Ashwagandha Health Benefits

Ashawgandha is hailed as the Indian Ginseng and is an integral constituent in many Ayurvedic preparations. It provides relief against insomnia, diabetes, nervine disorders, joint pain, general debility and male impotence.

Ashwagandha Origin

Ashwagandha is a greyish, erect shrub that flourishes in India and North America. The leaves are ovate and glabrous while the flowers are inconspicuous, greenish or yellow in colour. The berries are small, globose with yellow seeds.

Ashwagandha Medicinal Properties

The ashwagandha roots are astringent, somniferous, stimulant, aphrodisiac, diuretic, thermogenic and tonic. The roots, leaf and the whole plant are used in medicine. According to Ayurvedic principles, Ashwagandha is the best herb for balancing Vata in the body. Vata governs all movement in the body, including the movement of nerve impulses through the nervous system. Numerous clinical studies have shown that Ashwagandha is very effective in reducing inflammation, treating tumors, decreasing stress, increasing mental activity, invigorating the body, and as an antioxidant.

Ashwagandha Home Remedies

It is used to treat the following conditions:

• Ashwagandha For Arthritis

  Ashwagandha has anti-inflammatory and tonic properties and is a wonderful supplement for rheumatoid arthritis. Clinical studies have shown that naturally occurring steroid like compounds in Ashwaganda are as effective in the management of inflammation as the synthetically manufactured hydrocortisone. The pain relieving ability is comparable to aspirin and phenybutazone without the unsavory side-effects. Read other Arthritis Home Remedies.

• Herbal Remedy For Diabetic Neuropathy

  Ashwagandha, renowned for its adaptogenic and anti-inflammatory properties, is very effective in cases of diabetic neuropathy. It improves the weakness, fatigue and weight loss associated with diabetic neuropathy. Read other Diabetes Home Remedies.

• Ashwagandha For Insomnia

  Without simply acting as a sedative, Ashwagandha calms the body and mind into producing better sleep. Its rejuvenative and nervine property helps with insomnia and stress. Read other Insomnia Home Remedies.

• Natural Cure For Male Impotence

  A teaspoon of Ashwagandha root powder is advised for increased sexual vitality and sperm count. The herb acts as a aphrodisiac by being a herbal rejuvenative and a nervine compound. It increases the activity of the steroidal hormones like testosterone and progesterone. Ashwagandha's active principle, alkaloids and withanoloids, are renowned for their stimulating properties. It is not only effective in men but with women as well.

• Ashwagandha Makes You Stronger

  A teaspoon of Ashwagandha lehyam prepared with the root powder, ghee and honey is advised for tissue building and enhanced general strength. It is used in muscle weakness and provides nutrition for all the seven tissue layers of the body - the lymph, blood, muscles, fat, bones, marrow and nervous tissue and semen.

• Natural Remedy For Stress

  Ashwagandha calms the mind, promote restful sleep and increases mental clarity. It is an adaptogen that calms the nerves and improves the body's ability to deal with physical and emotional stress.

• Herbal Remedy For Nervine Disorders

  A teaspoon of Ashwagandha lehyam prepared with the root powder, ghee and honey is advised for nervine disorders like hysteria, epilepsy and even Parkinson disease.

• Ashwagandha Fades Leucoderma

  Leucoderma or Vitiligo is a embarrassing skin condition that causes a gradual loss of the melanin pigment resulting in white patches on the skin. Ashwagandha aids in the reduction of these patches.

• Natural Poison Antidote

  Powdered Ashwagandha roots are given as an antidote for aconite poisoning. It can also eliminate toxins accumulated in the system due to syphilis and other chronic ailments.

Ashwagandha Side Effects

Ashwagandha is generally safe; however, it should not be used by pregnant or nursing women, young children, or those with severe kidney or liver disease. In some clinical studies, it has shown to increase thyroid levels and should not be used by hyperthyroid patients. Ashwagandha is traditionally used for its sedative properties and should not be combined with other sedating drugs.

Indian Language Glossary:

English	Latin	Sanskrit	Hindi	Marathi	Tamil	Telugu	Malayalam	Kannada
Winter Cherry	Withania somnifera	Ashwagandha	Ashwagandha	Askandha/ Bhuikohala	Amukkira	Vajigandha, Pennerugadda	Amukkuram	Vermaddinagaddi