Benefits of Ashwagandha Herb and Its Medicinal Properties

 

Ashwagandha acts as an antioxidant. It exerts an indirect antioxidant action in vivo. Daily administration of Ashwagandha root extract increases hepatic glucose-6-phosphatase activity and decreases hepatic lipid peroxidation, most likely by increasing the activity of endogenous antioxidant enzymes. In vitro Ashwagandha inhibits both the lipid peroxidation and the protein oxidative modification induced by copper. In animal studies the antioxidant actions have been proposed as a possible mechanism for this herb in preventing the negative effects of stroke induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion.

Ashwagandha increases haematopoiesis. Animal trials indicate the Ashwagandha increases hemoglobin and red blood cell levels and increases haematopoiesis. The iron content of the herb may further contribute to its role in red blood cell formation. Ashwagandha's immunomodulation effects. Animal studies have shown immunomodulating effects of Ashwagandha, including an increase in white blood cell, platelet and neutrophil counts. Ashwagandha also effects a in Tumor Necrosis Factor. In vitro, increased nitric oxide production by macrophages has also been reported.

Antibacterial and antifungal activity of Ashwagandha. Animal and in vitro studies have shown antibacterial effects against bacterial germs like Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus anthracis, Bacillus subtilis, Salmonella enteridis and Salmonella typhimurium. The methanol and hexane extracts of both the leaves and the roots of Ashwagandha have potent antibacterial activity against S. typhimurium and Escherichia coli; and the steroidal with anolides from the related species W. coagulens have been found to have antifungal activity against germs like Allescheria boydii, Aspergillus niger, Curvularia lunata, Drechslera rostrata, Epidermophyton floccosum, Microsporum canis, Nigrospora oryzae, Pleurotus ostreatus and Stachybotrys atra.

Anti-inflammatory activity of Ashwagandha. The withanolides (steroidal lactones) in Ashwagandha are considered to have anti-inflammatory effects. Ashwagandha as an anxiolytic and antidepressant. Animal studies have found glycowithanolides to exert anxiolytic effects comparable to those of lorazepam, and antidepressant effects comparable to those of the antidepressant drug, imipramine. Cardioprotective properties of Ashwagandha. Cardioprotective effects of the Ashwagandha herb have been noted in animal studies. This herb significantly reduced myocardial injury after ischemia and reperfusion. The alkaloids of the herb Ashwagandha are considered to be sedative and reduce blood pressure and heart rate. The with anolides in the herb have a chemical structure similar to cardiac glycosides and have demonstrated mild ionotropic and chronotropic effects on the heart. Thyroid modulating uses of ashwagandha. An in vivo study reported that daily administration of Ashwagandha root extract enhanced serum T4 concentration. Serum T4 concentration is an indication of thyroid functioning.

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Ashwagandha Health Benefits for Men

By Andy Kahn

Benefits of Ashwagandha

 

Ashwagandha Latin names is Withania Somniferum and Ashwagandha common name is Indian Ginseng.

Ashwagandha belongs to the pepper family and is found in India and Africa. The roots and leaves of ashwagandha are used medicinally. The health applications for ashwagandha in traditional Indian and Ayurvedic medicine are extensive. Ayurveda is made up of two Sanskrit words, Ayu, which means life," and Veda, which means "knowledge." For more than 1,000 years, ashwagandha has been highly prized as a treatment for impotence, stress, infertility and arthritis. The shoots and seeds of the plant are also used in India as food, and to thicken milk. In the West, researchers have focused on isolating the one or two active ingredients in each herb. In the ayurvedic tradition, however, the entire plant is used on the assumption that all the compounds in a plant are meant to work together. Because of it's wide range of activity on many different body systems, ashwagandha has long been reputed to be an overall tonic that can promote health and vitality, much like ginseng. Ashwagandha twigs have been chewed for cleaning teeth, and the smoke of the plant has been inhaled for relief of toothaches.

Uses of Ashwagandha:

Arthritis

Asthma

Bronchitis

Cancer

Candida

Fever

Inflammations

Nausea

Rheumatism

Mental function

Stress

In general, tonics such as Ashwagandha are believed to strengthen and fortify the body so that it is better able to withstand stressful situations. In other words, it helps the body to maintain it's equilibrium, even during difficult times.

Today, ashwagandha is included in many combination formulas to treat a variety of ills. It is being heavily promoted as an aphrodisiac. A natural anti-inflammatory agent, ashwagandha may help to reduce the discomfort associated with arthritis. Ashwagandha is said to be useful in the treatment of inflammatory conditions, ulcers, and scabies when applied topically. Compounds known as withanolides are believed to account for the multiple medicinal applications of ashwagandha. These molecules are steroidal and bear a resemblance, both in their action and appearance, to the active constituents of Asian ginseng, known as ginsenosides. The pharmacological activity of the roots is attributed to the presence of several alkaloids. Many biochemically heterogeneous alkaloids have been reported in the roots. In all, 13 Dragendorffpositive components have been obtained chromatographically. They include cuscohygrine, anahygrine, tropine, pseudotropine, anaferine, and isopelletierine.

By Jacob Wood 

Also Read Benefits of Ashwagandha 

Meet the New Ginseng

Ginseng which mainly originates in Asia is a medicinal plant. Its roots are used to prevent sickness as it has healing and preventative properties. Ginseng is so widely used such that it has begun to show up in many of the everyday products available on the market, including soft drinks, juices and more.

Ashwagandha is known as Indian ginseng as it has a various array of healing properties. Ashwagandha fights the signs of aging and is one of the best herbs for the mind in terms of creating clarity. There are many positive attributes of this herb but only a few will be mentioned in this article. When used externally Ashwagandha aids in the healing of skin diseases and swelling on the skin. Similar to ginseng the herbs root is used in many forms, such as ground up to a fine powder to add to teas or to create a paste.

Herbs are very powerful substances and like anything else can become toxic to the system if too much of it is used. To prove how powerful this herb is it has been shown that it aids in the fight or relief of such diseases as AIDS, MS, cancer and alcoholism. It is wise to consult your Ayurvedic physician prior to the use of this herb so that you learn the proper ashwagandha preparation method and dosage amount according to your body type and constitution. Live healthy by being aware of the natural herbs that are available to you, but also do proper research and ask a professional.

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