Ashwagandha is a highly popular natural supplement for a reason. It is among the most potent adaptogens and natural anti-stress remedies known to science. In addition, it helps fine-tune various body functions.
As an adaptogen, it is equally good for reducing the higher activity of certain body functions and stimulating suppressed body functions. Thus, it may boost energy levels and still help those living with hypertension. In addition, it may enhance mood, help with anxiety, and may also help prevent depression.
Ashwagandha has traditionally been used in India and other oriental traditional medicine systems. It is often described as a Rasayana or tonic, or rejuvenator. Though it has many wonderful health effects, some of its more pronounced health benefits are below.1
Ashwagandha benefits
Reduces Stress and Anxiety
Ashwagandha is especially good for brain health. Studies suggest that glycosides (withanosides) and various alkaloids and phenolic compounds in it act on various brain centers and neurotransmitters. It is especially good for regulating mood and overcoming stress, anxiety, and depression. There are numerous clinical studies that confirm its benefits.2
Researchers have proposed multiple ways in which this wonderful herb works. It appears to modulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and sympathetic-adrenal medullary axis and also has a significant impact on GABA-ergic and serotonergic pathways.2 It might not say much to most people, but it means that it can help reduce stress and stabilize mood in many ways.
Reduces Inflammation
In recent years, low-grade chronic inflammation has gained much attention. Unlike local acute inflammation, such kind of inflammation does not cause many symptoms. It may cause some vague symptoms like sleep issues, fatigue, lack of energy, changes in appetite, body aches, and more. If chronic inflammation is neglected, it significantly increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, mental health issues, diabetes, depression, and more.
Preliminary studies suggest that Ashwagandha is quite good for controlling this low-grade inflammation. Over the long run, its benefits are marked. In fact, many of its health effects are due to its ability to modulate immunity and suppress inflammation.3
Improves Brain Function
In the last decade or so, there has been a sudden upsurge in brain disorders like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, and so on. What is worrisome is that there are no effective drugs to prevent these brain disorders. Ashwagandha contains alkaloids, withanolides, sitoindosides, and other organic compounds that are good for brain health.4
But, of course, Ashwagandha is not just to treat or prevent brain disorders. One can also use it as a brain tonic to boost memory, cognition, slow down aging, and enhance various brain functions.
Improves Immune Function
Ashwagandha boosts immunity and helps prevent various ailments, including infections. It appears that Ashwagandha is especially good for correcting low immunity. Thus, for example, one of the studies found that Ashwagandha could prevent immune suppression caused by some of the commonly used drugs like corticosteroids. Hence, it would be correct to say that Ashwagandha is a potent immunomodulator.5
Improves Sleep
If you do not sleep enough or have issues falling or staying asleep, you are at risk of many health issues. Sleep disorders increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, mood disorders, metabolic health issues, hypertension, and much more. So a good night’s sleep is essential for good health.
Ashwagandha is now widely recognized as a supplement that is quite good for enhancing sleep quality. One of the most extensive systemic reviews to date that analyzed the finding of many clinical studies concluded that there is sound evidence that Ashwagandha enhances sleep quality.6
Helps Athletic Performance
Ashwagandha is now among the popular sports supplement. It is one of the ingredients of health supplements focused on boosting athletic performance.
Ashwagandha helps in many ways and may help reduce mental and physical stress. Studies suggest that regular use of Ashwagandha may even boost VO2 max in athletes. This results in blood carrying more oxygen, lesser fatigue, and faster recovery.7
There is even more to Ashwagandha. Studies suggest that one of the ways in which it boosts athletic performance is by boosting testosterone levels.8 Thus, Ashwagandha is suitable for athletic performance and can also boost sexual function.
There could be many ways to include Ashwagandha in your daily regime. However, one of the better ways could be using Zenkgo Herbal Mood Plus Supplement, as it is exceptionally good for relieving stress, enhancing mood, and boosting brain health.
To sum up, Ashwagandha is the most potent adaptogen and brain tonic of natural origin. It is not only good but also safe for prolonged use. Above are just some of the health benefits of this wonderful natural remedy. However, it is worth knowing that it has many other beneficial health effects.
References
- Singh N, Bhalla M, Jager P de, Gilca M. An Overview on Ashwagandha: A Rasayana (Rejuvenator) of Ayurveda. African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines. 2011;8(5S). doi:10.4314/ajtcam.v8i5S.9
- Speers AB, Cabey KA, Soumyanath A, Wright KM. Effects of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) on Stress and the Stress-Related Neuropsychiatric Disorders Anxiety, Depression, and Insomnia. Curr Neuropharmacol. 2021;19(9):1468-1495. doi:10.2174/1570159X19666210712151556
- Chandra S, Chatterjee P, Dey P, Bhattacharya S. Evaluation of Anti-inflammatory Effect of Ashwagandha: A Preliminary Study in vitro. Pharmacognosy Journal. 2012;4(29):47-49. doi:10.5530/pj.2012.29.7
- Zahiruddin S, Basist P, Parveen A, et al. Ashwagandha in brain disorders: A review of recent developments. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2020;257:112876. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2020.112876
- Ziauddin M, Phansalkar N, Patki P, Diwanay S, Patwardhan B. Studies on the immunomodulatory effects of Ashwagandha. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 1996;50(2):69-76. doi:10.1016/0378-8741(95)01318-0
- Cheah KL, Norhayati MN, Yaacob LH, Rahman RA. Effect of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract on sleep: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLOS ONE. 2021;16(9):e0257843. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0257843
- Pérez-Gómez J, Villafaina S, Adsuar JC, Merellano-Navarro E, Collado-Mateo D. Effects of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) on VO2max: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients. 2020;12(4):1119. doi:10.3390/nu12041119
- Chauhan S, Srivastava MK, Pathak AK. Effect of standardized root extract of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) on well-being and sexual performance in adult males: A randomized controlled trial. Health Science Reports. 2022;5(4):e741. doi:10.1002/hsr2.741