Taking control of your wellness helps improve your lifestyle. Eating nutritious meals and exercising regularly are two of the best ways to do it. However, some also take health supplements to help with specific conditions and enhance their overall wellness.
Ashwagandha supplements are gaining popularity due to their wellness benefits. Also known as Indian ginseng, ashwagandha is an evergreen shrub that grows in some parts of Asia and Africa and is used to help reduce stress and inflammation as well as improve cognitive function.
It’s worth considering if you’re searching for an herbal supplement to help improve your lifestyle. That said, here are nine surprising benefits of taking ashwagandha supplements.
Table of Contents
1. May Improve Cognition
Ashwagandha supplements are a must-try if you struggle with concentration, decision-making, and creativity. According to initial laboratory studies, it helps promote neuronal growth and protects the existing neurons from damage caused by stress. These effects benefit those who want to excel in their career and studies.
Studies show that some compounds in ashwagandha have antioxidants for the brain and may improve cognitive function. For older adults, using Ashwagandha for cognition may help fight memory loss. Although further research is still required to confirm these benefits, the initial results are promising.
2. May Relieve Stress And Anxiety
Another surprising benefit of taking ashwagandha supplements is stress and anxiety relief. Ashwagandha is classified as an adaptogen or a natural substance found in certain plants that help the body cope with stress and restore physiological and psychological function.
Chronic stress and anxiety can impede brain function and hinder one’s productivity. Aside from getting proper treatment from experts, you may also take natural supplements like ashwagandha to help you relax.
3. May Promote Better Sleep
Ashwagandha’s stress relief benefit can help those struggling with insomnia. Studies show that the reduction of anxiety levels promotes restful sleep, making ashwagandha supplements a potential natural remedy for sleep issues.
Sleep problems are commonly co-occurring with stress and anxiety. If you’re looking for a supplementary treatment along with your prescription, ashwagandha is a suitable option.
4. May Enhance The Immune System
Enhancing your immune system is crucial to overall wellness. It helps your body fight diseases caused by bacteria and viruses, so prioritizing it is a must. Many health supplements can boost your immunity, and ashwagandha can be one of them.
Ashwagandha’s immunity-boosting properties stem from its stress and anxiety relief benefits. In Ayurvedic medicine, wellness is treated holistically. Reducing stress may strengthen your body’s disease tolerance and speed up your healing process.
5. May Strengthen Muscles
Studies among athletes show promising benefits of ashwagandha in physical performance. It’s believed to help increase one’s oxygen consumption during exercise and enhance muscle strength. Taking ashwagandha supplements can be helpful if you’re struggling with physical tasks.
Moreover, one study involving male participants with a daily intake of 500 mg of ashwagandha showed increased muscle strength and mass during an eight-week resistance training. Thus, this medicinal shrub is widely regarded as a promising alternative to pre-workout supplements with harmful side effects.
6. May Reduce Inflammation
Inflammation is the body’s reaction to injuries and infections. Although there are readily available anti-inflammatory medicines, experts look at ashwagandha’s benefits. Initial studies show that taking ashwagandha supplements between 250 to 500 mg may help reduce inflammation by up to 30%. This effect makes this shrub a promising natural remedy.
In Ayurvedic medicine, boiled ashwagandha roots and leaves are used to make a paste for skin swelling and ulceration. Experts have studied this practice, and initial results show that it can help reduce skin inflammation.
7. May Lower Blood Sugar Levels
Increased blood sugar level is a common health issue among adults. When not addressed immediately, it can lead to diabetes and other severe conditions. Ashwagandha supplements may help prevent this problem.
Experts are studying specific compounds with antidiabetic properties found in ashwagandha. Early results suggest that these compounds can increase cells’ glucose absorption, which lowers the risk of diabetes.
8. May Boost Fertility
Addressing fertility issues can be challenging among men and women. While many treatments are available, some want to explore natural remedies first since they’re relatively more affordable and readily available. One of the supplements with promising effects on fertility among men and women is ashwagandha.
One study with 75 male participants struggling with infertility resulted in an increased sperm count after taking five grams of ashwagandha daily within three months. Its stress-relieving effects may also help improve sexual wellness.
For women, taking ashwagandha supplements may help with balancing hormones and improving egg quality. Some studies show that ashwagandha may help boost ovulation and increase the chances of conception.
9. No Harmful Side Effects
If you’re looking for a supplement with no harmful side effects, ashwagandha is one of the best options. Initial studies, although limited, suggest that it’s safe and effective as a supplementary treatment for certain psychological and physiological health conditions.
However, it’s recommended to consult your doctor if you have a serious health issue to ensure it doesn’t interact with your current medications.
Conclusion
Taking ashwagandha supplements is one of the natural ways to boost your overall health and wellness. Ashwagandha is also widely available, so it’s easy to try it for yourself and experience the benefits.