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What is Ashwagandha an important herb in ayurvedic medicine that has antioxidant properties. Ashwagandha Health Benefits Ashwagandha is used to boost the immune system of the body and used as a general tonic or an “adaptogen” to help the body cope with stress

Ashwagandha Side effects and warnings. Ashwagandha is considered safe at recommended dosages and short term use. Prolonged usage may cause side effects such as irritation of the stomach lining, stomach upset, vomiting and diarrhea. Ashwagandha can also cause abortions.

Scientific Name:  Withania somnifera
ASHWAGANDHA

Other Names:
Ajagandha, Amangura, Amukkirag, Asana, Asgand, Asgandh, Asgandha, Ashagandha, Ashvagandha, Ashwaganda, Asoda, Asvagandha, Aswagandha, Ayurvedic Ginseng, Cerise d'Hiver, Clustered Wintercherry, Indian Ginseng, Winter Cherry, Withania.

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a plant in the Solanaceae or nightshade family valued in ayurvedic medicine as a medicinal plant to promote overall good health. For couple of centuries, Ashwagandha has been used in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka in traditional medicine. It is used to treat and prevent memory loss, impotence and debility among others. For these perceived health benefits, Ashwagandha is sometimes referred to as the Indian ginseng. Its name - Ashwagandha means “scent of a horse” in Sanskrit, owing probably for the root’s horse-like smell.

Ashwagandha Description

Ashwagandha is an erect annual branched shrub that is native to South Asia, Middle East and North Africa. Ashwagandha can grow to a height of 4 feet with simple, ovate leaves about 10 cm long. It has hermaphrodite flowers, yellow to greenish in color about 5 cm in width that blooms all year round. Ashwagandha fruits are berry like about 5 cm in diameter that is enclosed in a calyx. The shape is globose, green when unripe and turns to red-orange as it ripens it is sometimes called winter berry.  Ashwagandha seeds are bean shaped, yellow to red orange coloured, somewhat scally. It has a central stem and branches are covered by wool-like hairs.

Ashwagandha has many claimed health benefits; however, there are limited scientific studies to substantiate these claims.  However, some chemicals found in ashwagandha were known to affect the brain functions, reduce swelling, lower the blood pressure and alter the immune system.

Traditionally, ashwagandha is used to boost the immune system of the body and used as a general tonic or an “adaptogen” to help the body cope with stress, defer aging and expedite healing. Ashwagandha is used in managing pain and swelling associated with arthritis and rheumatism, used in treating wounds and ulcers and as an enhancer of sexual desires and fertility for men and women. Ashwagandha is also used to improve memory and brain functions.

Other claimed health benefits from ashwagandha include the treatment for the following:

Anxiety
Arthritis,
Skin asthma,
Backache,
Bronchitis,
Fibromyalgia.
Hiccups,
Inducing vomiting.
Infertility.
Inflammation (swelling)
Insomnia,
Leukoderma,
Liver problems.
Menstrual problems,
Pain and body aches
Signs of aging.
Stress.
Tuberculosis.
Tumors.
Ulcer.
Wounds

Free radical scavenging activity of Ashwagandha in type 2 Diabetic rats

The Journal, Acta Poloniae Pharmaceutica, November 2012, published a study on protective effects of Withania somnifera against oxidative stress and pancreatic beta-cell damage in type 2 diabetic rats. Experimentation has shown that by administering ashwagandha extracts, the blood sugar glucose levels were significantly decreased as well as the lipid peroxidation level. The glutathione content was noted to increase as compared to the control group. There is also a significant increase in the activities of antioxidant enzymes namely GPx, GR, GST, SOD and CAT when compared with type 2 diabetic control rats. Significant reduction in the number and size of pancreatic beta-cells were preserved to near normal morphology by the administration of ashwagandha in type 2 diabetic rats as evident from histopathological examination. The results obtained clearly indicate that ashwagandha has shown strong free radical scavenging activity and helped in improving the non-enzymatic and enzymatic antioxidants in type 2 diabetic rats.

Ashwagandha root extract ameliorates hypobaric hypoxia induced memory impairment in rats.

A study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, January 2013, evaluated the neuroprotective and prophylactic potential of ashwagandha  root extract in ameliorating hypobaric hypoxia induced memory impairment in rats. The study suggested that ashwagandha root extract prevented hypobaric hypoxia induced memory impairment and neurodegeneration as well as ashwagandha decreased nitric oxide, corticosterone, oxidative stress and AchE activity in hippocampal region. The study further concluded that ashwagandha root extract can ameliorated hypobaric hypoxia induced memory impairment and neurodegeneration in hippocampus through nitric oxide mediated modulation of corticosterone levels.

Antioxidant properties and Antibacterial activities of Ashwagandha

The Journal of BMC Complementary and  Alternative Medicine of October  2012, reported a study about  the antioxidant property and antibacterial activity of ashwagandha root extract. The study done in the Department of Botany, Rajshahi University, Rajshahi, Bangladesh reported that Withania somnifera, also known as ashwagandha, an important herb in ayurvedic and indigenous medical systems exhibits significant antioxidant properties. When DPPH scavenging activity, (FRAP) ferric reducing antioxidant power, ferrous chelation and inhibition of β-carotene bleaching capacity were measured above standard. Antibacterial activities were measured using the agar well diffusion method and the leaf extracts displayed the highest activity against S. typhi.  followed by E. coli. This study suggests that  W. somnifera exhibited significant antibacterial activities against Gram-negative bacteria, particularly S. typhi. And possess antioxidant activity.

Ashwagandha when taken by mouth is considered safe for short-term use. There are no sufficient studies that determine safety in long-term use.

Ashwagandha may cause side effects such as irritation of the stomach lining, stomach upset, vomiting and diarrhea. Not recommended for people with gastrointestinal tract problems.
Ashwagandha may cause skin irritation and allergies.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Ashwagandha is considered unsafe for pregnant women where it might cause abortion or miscarriage.

Ashwagandha use while breast feeding is likewise discouraged due to lack of sufficient studies on its side effects to the baby.

There are no sufficient studies made for its effects on very young children. Use is discouraged.

Ashwagandha use may activate the immune system in conditions of “Auto-immune diseases” and may increase the symptoms of the disease.

Ashwagandha may increase the effects of anaesthesia during surgery and may hamper recovery. Refrain the use of ashwagandha for 2 weeks prior to any surgery.

Where to Get Ashwagandha medicine

Ashwagandha contains beneficial chemicals such as alkaloids, amino acids, choline and withanolides. While these chemicals are found in the leaves and fruits, the root of the ashwagandha plant is commonly used in herbal medicine.

Ashwagandha can be bought in most health and herbs shops in a variety of preparations, including bulk powder, capsule form, teas, tinctures and herbal formulas. Ashwagandha can also be bought online such as in Amazon.

It is best that you buy your herbal medicines from a reputable manufacturer to ensure safety and efficacy. Look for items with favourable reviews to gain confidence.

Ashwagandha is likewise available in amazon online store such as Swanson Ashwagandha Powder that has a couple of favorable reviews.

The recommended dose for adults is up to 6000 mg per day when in capsule form.  Ashwagandha tea can be made by boiling one part of ashwagandha roots to 10 parts of water taken one cup, 2 times per day.

Powdered and tincture forms can be mixed with other teas or milk. Always check and follow the recommended dosage found in product labels.

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