The Amazing Benefits of Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha, also known as Indian ginseng or winter cherry, has gained popularity in the past few years as a supplement that can support physical and mental health with no negative side effects. Whether you’re looking to improve your focus and memory or treat your thyroid dysfunction, ashwagandha can be a safe option for addressing these issues without introducing any dangerous side effects. Let’s take a look at some of the biggest benefits of ashwagandha to help you decide if it might be right for you!

What is ashwagandha?

Ashwagandha, also known as Withania somniferum, is a plant that grows in India. It’s primarily used for its healing effects on a number of conditions and its use has been dated back to 400 BC. While it was first introduced to Western countries back in 1835, it wasn’t until 1985 that ashwagandha was first researched on humans. Since then, several studies have shown that ashwagandha can boost health and longevity when regularly taken for short periods or long-term. 

How does ashwagandha help anxiety?

In a double-blind study conducted on patients suffering from anxiety, researchers found that those who were treated with ashwagandha saw significant improvement in their symptoms. It may be effective because ashwagandha regulates serotonin and dopamine levels in your brain—two important neurotransmitters associated with mood, concentration, and behavior. In fact, some studies have even suggested that ashwagandha can help ease depression more effectively than prescription antidepressants (2). Because it’s so effective for stress relief, we recommend using ashwagandha regularly to reduce stress-related anxiety and improve overall mental health.

How does ashwagandha support the thyroid?

One study looked at how ashwagandha influences thyroid hormones. The results showed that while healthy participants saw an increase in thyroid hormone levels after taking ashwagandha, those who had hypothyroidism and took medication to regulate their thyroid function did not see any significant changes with their medication when taking ashwagandha. This suggests that ashwagandha supplementation may help people with hypothyroidism, but only if they’re not on medications for it. If you’re taking prescription drugs for your thyroid disorder, talk to your doctor before adding herbal supplements like ashwagandha to your regimen.

Does ashwagandha have any side effects?

Although no serious side effects have been reported, a large amount of ashwagandha powder could cause an upset stomach. If you want to avoid stomach issues, you may want to consider taking ashwagandha extract in capsule form. Most people should not experience any negative effects when taking 300 milligrams or less of ashwagandha daily. It’s important to note that taking higher doses can also cause insomnia and anxiety because ashwagandha stimulates GABA receptors in your brain. Long-term use has been linked to hair loss and menstrual problems in women, but there’s no solid evidence supporting these claims just yet.

Is ashwagandha good for you?

If you’re wondering whether ashwagandha is good for you, we can answer with a resounding yes. This herb has been used in India for thousands of years and even today, it remains an important part of Indian culture and medicine. Since there are so many health benefits associated with ashwagandha, it's safe to say that it's pretty beneficial. Specifically, some common uses for ashwagandha include energy booster; anti-stress; anti-inflammatory properties; immune support; and prevention of some cancers. There's also preliminary evidence that it may be helpful as a sleep aid and as an antioxidant agent (but more research is needed). In addition to these, there are other benefits as well.