The amazing benefits of Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha sounds like that beautiful fictional African nation in the Black Panther movie; but Ashwagandha is not a place. It is an herb. And like that fictional place, it is said to have many mystical properties.

Powerful health benefits of Ashwagandha

Botanically known asWithania somnifera, Ashwagandha is a member of the Solanaceae family (nightshades), a plant family that includes tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants, peppers, and tobacco. Ashwagandha may not be grown on such large scales, like tomatoes or potatoes, but their health benefits are as powerful, if not, more powerful than their more popular nightshade counterparts.

Some may know Ashwagandha as Indian Ginseng or Winter Cherry. It has been traditionally used for its Ayurvedic healing powers. Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb. Meaning it has natural substances that can help the body adapt to stress and gain homeostasis (balance). It’s adaptogenic properties help to stimulate the central nervous system and fight stress by reducing cortisol levels and balancing thyroid hormones. It is also known to be a fabulous mood elevator.

Ayurveda

This herb has been around for hundreds of years and have been mostly used as a home remedy by Ayurveda practitioners. In India, Ashwagandha has been traditionally used as a cure all remedy. Although we’re late to the party, the rest of the world has been slowly discovering the many benefits of Ashwagandha. Here are some of them.

1. Anti inflammatory properties and antioxidant properties - scientist have recently discovered that Ashwagandha possesses anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can help with cardiovascular problems [1].
2. Improves Thyroid function - studies show a significant improvement in serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroxine (T4) levels in people who took a daily dose of 600mg of Ashwagandha root extract [2].
3. Reduce blood sugar levels, lower cholesterol and triglycerides - Studies show people who took powdered Ashwagandha root for a period of 30 days had a significant decrease in blood glucose which was comparable to that of an oral hypoglycemic drug. They also showed significant decrease in serum cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL (low density lipoproteins) and VLDL (very low density lipoproteins) cholesterol [3].
4. Reduce stress and anxiety, reduce symptoms of depression, reduce cortisol levels - Your body produces cortisol - the stress hormone - in response to stress or when your blood sugar levels become too low. Ashwagandha shows incredible results for lowering cortisol levels. It has been traditionally used for treating mood disorders and has been mainly used to treat anxiety and depression due to it’s superb ability to act as a natural stress reliever and bring about homeostasis in events of physical and emotional stress [4].
5. Boost testosterone production and increase fertility - Studies show an increase in sperm count, sperm motility, and a significant increase in Testosterone levels in men who have been treated with Ashwagandha [5].
6. Increase muscle mass and strength - In a study of healthy males who took 750–1250 mg per day, the group had significant gained muscle strength and lost fat after 30 days [6].
7. Improve memory and brain function - In one study, researchers who gave healthy men 500 mg of the herb daily reported significant improvements in their reaction time and task performance, compared to men who received a placebo [7].

Vanilla Happy

Vanilla Happy is blended with Ashwagandha as well as Maca, Siberien Ginseng, Spriulina and Cacao that help to do all the wonderful things above as well as nourishing your adrenals and provide you with an energy boost.

 

 

 

References:

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9332168
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28829155
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11116534
4. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2FBF02864860
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19501822
6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23125505
7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24497737