Ashwagandha is a powerhouse Ayurvedic herb. It's traditionally used to relieve stress and anxiety, strengthen the immune system, and improve energy levels. Ashwagandha has been shown to help lower blood sugar, boost the immune system, reduce cholesterol and dampen inflammation. This article discusses 7 reasons why you need ashwagandha today!
Improve Your Sleep
One of the best benefits of ashwagandha is that it can improve sleep quality. The beauty of ashwagandha is that it doesn't cause sedation like some other sleeping aids, which means you won't need to worry about feeling groggy the next day. In fact, ashwagandha has been shown to help people fall asleep faster and sleep more deeply so they wake up more refreshed.
Reduce Stress and Anxiety
Ashwagandha is known for its ability to reduce stress and anxiety. It is an adaptogenic herb, meaning it can help balance the body's "fight or flight" hormones. This is important because chronic stress can lead to heart disease, high blood pressure and a lowered immune system. Ashwagandha has been shown to lower cortisol levels, which may be beneficial in reducing stress and anxiety.
Boost Your Immune System
The immune system is the body's natural defense against illness and disease. Ashwagandha has been shown to boost the immune system by reducing inflammation and strengthening the cells of the immune system. This makes it a great herb for those who are at risk of developing cancer, heart disease or any chronic disease. ashwagandha can also be used to treat anxiety, depression, fatigue and even diabetes.
Reduce Cholesterol Levels
Ashwagandha is a potent Ayurvedic herb that supports the function of the thyroid gland. It's been shown to reduce cholesterol levels and dampen inflammation.
There are plenty of reasons why you might want to lower your cholesterol. One of the most common reasons is to decrease risk for heart disease, stroke and overall mortality (1). Cholesterol has been linked with such diseases because it's a waxy substance that can accumulate in your artery walls, leading to plaque formation and narrowing of the arteries (2). Essentially, high cholesterol puts people at risk for coronary artery disease.
Research from 2015 found that ashwagandha helps lower LDL-cholesterol levels by up to 25% when taken daily over four weeks (3). This effect seems to be long-term as well; participants taking ashwagandha for 12 weeks saw their total cholesterol fall by 10 points on average (4).
Ashwagandha also improves synthesis and breakdown of fats in the body, making it easier for your cells to use them for energy production. This improvement in fat metabolism may improve blood sugar control and decrease resistance to insulin, which may result in lower blood sugar levels (5).
Experience More Energy
Ashwagandha is a great source of energy. It can help you feel more alert and focused throughout the day. If you have been feeling run down lately, ashwagandha is a great way to give your body the extra boost it needs.
Improve Your Memory and Brain Function
Ashwagandha is also used to improve memory and brain function. Studies have shown that ashwagandha can help treat depression and anxiety, and it may also be useful in treating Alzheimer's disease.
Anxiety disorder is the most common mental illness in America, affecting 18% of adults every year. Ashwagandha may help reduce anxiety by dampening the stress response, which can lead to a decrease in cortisol levels. Cortisol is a hormone released as a result of stress that can cause a multitude of health problems including increased blood sugar levels, weight gain, muscle loss and headaches.
The herb has been found to reduce cortisol levels and lower blood sugar levels for people with type 2 diabetes. The anti-inflammatory effects of ashwagandha may help reduce inflammation and pain for patients with arthritis or other inflammatory diseases like ulcerative colitis or lupus
Ashwagandha also has benefits for cardiovascular health and cholesterol: It may lower LDL cholesterol while boosting HDL cholesterol. And because ashwagandha lowers inflammation, it may even offer benefits for those who suffer from asthma or allergies!
Alleviate Pain
Ashwagandha is an amazing pain reliever. In the study, participants who took ashwagandha showed a reduced incidence of joint pain and stiffness. It also alleviated symptoms of osteoarthritis.
