The herb ashwagandha may help with sleep and sports performance. Stronger research is required, however some research indicates that this plant may benefit patients with issues including anxiety and infertility. One of the most significant herbs in Ayurveda, a historic alternative medicine system founded on Indian theories of natural healing, is ashwagandha. For thousands of years, people have taken ashwagandha to reduce stress, boost energy, and sharpen their minds.

The Sanskrit term “ashwagandha” means “smell of the horse,” alluding to the aroma of the herb as well as its possible potentific properties. In addition to its botanical name, Withania somnifera, it is sometimes referred to as “Indian ginseng” and “winter cherry.” The native plants of India and Southeast Asia are tiny shrubs with golden blossoms called ashwagandha. The plant’s leaves or roots are used as powder or extracts to cure a number of ailments, such as infertility and anxiety.

Research-based potential benefits of ashwagandha. The most well-known benefit of ashwagandha is perhaps its ability to lower stress. It falls under the category of an adaptogen, a chemical that aids the body in adjusting to stress. Stress-activated c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK-1), cortisol, and heat shock proteins (Hsp70) are among the stress mediators that ashwagandha may assist regulate. Additionally, it lessens the activity of your body’s hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which controls your stress response. Supplementing with ashwagandha may help reduce stress and anxiety, according to research.

In a short trial comprising fifty-eight volunteers, those who took either 250 or 600 mg of ashwagandha extract for eight weeks reported much lower levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, and a considerable reduction in perceived stress as compared to the placebo group. When compared to the placebo group, those who took the ashwagandha supplements also experienced improvements in the quality of their sleep. Another study involving 60 participants discovered that those who took 240 mg of ashwagandha extract daily for 60 days experienced much lower levels of anxiety than those who received a placebo. Ashwagandha may therefore be a beneficial supplement for stress and anxiety, according to preliminary study.

A 2021 evaluation of research, however, found insufficient data to establish a consensus regarding the best form and dosage of ashwagandha for the treatment of neuropsychiatric diseases associated with stress, including anxiety. Ashwagandha may improve athletic performance, according to research, and it might be a useful supplement for athletes.

Twelve trials including subjects who took doses of ashwagandha ranging from 120 mg to 1,250 mg daily were included in one review of the literature. The findings imply that the herb may improve exercise-related physical performance, such as strength and oxygen consumption. Ashwagandha supplementation significantly increased maximum oxygen consumption (VO2 max) in healthy individuals and athletes, according to another research that examined five studies. A person’s maximum oxygen consumption during severe exercise is known as their VO2 max. It is an assessment of lung and heart health. It is crucial for both athletes and non-athletes to have an ideal VO2 max. Higher VO2 max is linked to a lower risk of heart disease, while lower VO2 max is linked to an increased risk of death.

Furthermore, ashwagandha might aid in boosting muscular strength. In a 2015 study, male subjects who underwent resistance training for eight weeks and took 600 mg of ashwagandha daily saw noticeably bigger increases in muscle mass and strength than those in the placebo group. According to certain populations, ashwagandha may help lessen the symptoms of depression and other mental health issues.

In one study, 66 individuals with schizophrenia who were also feeling anxiety and depression were examined to see how ashwagandha affected them. Researchers discovered that those who took 1,000 mg of ashwagandha extract every day for a 12-week period experienced higher decreases in anxiety and despair than those who received a placebo. A small body of data from 2013 also points to ashwagandha as a potential treatment for bipolar illness patients’ cognitive impairment. Ashwaghanda may aid in the management of melancholy, anxiety, insomnia, and other neurological and mental health conditions, according to a review published in 2021. More study is, however, required for all of these applications.

There is a little body of research that suggests ashwagandha may help those who have high blood sugar or diabetes. An analysis of twenty-four papers, five of which were clinical trials including diabetics, revealed that ashwagandha administration markedly lowered blood sugar, insulin, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), blood lipids, and markers of oxidative stress. The explanation could be that some of the chemicals found in ashwagandha, such as withaferin A (WA), have potent antidiabetic properties and may encourage the uptake of glucose by cells from the bloodstream. Nonetheless, the current state of research is inadequate, and more carefully planned investigations are required.

Although the long-term effects of ashwagandha are unknown, most people should be able to consume it safely for up to three months. However, ashwagandha might not be safe for someone who: is nursing a baby; is pregnant, as excessive doses may cause pregnancy loss; is taking certain drugs, such as barbiturates, anticonvulsants, or benzodiazepines; is set to have surgery; has an autoimmune or thyroid condition; has liver issues.

The following side effects have been observed by some ashwagandha supplement users, discomfort in the upper gastrointestinal tract, fatigue, diarrhea and vomiting Ashwagandha may take many months to start showing results, and they may not happen right away. To be sure using ashwagandha or any other supplement is safe for you, always consult a physician.

According to study results, it might aid in lowering stress and anxiety, promoting sound sleep, and even enhancing cognitive performance in some groups. In the short term, ashwagandha is probably safe for most people. But, it’s not suitable for everyone, so before incorporating ashwagandha into your regimen, see a medical specialist.

REFERENCES:

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/ashwagandha
https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/15/4/1057
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/how-accurate-are-the-claims-about-ashwagandhas-benefits

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