What is ASHWAGANDHA?
Learn the origin and health benefits of this important herb
Ashwagandha is one of the most important herbs in Ayurvedic medicine. Ayurveda is a traditional form of alternative medicine practiced in India for more than 4,000 years. It is based on Indian principles of natural healing.
Ashwagandha has numerous benefits:
- Eases stress and anxiety
Ashwagandha is perhaps best known for its ability to reduce stress. It’s classified as an adaptogen, a substance that helps the body cope with stress.During a stressful event, your heart beats harder and faster, you breathe more rapidly, and the body produces more glucose so it can respond to the stressful event. This is great if you are being chased by a lion. Unfortunately, in our modern society stress comes from many different areas of our life, such as finances, work, relationships, etc. In some cases, the stress becomes chronic which can cause persistent inflammation and increase the risk of developing chronic conditions like obesity, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and stroke.
In studies, patients taking Ashwagandha had their level of the stress hormone cortisol lower to a more normal level, and their perceived stress levels also improved.
- Increased energy levelsAshwagandha contains many ingredients needed for the thyroid to produce the T3 hormone which regulates our metabolism. Adding Ashwagandha to the thyroid, to produce more T3, raises your metabolism and your energy levels. This is generally a good thing unless you suffer from hyperthyroidism. In such cases taking Ashwagandha is not recommended. Also, Ashwagandha helps increase energy levels by increasing oxygen consumption and delivery in mitochondria (the powerhouse of the cells). In other words, it can help increase your stamina when doing aerobic exercises. A study involving road cyclists taking Ashwagandha showed improvement in VO2 max, METS, and time till exhaustion compared to other cyclists who were taking a placebo supplement.
- Increased muscle massIn addition to increased stamina, Ashwagandha may help increase muscle mass and strength. In one study, male participants who took 600 mg of Ashwagandha per day and participated in resistance training for 8 weeks had significantly greater gains in muscle strength and size compared with the placebo group.
- May Improve sleepMany people take Ashwagandha to promote restful sleep. For example, a study of 50 adults ages 65–80 found that taking 600 mg of Ashwagandha per day for 12 weeks significantly improved sleep quality and mental alertness upon waking compared with those taking the placebo treatment.
Include Ashwagandha in Your Health & Weight Regime for Added Benefits
In many ways, the benefits of Ashwagandha are interconnected. It makes sense if you combine less stress with increased energy that promotes physical fitness, you are going to get a better night’s sleep.
Ayurvedic medicine traditionally uses nutrition, exercise, mindfulness practices, and herbs to promote balance between the body, mind, spirit, and the environment.
A case can be made for adding Ashwagandha to your weight loss regime. You could benefit from less stress-induced binge eating. You would have more energy to fuel your workout plan, combined with a good night’s sleep. Add an appropriate nutrition plan and this could be great to control your weight.
Übee’s Ashwagandha is sourced from certified providers and made by hand without binders or fillers. We recommend taking 450 mg, 1 time per day. To try your first bottle at 20% off, add ASH20 discount code during checkout.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.