We’ve put together a comprehensive piece for you with the uses, benefits, side effects and dosage of Ashwagandha. It has long been used in households to help combat various ailments right from everyday stress, and insufficient sleep to making your immunity strong. 

Ashwagandha, or ashwa “horse”, gandha “smell” – carries the smell and the strength of a horse. Conservatively used for vigour, vitality, and a healthy libido, it has many other uses as well. The scientific name of Ashwagandha is ‘somnifera’ which is Latin for sleep-inducing. Born in the form of a short shrub, this wonder plant should be a household staple. 

Ashwagandha is also commonly known as the ‘Indian Ginseng’ and ‘Indian Winter Cherry’. It helps reduce stress and balance your lifestyle. Fight issues related to your skin and hair health – helping you live a healthy life inside and out. The seeds are a combination of Astringent and Anthelmintic properties.  This makes it an ideal solution for hysteria, anxiety, memory loss, etc.

Is it Safe to Take Ashwagandha Daily? 

You can take ashwagandha daily to get all the amazing ashwagandha benefits. But the dosage depends on a variety of factors such as age, gender, other medications, needs, etc. It is known to help control blood sugar levels, fight inflammation, improve mood, relieve stress, keep anxiety at bay, strengthen memory, along with boosting your muscle strength and fertility. 

What Are The Side Effects of Ashwagandha?

While there are many ashwagandha benefits and is generally safe for consumption, there are some ashwagandha side effects that you should be aware of. Like any other herb, an overdose could cause ashwagandha side effects that can be mild or serious. Taking it in large doses can cause your stomach to suffer, you may experience ashwagandha side effects like diarrhoea, vomiting, and loose motions. In rare cases, liver-related problems can be one of ashwagandha side effects. 

Who Should not Take Ashwagandha? 

Even though it is safe to consume by just about anyone, one should be mindful of several things. People who are taking regular medication for conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid or other such hormonal imbalances can consult a doctor before beginning to take it. On the other hand, people who are suffering from autoimmune diseases such as thyroid, arthritis or others should also be mindful of their dosage. Taking Ashwagandha affects your immune system. Lastly, one should read the allergy instructions on the bottle in order to consume it to avoid ashwagandha side effects. 

Should I Take Ashwagandha in The Morning Or At Night?

There is no such fixed time to take Ashwagandha tablets since it largely depends on the reason you want to take them and the form in which you’d like to take the supplement. It is available in many forms such as capsules, powder, etc. Remember that when you take it in a day can really affect the ashwagandha benefits from the supplement. Thus, do adequate research.

For instance, when consumed in the morning, it keeps your energy levels high throughout the day. You can either try Ashwagandha infused tea or take churan before starting your day. On the other hand, taking Ashwagandha capsules before hitting the hay can help you get sound sleep while ensuring the proper functioning of your body when you rest. 

What are The Benefits of Taking Ashwagandha?

This wonder plant has long been used to treat many diseases. From stomach related issues like constipation, and gastrointestinal conditions to issues around brain function like stress, anxiety, insomnia, nervous breakdowns and even common ailments like fever, skin conditions etc – are some of the many ashwagandha benefits. Various parts of the plant were used to treat different ailments.

Benefits of Ashwagandha 

• Helps Reduce Anxiety 

With open conversations around anxiety increasing, people are beginning to find natural ways to better their mental health. Known as an adaptogen, one of the key ashwagandha benefits is helping your body cope with stress. Not only does it help boost brain function but also fights anxiety, as well as depression. Using an Ashwagandha infused oil massage on your head and body can also help you relax and eases exhaustion, tension, and body ache. 

•  For Preventing and Healing Acne

Dealing with acne can be any person’s worst nightmare. Ashwagandha roots are known to have both anti-bacterial and anti-microbial properties which protect the skin from acne and other infections. Other ashwagandha benefits for skin include the prevention of early signs of ageing like fine lines and wrinkles. One should try incorporating it into face packs in order to fight pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads, and reduce scarring while improving skin tone and repairing inflammation.

