Ashwagandha is a traditional Indian herb that also has a name in Ayurveda. It grows in many parts of the Asian and African continents and has a lot of uses in India. Indian ginseng is another name that is commonly known for this herb. The word is broken down into Ashwa, meaning "Horse," and Gandha, meaning "smell," which translates to Horse's smell. The scientific name given to the herb is "Somnifera," which means sleeping. It got its name due to its effective sedative properties.
Ashwagandha has a lot of health benefits, such as providing a boost to immunity, stress relief, and many more that we will discuss in the coming sections of the blog. There have been studies to test the use of Ashwagandha as an adaptogen. However, it is still not conclusive enough. It is because there are not sufficient human trials.
Even if the medical evidence is inconclusive, using Ashwagandha as an adaptogen has been very prominent in Ayurveda. It means that it can provide relief from stress and is well-known for its effects, traditionally.
Different Forms Of Ashwagandha And How You Can Effectively Consume It
Ashwagandha is a herb that comes from the roots of the Ashwagandha plant. It can be used after mixing it with other ingredients to make it consumable due to its strong bitter flavor. This is also the reason why it may not be a good idea to consume it raw. The different forms of Ashwagandha that you can find are as follows:
Capsules
Powdered form
Pills
Tincture
Gummies
There is not really a hard and fast rule to consume Ashwagandha. You can use it in raw form by mixing it with some of the dishes we eat. It can also be taken in tea, which is a way to let the herb into your lifestyle gradually.
However, one thing that you should always take note of is that there should not be any exposure to excess heat. It is because the heat can dissipate the effects of the herb that, otherwise, would have provided the benefits contained in it. Apart from exposure to excess heat, there is not much to think about. So, you can take it in any form you like.
Benefits Of Ashwagandha Tincture
There are several benefits that can be seen with the use of Ashwagandha Tincture. However, discussing it with your doctor before using it is still advisable. These are some of the benefits of Ashwagandha Tincture:
Stress Relief
There have been many studies that show that Ashwagandha can be a stress reliever. It is seen that people who take the herb see an improvement in their quality of life. This is because of its inherent adaptogenic properties.
Inflammation
Ashwagandha also has anti-inflammatory properties, which can ease the pain. Many people suffering from inflammation use Ashwagandha daily. The sole reason is the relief it provides from the inflammatory pain.
Muscle Growth
Its adaptogenic capabilities also make it suitable for enhancing strength and prolonging the consumer's life. Your immunity, energy levels, and daily performance can also improve with its use.
Blood Sugar Level
People with high blood sugar also use it. It does this by enhancing the synthesis of Insulin. This increases Insulin in the user's body, which helps lower the blood sugar level.
Sexual Performance
It can also improve testosterone levels in males and improve sperm quality. A study indicates that it can also enhance sexual productivity in women. So, couples who are experiencing issues or want a boost in their sexual life can definitely give it a try.
Optimal Dosage Of Ashwagandha
While this is not a fact, many experts suggest that you should not consume more than 300 mg of Ashwagandha in a single take. 50-250 mg is usually a healthy range, and it can vary depending on the individual. Many large doses of the herb might give you some unwanted side effects. Smaller regular doses are much more preferable.
Is There Any Risk/Side Effect Of Using Ashwagandha?
Ashwagandha is generally a harmless herb. But, there can be certain conditions or situations that make it not safe to consume it.
One such case can be when a person is already on a medication routine and wants to add Ashwagandha to it. In such cases, it is advisable to consider the doctor you have been consulting with before adding it to your routine. The advice is because of the effect that Ashwagandha may or may not have on the medicines that you are taking. It is simply because "prevention is better than cure."
There are also conditions where the use of Ashwagandha is considered unsafe. They are as follows:
Pregnant or Breastfeeding Women
Someone who is undergoing surgery
Someone with a thyroid condition
People with Weak Immunity
If you also fall into one of these categories, you should avoid Ashwagandha as well or discuss it with your doctor before adding it to your routine.
Medical Studies Related To Ashwagandha
There are various studies that have taken place to test the effects of Ashwagandha. We will be mentioning some of them here.
Some studies took place to test out the adaptogenic properties of the herb. The stress relief properties of the alcoholic root extract of Ashwagandha(Withania somnifera) had a test on mice by checking their swimming performance in the water. The results showed that it induced a stage of nonspecific increased resistance in the time of a stressful situation.
There was also a study to test the safety and efficacy of Ashwagandha. They used the full spectrum and high concentration of the root extract. It was a test on 64 subjects and was 60 days long. The reports of that study also showed a reduction in stress and anxiety levels.
Another study with different amounts of Ashwagandha root extracts also took place. There were two samples of doses; one had a 250mg per day dosage in comparison with the standard daily dosage of 600mg. The results could be seen to have a significant reduction in stress levels. Sleep quality also improved in both samples. However, those with the standard dose showed significantly better results than the 250mg dosage.
The results of these studies can also be seen in the individuals who consume Ashwagandha. It wouldn't be wrong to say that Ashwagandha is a herb that can prolong one's life, improve their lifestyle, and can reduce the possibility of many diseases.
If you also want to try out the effects of Ashwagandha, you can try using tinctures that contain Ashwagandha. Even if no human trials have taken place to test out the effects, people have been using it because it has proven beneficial to them. The next section will guide you through the best Ashwagandha Tinctures.
Best Ashwagandha Tincture
As you have already seen, there are plenty of benefits that come along with Ashwagandha, and its tinctures are a great way to reap its benefits.
Shea's Apothecary is dedicated to providing you with the best herbal products of the highest quality. Our Ashwagandha Tincture is extracted from the purest quality Ashwagandha root and can provide you with all its benefits. It will help you boost your energy, provide pain relief, relief from mental stress and inflammation, and get better sleep.
If there is anything that concerns you or you have any queries, you can contact us, and we will try to clear all of your doubts and help you choose the best product for you.
Email: shea@sheashealingway.com
