Overview

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is commonly known as Indian Winter cherry, Asgand or Indian Ginseng is a high-value medicinal plant of the family Solanaceae that grows in India, the Middle East, and parts of Africa Besides the drier parts of India, it also grows up to a height of 1700 m in Himalayan region (mainly Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jammu and Kashmir). It possesses a wide array of health benefits due to the presence of several bioactive metabolites in it.

Benefits

Ashwagandha lowers cortisol and acts as a natural aphrodisiac. In men, ashwagandha is shown to boost testosterone levels and enhance sexual performance. ashwagandha is also shown to improve sexual function in women. Research shows that women taking ashwagandha have better orgasms, more arousal, increased lubrication, and higher satisfaction in their sex lives.Ashwagandha has been shown to support a sluggish thyroid for people diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease, or underactive thyroid.
Ashwagandha may be useful in supporting adrenal function and helping overcome adrenal fatigue. Your adrenals are endocrine glands that are responsible for releasing hormones, specifically cortisol and adrenaline, in response to stress.
Ashwagandha helps you cope with stress by reducing the release of cortisol, which is the body’s major stress hormone. As an adaptogen, ashwagandha also improves your body’s resilience and resistance to stress.
Ashwagandha is shown to help athletes and everyday gymgoers put on more muscle mass when they work out by improving muscle strength and recovery, ashwagandha can help strength trainers make faster gains.

Ashwagandha in your protein shake each day or taking it every morning could help you have better workouts. Ashwagandha not only enhances your cardiorespiratory capacity and muscle growth but also your physical endurance during exercise.
When taken regularly, ashwagandha can enhance memory function and potentially protect against the development of Alzheimer’s and dementia. It was shown to reverse memory and brain function deficits in mice with Alzheimer’s disease.

Dosage

As a dietary supplements for adults take one capsule twice a day preferably after meal or as directed by physician.

Precautions

Unfortunately, the use of ashwagandha by certain people may lead to serious side effects. Groups of people who should not use ashwagandha include:

People who are pregnant or breastfeeding
People with diabetes
People with high blood pressure
People having surgery
People with stomach ulcers
People with autoimmune conditions
People with thyroid disorders

Side Effects

While the side effects of ashwagandha are minimal, but due to high dosage some people may experience:

• Diarrhea.
• Gastrointestinal upset.
• Vomiting and nausea.

Warning

Do not use if seal is broken.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place

Keep out of sight and reach of children

Nutritional Value

100gm serving of ashwagandha contain:

Energy: 245 Kcal
Carbohydrate: 49.9 gm
Dietary Fiber: 32.3 gm
Protein: 3.9 gm
Iron: 3.3 mg
Calcium: 23 mg
Vitamin C: 3.7 mg