How Ashwagandha benefits your health and how to use it?
Until recently even I was in the dark as I did not know much about Ashwagandha benefits. But as they say, it’s never too late to gain knowledge.
I did not have the faintest idea that Ashwagandha is also known as the Indian winter cherry.
The name sounds cool, right?
What is Ashwagandha?
One important fact to know is that ashwagandha is an ancient medicinal herb. A prominent herb in Indian Ayurvedic medicine and has become a popular supplement due to its health benefits.
In fact, ashwagandha is one of the most powerful herbs in Ayurveda loaded with antioxidants, protein, iron, fibre, amino acids, fatty acids, calcium, and vitamin c
The ashwagandha plant is small and short, with velvety leaves and bell flowers that contain orange fruits, similar in appearance to a tomato.
Ayurveda about Ashwagandha benefits
Ayurveda says that you can improve physical and mental health with the help of ashwagandha.
Ashwagandha can help you increase your longevity.
The ashwagandha benefits used in Ayurveda to balance ‘bata’ and ‘Kapha’ in excess and it can imbalance ‘Pitta’. It clears impurities from various channels of the body.
Do you know that ashwagandha has been used in Ayurveda for nearly 5000 years as a rejuvenating tonic and adaptogenic herb which means it is used to help the body resist physiological and psychological stress by adapting to the needs of the body.
Let’s know more about Ashwagandha’s history
The species name, somnifera, means “sleep-inducing” in Latin and it refers to ashwagandha’s use as a sedative.
The words ashva, meaning ‘horse’, and gandha, meaning ‘smell’ combine to name this herb ‘Ashwagandha’, because the root has strong horse-like odor.
The Ayurvedic health practitioner Vaidya R. K. Mishra states that the translation can be taken literally, or that it could be interpreted to mean “horse essence” and that ashwagandha provides the strength, character, essence, or stamina of a horse.
Do you know that Ashwagandha grows in the drier areas of the Indian subcontinent and is a native to this part of the world?
Ayurvedic ashwagandha is widely grown in dry parts of subtropical regions. Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh are major ashwagandha growing states in India.
You can also find this herb in Africa too.
It prefers dry stony soil with the sun to partial shade. To propagate it can be grown from seed in the early spring or from greenwood cuttings in the later spring.
Want to look younger and be healthier?
This miraculous herb is just the Magic wand for you. With its anti-aging property, you can aim for healthy skin and fairness.
Magical ashwagandha is one of the Rasayana herbs in Ayurveda that purportedly promotes youth and longevity and alleviates suffering.
Antioxidants present in Ashwagandha protect the skin against free radical damage and slows down the aging process by tightening your skin for a younger look.
Ashwagandha benefits for your health
You can find some magical medicinal properties in all the parts of ashwagandha and will be surprised to know that all of it can be used in making various drugs.
Especially the roots which are highly useful in preparing vital tonics.
- With its stress-relieving powers, you can treat senile dysfunctions.
- If you have it in the required quantities, you can control anxiety, depression, phobias, alcoholic paranoia, schizophrenia, etc.
- You can improve your heart functioning with the consumption of this herb.
- This medicinal herb will boost your immune system.
- It will help you in lowering cholesterol in your boy.
- This herb helps in regulating blood sugar levels.
- The ashwagandha can stimulate your collagen and promotes wound healing.
- Nutrients in ashwagandha can stimulate your underactive thyroid.
- Having ashwagandha will benefit you in increasing the muscle mass & strength
- If you consume it in the required quantity, it helps in reducing swelling & pain.
- With ashwagandha you can boost memory & cognitive performance.
- This herb benefits a healthy reproductive system in both males & females.
- By consuming ashwagandha in the required quantity you can boost energy levels & vitality.
- Ashwagandha benefits your joints and eye health.
- Ashwagandha prevents some sort of cancer cell growth.
Safety and side effects of Ashwagandha
Because ashwagandha is generally well tolerated with small to medium dosage, if you consume it in large doses it may cause abdominal discomfort, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Diabetes patients must consume only half a teaspoon daily.
Pregnant women should avoid using ashwagandha because it can cause early delivery.
The ashwagandha may interact with certain medications. Always talk to your doctor before consuming ashwagandha if you take any medications.
Ashwagandha tea may interact with blood pressure medications and diabetic medications so limit or avoid use if you take these medicines.
How to consume Ashwagandha
- If you apply the Ashwagandha roots powder paste, you can treat bedsores, boils, ulcers, skin irritations, and infections.
- Roast 1 teaspoon of Ashwagandha powder in ghee and mix with a tablespoon of date sugar or one tablespoon of honey
- Consume this Ashwagandha mixture in the morning 45 minutes after your breakfast.
- You can also take Ashwagandha with hot water-
- Add half a teaspoon of Ashwagandha powder to a cup of hot water. Let it lukewarm, then add one teaspoon of honey to it and drink.
- You can also add a pinch of black pepper powder. Repeat this twice a day
- Or Simmer 1 teaspoon of Ashwagandha powder in a glass of milk over low heat for 5-8 mins.
- Add 1 tablespoon sugar candy and a pinch of cardamom powder and stir until mixed well.
- Turn off the heat and drink the mixture. You can repeat this once or twice a day.
- For ashwagandha tablets (supplements) do make sure you check the ingredients before buying.
- Take 1-2 tablets 30 minutes after your meal once or twice daily in the morning at night or whenever it is most convenient for you.
WHAT IS ASHWAGANDHA TEA?
Ashwagandha tea is extracted from the leaves and roots of the ashwagandha plant.
You will experience a rich earthly flavor and can always spice it up with cardamom and cinnamon or add sweeteners such as ‘agave’ or ‘honey’, for a better flavor.
Ashwagandha tea possesses a slightly bitter flavor and some people may find the flavor of the tea a bit overwhelming. So, you may consume it with honey, cardamom, and buttermilk.
HOW TO MAKE ASHWAGANDHA TEA
You can easily make ashwagandha tea from the ashwagandha root powder, which you can buy from local health food stores or online.
Here’s a simple recipe for making ashwagandha tea that you can follow:
- Boil one cup of water.
- Add one teaspoon of dried ashwagandha root powder.
- Cover the boiling water with a lid and turn the heat down.
- Let the water simmer for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Remove the water from heat and allow it to cool.
- Using a strainer, gently pour the water into a glass jar or mug.
- Add turmeric, agave, cinnamon, honey, or other sweeteners.
- Enjoy your cup of ashwagandha tea
Use one teaspoon of dried ashwagandha root powder for every cup of water.
