What Is Ashwaganda Do You Think You Should Consider Trying It?
If you're a lover of nutritious smoothies and tonics, or you've spent any time on health-related social media feeds during the past year, it's likely that you've seen or heard the term "ashwagandha." It's a promising source of stress relief in a non-stop world, it's no wonder this herb is receiving all the attention. As a holistic dietitian I've received a lot of questions about the herb too. So, I tried myself and wanted to share what I've found out about it.
What exactly is Ashwagandha?
Ashwagandha is a shrub native to India and the Middle East and parts of Africa. It is also known as Indian Ginseng. Most of the time, the roots and leaves are used in herbal medicine tonics, powder or pills.
What are the Purported Benefits of Ashwagandha?
Though the research on most potential benefits of the herb is not conclusive or even complete, Ashwagandha may be used to help with:
Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Stress
Anxiety
Sleep issues
Cognition
Sexual dysfunction and infertility
Bipolar disorder
Type 2 diabetes
Ashwagandha has been a component of both herbal and ayurvedic medicine for a long time. It has been used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of conditions, including anxiety, stress, insomnia and obsessive compulsive disorders. It was proven to outperform placebo in OCD treatment. A small study found that it can moderately reduce symptoms of rheumatoidarthritis when combined alongside other treatments. Still, the effectiveness of ashwagandha alone for RA is unclear.
The adaptogenic properties of Ashwagandha are the reason it is so popular today. This means it is able to help alleviate anxiety, sleeplessness or fatigue, as well as anxiety. It also assists in helping manage everyday triggers, like the sound of your alarm on Monday morning.
Is Ashwagandha Safe?
Ashwagandha, a supplement is not well controlled. Every brand is not the same. What appears on the label might not be what you get inside. Like other supplements, ashwaganda supplement may interfere or interact with some medications and other herbs and supplements. It is not recommended during pregnancy, breastfeeding or when children are present.
Although Ashwagandha appears to be well-tolerated, large doses can cause nausea, upset stomach or abdominal pain. There have also been reports of dermatitis in a small study.
However, studies suggest that ashwagandha is safe when used in short-term amounts. Before you start the process, be sure that you consult a licensed healthcare professional and research thoroughly before making a final decision. Look for brands that are independently tested for safety and potency, and ones that are open about where and how the ashwagandha comes from.
How to Use Ashwagandha
If you decide to give Ashwagandha a try, you might be wondering what to do with it. ashwagandha is a bit bitter and astringent taste. It is a good idea to avoid this by taking the powder as a capsule. Add the powder to smoothies, energy bites or a morning latte or tea.
Although further research on clinical trials is required to confirm the advantages of this herb, it appears to be safe for the majority of people.
