Introduction
Ashwagandha Benefits is a well-known adaptogen, which means that it has been shown to reduce the effects of stress on your body. It’s also used to promote restful sleep, so many people use it as a nighttime supplement. Ashwagandha has many other benefits as well, including positive effects on fertility and breast health; however, women can also benefit from ashwagandha in other ways. Read on to learn more about how this amazing herb can boost your health!
Ashwagandha May Reduce Inflammation
Ashwagandha is a powerful Ayurvedic herb that has been used for thousands of years. It’s been shown to reduce inflammation and improve overall health, especially when taken regularly.
Inflammation is one of the first signs of aging, as it can lead to chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s and more. But what exactly causes inflammation?
Your body produces inflammatory chemicals when it detects something harmful in your system. These chemicals then tell your immune system to attack whatever is causing the problem (a virus or bacteria) so you can get rid of it quickly before it becomes worse! However sometimes these inflammatory responses are overactive which leads them to cause damage elsewhere in our bodies including our joints or tissues around organs such as intestines or stomach lining which could lead down an autoimmune path if left unchecked long term!
Ashwagandha Might Support Thyroid Function
Ashwagandha might support thyroid function by helping to regulate the production of thyroid hormones.
- Thyroid hormone is essential for regulating metabolism, and it’s particularly important in women because it’s involved in the regulation of the menstrual cycle.
- Stress, poor diet, and other factors can reduce thyroid hormone levels.
- Thyroid hormone levels can be tested with a blood test called a TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) test. This test measures your pituitary gland’s response to stimulation by radioiodine or T3 (triiodothyronine). A low level means you don’t have enough thyroid hormone; a high level means you have too much thyroid hormone; normal levels are considered between 0.5 and 5 mcg/L (milliCurie). If you’re taking medication to lower cholesterol or increase energy or weight loss—such as statins or phentermine—you may want to consult your doctor before taking ashwagandha because these medications can affect your body’s response to iodine treatments such as radioactive iodine therapy used for hyperthyroidism diagnoses but also because they could cause side effects like irregular heartbeats when combined with ashwagandha products containing high amounts of potassium oxylate salts that bind tightly with calcium
Ashwagandha May Improve Fertility
Ashwagandha, also known as Withania somnifera and Indian ginseng, is a powerful herb that has been used for thousands of years. It’s considered an adaptogen because it helps your body adapt to stressors, like poor diet or lack of sleep. Ashwagandha has been shown to improve fertility in both men and women.
This natural fertility supplement may help increase sperm count and enhance libido for men who are having difficulty conceiving children with their partners. It can also help women who have trouble ovulating or carrying a pregnancy through to term by reducing stress levels and balancing hormones.
Ashwagandha Might Protect Against Breast Cancer
As we’ve discussed, Ashwagandha is an adaptogen that can help with various health conditions. One of these conditions is breast cancer.
Studies have shown that Ashwagandha can help reduce the risk of breast cancer and other forms of cancers, too. It has anti-estrogen properties, which means it helps balance out estrogen in your body by reducing its effects on cells.
Ashwagandha Could Fight Diabetes
Ashwagandha may be able to help people with type 1 diabetes.
A study that was published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology found that Ashwagandha helped participants with type 1 diabetes lower their blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity. The study consisted of 45 participants who were given 600 mg of Ashwagandha extract daily for eight weeks; after eight weeks, their fasting glucose levels decreased by 20% on average and HbA1c (a measure of total blood sugar) fell by 10%. The researchers concluded that “Ashwagandha root extract possesses anti-diabetic activity” and may be useful as an alternative therapy for type 2 diabetes as well (1).
Ashwagandha may also have benefits for women with PCOS or metabolic syndrome because it can improve insulin sensitivity and reduce inflammation in the body (2). Another study showed that ashwagandha lowers blood glucose levels in diabetic mice because it increases pancreatic beta cell proliferation (3).
Ashwagandha May Improve Brain Health
Memory
Ashwagandha may help improve memory in both healthy adults as well as those with Alzheimer’s disease. Studies show that it improves the speed at which information is processed, retention and recall of information, as well as overall quality of memory. In one study, for example, Ashwagandha extract was given to a group of people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) for 12 weeks. At the end of the study period, participants had improved their memory scores by more than 25%.
Ashwagandha Offers Liver Protection
- The liver is the largest organ in your body, and it plays a crucial role in keeping you healthy. It performs a variety of functions, including detoxification, protein synthesis, metabolism, and cholesterol regulation. Liver damage can lead to serious health complications such as cirrhosis (a condition where the cells of the liver are damaged multiple times), hepatitis (inflammation of the liver), or cancer.
- Ashwagandha has been shown to protect against liver damage by inhibiting hepatocellular carcinoma cell growth (1). By protecting against cancerous cell growth within the liver and reducing inflammation that may cause chronic overproduction of toxins or low immune function
Ashwagandha May Reduce Anxiety and Depression Symptoms
Ashwagandha has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries to balance vata, the body element associated with anxiety and depression. A study published in the Journal of Alternative Complementary Medicine found that ashwagandha was effective at reducing anxiety and depression symptoms in patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
Ashwagandha may also improve sleep quality, which can help mitigate stress. In a study published in Phytotherapy Research, researchers found that taking ashwagandha daily for three months improved sleep quality as well as daytime fatigue among participants who suffered from poor sleep habits.
Ashwagandha May Help Alleviate Menopause Symptoms
As we’ve mentioned, ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb. Adaptogens are known to help the body adapt to stress, which can be extremely beneficial during menopause.
Ashwagandha may also help with mood swings and hot flashes. Like many other women in their 40s and 50s, you might experience mood swings as a result of your fluctuating hormones (and all the other changes going on inside your body). Ashwagandha is believed to have a very calming effect on the mind, especially if it’s consumed before bedtime.
Finally, some research has found that taking ashwagandha supplements can help reduce insomnia when taken at night—but remember that this will only work if you take it at night!
Ashwagandha Can Help Lower Stress Levels and Boost Your Mood
It’s well-documented that stress can have a negative impact on your mood and overall wellbeing. Stress is one of the most common causes of anxiety disorders, which in turn can also cause depression. Stress has been linked to worsening PMS symptoms and making you more irritable, and even causing insomnia or headaches.
Ashwagandha may help lower your stress levels by providing relief from anxiety, depression, and insomnia.* It may also help improve your sleep quality.* These benefits make ashwagandha a beneficial herb for reducing the physical and emotional effects of chronic physical illness or injury.*
Takeaway:
Ashwagandha is an adaptogen that has many health benefits for women. It can help reduce inflammation, boost thyroid function and improve fertility. Ashwagandha may also protect against breast cancer, diabetes, depression and other diseases.
Because ashwagandha works well with other herbs, you should take it with a natural blend of supplements such as turmeric, black pepper and ginseng to enhance its effects.
If you are interested in trying ashwagandha to improve your health then talk to your doctor first as there could be some side effects when taking this herb – particularly if you have high blood pressure or heart disease
Conclusion
Ashwagandha is a powerful herb that offers many health benefits. It’s been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine, and today it remains a popular supplement that can support your body in many ways. Whether you’re looking to reduce inflammation, improve your thyroid function, protect against breast cancer or fight diabetes—or simply reduce stress levels and boost your mood—research suggests ashwagandha may be just what you need!
