Ashwagandha: An Indian ginseng

Remember when a bout of cold kicked in, and your mother prepared a concoction (kadha) to provide you with some relief? Chances are that ‘mummy ka kadha’ was prepared using a magical herb called Ashwagandha and other spices and medicinal plants. 

Commonly known as “Indian Ginseng” (though it is not related to the ginseng species) or “Indian Winter cherry”, Ashwagandha is famous for its healing properties. This wonder herbal shrub has been part of our heritage for a very long time. Ashwagandha comes from two Sanskrit words, “ashwa” and “gandha”, which means “horse” and “smell”, respectively. The roots and berries of this medicinal herb have been used in Ayurveda since time immemorial. It is a plant native to India and North Africa. 

Ashwagandha, which also goes by the scientific name ‘Withania somnifera’, is classified as an adaptogen that comes packed with a host of benefits. As a result, Ashwagandha has become popular worldwide. People ingest it as teas, supplements, and powders to reap the health benefits this wonder herb offers.  

 

Why do you need Ashwagandha? 

As discussed above, this wonder herb comes loaded with a wide array of health benefits. It is best known to relieve stress and anxiety, as per studies. This magical plant has also been shown to increase sleep quality. Not only this but Ashwagandha is also known to improve your mental. It also lowers blood sugar, cortisol levels, and fat and increases muscle and strength. This medicinal herb has also been used to enhance sexual function in women and boost testosterone levels and fertility in men. It also helps in decreasing inflammation. 

Besides, some studies have shown that Organic Ashwagandha has also shown efficacy in improving cognition, memory, and brain function. It also supports heart health by reducing cholesterol and blood pressure levels. It is used to treat various heart ailments. Ashwagandha has also shown anti-cancer properties in some preliminary studies. The wonder herb has also been shown to improve thyroid health and help weight loss! 

Due to its antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, the roots of the Ashwagandha plant can help protect the skin from acne and other infections. It is also helpful in preventing ageing. The medicinal herb is equally beneficial for your hair. It not only improves your scalp health but prevents hair loss and maintains melanin. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, Ashwagandha is an excellent solution for getting rid of dandruff and treating scalp ailments like eczema and scalp psoriasis. 

In Ayurveda, Ashwagandha has long been used to treat conditions like arthritis, asthma, insomnia, constipation, gastrointestinal issues, skin conditions, nervous breakdowns, stress, fevers, diabetes. 

 

Ashwagandha dosage: How much isn’t too much? 

Frankly speaking, there is no defined dosage for consuming Ashwagandha. But adults can take about 1000 mg of Ashwagandha daily for up to 12 weeks.  

Health experts and ayurvedic practitioners say the herb should be taken in moderation. Taking an unnecessarily high dosage can lead to harmful effects on your health. According to ton experts, only 500 grams of Natural Ashwagandha is enough to unlock the benefits of this excellent herb in your life. Speak with an expert to know what dose is needed for a specific condition. 

 

The Do’s and Don’ts of consuming Ashwagandha 

Ashwagandha doesn’t come without some downsides. Hence, it is equally important to understand its risks and side effects. Therefore, it is always advisable to consult your doctor before taking anything. Also, Ayurvedic doctors say a synergistic approach works best to add Ashwagandha to your daily life. This means that it is most effective if it is taken along with two or more other plants. But this does not mean that you cannot consume this evergreen herb all by itself. A cocktail of a couple of herbs will only make it more beneficial. 

You can be allergic to Ashwagandha too. Don’t believe us? Studies show that if you are allergic to potatoes, eggplant, tomatoes, or pepper, chances are you will be allergic to Ashwagandha too. 

Moderation is the key if using Ashwagandha. This means that large doses of this plant should be avoided as it may lead to diarrhoea and vomiting. Also, Lactating mothers and pregnant women should consume Ashwagandha only after talking to their doctors. 

Where to buy it? 

While the benefits of ashwagandha are aplenty, chances are that you may stumble upon products in the market whose purity is questionable. Adulteration is a common phenomenon, and medicinal herbs and plans are no exception. Therefore, it is always advisable to find products that are 100% genuine. Do your research and then purchase herbs from a trusted source to reap their maximum benefits. 

Slow Bazaar is a trusted source from where you can purchase ashwagandha. Slow Bazar provides 100 per cent genuine products. At Slow Bazaar, 200 grams of this ayurvedic goodness comes to you at an affordable price of Rs 299. 

Buy now: https://www.slowbazaar.com/collections/herbs/products/ashwagandha 

The verdict 

Ashwagandha comes packed with a variety of benefits. Its usage in India’s traditional medicines is proof enough as to how much this herb has to offer for the well-being of mankind. The evergreen herb is used as a remedy in Indian households, being used as a tonic old for children and older people and as an aphrodisiac for young men and women alike. Studies suggest that it may also be helping in treating certain life-threatening diseases.  

 

You can make this fantastic herb a part of your daily life, but only after consulting a doctor.