Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha is one of the most important herbs in Ayurveda, which is a traditional form of alternative medicine based on Indian principles of natural healing. Being a powerful adaptogen, it enhances the body's resilience to stress. Ashwagandha improves the body's defense against disease by improving the cell-mediated immunity. It also possesses potent antioxidant properties that help protect against cellular damage caused by free radicals.People have used ashwagandha for thousands of years to relieve stress, increase energy levels, and improve concentration.

“Ashwagandha” is Sanskrit for “smell of the horse,” which refers to both the herb’s scent and its potential ability to increase strength.

Its botanical name is Withania somnifera, and it’s also known by several other names, including “Indian ginseng” and “winter cherry.”

The ashwagandha plant is a small shrub with yellow flowers that’s native to India and Southeast Asia. Extracts or powder from the plant’s root or leaves are used to treat a variety of conditions, including anxiety and fertility issues.

1. May help reduce stress and anxiety

Ashwagandha is perhaps best known for its ability to reduce stress. Ashwagandha appears to help control mediators of stress, including heat shock proteins (Hsp70), cortisol, and stress-activated c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK-1)

What’s more, the participants who took the ashwagandha  experienced significant improvements in sleep quality. ashwagandha may be a helpful supplement for stress and anxiety.

2. May benefit athletic performance  Ashwagandha may have beneficial effects on athletic performance and may be a worthwhile supplement for athletes.

3. May reduce symptoms of some mental health conditions

 ashwagandha may help reduce symptoms of other mental health conditions, including depression, in certain populations. Ashwagandha may help improve total symptoms and perceived stress in people with schizophrenia.

4. May help boost testosterone and increase fertility in men

Ashwagandha  have been shown in some studies to benefit male fertility and increase testosterone levels.

Additionally ashwagandha treatment significantly increased sperm concentration, semen volume, and sperm motility in men with low sperm count.

It also increased sperm concentration and motility in men with normal sperm count.

Ashwagandha may help increase testosterone levels and may have some potential benefits for male fertility.

5. May reduce blood sugar levels

Ashwagandha may have some benefits for people with diabetes or high blood sugar levels. Treatment with ashwagandha significantly reduced blood sugar, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), insulin, blood lipids, and oxidative stress markers.

7. May improve brain function, including memory

Taking ashwagandha may benefit cognitive function. ashwagandha could improve cognitive functioning in certain populations, including older adults with mild cobnitive impairment and people with schizophrenia.

Cognitive functions it may benefit included

• executive functioning
• attention
• reaction time
• performance on cognitive tasks

• immediate and general memory
• information-processing speed

.8. May help improve sleep 

Many people take ashwagandha to promote restful sleep, and it may help with sleep issues.

 ashwagandha had a small but significant positive effect on overall sleep quality.