Ashwagandha has been used for hundreds of years for its medicinal properties. It is also called Indian Ginseng or Winter Cherry. Ashwagandha plant benefits are due to the presence of certain phytochemicals like flavonoids, alkaloids, and steroidal lactones in it. Apart from improving mental health and stress tolerance, other medical uses of ashwagandha are for treating pain, skin conditions, diabetes, and improving thyroid and immune functions.
What are Health Benefits of Ashwagandha?
Ashwagandha means to ‘smell like a horse’. The roots and fruit of ashwagandha are used for medicinal purposes in Ayurveda. Ashwagandha can be consumed in various forms, like powder, tablets, tinctures, or tea. It is believed that introducing ashwagandha in the form of ashwagandha tea benefits hydration as well as overall health.
Let us explore the medical use of ashwagandha in different conditions.
- Stress and anxiety: Daily consumption of ashwagandha is expected to have beneficial effects like reducing the stress hormone cortisol. However, Ashwagandha's medical use as a stress- and anxiety-relieving agent needs to be explored more through studies.
- Cardioprotective: The use of ashwagandha may improve heart health by lowering cholesterol, and blood pressure, easing chest pain, and preventing heart disease.
- Increase male fertility and boost testosterone: Ashwagandha is used to treat male fertility problems. It works by improving sperm quality and rebalancing the male hormone testosterone.
- Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory: Ashwagandha skin benefits are mainly attributed to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
- Improve thyroid function: Consumption of ashwagandha extract can improve thyroid function in hypothyroidism. However, people with hyperthyroidism should avoid taking ashwagandha.
- Improved memory and brain functions: Ashwagandha may also possess neuroprotective properties in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson's. Consumption of ashwagandha may improve cognitive functions like attention, reaction time, executive functioning, and performance in cognitive tasks.
- Improves sleep: Ashwagandha may be beneficial in promoting restful sleep. It is believed that 12 weeks of consumption of 600 mg of ashwagandha root benefits sleep quality and mental alertness.
- Improves muscle strength and athletic performance: Consumption of ashwagandha may enhance physical performance by increasing muscle strength and size. Ashwagandha can have beneficial effects by improving maximum oxygen consumption, which is an indicator of lung and heart fitness. All these contribute to improved athletic performance.
- Lowers blood sugar: Taking ashwagandha may reduce your blood sugar levels. However, always consult a doctor and monitor your blood sugar levels.
Conclusion
Ashwagandha is a medicine used in Ayurveda to treat various ailments. It has several health benefits for mental and physical well-being, but further studies are required to prove this. It is important to consult with a healthcare provider before starting to consume it. Also, get a health insurance policy to cover financial expenses in case of need.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your general physician or another certified medical professional for any questions regarding a medical condition. Relying on any information provided in this blog is solely at your own risk, and ICICI Lombard is not responsible for any effects or consequences resulting from the use of the information shared.
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