Ashwagandha is a medicinal plant. It uses for medicines from ancient times. Its roots and berries are used to make ayurvedic medicine.
Ashwagandha provides numerous health benefits and good for the body and brain. It is one of the most important herbs in Ayurveda.
Health Benefits of Ashwagandha
- Reduce blood sugar levels
- Reduce stress and anxiety
- Treatment of Arthritis
- Boost testosterone and increase fertility in men
- Increase muscle mass and strength
- May lower cholesterol
- May improve brain function and memory
1. Reduce blood sugar levels
Ashwagandha helps to reduce blood sugar levels in people suffering from diabetes. It is widely used in Ayurveda to treat diabetes from above 3000 years.
One study shows that Ashwagandha improved insulin sensitivity and secretion in muscle cells. It is also helpful to reduce the blood sugar level in healthy peoples as per research.
2. Reduce depression, stress and anxiety
Ashwagandha helps to reduce stress and anxiety levels.(1)
A 60-day study of 64 people with chronic stress, Given One capsule twice a day containing 300 mg of high-concentration full-spectrum extract from the root of the Ashwagandha plant. Ashwagandha reported a 69% reduction in anxiety and insomnia in a group, compared with 11% in the placebo group. (2)
The above study also reported a 79% decrease in severe depression.
3. Treatment of Arthritis
Ashwagandha has anti-inflammatory properties and effective in treating forms of arthritis. It is also a good pain reliever and beneficial at Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis
One study of 125 patients reported that patients who took 5g of Ashwagandha powder twice a day for three weeks reported decreased RA (rheumatoid arthritis) factor.
4. Boost testosterone and increase fertility in men
Research shows that Ashwagandha helps to increase testosterone levels. It also helps to increase sperm count and motility (3), (4).
The people who took Ashwagandha supplements reported an increase in antioxidant levels in their blood as per a study.
5. Increase muscle mass and strength
The research reported that the people treated with Ashwagandha had significantly greater increases in muscle strength and sizes (5).
In a 30 days study of 12 males and 6 females, having BMI ranges between 19-30, took 750–1,250 mg of Ashwagandha capsules per day gained muscle strength after 30 days.
6. May lower cholesterol
Ashwagandha helps to reduce cholesterol levels in patients with high cholesterol levels.
One animal study reported that the diet of 0.75 and 1.5 gm per day reduced the total cholesterol and triglyceride levels by 53% and 45%, respectively.
7. May improve brain function and memory
Ashwagandha helps to improve brain function and memory.
Researches show that ashwagandha helps to reduce brain function and memory problems caused by disease or injury.
Conclusion
Ashwagandha is an ancient medicinal plant that has many health benefits. Healthy people also can take Ashwagandha as a daily health supplement.