Ashwagandha herb got its name from the fragrance of the sweat of a horse. It is called Ashwa means horse and Gandha means smell. It has good Rasayana and Vata balancing properties and for this reason it is considered useful for stress management, anxiety and diabetes. Also, its aphrodisiac property makes it useful for treating male infertility problems like erectile dysfunction.
Advantages of Ashwagandha for different ailments
Stress management
Ashwagandha can reduce cortisol level or stress hormone in the body. Regular use of Ashwagandha can help in controlling stress to a large extent.
Male infertility
Being a potent aphrodisiac, Ashwagandha is helpful in stress-induced male infertility. It has antioxidant properties that fight free radicals and it improves testosterone level to increase fertility in males. It can increase both the quality and quantity of sperm.
Diabetes Mellitus (Type 1&2)
Studies on Ashwagandha revealed that it makes cells less resistant to insulin thus improving insulin sensitivity and increasing glucose utilization by the cells. Also, it boosts the number of insulin-producing cells leading to increased insulin secretion.
Arthritis
The analgesic properties of Ashwagandha make it suitable for treating painful conditions related to arthritis. This herb contains withaferin A that reduces pain and inflammation by inhibiting the production of pain mediators like prostaglandins.
Benefits Of Ashwagandha
Hypertension
Its ability to slow down the production of stress hormone can help in controlling hypertension in a significant way.
Parkinson’s Disease
Since Ashwagandha contains antioxidants, it can be useful in controlling Parkinson’s disease that affects control over muscles and movement. It can reduce the risk of problems related with Parkinson’s disease.
Precautions with Ashwagandha
It could cause gastrointestinal problems hence it is better to take this herb on the advice and supervision of a medical practitioner. Diabetic patients should be careful about their sugar level as Ashwagandha could lower blood sugar level.
Heart patients should also be careful about this herb as it can lower blood pressure to dangerous level. Similarly, kidney patients should keep checking their kidneys for lesions, if they are taking Ashwagandha. But breastfeeding mothers should avoid Ashwagandha.
How to take Ashwagandha?
Available in tablet, capsule and powder form, it should be taken as prescribed by your doctor. Also, you can take it in the form of tea or make milk shake of Ashwagandha powder. If you want, you can even make Ashwagandha ladoos by mixing it with jaggery powder, pinch of black pepper and salt or make shrikhand by mixing it with curd and sugar/honey. Also, you can add dry fruits to the shrikhand.