|
Ashwagandha
More than 2,000 years of the Indian medical system known as Ayurveda have brought the use of many ancient herbs to light. Ashwagandha, a small evergreen shrub, is widely cultivated in India and the Middle East for its medicinal properties. It has also been found in parts of Africa. An erect, grayish plant with long roots, ashwagandha has small greenish flowers and fruits that are orange-red when ripe.
Traditionally, ashwagandha has been used in many ways--as a sedative, a diuretic, a rejuvenating tonic, an anti-inflammatory agent, and as an "adaptogen" (endurance enhancer). Many Western herbalists refer to this herb as "Ayurvedic ginseng" because of its reputation for increasing energy, strength, and stamina, and for its ability to relieve stress.
Ashwagandha is commonly used in its powdered form, which is made from the whole plant and the root alone. Consult your health-care provider about appropriate dosages for the different forms of the herb.
It is difficult to draw firm conclusions about the significance of ashwagandha for humans, because most studies so far have been limited to test tubes or animals. Extensive research has been done over the decades, however, mostly in India, to identify the herb's chemical nature and potential benefits. These studies have shown that ashwagandha does have anti-inflammatory, anti-stress, and immune-boosting properties. Various chemical constituents of the herb have shown a number of therapeutic effects.
Because ashwagandha has traditionally been used to treat various diseases associated with nerve tissue damage related to the destructive molecules known as free radicals, some researchers speculate that the herb may have antioxidant properties. Free-radical damage plays a role in normal aging, and in such neurological conditions as epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease.
One reason for ashwagandha's reputation as a general energy-promoting, disease-preventing tonic may be its effect on the immune system. Multiple studies have shown significant increases in white blood cell counts and other measures of strengthened immunity in rodents given ashwagandha or certain chemicals extracted from the herb. Ashwagandha also has a mild sedative effect on the central nervous system, and has been shown in animal studies to be a muscle relaxant. No studies have been done to determine appropriate human uses for these effects, however, so caution is advised.
As a central nervous system depressant, or tranquilizer, the herb should be used in moderation.
Specifically, taken with the advice of an experienced herbalist, ashwagandha may help to:
Ease arthritis. Although the mechanism is not fully understood, ashwagandha has been quite effective in relieving the inflammation associated with rheumatologic conditions such as arthritis. One clinical trial in humans supports this use. Forty-two patients with osteoarthritis were randomly placed in two groups--one receiving ashwagandha, one a placebo. After three months, pain and disability were markedly reduced in the ashwagandha group.
Reduce stress and increase endurance. In one of several classic stress test experiments, a group of rats was given a saline solution and then tested for swimming times. A second group, given an ashwagandha solution, was able to swim twice as long. Some of the study authors caution that this result must be interpreted carefully, however. The ashwagandha root powders used to prepare the test solution contained starch, and at the high doses given in the swim studies, it is possible that these results were due to carbohydrate supplementation. Overall, however, animal studies do suggest that ashwagandha may help prevent stress-induced exhaustion.
Boost sexual performance. In one study, 101 normal healthy male volunteers aged 50 to 59 took 3 grams of powdered ashwagandha daily for three months. All showed significantly increased red blood cell counts, and 71% of the volunteers reported improved sexual performance. Although ashwagandha is not considered an aphrodisiac, this rejuvenating effect may be related to the improved endurance shown in animal stress tests.
Special tips:
--When included as part of an herbal blend, ashwagandha's effects may be diluted or difficult to detect.
For arthritis: Take 100-200 mg standardized extract or 1 or 2 teaspoons liquid extract twice a day
For stress: Take 100-200 mg standardized extract or 1 or 2 teaspoons liquid extract twice a day
For antioxidant protection: Take 100-200 mg standardized extract or 1 or 2 teaspoons liquid extract twice a day
For immunity: Take 100-200 mg standardized extract or 1 or 2 teaspoons liquid extract twice a day
For relaxation: Take 100-200 mg standardized extract or 1 or 2 teaspoons liquid extract twice a day
For sexual performance: Take 100-200 mg standardized extract or 1 or 2 teaspoons liquid extract twice a day
Take ashwagandha with a meal or a full glass of water.
Ashwagandha may increase the effect of other herbs or medications. It is important to review with your health-care provider any other herbs or any drugs you are taking before adding ashwagandha.
Because it may have sedative qualities, be sure you understand how ashwagandha affects you before driving or doing any other activity that requires total alertness.
Although ashwagandha is generally believed to be nontoxic, there is some disagreement on this. There have been only a few toxicity studies, and those have been of poor quality.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Home -
About Us -
Contact Us-
Privacy |
|
©2008 HealtheSupplements.com
We accept Visa and MasterCard. We also
accept money orders and checks upon request.
No
claims found on our web pages or in print have been evaluated by the Food
and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat,
cure, or prevent any disease. Information on this site is provided for
informational purposes and is not meant to substitute for the advice
provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. You should
consult with a health care professional before starting any diet, exercise
or supplement program.
www.healthesupplements.com and its associates are not
responsible for product claims made by manufacturers on this website. Our
objective is to continuously update our website with accurate product
information. However,
www.healthesupplements.com is not responsible for
typographical errors or product formulation changes. For absolute accuracy,
please consult the products actual label before use. If you discover any
inconsistencies on our website, please contact us. Prices and information on
these pages are subject to change without notice.
The supplements, product descriptions, and
information on this website and received from our customer service is
provided as a service to you, our customer.
Our web site/customer service cannot, and
does not, contain information about all medical conditions. It may not
contain all information that is applicable to your personal
circumstances. The content is not intended for diagnosis and should not
be used as substitute for consultation with your physician. Any and all
recommendations or claims implied by the website, manufacturers, or
customer service representatives are not guaranteed and we do not take
responsibility for the results of your supplementation decisions.
As partial consideration for your access to
our website, customer service and use of its content, your agree that
www.healthesupplements.com
is not liable to you in any manner whatsoever for decisions you may make
or your actions or nonactions in reliance upon the content. You also
agree that the aggregate liability of
www.healthesupplements.com
arising from or related to your use and access, regardless of the form
of action or claim (for example, contract, warranty, tort, negligence,
strict liability, professional malpractice, fraud, infringement or other
bases for claims), is limited to the purchase price of any items you
purchased from
www.healthesupplements.com
in the applicable transaction.
www.HealtheSupplements.com
CustomerService@HealtheSupplements.com
|
|
|
