Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a short tender perennial shrub belonging to the nightshade family (Solanaceae). It is native to the dry regions of North Africa, India and the Middle East and is now cultivated in mild climates of the United States. Ashwagandha has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years and has been the subject of over 216 studies on its healing properties. Withania somnifera is classified as an Adaptogen possessing adaptogenic potency equal to that of Ginseng. Ashwagandha benefits the immune system after illness, but its therapeutic effects are more far reaching. Many use ashwagandha because of its ability to retard various aspects of the Aging Process.
If you think Withania somnifera is just for stress, then you are selling this her short. PubMed speaks of its many virtues: “In experimental models it increases the stamina of rats during swimming endurance test and prevented adrenal gland changes of ascorbic acid and cortisol content produce by swimming stress. Pretreatment with Withania somnifera (WS) showed significance protection against stress induced gastric ulcers. WS have anti-tumor effect on Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cell carcinoma. It was also found effective against urethane induced lung-adenoma in mice. In some cases of uterine fibroids, dermatosarcoma, long term treatment with WS controlled the condition. It has a Cognition Promoting Effect and was useful in children with memory deficit and in old age people loss of memory. It was also found useful in neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s, Huntington’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. It has GABA mimetic effect and was shown to promote formation of dendrites. It has anxiolytic effect and improves energy levels and mitochondrial health. It is an anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic agent and was found useful in clinical cases of Rheumatoid and Osteoarthritis.”
One of the amazing properties of Withania somnifera is its ability to retard the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. From the National Institute of Health: “In the brains of patients suffering from other neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and Creutzfeldt- Jakob disease, the atrophy of neurites has also been observed as a significant part of the etiology. There are dozens of studies that show that Ashwagandha slows, stops, reverses or removes neuritic atrophy and synaptic loss. Therefore, Ashwagandha can be used to treat Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s and other neurodegenerative diseases at any stage of the disease, even before a person has been diagnosed and is still in the state of mild forgetfulness.”
The Health Benefits of Ashwagandha:
CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
• May help to prevent Heart Attack.
• When used for 30 days after Ischemic Stroke, it can reduce the after-effects of Stroke.
• Hemoglobin levels may be improved with supplementation.
HAIR
• May help to prevent and treat Gray Hair.
IMMUNE SYSTEM
• May stimulate the production of Natural Killer Cells.
• By activating Macrophages, it can counteract various types of detrimental Fungi.
• Helps to activate NK Lymphocytes, Helper T-Cells and Macrophages.
• Bone Marrow and White Blood Cell suppression caused by many Anti-Cancer drugs may be counteracted by supplementation.
• May kill certain types of Cancer cells and may be useful in the treatment of Skin and Colon Cancer.
• Suppresses Inflammation.
• Can suppress detrimental Bacteria such as Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella typhimurium.
• An alcohol extract delivered by injection may be an effective treatment for Sarcomas.
• May increase the effectiveness of some Cancer Treatments such as Hyperthermia and Gamma Radiation.
METABOLISM
• Contains various Antioxidant compounds and stimulates the production of endogenous Antioxidant Enzymes such as:
▪ Catalase
▪ Superoxide Dismutase (SOD)
▪ Glutathione Peroxidase
• Enhances Thyroid function by stimulating the production of Thyroxine (T4) and Triiodothyronine (T3).
• Low Energy and Fatigue may be alleviated by supplementation.
• Helps increase stamina during strenuous exercise.
• May facilitate Muscle Growth.
• Elevated Blood Sugar levels may improve with supplementation as it helps to restore Insulin Sensitivity.
• May prevent Liver damage caused by Carbon Tetrachloride.
MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM
• May facilitate Muscle Growth.
• May alleviate Pain from Osteoarthritis.
NERVOUS SYSTEM
• May help to prevent both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease.
• Anxiety and Depression may be alleviated with supplementation.
• The active constituents may bind to and activate GABAa Receptors resulting in increased feelings of Relaxation.
• Can improve Learning ability and Memory.
• Inhibits Stress-induced increases in Cortisol.
• The regeneration of Neurons, Axons and Dendrites may be facilitated by supplementation.
• Can improve the Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome.
• The severity of withdrawal symptoms from Opiates can be reduced by supplementation.
• May be useful in the treatment of Huntington’s Disease.
• Helps to reduce Stress and may prevent Stress-induced damaged to the Hippocampus.
• Can alleviate Neuritis.
• May prevent Convulsions.
• May inhibit the ability of Haloperidol to cause Tardive Dyskinesia.
• The toxic effects of Amyloid-Beta Protein may be counteracted by supplementation.
• May inactivate Nuclear Factor-Kappa B.
SEXUAL SYSTEM (Male)
• By increasing Sperm production, may alleviate Male Infertility.
• May alleviate Male Impotence.
• Both Sexual Performance and Desire may be enhanced by supplementation.
• Can increase Testicular Weight.
• Can prevent atrophy and shrinkage of the Seminiferous Tubules.
Withania Somnifera Health Benefits
USAGE
Ashwagandha is best taken on an empty stomach in the morning and evening. If you suffer from insomnia the second dose of the day should be taken just prior to bedtime. The usual dosage of the whole herb is 600-1000mg twice daily. Since whole herb quality can vary greatly, I prefer to use a standardized preparation of the herb containing a minimum of 1.5% – 8.0% Withanolides (the primary active constituent).
My Personal Recommendations:
Withania somnifera Extract – 450mg
Withania somnifera
Withania somnifera Extract – Powder
For a complimentary effect combine Ashwagandha with Rhodiola Rosea.
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