Overview

Ashwagandha root (Withania somnifera) is a non-toxic herb that has been used for centuries in traditional medicines in India.

It is an evergreen shrub found in Africa and India.

Also known as Indian ginseng, winter, ashwagandha is a herbal shrub whose roots and berries are used for their medicinal properties. It is a type of plant called adaptogens known for their health benefits when taken as teas, powders, and supplements, or in their raw forms. Scientific studies support the health benefits of ashwagandha, especially in the areas of anti-oxidizing, anti-inflammatory, anti-stress, and sleep-inducing properties. It is also suggested that it may act as a tonic to improve overall health and energy.

Benefits:

Specific benefits related to the consumption of ashwagandha incude:

• Better memory and focus. A study found that ashwagandha significantly improved participants’ memory across a variety of tests with significantly enhanced attention spans.
• Heart health. A number of studies studies have shown that ashwagandha can increase the maximum amount of oxygen you take in while physically exerting yourself. These levels are used in measuring cardiorespiratory endurance and can indicate a healthy heart that performs well under those circumstances.
• Anxiety. Ashwagandha has the potential to treat agoraphobia whilst studies show that it could be as effective as pharmacological drugs, without the harmful side effects like increased appetite, drowsiness or insomnia that are often experienced by people on antianxiety drugs.
• Stress reliver. In a large trial, treatment with ashwagandha significantly reduced cortisol levels in 64 patients over 60 days. Cortisol has a variety of undesirable effects on the human body when produced in excessive amounts.
• Stimulates the immune system. According to some studies, ashwagandha increases the activity of natural killer cells, those that fight viruses, so one of ashwagandha's possible benefits is its ability to modulate and stimulate the immune system. It is possible, therefore, that ashwagandha may help the immune system fight off infection and prevent overreactions by combating inflammation. 

In Summary

As with many other herbs and plants with beneficial properties, they should all be consumed in moderation and should be integrated into a daily health regimen that is balanced. Ashwagandha has however shown itself to have some serious beneficial properties.

References

Deby. (2020. November 30). 15 Powerful Health Benefits of Ashwagandha. Facty. https://facty.com/lifestyle/wellness/10-powerful-health-benefits-of-ashwagandha/1/

Silva, L. (2021, July 15). 7 Science-Backed Health Benefits Of Ashwagandha. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/health/body/ashwagandha-benefits