•  Helps in Heart Health

Keeping your heart happy is the numero uno secret for a long, healthy, and happy life. As we age, our heart gets weary, and we are more susceptible to many heart-related diseases like blood pressure. Optimum heart health is one of the vital ashwagandha benefits, including relieving the symptoms of conditions like high cholesterol, high blood pressure, chest pain and other diseases. 

•  Boosts Immunity 

Maintaining your body’s immunity levels help in preventing many diseases. Ashwagandha capsules are a great precautionary measure for your health. One thing that is proven is ashwagandha for immunity. It is known to ward off diseases and fight infections as well as reduce inflammation of the body. Due to its richness in iron, it encourages the production of red blood cells in the body. 

• Helps Fight Cancer

A compound found in ashwagandha helps fight the growth of cancerous cells in the body. It prevents the growth of cancer cells in many ways. It is also known to disrupt their function. Whether it is cancer of the breast, lung, colon, brain or ovarian – it has shown a significant difference. 

•  Treating Insomnia

People who don’t take their sleeping schedule seriously, suffer through various issues later in life. Ashwagandha benefits for sleep are well documented. It has sleep-inducing properties that help prove beneficial in the cases of sleeping related issues. Taking it before you hit the bed will always help you sleep better. Make yourself a cup of moon milk along with ashwagandha powder, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, nutmeg, and coconut oil. 

• Helps Battle Diabetes

Many people live with Diabetes across the world. With significant lifestyle, and diet changes, monitoring your sleep schedule – one can easily combat diabetes. Taking the Ayurvedic route in order to treat Diabetes helps keep side effects at bay. Ashwagandha benefits patients with type 2 diabetes specifically. 

• Helps in Weight Management 

Ashwagandha can help you greatly in your weight management, taking it with a glass of milk and honey every day is advisable. Adding cardamom to the milk can both improve taste and boost metabolism, and promote digestion. The antioxidants in Ashwagandha also help reduce inflammation and better your health on the whole. It is also known to help combat hypothyroidism. Boosting the levels of T3, and T4 in the body, it can help play a role in managing hypothyroidism.

• Helps with Alzheimer’s

A brain condition that causes harm to your memory, and disables proper functioning. Alzheimer’s is a serious condition. Many researchers have found that the consumption of Ashwagandha can prove to be beneficial to people living with Alzheimer’s. Though the capsule might not affect the brain cells directly, they do work with the liver to clear amyloids from the brain. Amyloids are responsible for Alzheimer’s. 

•  Helps with Hair-related Issues

Your hair forms a big part of your personality. Whether you like your locks long and luscious, bleached and crazy or in a humble pixie cut, your hair should be healthy and vibrant. Ashwagandha benefits for hair include keeping your scalp healthy owing to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It is also a rich source of fatty acids, glucose, nitrate as well as potassium. This helps stimulate the production of melanin and retains it in your hair. This also helps you stop postpartum hair loss. And is a common ingredient in shampoos to promote good hair health and strengthen your hair follicles.  

Uses Of Ashwagandha 

As you might have realised by now, Ashwagandha benefits are aplenty and there are multiple uses of ashwagandha. It is an integral part of Ayurveda. A rasayana – it helps maintain youth both mentally, as well as physically. It has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties that provide versatile uses of ashwagandha. You can consume one to two capsules/tablets in a day at your preferred time. Some uses of ashwagandha include relief from stress, anxiety, fatigue, pain, skin conditions, diabetes, arthritis, epilepsy, etc. 

It can be used in many forms whether it is Ashwagandha tablets, capsules, or even fizz. The shrub of Ashwagandha is so versatile that different parts of it from its roots right to its branches, flowers, leaves, fruits as well as seeds can be used in one form or the other. The Ashwagandha Effervescent Fizz powder helps you relax by combating mental and physical stress with the help of a compound called withanolides. Another of the many uses of ashwagandha include fighting insomnia and giving you a proper good night’s sleep. This results in better concentration and focus. This easily-dissolvable powder provides instant relief. 

It is also available in a powder format, no matter what you choose. It is bound to produce astonishing differences in your life.