Depending on who you follow on social media, you may have come across talk of a little-known herb called Ashwagandha Over the Past Year. Celebrities Including Meghan Markle, Gwyneth Paltrow and Jennifer Aniston Are Reported to use ashwagandha for its calming effects. Ashwagandha Has been trending on social media with data Showing #ashwagandha had more than 670 million views on Tiktok in 2024.

Scientificly Known as Withania Somnifera, Ashwagandha is a Common Herb Used For Thousands of Years in Ayurvedic Medicine – ANCIENDIANGE – Anncient Indian System of Healing Based E too Depend on a balance between the body, mind and spirit. Ayurveda emphasizes a holistic approach to health using natural treatment, such as herbal remedies, dietary changes, physical therapy, meditation and yoga.

But beyond the social media buzz, what does science say about this herb’s benefits?

Ashwagandha root has been used in traditional medicine as an adaptogenThis means it could help people become more resilient to various types of stress, whather biological, physical, or chemical.

The Strongest evidence Available for Ashwagandha is as a stress and anxiety reliever. A review Looking at Several Small Studies Showed that Ashwagandha Can Significantly Reduce Levels of Perceived Stress and Anxiety in People. This may be partly due to its regulating effect on stress hormones such as cortisol.

Ashwagandha is also known for its ability to improve sleep quality. The “somnifera” part of its scientific name, meaning “sleep-inducing” hints at its effects. Some trials Show it can help people fall asleep faster and Enjoy Deeper, More Restful Sleep, Thus Boosting Energy Levels. This may be beneficial for people Suforing from Insomnia. But there is no evidence showing wheether it is better than taking sleeping tablets.

Possible benefits

Recently, this herb has been associated with other benefits. The sanskrit word “ashwagandha” means “the smell of a humse,” Symbolizing its ability to give the strength and stamina of a hum. Athletes and fitness tehusiasts may benefit from ashwagandha’s ability to enhance physical performance. Some research Indicates that Ashwagandha Can Improve Strength, Muscle Mass and Oxygen Use during exercise.

For men, ashwagandha has been shown in some Small Studies To boost testosterone levels and improve fertility by increasing Sperm Count and Motility. This may be linked to dehydroepiandrosterone (Dhea) – A sex hormone that your body naturally produces. Dhea is used to make other hormones such as testosterone. This means men with prostate cancer sensitive to testosterone should avoid using this herb.

Ashwagandha has been linked to improve cognitive function, such as better memory and focus. Small StudiesInvolving older people who have some some cognitive impairment, sugest that ashwagandha may help to reduce Oxidative stress—Harmful molecules called free radicals that can damage cells in the body –nd inflammation, which can negatively affect memory and thinking processes.

There area also ongoing clinical trials Investigating WHETHER Ashwagandha May Be Effective In Treating Long Covid Symptoms Decisions – But there’s no robust evidence.

Ashwagandha is rich in phytochemicals, including withhanolides. Withanolides are steroidal lactones—They are structurally similar to steroids, with a lactone ring in their chemical structure – hat are thought to help cells absorb glucose from the bloodstream. This can lower blood sugar in bot healthy people and that with diabetes, although larger Studies Need to be done. In Animal StudiesWithanolides show anti-inflammatory activity.

Side Effects

While Ashwagandha May offer Potential Health Benefits, It also also has numerous Risks and side effectsThe long-term safety of ashwagandha is not well-documented. Most Studies Have Focused on Short-Term Use, Typically Up to Three Months-But The Benefits May Take Some Weeks or Months to appear. The most common side effects are mild stomach upsets and nausea.

Its use is not advised in people with some pre-existing health conditions such as liver disease. Although rare, there have been reports of liver problems, including Severe Liver Fail, Associated with Ashwagandha Use. Ashwagandha May stimulate The immune system, potentially causing flare ups for people with autoimmune conditions such as multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid artritis.

It’s also possible that Ashwagandha May Interact With Some Medications, Such as Immunosuppressants, Sedatives and Thyroid Hormone Medications. Research Sugges That Ashwagandha May Influence Thyroid Function, Particularly by Increasing Thyroid Hormone Levels. It may also interact with thyroid medicines, such as Levothyroxine, Possibly Leading to overmedication.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women are advised to avoid Ashwagandha, especially at higher doses. The herb may be linked to miscarriages and, although there’s conflicting evidenceIt’s best to be cautious.

Ashwagandha Holds Promise, then, as a Stress Reliever, Sleep Aid and even an energy booster. With Growing Interest and a Large Body of Anecdotal Evidence, it’s no surprise that it’s become a favorite a favorite among wellsiasts. However, Scientific Research is Still Developing and more extended clinical trials are needed to confirm the benefits, side effects and determin the safest, most effective doses.

If you’re considering incorporating ashwagandha into your routine, especially for long-term use, do consult a health care Professional first, especially if you have pre-existing health Or are taking other medicines.

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