Ashwagandha as Medicinal Herb

Ashwagandha Plant



Ashwagandha Seeds

Ashwagandha Dry Roots



Ashwagandha is considered to be one of the best rejuvenating agents in Ayurveda. Its roots, seeds and leaves are used in Ayurvedic and Unani medicines. Ashwagandha root drug finds an important place in treatment of rheumatic pain, inflammation of joints, nervous disorders and epilepsy. Dried roots are used as tonic for hiccup, cold, cough, female disorders, as a sedative, in care of senile debility, ulcers, etc. Leaves are applied for carbuncles, inflammation and swellings. Leaf juice is useful in conjunctivitis. Bark decoction is taken for asthma and applied locally to bed sores. Ashwagandha and its extracts are used in preparation of herbal tea, powders, tablets and syrups.

Ashwagandha has anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-stress, antioxidant, mind- boosting, immune-enhancing, and rejuvenating properties. Ashwagandha root has also been noted to have sex-enhancing properties. Ashwagandha is mentioned in the ancient Kama Sutra as an herb to be used for heightening sexual experience. Ashwagandha has the ability to restore sexual health and improve overall vitality while promoting a calm state of mind. A 2002 laboratory study indicates ashwagandha stimulates the growth of axons and dendrites. A 2001 study in rodents showed ashwagandha had memory boosting ability. A 2000 study with rodents showed ashwagandha to have anti-anxiety and anti-depression effects.

The plant has been used as an aphrodisiac, liver tonic, anti-inflammatory agent, and more recently to treat asthma, ulcers, insomnia, and senile dementia. Clinical trials and animal research support the use of ashwagandha for anxiety, cognitive and neurological disorders, inflammation, and Parkinson's disease. Incorporation of ashwagandha in the diet may prevent or decrease the growth of tumors in human.

It helps in providing progressive, long lasting results for various health concerns like aging, anemia and slow growth, arthritis, fatigue, waning memory, sports fitness and stress-disorders. Pharmacological studies and research so far have indicated that Ashwagandha has anti-tumour, anti-stress, antioxid boosting, haemopoeitic and rejuvenating properties. It is also an exceptional nerve tonic and nourishes the nerves and improves nerve function to maintain calm during stressful conditions. It also nourishes crucial mind and body connection and psychological immune response.

Ashwagandha Side Effects

Ashwagandha does not have any significant side effects reported in the medical literature. Safety in pregnancy has not been fully established for Ashwagandha.
Ashwagandha Benefits


Ashwagandha benefits all parts of the body and can be used as a tonic or in oral form. Several studies have shown that Ashwagandha is useful in addressing the following health problems:


1) Osteoarthritis: A study in 2008 , scientists tested ashwagandha's effects on human cartilage and found that the herb may help protect against inflammation and cartilage damage associated with osteoarthritis.


2) Anxiety: In an animal-based study published in 2000, researchers found that ashwagandha had an anti-anxiety effect similar to that of lorazepam (a medication used to treat anxiety disorders). The herb also appeared to ease depression. anti-stress and adaptogenic action that helps to relieve daily stress, fatigue and sleeplessness


3) Type 2 Diabetes: Ashwagandha may help normalize high blood sugar and improve insulin sensitivity, according to preliminary, animal-based research published in 2008.


4) Cancer:: : In a 2003 study, tests on human tumor cell lines revealed that ashwagandha may slow the growth of lung, breast, and colon cancer cells.Published in 2007, another study on human cells shows that ashwagandha may inhibit tumor growth without harming normal cells.


5) Anti-Oxident: Ashwagandha used as an anti-oxidant, as studies have shown that it can eliminate free radicals from your immune system. Free radicals are the agents that cause the breakdown of your bodys tissue, alternatively known as aging.


6).Provide energy: Studies show that supplementing with ashwagandha can provide the energy needed to get through long workouts while also allowing for maximum recovery and cell re-growth. Ashwagandha has great potential for athletes and other active people, as well as for anyone interested in improving health. It contains many active compounds that may promote optimal performance.


7) General tonic: Ashwagandha is a tonic, which increases sperm count and sexual potency. In the rural areas vegetable made out of this plant is given to tuberculosis patients. It also increases the iron content in the blood.


8) Ashwagandha cure Sleeplessness


9). Ashwagandha can treat infertility : Stress is a major factor in the modern infertility epidemic. It increases oxidative damage, inflammation and other harmful conditions known to reduce sperm quality, researchers said in Evidence Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine in September 2009.










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1 comments:

  1. Hey,
    The Article on Ashwagandha as Medicinal Herb is really amazing. images are even more better. Thanks for sharing the information. Do you know Ashwagandha leaves for weight loss

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