Organic Ashwagandha Root Powder
Ashwagandha also known as Winter Cherry (not to be confused with Physalis alkekengi as they are both known as Winter Cherry) is a shrub belonging to the same family as the tomato, the “nightshades”. It is a plump shrub with oval leaves and yellow flowers that produce a red fruit about the size of a raisin.
The herb is native to the dry regions of India, northern Africa, and the Middle East, but today is also grown in more mild climates, including in the United States.
Both the berries and the root of the Ashwagandha plant are used to create an herbal powder that people use for a host of reasons. The powder can be consumed in capsule form or as a powder drunk in some liquid medium.
It is frequently referred to as “Indian ginseng” because of its rejuvenating properties, even though botanically, ginseng and Ashwagandha are unrelated.
The name Ashwagandha is from the Sanskrit language and is a combination of the word ashva, meaning horse, and gandha, meaning smell. The root has a strong aroma that is described as “horse-like.” The horse reference was also used because the herb imparts the vigor and strength of a stallion, and it has thus been traditionally prescribed to help people strengthen their immune system after an illness.
Ashwagandha has been used in traditional African medicine for a variety of ailments.
Ashwagandha is also used as an adaptogen (Adaptogens are substances- a combination of amino acids, vitamins, and herbs that modulate your response to stress or a changing environment). It therefore helps the body cope with external stresses such as toxins in the environment and internal stresses such as anxiety and insomnia. It therefore can also be used as a genera tonic
Ashwagandha also contains chemicals that might help calm the brain, reduce swelling (inflammation), lower blood pressure, and alter the immune system.
It has been used for improving thinking ability, decreasing pain and swelling (inflammation), and preventing the effects of aging. It is also used for fertility problems in men and women and also to increase sexual desire.
Ashwagandha can also be applied to the skin for treating wounds, backache, and one-sided paralysis (hemiplegia).
Ashwagandha can be used for the following:
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To lower blood pressure
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Arthritis and other muscular-skeletal disorders
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Anxiety and stress induced nervous exhaustion and hypertention
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Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
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Tumours
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Tuberculosis
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Asthma
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Skin conditions
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Lower blood pressure
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Lower diabetes sugar levels
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Bronchitis
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Backache
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Fibromyalgia
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Menstrual problems
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Hiccups
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Chronic liver disease
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Boosts the immune system
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Promotes the production of healthy blood cells
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Helps to maintain healthy liver function
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Improves vitality and sexual potency in men
Benefits of Ashwagandha Root for Women
Ashwagandha may enhance energy, support aging, and stimulate sex drive. Here are 7 benefits women may experience with ashwagandha.
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Promotes Graceful Aging
Stress, both metabolic and emotional, dramatically affects aging. Cortisol, the body’s stress hormone, contributes to muscle loss and weakness, wrinkles, and cognitive impairment. Research has found that ashwagandha improves resistance to stress, possibly decreasing cortisol production. [1] One study of 64 individuals observed a reduction in stress and a significant decrease in cortisol levels in individuals taking ashwagandha compared with placebo.
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Menopausal Support
Ashwagandha acts on the endocrine system by encouraging hormone balance. A study involving 51 menopausal women supplementing with ashwagandha noted a significant reduction in symptoms such as hot flashes, anxiety, and mood.
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Sexual Potency
The Kama Sutra, one of the oldest surviving texts on human sexuality, mentions ashwagandha in its literature as a potent sexual stimulant. Research indicates that the herb supports sexual health and vitality by increasing blood flow and reducing bodily tension. Women taking ashwagandha typically experience an increase in sexual desire and satisfaction.
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Memory Support
Recent research has shown that ashwagandha reduces memory impairment in animal models. The herb may also protect the brain from the oxidative stress that leads toneurodegeneration. Relaxation, a benefit derived from the herb’s stress-fighting effects, also improves long-term visual memory.
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Revitalization
Another benefit many women report after taking this herb is in regards to energy levels. This anecdotal evidence is supported by scientific investigation; a recent study reported ashwagandha’s benefits for improving memory while reducing stress-related disorders.
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Mood Booster
Ashwagandha is a known mood-boosting herb, and research suggests that the therapeutic plant may play a potential role in fighting mood imbalance. Women battling mood swings may benefit from supplementing with ashwaghanda.
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Fertility
Stress, illness, hormone imbalance, and nutrient deficiencies — all of these issues threaten female reproductive health and make it difficult for a woman to conceive. Research shows that ashwagandha supports thyroid function, an organ responsible for regulating hormones. Also, by decreasing stress, ashwagandha may encourage a situation that is optimal for fertility. More research is needed to clarify whether or not ashwagandha is effective for helping infertile females struggling to conceive.
Benefits of Ashwagandha Root for Men
It has been clinically proven to simultaneously do all of the following for Men:
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Naturally increase free and total testosterone in men
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Reduce anxiety
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Reduce stress levels
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Increase sexual arousal and sexual performance
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Increase physical strength, stamina, and muscle size as it is an ‘anabolic,’ meaning ‘to build muscle’
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Shorten recovery time after workout
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Reduce the stress hormone “cortisol”
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Improve cognition and memory
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Improve feelings of happiness
Cautions
Do not use ashwagandha if you are pregnant.
Do not use ashwagandha if you have a stomach ulcer.
If you have an auto immune disease such as multiple sclerosis… it is best to avoid using ashwagandha as it can cause the immune system to become more active, potentially increasing the symptoms of auto immune diseases. Healthcare providers worry that anesthesia and other medications during and after surgery might also increase this effect. Therefore stop taking ashwagandha at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Ashwagandha might increase thyroid hormone levels. Ashwagandha should be used cautiously or avoided if you have a thyroid condition or take thyroid hormone medications.
