Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha Benefits and Uses

Ashwagandha in the recent times is one of the most popular Ayurvedic herbs particularly in the western world and why won’t it be. With all the phenomenal benefits, Ashwagandha has a lot of offer which is the reason as to why it is renowned as an adaptogenic herb. This basically means that the herb is of great help in resisting the psychological as well as physiological stress by very well adapting to the requirements and needs of the body. Thus, it can be clearly understood that ashwagandha is simply a phenomenal herb. Now, it’s time to know about the uses and benefits of ashwagandha.  

Where is Ashwagandha Used?

Ashwagandha finds find a wide range of applications due to its highly beneficial properties. Some of the important uses of ashwagandha are as listed below.

Medicinal Uses

First of all, ashwagandha is widely used as an ingredient in a number of medicines especially in Ayurvedic medicines. Owing to the high medicinal properties, ashwagandha is readily used for manufacturing different types of medicines. 

Health Drinks or Boosters

Ashwagandha is an important compound in various health drinks and supplements. Due to the incredible capacity of ashwagandha to boost the energy of the humans, it is used for the manufacturing of energy drinks or drinks that help to revitalize within a very short period of time. 

Ashwagandha Tea and Tonic

Ashwagandha tea is the most common form in which it is used. Ashwagandha powder is mixed with hot water and a little honey to not only have a cup of tea but also enjoy the health benefits at the same time. Ashwagandha tonic is another common usage of ashwagandha on a regular basis for taking advantage which the herb has to offer.

Cosmetics

Ashwagandha is extremely good for the skin and hair. This is the reason as to why ashwagandha is used in the manufacturing of several cosmetic products for skin as well as hair. Most importantly, all the skin care and hair care products that contain ashwagandha as an ingredient are extremely effective in nature.

Apart from the ones mentioned above, there are a number of other places where Ashwagandha is used.

Benefits of Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha offers a huge number of health benefits which are as enumerated below. 

• The herb plays a significant role in the reduction of blood sugar levels and hence the ones with high blood sugar or diabetes can go for ashwagandha without any kind of hesitations. 
• Ashwagandha helps in the boosting of the immune system of the body thereby promotes an overall healthy immune system. In addition to this, ashwagandha plays a vital role in preventing the toxic effects on the bone marrow which are induced by the immunosuppressive medicines or drugs. Te herb increases the activity of the immune cells of the body thereby effectively helping them to fight infection and keeping the body healthy.
• It decreases the levels of cortisol in the blood which is referred to as the stress hormone. The adrenal glands of the human beings release cortisol in response to stress which can damage the skin since it halts the synthesis of one of the structural proteins of the skin. Thus, ashwagandha is quite beneficial in this regard. 
• Ashwagandha reduces the stress levels as well as anxiety and hence extremely beneficial for the calming of the mental processes. The herb is great to reduce or ease the symptoms of chronic stress and other anxiety related disorders. 
• The help is also very helpful in reducing the symptoms of depression.
• Due to its anti inflammatory properties, ashwagandha is great for the decreeing of inflammation. Studies have also revealed that  ashwagandha decreases the markers of inflammation such as C reactive protein which is also linked to an elevated risk of hearth disease. Thus, the herb is beneficial to avoid heart diseases as well. 
• Ashwagandha powder helps in the lowering of levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood.
• Studies have revealed that ashwagandha helps in the improvement of brain function and memory. It promotes the activity of antioxidants that protect nerve cells from the very harmful free radicals. 
• Ashwagandha supports sustained levels of energy vitality as well as strength necessarily including physical activities and hence quite helpful in keeping the body energised. 
• It promotes thyroid health and supports healthy joints & back.

Additionally, there are a lot more health benefits that ashwagandha has to offer and hence very rightly considered as a wonder herb by many.   

Author Bio: Anil Panghal is the Content Manager at Dbsouq. He writes on the cosmetic & beauty, health, men or women fashions topics.