Ashwagandha #1 Superfood I will Describe
Ashwagandha or withania somnifera, also called winter cherry, Indian ginseng, winter cherry, or poison oak, is a perennial plant in the Solanaceous or evening-blooming family. Some other species of the same genus Asani are also morphologically quite similar. The three main types of Ashwagandha are:
Ashwagandha or withania somnifera is used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat anxiety and depression, and as an energy booster. Indian ginseng and winter cherry (oxerutin) are believed to act in much the same way. The ancient texts of India describe the effects of ashwagandha on the human nervous system and reproductive organs, and ancient texts from other parts of the world to describe the effects of ashwagandha on diabetes, cardiac and circulatory diseases, hypertension, cancer, and other diseases. Some modern scientific studies show that some of these effects are not related to the body's natural mechanisms, but that the herbs can act as if they were.
One of the most interesting things about this herb is that it acts as an adaptogen. An adaptogen is a chemical substance that helps to shift various biological and physiological responses to various stressors. For example, during stress, people tend to increase their blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing. However, if the person is in a relaxed state, their bodies usually revert to a more normal state. In other words, the adaptogens found in ashwagandha act to change the way our bodies function when we are faced with stressful situations.
Another thing that scientists have learned about ashwagandha is that it does seem to cause weight loss in certain people. In one study, men who took 100 mg of ashwagandha extract every day for four weeks lost more body fat than those in a placebo group who took a placebo. Another study involving men and women found that ashwagandha slowed the absorption of estrogen in breast cancer patients. This herb has also been shown to reduce cholesterol levels in people with high cholesterol. Men and women both should be interested in taking this herb, especially if they have hormonal problems or low testosterone levels.
Ashwagandha also has some interesting side effects that go beyond its ability to fight stress and anxiety. In addition to being an adaptogen, it is also a powerful antioxidant, which means that it reduces the risks for heart disease and cancer. However, the combination of the two makes for a very potent product. According to one scientific review, there are "few other supplements that can be classified as an antioxidant and have the powerful effect of Ashwagandha." The review goes on to say that more research is needed to assess the health benefits of Ashwagandha as a whole, but the preliminary results are promising.
Modern researchers have yet to discover all the ways that Ashwagandha can benefit modern man, but there are already some remarkable ways that it can help us today. Ashwagandha can be used to treat anxiety, a common symptom of premenstrual syndrome and migraine headaches, and it can even help men to improve their sperm count. Ashwagandha has also been shown to increase strength, stamina, libido and sexual function, and it can help men cope with the stress of their careers.
Researchers believe that the herb Ashwagandha can reduce human stress levels because it seems to cause the body to produce chemicals (such as adrenaline) that are designed to give humans a feeling of safety and euphoria. In fact, the National Institute on Drug Abuse claims that Ashwagandha can "increase alertness and reduce physiological stress in laboratory rats through a mechanism that involves an increase in neuroendorphin levels" which are considered to be the "happy chemicals". Other studies have indicated that Ashwagandha can reduce cortisol, which is known as the stress hormone that can be linked with conditions such as depression, high blood pressure and ulcers. Ashwagandha can also raise the levels of dopamine, another chemical that can cause people to feel good and boost their immune systems.
Many studies show that Ashwagandha can reduce the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome, as well as reduce stress levels and cholesterol. Ashwagandha has also been studied in humans with diseases such as diabetes and asthma, where it appears to ease symptoms significantly. In one study, ashwagandha was found to reduce the incidence and intensity of asthma attacks in adults with both COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Furthermore, these same studies have shown that Ashwagandha can help improve asthma symptoms in children with both conditions.