Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is an adaptogenic herb which has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years. It is used to calm and strengthen the nervous system, allowing us to cope better with stress. It is a rejuvenating herb. It is one of the most important herbs of Ayurveda, used for millennia as a Rasayana for its wide-ranging health benefits. Rasayana is an herb that can rejuvenate the body and promote the health of all tissues. Among the ayurvedic Rasayana herbs, ashwagandha holds the most prominent place. Ashwagandha is an anti-stress agent, improves immunity, and possesses potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Ashwagandha is used for all types of “burn out”, overwork, stress, insomnia, or nervous exhaustion. Ashwagandha has been shown to lower cortisol levels, anxiety, and depression. Ashwagandha performed as well as the drug Lorazepam for its calming anxiolytic effect, and in another study showed an anti-depressive effect comparable to the drug Imipramine.
Ashwagandha is one of the best herbs for calming the mind, improving memory, promoting deep sleep, and calming the nervous system. It also protects against neuronal damage and oxidative stress. The elderly benefit greatly from ashwagandha as it helps with any signs of premature aging and dementia. Ashwagandha was also found useful in neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's, Huntington's and Alzheimer's diseases. There are dozens of studies that show that ashwagandha slows, stops, reverses or removes amyloid plaques and synaptic loss.
Due to its regulating affect on the HPA axis, ashwagandha improves underactive thyroid function. In one study, 600mg of ashwagandha per day increased TSH and T4 levels significantly in compared to placebo. These results were seen in just 8 weeks.
Ashwagandha helps support the hormonal system by regulating cortisol levels. It has been used to help with infertility, as an aphrodisiac, and in cases of spermatorrhea. Ashwagandha means “that which has the smell of a horse,” as it gives vitality and sexual energy of a horse.
Ashwagandha also shows promise for it’s anti-diabetic affects. Studies have shown it to help normalise blood sugar levels in diabetic rats. It can also lower cholesterol and LDL levels.
Athletes have also benefited by the use of ashwagandha as studies have shown it to improve exercise performance by increasing muscle strength and reducing fatigue, and it can also enhance oxygen uptake during exercise, indicating improved endurance. Recovery from exercise is also improved due to the cortisol lowering, and sleep promoting effects of ashwagandha.
Ashwagandha’s analgesic properties sooth the nervous system from pain response. Due to this, ashwagandha has displayed powerful anti-arthritic properties. Ashwagandha has even been used to treat lumbago (lower back pain) and sciatica.
Ashwagandha has showed significant protection against stress induced gastric ulcers. It has also shown anti-tumor effects on Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cell carcinoma.
Ashwagandha can be used externally on wounds and sores, and the leaves are applied to cancerous growths.
A general dose of ashwagandha is 600mg per day. 600-1000mg doses are also used regularly, more so in athletes and those with higher stress type situations. Doses of 1000mg-1500mg have also been used safely. Basically, the more stress you are dealing with, the higher the dose you would use. You should titrate up to the higher dosages. Start with 300-600mg and work your way up.
References / further reading:
Healing with the herbs of life – Lesley Tierra