Ashwagandha is an ayurvedic and adaptogenic evergreen shrub that may help alleviate stress, insomnia, anxiety, and depression. Learn how to take it for the best results in this guide.
Ashwagandha is an ancient medicinal root that has been used for centuries. Ashwagandha is a Sanskrit word that describes the strength of a horse, which refers to the vitality and strength it gives to those who take it.
Nowadays, the supplement is used to reduce the symptoms of anxiety and depression, improve athletic performance, and enhance sleep quality and male fertility. The herb, also known as winter cherry and Indian ginseng, has a strong odor that is particularly noticeable in the powder and elixir forms, making the pill and capsule form the most popular. To learn more about the benefits of ashwagandha natural remedies, when to take ashwagandha, and how to take it, read on!
What Is Ashwagandha?
Ashwagandha extract is an Ayudervic supplement that is ingested to receive various benefits. The herb has been used for almost 6000 years in mostly India, but also in Africa and parts of the Middle East to provide fertility, improved mood, and improved physical performance. You can read more about ashwagandha and its many benefits in more detail in this overview by the National Institutes of Health.
You can ingest ashwagandha extract in pill form or capsules, powder, or elixir. This post will deep-dive into the health benefits of using ashwagandha and how to take it to avoid adverse side effects.
Health Benefits Of Ashwagandha
From sleep quality to symptoms of anxiety and depression, ashwagandha can help with a broad range of ailments. Here we will cover the ways you might benefit from using ashwagandha.
Ashwagandha May Reduce Stress
The human body releases the stress-response hormone cortisol to help create a 'fight or flight' response in life-threatening situations. However, daily life events such as meetings at work and money struggles can cause a stress response, even if you are not in any imminent danger. Holistic medicinal benefits can help you manage the symptoms associated with reducing stress.
The ashwagandha supplement works to help balance cortisol levels in the body. Additionally, ashwagandha benefits those suffering from chronic stress and helps to lower blood pressure. Having healthy levels of cortisol production discourages the stress response in the body and allows you to cope with the daily stresses of life without having physical anxiety symptoms.
Ashwagandha May Improve Sleep
When you're suffering from sleep difficulties, you need a plethora of tools at your disposal to help you manage your sleep quality.
Studies have shown that ashwagandha may improve your sleep health. This is because ashwagandha works to balance the adrenal system, which plays a vital role in the body's stress response and sleep patterns, so ashwagandha can help improve sleep quality and help you have more restorative sleep.
Ashwagandha May Enhance Athletic Performance
Ashwagandha can help you gain muscle mass and manage fat levels. Ashwagandha has an anabolic effect, meaning it helps to support weight gain. Ashwagandha can support a child's growth, so the supplement is used in fortified milk for children. Ashwagandha supports the management of a healthy fat-to-muscle ratio.
Ashwagandha May Lower Cholesterol Levels
When the cholesterol level in the body becomes high, this can affect heart function and cause heart disease. One study showed that over 60 days, stressed adults had a 17% decrease in their harmful cholesterol levels. Taking ashwagandha can be highly beneficial to those with high cholesterol and can be a valuable tool to help lower cholesterol levels in the body.
Ashwagandha May Prevent Cravings And Spikes In Blood Sugar Levels
Both healthy individuals and those with diabetes can struggle with cravings and spikes in blood sugar. Ashwagandha can help to balance the production of insulin in the body. Insulin is responsible for managing blood sugar, and those with diabetes have inhibited insulin production. So, using ashwagandha can help lower blood sugar levels, prevent cravings and encourage weight loss.
Ashwagandha May Help Brain Performance
Those with cognitive impairments, Alzheimer's, and schizophrenia suffer from inhibited brain performance. Ashwagandha has been known to improve cognitive function and can help to improve concentration, response time, executive function, and performance on cognitive tasks. Ashwagandha is a powerful supplement that you can implement in your daily routine to help improve your brain function and mental alertness.
Ashwagandha Has Anti-Inflammatory And Antioxidant Properties
Inflammation in the body can lead to infection and compromise the immune system, and ashwagandha has anti-inflammatory properties that can help to reduce inflammation in the body. Ashwagandha also has antioxidant properties, which means it can help the body destroy free radicals that can lead to cancer, heart disease, and other complications. Managing inflammation and oxidation in the body can help to prevent illness and complications.
Ashwagandha Mixed With CBD
Many people are curious about whether combining these two popular compounds could work even better together. So, can you mix ashwagandha with CBD? The answer is - yes! They both help the body maintain balance when experiencing stress, inflammation, and sleep disturbances, but if taken together might be even more powerful since they work in different ways.
How Long Does Ashwagandha Take To Work?
Ashwagandha works best in conjunction with a healthy lifestyle, which means its effects will be hindered by smoking, drinking, and other unhealthy habits. In general, ashwagandha takes around 2 weeks before you start seeing its results. The effects of taking ashwagandha do not present themselves immediately, and it may take over a month to start noticing any big changes in mood and overall wellbeing. Patience is key!
