Ashwagandha is an evergreen shrub that grows in Asia and Africa also called “Indian ginseng. It has been used as Ayurvedic medicine and also gives natural healing. It contains chemicals that might relieve stress, increase energy levels reduce swelling, lower blood pressure, and alter the immune system.
Scientific Name: Withania Somnifera
Medical benefits:
- Reduce Stress and anxiety: appears to help control mediators of stress, including heat shock proteins (Hsp70), cortisol, and stress-activated c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK-1) (4Trusted Source) also reduces the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, a system in your body that regulates the stress response.
- May boost athletic performance: Ashwagandha significantly enhanced maximum oxygen consumption (VO2 max) in healthy adults and athletes consequently physical performance increased. Ashwagandha Powder also helps increase muscle strength.
VO2 max is the maximum amount of oxygen a person can use during intense activity. It’s a measurement of heart and lung fitness.
- May Boost testosterone and increase fertility in men: Research shows that Ashwagandha 18% greater increase in DHEA-S, a sex hormone involved in testosterone production, and significantly increased sperm concentration, semen volume, and sperm motility in men with low sperm count.
- May reduce blood sugar level: Certain compounds in ashwagandha, including one called withaferin A (WA), have powerful antidiabetic activity and may help stimulate cells to take in glucose from the bloodstream.
- May reduce inflammation: Researchers have found that WA (Compound in Ashwagandha) targets inflammatory pathways in the body, including signal molecules, called nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) helps reduce inflammation.
Doses: ~ ½ Tea Spoon per day
Warning: Large doses can cause upset stomach, diarrhea, and vomiting. Risks. Talk to a doctor before using ashwagandha