Stress, environmental contaminants, and poor nutrition all have a detrimental impact on our nervous systems.
Ashwagandha, or winter cherry, is a herb that may be helpful with the factors mentioned above because of its effects on mental, physical, and emotional health. With that, investigations into the herb’s powerful effects on the body have sparked an explosion of interest, and research has reported exciting potential for human health.
Ashwagandha is frequently referred to as “Indian ginseng” because of its invigorating properties, even though botanically, ginseng and Ashwagandha are unrelated.
Belonging to the same family as the tomato, Ashwagandha is a plump shrub with oval leaves and yellow flowers. Ashwagandha contains many useful medicinal chemicals, including withanolides (steroidal lactones), alkaloids, choline, fatty acids, amino acids, and a variety of sugars. While the leaves and fruit have valuable therapeutic properties, the root of the Ashwagandha plant is the part most commonly used in Western herbal remedies.
Some common of the healing effects of Ashwagandha are the following:
Some people also use ashwagandha for improving thinking skill, decreasing pain and swelling (inflammation), and preventing the effects of aging. One of the mechanisms responsible for this effect is ashwagandha’s antioxidant action. Since oxidative stress contributes to neurodegenerative disorders, lessening oxidative damage may offer neuroprotection.
Ashwagandha is also believed to possess anti-stress properties. Traditionally, it was administered to induce a soothing and calming effect on a person. The active ingredient that is responsible for this activity is still unknown, but a variety of anti-stress properties has been observed in research experiments.
It is also used for fertility problems in men and women and also to increase libido.
Ashwagandha is typically ingested in capsule, in powder, or fresh root form that’s available in all health stores online and at your place.
For people who suffer from insomnia and anxiety, have a cup of hot milk that contains a teaspoon of powdered Ashwagandha before bedtime. Results are promising for a better, deeper sleep.
Ashwagandha might cause sleepiness so if you’re taking any medications that could interact with that effect, it’s best to consult your healthcare provider before starting any new nutritional supplement programs. Plants are powerful substances and could still have some negative effects, despite being safer than many man-made solutions.
Herbs and plants like these should be put to use while we can - who knows, one day, we might lose what Mother Nature has given to as a gift.
References:
http://consciouslifenews.com/benefits-ashwagandha-promoting-sexual-health-immune-booster/1146338/
http://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-ashwagandha.html
http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/7-amazing-benefits-of-ashwagandha-root-for-women/
Ashwagandha, or winter cherry, is a herb that may be helpful with the factors mentioned above because of its effects on mental, physical, and emotional health. With that, investigations into the herb’s powerful effects on the body have sparked an explosion of interest, and research has reported exciting potential for human health.
Ashwagandha is frequently referred to as “Indian ginseng” because of its invigorating properties, even though botanically, ginseng and Ashwagandha are unrelated.
Belonging to the same family as the tomato, Ashwagandha is a plump shrub with oval leaves and yellow flowers. Ashwagandha contains many useful medicinal chemicals, including withanolides (steroidal lactones), alkaloids, choline, fatty acids, amino acids, and a variety of sugars. While the leaves and fruit have valuable therapeutic properties, the root of the Ashwagandha plant is the part most commonly used in Western herbal remedies.
Some common of the healing effects of Ashwagandha are the following:
- Protects the immune system
- Helps combat the effects of stress
- Improves learning, memory, and reaction time
- Reduces anxiety and depression without causing drowsiness
- Helps reduce brain-cell degeneration
- Stabilizes blood sugar
- Helps lower cholesterol
- Offers anti-inflammatory benefits
- Contains anti-malarial properties
- Enhances sexual potency for both men and women
Some people also use ashwagandha for improving thinking skill, decreasing pain and swelling (inflammation), and preventing the effects of aging. One of the mechanisms responsible for this effect is ashwagandha’s antioxidant action. Since oxidative stress contributes to neurodegenerative disorders, lessening oxidative damage may offer neuroprotection.
Ashwagandha is also believed to possess anti-stress properties. Traditionally, it was administered to induce a soothing and calming effect on a person. The active ingredient that is responsible for this activity is still unknown, but a variety of anti-stress properties has been observed in research experiments.
It is also used for fertility problems in men and women and also to increase libido.
Ashwagandha is typically ingested in capsule, in powder, or fresh root form that’s available in all health stores online and at your place.
For people who suffer from insomnia and anxiety, have a cup of hot milk that contains a teaspoon of powdered Ashwagandha before bedtime. Results are promising for a better, deeper sleep.
Ashwagandha might cause sleepiness so if you’re taking any medications that could interact with that effect, it’s best to consult your healthcare provider before starting any new nutritional supplement programs. Plants are powerful substances and could still have some negative effects, despite being safer than many man-made solutions.
Herbs and plants like these should be put to use while we can - who knows, one day, we might lose what Mother Nature has given to as a gift.
References:
http://consciouslifenews.com/benefits-ashwagandha-promoting-sexual-health-immune-booster/1146338/
http://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-ashwagandha.html
http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/7-amazing-benefits-of-ashwagandha-root-for-women/