Ashwagandha, an adaptogenic herb, has been used for more than 2.500 years. It is mostly used in multiple ailments in Ayurvedic medicine.
For example, ashwagandha benefits include improving the thyroid function, relieving adrenal fatigue, treating anxiety and others. It can also treat depression and combat several forms of cancer.
6 Ashwagandha Benefits
Improving Thyroid Function
One of the unique benefits of ashwagandha is its ability to improve both an under-performing as well as an over-performing thyroid. This potent herb can assist the sluggish thyroid in people that have been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease as well as Grave’s disease.
However, research of the effects of ashwagandha on hyperthyroidism is limited.The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine posted a study in 2017 that examined the benefits of ashwagandha.
Participants in the study had been diagnosed with thyroid disorder but don’t have any symptoms of thyroid deficiency.The treatment group received 600 milligrams of ashwagandha root extract every day for a period of 8 weeks.
The control group received placebos. When comparing it to the placebo, researchers found out that the ashwagandha improved TSH and thyroxine levels impressively.
They concluded that the herb can be beneficial in normalizing thyroid levels in patients with hyperthyroidism.
Relieves Adrenal Fatigue
Ashwagandha has the ability to assist the adrenal function. If your adrenals are overworked due to physical or mental stress, you might develop a condition known as adrenal fatigue.
This can disrupt the hormones in your body, such as progesterone, leading to infertility and reduced levels of DHEA. Ashwagandha can help to balance out the hormones and correct the adrenal fatigue.
Battles Stress and Anxiety
Another benefit of the ashwagandha herb is the capacity to act as a remedy for anxiety. PLOS One published a study that closely examined the benefits of ashwagandha.
They found out that ashwagandha can be compared to most common pharmaceutical drugs such as imipramine and lorazepam without the side effects!In addition, the study divided participants in two groups.
The first one received placebos and psychotherapy, while the other group received naturopathic care. This treatment included standard multivitamins as well as ashwagandha twice per day.
There were also deep-breathing exercises and dietary counselling. Those in the second group had a 55 percent drop in anxiety. The placebo group, only had a 30.5 percent reduction.
Improving Digestion
In addition to the benefits, ashwagandha also has the ability to treat depression. It improves the stress resistance and can improve the quality of life, overall.
A study demonstrated how, when used on rats, it helped them stabilize their mood when they were faced with ‘behavioral despair’ and ‘learned helplessness’.
Helps In Fighting Cancer
Ashwagandha benefits also have a say in fighting cancer. In particular, it helps to inhibit the proliferation of lungs, stomach and breast cancer cells, as well as colon cancer cells.
Experts suggest that this is due to the fact that the herb can boost one’s immunity and contains powerful antioxidant properties.Other studies have shown that the ashwagandha herb can also lower or completely diminish the side effects of anti-cancer treatments and can also increase the white blood cells in the body.
Reduces Degeneration of Brain Cells and Improves Memory
Thanks to its powerful antioxidant activity, the ashwagandha herb benefits also include protection from brain cell degeneration. This can be consider as fighting off Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease.
Emotional, chemical and physical stress can all have a damaging effect on the nervous system and brain. Recent research has proven that the ashwagandha herb is more than a stress reliever.
It also protects the brain for cell degeneration, which might lead to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. One of the main reasons the ashwagandha herb is effective at healing the brain is due to the fact that it contains powerful antioxidants that destroy any free radicals that might cause aging, thus eliminating the possibility of further complications.
Ashwagandha has naturally occurring steroids in it that, when injected into rodents, they promote cell outgrowth, reverse plaque buildup and behavior deficits, but also reduce the amyloid beta burden. This is an important and crucial component in the development of Alzheimer’s disease.
In addition, the Journal of Dietary Supplements released a study in which researchers found that this herb enhances short-term and general memory in people with mild cognitive impairment.