Ashwagandha( Withania somnifera) is an Ayurvedic herb known for its medicinal properties and is widely popular in traditional medicines for centuries. It is native to India, Pakistan, Spain, Africa, parts of the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. Ashwagandha provides many benefits due to the abundance of essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, polyphenols, and phytonutrients, etc.
Because of its anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties, ashwagandha is also known as Indian ginseng.
Ashwagandha contains more than 35 different phytochemicals such as alkaloids, saponins, steroidal lactones( withanolides), polyphenols, phytosterols, and fatty acids that provide many medicinal benefits.
# Boosts Neurological HealthAshwagandha is good for the brain and boosts our neurological health.It contains several antioxidants and other relevant compounds such as phytonutrients, and polyphenols, etc.
These compounds protect our brain cells or neurons from free radical damage and reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, amnesia, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease, etc.Ashwagandha provides relief from stress and anxiety by reducing cortisol levels.
# Control Thyroid ImbalancePhytochemicals such as alkaloids, saponins, and steroidal in ashwagandha boost T4 hormone levels and triggers the transformation of T4 to T3 hormones. It increases thyroxine level and helps in controlling clinical hypothyroidism ( low level of thyroid hormones).
In a study conducted on 50 individuals with thyroid imbalance, 600 milligrams of ashwagandha root extract per individual per day showed significant improvement in their thyroid profile.
# Help Reduce Cortisol Levels
Phytonutrients, polyphenols, and other antioxidant compounds in ashwagandha reduce cortisol levels in our bodies.Cortisol is a stress hormone released by the adrenal gland in response to stress or at an extremely low level of blood sugar.
A high level of cortisol in the body can give rise to health problems such as weight gain, high blood pressure, acne, severe fatigue, irritability, and weak immunity, etc.
# Provides Anti-Inflammatory BenefitsThe anti-inflammatory properties of ashwagandha reduce pain and inflammation caused by inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, rheumatism, rheumatoid, gouts, asthma, and bronchial asthma.Because of its analgesic properties, ashwagandha relieves chronic pain. It slows down and reverses nerve-borne pain.
Ashwagandha slows down the production of inflammatory chemical messengers in the body and is effective against arthritis, gouts, boils, pimples, and colic.
# Strengthens Immune System
Ashwagandha strengthens our immune system.
The immune system is the defense mechanism of the body that prevents and treats microbial infections, diseases, injuries, and wounds.Ashwagandha is loaded with phytochemicals such as alkaloids, saponins, phytochemicals, and phytosterols, etc.
These compounds protect our immune cells or white blood cells from free radical damage.This strengthens immunity and reduces the risk of getting a cough, cold, fever, and flu, etc.