What is Withania Somnifera or Ashwagandha good for?: 2024

What is Withania Somnifera or Ashwagandha good for? This question is keep coming up from everyone’s mouth nowadays due to its immense benefits. Especially if you are in the fitness industry. People are so confused about Ashwagandha that they end up thinking it is some kind of a new magical herb. However, This magical herb is been used in India for thousands of years. And who is more suitable to answer your questions than someone who is personally using this for years and is an Indian?

In this article, We will Check out what is Withania Somnifera or Ashwagandha good for on the basis of scientific evidence, and we will also answer a few general questions like, can ashwagandha cause depression, Is ashwagandha Safe to be taken per day? and use of Ashwagandha.

What is Withania Somnifera or Ashwagandha?

Withania Somnifera or more famously Ashwagandha is a very common herb in India, which now has gained popularity in western culture due to its immense benefits. It is being used in India for more than 3000 Years in Ayurveda to treat a number of general problems and diseases.

The name Ashwagandha comes from the Sanskrit language, which means the ‘smell of the horse’, as it has a distinct horse-like smell. The root, leaves, and berries of the Ashwagandha plant are also used for medicinal purposes.

This magical herb is also known as Indian ginseng, winter cherry, or poison gooseberry. Withania Somnifera or Ashwagandha can majorly be found in India and in some parts of Africa.

Use of Ashwagandha/ What is Ashwagandha good for?

The reason it is being used as Indian ayurvedic medicine for so long and it gained so much popularity in western culture is because of its unnumbered benefits. Withania Somnifera or Ashwagandha is classified as an adaptogen, which means it helps the body cope with stress and anxiety. It also has a lot of benefits, related to fitness and health.

1. Ashwagandha for Stress and Anxiety

Ashwagandha has a big reputation as an adaptogen ayurvedic medicine. Which makes its main function the ability to reduce stress and anxiety.

Studies have shown that this herb can lower cortisol levels, which is the steroid hormone responsible for the body’s stress response. It has also been great in improving symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Ashwagandha for Stress and Anxiety — *Reference:* **Ashwagandha NCBI**

If you are afraid of the Tik Tok trend that, Ashwagandha makes you emotionless. No, It doesn’t make you emotionless or numb.

2. Ashwagandha for Brain Function

Another benefit of this magical herb is the ability to improve brain function.

Studies done on 130 adults have shown that Ashwagandha can increase focus and improve memory in people. Withania Somnifera or Ashwagandha also has neuroprotective properties, which means it can help protect the brain from damage caused by free radicals (Free radicals are unstable molecules that can build up in cells and cause damage to other molecules, such as DNA, lipids, and proteins. This damage may increase the risk of cancer and other diseases).

Ashwagandha for Brain Function — *Reference:* **Ashwagandha NCBI**

3. Ashwagandha for Immune Function

One of the reasons why suddenly Ashwagandha has risen to popularity is because of COVID. Ashwagandha has immune-boosting properties. Which is absolutely necessary for the pandemic period which we are currently in.

A recent study done in 2021 has been shown to increase white blood cell production, which can help the body fight off infections and illnesses. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce inflammation in the body.

Ashwagandha for Immune Function — *Reference:* **Ashwagandha NCBI**

3. Ashwagandha boosts testosterone

Ashwagandha has also been known to increase testosterone levels in both men and women. This is another reason Ashwagandha gained sudden popularity in the fitness world.

A study done in 2019 on 57 individuals shows ashwagandha supplementation significantly increased testosterone levels in men and women who were undergoing strength training. Higher levels of testosterone can help with muscle gain and fat loss, making ashwagandha an excellent supplement for fitness enthusiasts.

Ashwagandha boosts testosterone — *Reference:* **Ashwagandha NCBI**

4. Ashwagandha for Muscle Gain

Ashwagandha got recent popularity in the fitness world. With an increase in testosterone, Ashwagandha is also good at increasing muscle mass and strength.

A study done on 57 individuals for 8 weeks showed a significant increase in muscle mass and strength compared to the individuals who didn’t take it. It also showed to be reducing muscle damage and soreness after exercising and helped in a quick recovery.

Ashwagandha for Muscle Gain — *Reference:* **Ashwagandha NCBI**

5. Ashwagandha for Weight Loss and Weight Gain

If your goal is to lose weight or weight gain, Ashwagandha can help you with that.

As mentioned above Ashwagandha is great when it comes to reducing stress or anxiety. When you feel stressed your body releases cortisol hormones to balance up your stress levels. Many people end up being victims of overeating because cortisol increases carvings. Ashwagandha has been shown to reduce these cortisol levels.

A study done on 52 individuals (male and female) showed that Ashwagandha can make a significant impact when it comes to weight management by reducing cortisol levels and ultimately reducing food cravings.

