke may develop.
Research has proved that Ashwagandha can normalize cortisol levels and can reduce stress levels. Besides, it can also reduce cancer risks, improve memory, reduce inflammation and improve the immune systems with anti-aging properties. Therefore Ashwagandha can be used to ease stressful conditions.
Some other benefits of ashwagandha are
- Decreases the triglycerides and cholesterol level
- Energy, strength, and muscle mass can be increased
- Cancer cells can be killed
- Weight gain can be decreased
- Men’s fertility can be increased
- Memory and brain functions can be improved.
Who Cannot Use Ashwagandha?
When you are a thyroid patient, you should not use Ashwagandha without asking your health advisor. The thyroid hormones can get increased after the usage of ashwagandha. The patients who are suffering from hypothyroidism can get benefitted but those who are suffering from hyperthyroid or the hormone level is on the borderline should not use Ashwagandha.
Pregnant women or lactating mothers should always ask their health practitioners before using ashwagandha pills. It can cause complications during pregnancy or if you have any autoimmune disease.
Does Ashwagandha Work?
Ashwagandha is known for stress relieving and may not be beneficial for other broader health benefits. High blood sugar can be controlled and the immune system can be improved. The studies have shown that ashwagandha might
- help the insomnia patients to get good sleep
- Anxiety can be relieved and brain function can be improved
- Fatigue and stress can be removed
What are the drugs to interact with Ashwagandha?
- As it is known for reducing blood sugar levels, it should be taken with sugar-lowering medicines. When the blood sugar level goes much lower, it becomes unsafe for the patients.
- Ashwagandha powder can reduce blood pressure levels and thus should not be clubbed with blood-pressure-lowering medicines.
- As ashwagandha can reduce stress, it can improve sleep also. People can become drowsy or sleepy, and sedative drugs can make them more sleepy, which can be unsafe.
- Ashwagandha can improve the thyroid hormone and so the drugs used for increasing the thyroid level should not be used without consulting your health practitioner.
What should be included in Ashwagandha supplements?
When you are going for an ashwagandha supplement, you should check whether the supplements have been properly tested and verified by some outside companies like ConsumerLab or National Sanitation Foundation International( NSFI).
Conclusion
Though ashwagandha is a well-known stress reliever, it cannot remove all your stress permanently. You should also work for a healthy lifestyle and work-life balance to reduce the anxiety and stress in your life. You should take care of all the drugs and medicines you are already taking before taking ashwagandha pills, powder, or supplements, as they should not overlap with their uses on your health.