Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), commonly referred to as Indian Ginseng, is a herb long used in traditional Indian Ayurvedic medicine. Contemporary research highlights multiple health benefits of Ashwagandha, including improvements in sleep, stress management, libido, and mood.
One of the primary advantages of Ashwagandha is its potential to regulate cortisol levels. Cortisol, a hormone released by the adrenal glands in response to stress, can lead to negative health outcomes such as weight gain and a weakened immune system when present in high levels for extended periods. Studies have shown that taking Ashwagandha root extract for a certain period can significantly reduce cortisol levels compared to a placebo.
Beyond cortisol regulation, Ashwagandha has been shown to positively impact mood and reduce occasional anxiety. Research indicates that participants taking Ashwagandha root extract over a span of time experience a notable decrease in occasional anxiety compared to those on a placebo.
Research on Ashwagandha’s effects on sleep has yielded encouraging results. In studies involving participants over several weeks, those who consumed Ashwagandha extract experienced significant improvements in sleep onset and quality compared to the placebo group. These findings were consistent in various research efforts that evaluated sleep quality and duration among individuals using Ashwagandha extract.
Traditionally, Ashwagandha has also been used to support female libido. Clinical research supports this traditional use, showing that women who took Ashwagandha extract twice daily over several weeks experienced significant enhancements in sexual function, arousal, orgasm, and satisfaction compared to those taking a placebo.
Additionally, Ashwagandha has been found to offer neuroprotective and cognitive benefits. Research involving participants over several weeks demonstrated that Ashwagandha root extract supplementation led to improved cognitive function, including better memory and faster information processing.
In summary, Ashwagandha offers numerous health benefits, such as aiding in stress management, enhancing sleep quality, boosting cognitive function, and improving libido. Studies affirm its efficacy for various significant health outcomes. A daily dosage of 300 mg, taken once or twice, appears to be effective for these benefits.