Can You Take Ashwagandha In The Morning Or At Night?
Some people are unsure when you should take this supplement to receive its benefits. So, here we will discuss when the best time to take ashwagandha is and which times may work best for your personal needs.
There Is No "Best" Time To Take Ashwagandha
There is no "best" time to take ashwagandha. If you are unsure when to take the supplement, it's best to analyze your daily supplement routine and take ashwagandha root extract in line with your usual routine. You must take ashwagandha consistently to receive the full effects, so it's best to take it at the time of day that you are most likely to remember to take it. Since ashwagandha can be taken at any time of day, you can easily fit it into your daily routine.
Can you take Ashwagandha in the morning?
Yes, but it's best to wait until after eating. Since taking ashwagandha on an empty stomach can cause stomach upset, it's best not to take it right away in the morning. Waiting until after you've eaten will allow you to reduce the risk of stomach upset.
Can you take Ashwagandha at night?
Of course, it's known to help improve your sleep quality. Ashwagandha can be included in your moon milk recipe to help with sleep. Moon milk is a recipe that involves ashwagandha churna mixed with spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and ashwagandha, along with the milk of your choosing and some syrup or honey. This recipe can add a little warmth to your night routine and help you reduce stress and get a restful night's sleep.
How To Take Ashwagandha?
Ashwagandha can be ingested in many different forms, and each method of taking ashwagandha daily has its benefits. You should not take more than two doses of ashwagandha tablets and powder each day.
Ashwagandha Powder
Ashwagandha powder is the basis for any other way of taking ashwagandha. When you take ashwagandha powder, you should mix about half a teaspoon of the powder with milk and a little honey.
Ashwagandha Tablets
Ashwagandha tablets are a convenient way to take ashwagandha and can be taken at any point throughout the day with a glass of milk. For the best results, we recommend taking ashwagandha tablets twice a day after food. Ashwagandha capsules and ashwagandha tablets allow you to get your dose with minimal effort.
Ashwagandha Moon Milk
Ashwagandha moon milk is the perfect traditional medicine addition to your nighttime routine. To make ashwagandha moon milk, you will need to mix ashwagandha powder with the following ingredients:
- Milk - this can be almond milk, soy milk, or any milk you like.
- Ashwagandha powder.
- Nutmeg.
- Cinnamon.
- Ginger.
- Honey or maple syrup.
Ashwagandha powder mixed in a moon milk recipe can be served warm and substituted for your evening glass of wine or cup of tea for healthier sleep and to reduce stress.
Ashwagandha Oil
Ashwagandha oil can be applied topically to the skin after a workout or at the end of the day to reduce inflammation and muscle pain. You can include the oil in a massage and ask your partner to massage the oil on an area that is painful.
Ashwagandha Side Effects Explained
Ashwagandha powder can have some side effects. When taken on an empty stomach, ashwagandha can lead to stomach upset and diarrhea. If you experience these side effects while using it, you should either stop taking it or perhaps take it at a different time (i.e. before bed instead of on an empty stomach).
Ashwagandha Interactions And Precautions
Ashwagandha powder can interact with certain medications, and some health conditions indicate ashwagandha powder could have an adverse effect. So, if any of the following conditions apply, you should take precautions when using ashwagandha powder:
- Pregnancy.
- Thyroid complications and thyroid medications.
- Hormone-sensitive prostate cancer.
- You are taking benzodiazepines, anticonvulsants, or barbiturates.
- Autoimmune conditions.
- Diabetes.
- Stomach ulcers.
If you are suffering from these conditions or taking these medications, you should consult your doctor before taking ashwagandha powder.
When To Consult A Doctor?
If you have any hormonal or thyroid problems, consult your doctor before taking ashwagandha powder. You should also consult your doctor if you suffer from any side effects.
Summary
Ashwagandha supplements are a great addition to your supplement routine. There’s no best time to take Ashwagandha, but if you experience side effects, taking it after meals or before bed is best. Ashwagandha root extract can help you get a better night's rest, manage stress and anxiety levels, and improve your overall health. Ashwagandha is available in many forms, including capsules, tablets, powder, and moon milk.
When Woven Earth was developing the formula for our Sleep Full-Spectrum CBD capsules, we made it our mission to include the best natural ingredients to promote restful sleep—and ashwagandha was at the top of the list.
In addition to full-spectrum hemp extract and ashwagandha, our Sleep capsules feature other functional ingredients that promote a good night’s sleep, including L-theanine, lemon balm, and GABA.
Ready to try them for yourself? Learn more and pick up a bottle in the Woven Earth Shop.
Citations
- Narendra Singh, An Overview on Ashwagandha: A Rasayana (Rejuvenator) of Ayurveda; 2011.
- Ashwinikumar A Raut, Exploratory study to evaluate tolerability, safety, and activity of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) in healthy volunteers; 2012.
- TIMESOFINDIA.COM, Ashwagandha: 10 health benefits and how you can use it; 2021.
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