When Focused on Enhancing Stamina & Vitality, How Ashwagandha Can Help!
Ashwagandha is an ancient herb that comes loaded with an impressive therapeutic profile. Being an Ayurvedic staple, it offers a host of health benefits and not only appears as an ingredient in medicinal preparations, but is also regarded as a stand-alone medication for several health conditions.
Ashwagandha – The Natural Panacea
When it comes to relieving all kinds of stress, gaining energy and improving brain function. The name ‘Ashwagandha‘ literally translates to ‘the smell of a horse’ and the herb is celebrated for its properties that render us the power and vigour as that of a horse. However, it is popular the world over by a host of other names. Botanically, it is called Withania somnifera, but some of its other aliases include winter cherry, Indian ginseng, etc.
A plump, evergreen shrub of sorts, it is native to dry landscapes of India, Middle East and several regions of Africa. Usually, it’s the roots and tiny fruits that are used for medicinal preparations. However, the leaves and seeds are also used for certain, specific purposes. Nowadays, owing much to its impressive healing and health profile, it is sold in the form of popular supplements.
Health Benefits of Ashwagandha
Some of its most sought after benefits include –
- It allows us to manage our sugar levels by improving insulin levels in our blood. It also goes a long way in increasing our sensitivity towards this hormone.
- It has the potential to reduce hypertension, and regularise our blood pressure on day to day basis.
- It also reduces cholesterol and triglyceride levels, thus keeping a somewhat check on our heart health.
- It exhibits reasonable anti-inflammatory properties, by increasing the activity of natural killer cells. Therefore, it is quite effective for those suffering from arthritis and similar bone disorders.
- Ashwagandha is also a natural analgesic, and helps bring down the pain and discomfort to quite an extent
- Being an aphrodisiac, it helps improve male fertility issues by boosting testosterone levels. It also increases libido, as well as the sperm quality.
- It has been found to be quite effective at reducing the growth of cancer cells in the body
- Its neuro-protective properties go a long way in offering protection against symptoms of Alzheimer’s.
- It improves our brain function, and allows us to concentrate and memorise better. Even those experiencing ADHD can benefit to a great extent from this herb.
Ashwagandha for Endurance & Muscle Mass
While it appears as an herb of much importance in various traditional systems of medications, Ashwagandha holds a particularly special place in Ayurveda. It is also called ‘Rasayana‘ in the Ayurvedic vocabulary, which translates to something that’s extremely rejuvenating and helps in maintaining youthfulness.
Ashwagandha has been popularly used since centuries as a general tonic. It has the potential to boost energy, and offers benefits deep down to the muscle level. By improving our body composition, supplementing the diet with Ashwagandha helps increase muscles mass, and therefore, muscle strength. In the process, it helps us in getting rid of excessive body fat.
Ashwagandha as an Adaptogen
It serves as an excellent adaptogen and holds the capacity to manage everyday stress, both physical and mental. It helps reduces the level of cortisol, the stress hormone in our body. Thus, it offers a great advantage to those suffering from chronic stress. Further, it also helps in regulating chemical signals in the nervous system, thereby reducing the severity of stress and anxiety related symptoms. By serving as a sedative, it helps calm us down and react to stress triggers in a much better manner. Owing to its sleep inducing properties, it allows to address the issue of insomnia and sleeplessness.
Consuming Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha supplements are by and large safe for consumption for most people. It is an extremely efficient, rather economic and easiest means to boost stamina and endurance. Also, the fact that it us all natural and quite readily available makes it score all the more on the why we should already be using it. A word of caution, though. Make sure to consult your doctor on the dosage of Ashwagandha supplements, and whether you should be using it at all. As with any herb, it could interfere with your health or existing medications. Be safe than be sorry, get your physician’s nod and you are good to experience the most natural and effective means of increasing stamina and endurance.
About the Author:
Dr Sonica Krishan is Author and Speaker in the areas of Healthy and Joyous Living through Ayurveda, Meditation, Yoga and other Contemplative practices. She is a leading Ayurveda Professional in India. She is also Health Writer, Columnist, Editor, Ayurveda Consultant and Holistic Healing Coach. Dr Sonica is open for National as well as International Collaborations with interested people / institutions in fields of Ayurveda, Meditation and Yoga.
Dr Sonica Krishan’s Books are available at Amazon
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