Ashwagandha is a magical herbal remedy used as a sedative, a diuretic, a rejuvenating tonic, an anti-inflammatory agent, aphrodisiac and an immune booster.
It is especially good in stress-related disorders such as arthritis, hypertension, hypotension, diabetes, general debility. It is an adaptogen stimulates the immune system and improves the memory.
Hypertension Herb Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha Plant: Ashwagandha is a plump shrub with oval leaves and yellow flowers. It bears a red fruit about the size of a raisin.
In Sanskrit Ashwagandha means “the smell of a horse,” indicating the herb vigor and strength promoting character, and has been traditionally used to strengthen their immune system after an illness. It has been used for over 3,000 years to relieve stress, increase energy and improve concentration.
Ashwagandha is one of the most powerful herbs in Ayurveda. Medical researchers have been studying it for years and have more than 200 studies on the healing properties of this herb.
Ashwagandha is an adaptogen herb; Adaptogen helps deal effectively with internal (anxiety & insomnia) and external stresses (toxins & harmful microbes in the environment).
Other names of Ashwagandha: Withania somnifera, known commonly as Ashwagandha, Indian ginseng (because of its rejuvenating properties, even though they are botanically unrelated), poison gooseberry, or winter cherry.
Ashwagandha nutritional value: Ashwagandha is rich in iron, antioxidants, tannins, potassium, nitrate, fatty acids and glucose. It also contains withanolides (steroidal lactones), alkaloids, choline, and amino acids.
Different available forms of the Ashwagandha: Ashwagandha root is available in the market either in powdered form, dried form, or fresh root form.
Recommended daily dosage for Ashwagandha: 600 to 1,000 mg of Ashwagandha powder twice daily. For insomnia and anxiety, have a cup of warm milk with a teaspoon of powdered Ashwagandha before bedtime.
How do you take Ashwagandha? You can make an Ashwagandha tea by boiling the root or powder (not more than a spoon) in a cup of water for 10 minutes. You can improve taste by squeezing ½ lemon, and sweeten with raw sugar or stevia.
How does Ashwagandha lower blood pressure?
Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb; it works in lots of non-specific ways. Ashwagandha help reduces the impact of stress and anxiety. Studies found people who took ashwagandha have decreased in both blood pressure and pulse rate.
Ashwagandha’s scientific evidence
Ashwagandha possesses many qualities, including anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and immunomodulatory properties, as well as exerting an influence on the endocrine, nervous, and cardiopulmonary systems. By the analysis, it was concluded that supplementation of Ashwagandha with milk is more effective in the treatment of hypertension. [Ethno Med, 6(2): 111-115 (2012)]
Studies have shown that Ashwagandha significantly reduces experimental and biochemical indicators of stress without adverse effects. [The Journal of the American Nutraceutical Association. Vol. 11, No. 1, 2008]
19 Medicinal Uses of Ashwagandha
Numerous studies confirmed Ashwagandha healing properties for stress, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, Parkinson’s, various cancers, tuberculosis, and many others. Below are the mini list of its benefits
- Hypertension - Ashwagandha help reduces the impact of stress and anxiety, thus decreases both blood pressure and pulse rate.
- Reduce Blood Sugar - Many human studies confirmed Ashwagandha ability to reduce blood sugar. It has an average reduction in fasting blood sugar levels of 13.5 mg/dL.
- Anti-Cancer - Ashwagandha impedes the growth of new cancer cells by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are toxic to cancer cells but not normal cells. It is beneficial for several cancer types such as breast, lung, colon, brain and ovarian cancer.
- Cortisol - Cortisol is a stress hormone released by your adrenal glands in response to stress. Studies have shown Ashwagandha may help reduce cortisol levels in chronically stressed individuals.
- Stress & Anxiety - It has been used for over 3,000 years to relieve stress. Many controlled clinical studies have shown Ashwagandha effectively reduced symptoms in people with stress and anxiety disorders.
- Depression - Studies suggest Ashwagandha may help alleviate depression.
- Testosterone & Increase Men Fertility - Ashwagandha has strong beneficial effects on male hormone and reproductive health. It improves sperm count and motility.
- Muscle Mass & Strength - Healthy men who took 750 to 1250 mg per day of Ashwagandha had gained muscle mass and lost fat after 30 days.
- Reduce Inflammation - Studies in humans found Ashwagandha increases the natural killer cells activity; they are immune cells fight infection.
- Cholesterol & Triglycerides - Ashwagandha help improves heart health by reducing cholesterol as much as 53% and triglyceride as much as 45%.
- Improve Brain Function - Ashwagandha has been traditionally used to boost memory, reaction times, and task performing ability.
- Thyroid Gland - For hypothyroidism, Ashwagandha can stimulate the thyroid gland and will increase the secretion of thyroid hormones.
- Immunity - Ashwagandha increased the red blood cell, white blood cell, and platelets count. Ashwagandha significant modulation of immune system reactivity.
- Prevents Seizures - Ashwagandha has been a widely used remedy for seizures and convulsions in Ayurveda medicine.
- Menopausal Support - Ashwagandha acts on the endocrine system and establish hormonal balance, thus help with menopausal symptoms.
- Energy - Ashwagandha improves energy level and revitalizes.
- Mood Booster - Ashwagandha is a known as a mood-boosting herb.
- Nervous System - It is a promising treatment for degenerative mental diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. It promotes the growth of both normal and damaged nerve cells.
- Protect against harmful microbes - The antimicrobial and antibacterial properties of Ashwagandha protect against dangerous bacteria called salmonella.
Ashwagandha side effects or warnings
There are no debilitating side effects of Ashwagandha, but may cause some problems if consumed in high quantities.
You can take Ashwagandha along with your hypertension medication (don't stop it).