Ashwagandha for Weight Loss and Weight Gain — *Reference:* **Ashwagandha NCBI**

6. Ashwagandha for Height

Another benefit of this magical herb Ashwagandha is it can also help to increase height in children. Although Ashwagandha does not increase height directly but ashwagandha does produce more HGH (human growth hormone) if you are in puberty as ashwagandha gives deeper sleep (HGH is produced during deep sleep) which provides optimal growth.

Is Ashwagandha Safe?

Now that we have learned so many benefits for which Ashwagandha is good for. But, as always there remains a question in our mind, ‘Is Ashwagandha Safe?’

The short answer is, ‘YES‘. Ashwagandha is completely safe to consume. I myself have been taking it for years and I haven’t faced any issues ever. In India, it is being used as the source of ayurvedic medicine for more than 3000 years now.

And if you don’t believe in ancient culture medicine or you still have some doubt in your mind and you only believe in modern medicine.

Ashwagandha has been proven safe, according to a study done by modern science on 80 individuals(40 male and 40 female) for 8 weeks.

Is Ashwagandha Safe? — *Reference:* **Ashwagandha NCBI**

Potential Side Effects of Ashwagandha

We have learned so many benefits and that Ashwagandha is safe to be consumed if taken within recommended doses. However, as always nothing is perfect and Ashwagandha is no different. There could be some potential Side effects as well.

1. Gastrointestinal Issues

This is the most common type of issue which one can face when taking Ashwagandha. Ashwagandha can cause gastrointestinal-type issues like diarrhea, nausea, and upset stomach, particularly when taken in high doses. So, please take it with precautions and within recommended (mentioned) doses only.

2. Hypotension/Low Blood Pressure

We learned above that Ashwagandha is a herb that is classified as an adaptogen, which means it helps the body cope with stress and anxiety. So, if you have already pre-existing low blood pressure problem, please avoid taking Ashwagandha or Consider consulting your doctor.

3. Allergic Reactions

Another rare but potential side effect of ashwagandha is an allergic reaction. If you are already allergic to plants in the Solanaceae family, such as tomatoes, potatoes, and peppers, you can also potentially be allergic to ashwagandha.

Symptoms of an allergic reaction from ashwagandha include itching, hives, and difficulty breathing.

Note: If you experience any of these symptoms after using ashwagandha, please stop using it immediately and seek medical attention.

4. Interference with Medications

Ashwagandha can interact with certain medications, especially medications for high blood pressure or diabetes. It is majorly due to its opposite nature. So, If you are thinking of taking Ashwagandha and are taking any medications, talk to your doctor before taking ashwagandha.

Conclusion

What is Withania Somnifera or Ashwagandha good for? With the sudden rise in popularity in western culture this question has become a hot topic. There are a lot of benefits for which Ashwagandha is good especially if you look from the fitness perspective.

A few of the things which Withania Somnifera or Ashwagandha is good at are, Increasing brain health, boosting immunity, increasing testosterone, increasing muscle mass and strength, and weight management. It is completely safe to be consumed as per studies. However, do not take it with other medications without consulting your doctor or if you have low blood pressure problems. Also, make sure to don’t exceed the recommended dose limit.

FAQ

Q1. Can Ashwagandha be taken by pregnant or breastfeeding women?

Although it is good to take ashwagandha when you are looking to get pregnant as it boosts sexual drive and fertility in both men and women. However, If you are already Pregnant and breastfeeding women. You should avoid taking Ashwagandha, as it can cause uterine contractions.

Q2. Ashwagandha can increase height?

Ashwagandha cannot increase height directly. However, ashwagandha does produce more HGH (human growth hormone) if you are in puberty as ashwagandha gives deeper sleep (HGH is produced during deep sleep) which provides optimal growth.

Q3. Is Ashwagandha Safe to take daily?

Yes, It is completely safe to be taken daily. However, make sure to never exceed the recommended doses as it can have some side effects like diarrhea, upset stomach etc.

Q4. Can Ashwagandha cause depression?

No, Ashwagandha doesn’t cause depression. In fact, there are several studies and researches which prove the opposite that Ashwagandha instead is helpful to treat depression.

Q5. Can you take Ashwagandha with Antidepressants?

You should not take Ashwagandha with any other type of medication as it can react with it, without consulting with your doctor first.

Q6. How long does it take for Ashwagandha to work?

The effects of Ashwagandha competely depend on the individual and the dose taken per day. Some people may experience effects immediately within a few days, while others may take several weeks to see a noticeable change.

Q7. Can ashwagandha cause acne?

There is no proven research supporting this. Instead, Ashwagandha is beneficial for treating acne due to its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects.

Q8. How much Ashwagandha per day?

The recommended dose to take ashwagandha is 300-500mg per day. You can take it in any form let it be powder or capsules. You should always try to take it with food to improve its absorption. Also, make sure to buy ashwagandha from a trusted source to ensure purity and quality.

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