Description
Botanical: Withania somnifera
Other common names: Indian Ginseng, Winter Cherry, Withania
Country of Origin: India
Try Ashwagandha to detoxify and rejuvenate your body. The herb acts as an overall tonic and works to stimulate the immune system and improving mental clarity and physical performance and is also reputed to enhance longevity, stimulate sexual vitality and increase sex drive. Ashwagandha is considered an effective anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and antitussive that is also used as a pain reliever and mild sedative.
Beneficial Uses:
As a major botanical tonic for overall good health and stamina, Ashwagandha has been used to rejuvenate the body and counter the ravages of ageing. It is said to boost physical performance, stimulate sexual capacity and enhance reproductive function in both men and women.
Ashwagandha is an adaptogen, or substance that helps the body adapt to emotional and physical stress and reinstate the metabolic balance in the body after stressful situations, helping the body return to normal function and restoring a sense of well-being. It is said to produce healthful effects similar to those of Panax ginseng.
Ashwagandha helps to energize and revitalize the entire central nervous system, working to avoid many stress related disorders, including the depletion of vitamin C and the increase of cortisol. The researchers also found that it may reduce the incidence of gastric ulcers and acts as a good general tonic to be used in situations involving overwork, overindulgence, nervousness and fatigue, and it also helps to combat restlessness, stress and anxiety.
Ashwagandha is considered an anti-inflammatory that may be very useful as a rheumatoid arthritis support. The plant's high steroid content was found to be more potent than hydrocortisone in animal and human arthritic studies.
As an antitussive, the herb acts as a cough suppressant; as an antiseptic, it fights infection; and as an antispasmodic, it helps to relieve involuntary muscle spasms and cramps. The last is particularly valuable when it relaxes spasms of the lungs, providing relief for both asthma and emphysema.
Ashwagandha is believed to help revive diminished sex drive. It is considered a sexual "grounding" herb that has been used to reduce frequency of premature ejaculation and enhance sexual stamina. Ashwagandha's active principles, alkaloids and withanoloids, are thought to have longevity-enhancing and sexually-stimulating properties, and the cumulative sexual effects usually take hold after about a week of daily use.
Ashwagandha is a “bitter” that is used to stimulate the appetite. When it was administered to malnourished children as a supplement, it appeared to increase body weight significantly.
Ashwagandha is considered a good tonic for the mind and useful for those who have overindulged in work, substance abuse or too much alcohol.
Contraindications:
Do not use Ashwagandha if you are taking anxiety or anti-seizure medication. Ashwagandha may potentiate the sedative effect of barbiturates. You may feel as if you want to sleep more if you take Ashwagandha and pentobarbital (medicine used to help you sleep). Pregnant women should avoid this herb, and if you are breastfeeding, speak with your doctor before taking Ashwagandha.
Do not take Ashwagandha if you have leukemia and are being treated with cyclophosphamide (a "chemo" medicine). Your medicine may be causing these symptoms which may mean you are allergic to it: Feeling cold (decrease in body temperature) or upset stomach.
