A search for “how to improve sleep quality,” “how to manage stress,” or “what supplements to take to help with stress,” will invariably lead the searcher to ashwagandha at some point or another.
Ashwagandha is known properly by the scientific name Withania somnifera as well as by several common names such as Winter Cherry or Indian Ginseng. It is an evergreen shrub belonging to the Nightshade family (Solanaceae) that is native to the Middle East and India.
Botanical classification aside, ashwagandha shows up in the aforementioned searches because it is a principal medicinal herb in Ayurveda, a holistic alternative medicinal system that arose (and is still practiced) in India.
Ashwagandha is chiefly distributed in powdered form or in capsules and some believe that it can help reduce stress and improve sleep quality, among other purported health benefits.
Does Ashwagandha Reduce Stress?
One of the main reasons modern users seek ashwagandha supplements is because it is believed to be an adaptogenic herb that may help the user cope with feelings of stress and anxiety.
Ashwagandha contains a number of different compounds known as alkaloids, such as anahygrine and anaferine, among others. These compounds, along with sitoindosides and acylsteryglucosides, are implicated in “anti-stress activities.”
Ashwagandha root extract is also potentially beneficial in reducing anxiety and stress levels. The reason for this is that ashwagandha may be able to control the levels of cortisol, a powerful hormone that regulates the stress response, within the body.
Are There Other Potential Benefits of Taking Ashwagandha Powder?
Ashwagandha is not only taken as a supplement for its supposed benefits for stress management. There may also be evidence that it helps with sleep quality.
One double-blind, placebo-controlled study suggested that users who took 250mg and 600mg over the course of 8 weeks experienced substantially improved sleep quality.
Ashwagandha may also provide other benefits. Some users take ashwagandha supplements to improve their athletic abilities. Although additional studies would provide clearer conclusions, one study suggested that ashwagandha supplements may be effective at improving VO2max in both athletes and non-athletes. (VO2max is a measurement of cardiovascular fitness, given as the maximum amount of oxygen available during strenuous activity.)
Additionally, users may take ashwagandha supplements because it is believed to boost testosterone in men, boost the acuity of memory, potentially even control blood sugar levels and even manage inflammation.
Can You Take Ashwagandha Every Day?
In some of the studies referenced here, the subjects took ashwagandha supplements every day, and many providers of dietary supplements intend their products to be taken daily. If you have concerns about daily use, please consult your primary care physician.
Visit Feel Younger
Those interested in incorporating ashwagandha supplements into their wellness routines should visit Feel Younger at FeelYounger.net. Their Organic Ashwagandha (1300mg) Supplement is blended to enrich and energize the mind and body, support immune health (and the health of many other major systems), provide a sense of overall wellbeing, and more.
Their Organic Ashwagandha (1300mg) Supplement, which is made with black pepper extract, may also help users with stress relief and overall sleep health.
To learn more about their ashwagandha capsules visit their website via the link above or get in touch with them at Support@FeelYounger.net.
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