-
Overview
Uses & Effectiveness
Potential Benefits of Ashwagandha
While the evidence is still limited, there are a few areas where ashwagandha shows potential benefits:
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Taking ashwagandha supplements appears to help improve symptoms of persistent, generalized anxiety in some people. The herb may have a calming effect on the brain.
Insomnia: Ashwagandha supplementation seems to enhance overall sleep quality and duration in certain individuals struggling with insomnia.
Stress Management: There is some evidence that ashwagandha can help reduce feelings of stress and potentially even stress-related weight gain in some users.
Other Proposed Uses: Ashwagandha is also being explored for potential benefits in areas like immune function, cognitive performance, and physical endurance, but the evidence is currently limited or inconclusive.
It's important to note that while these potential benefits are promising, more high-quality research is still needed to fully understand ashwagandha's efficacy and safety, especially for long-term use. As with any supplement, it's best to consult with a healthcare provider before adding ashwagandha to your routine. With further study, this traditional herb may prove to be a useful tool for managing certain stress-related conditions.
- A type of persistent anxiety marked by exaggerated worry and tension (generalized anxiety disorder or GAD). Taking ashwagandha by mouth seems to improve anxiety in people with persistent anxiety.
- Insomnia. Taking ashwagandha by mouth seems to improve overall sleep and sleep quality in some people.
- Stress. Taking ashwagandha by mouth seems to help reduce stress in some people. It might also help reduce stress-related weight gain.
Side Effects
Safety Considerations for Ashwagandha
When taken orally:
- Ashwagandha is possibly safe for short-term use, up to 3 months.
- The long-term safety of ashwagandha is not well established.
- Large doses of ashwagandha may cause stomach upset, diarrhea, and vomiting.
- In rare cases, ashwagandha has been associated with liver problems, including severe liver failure requiring transplantation.
When applied topically:
- Lotions containing ashwagandha are possibly safe for use up to 2 months.
Special Precautions and Warnings
Pregnancy: It is likely unsafe to use ashwagandha when pregnant. There is some evidence that ashwagandha might cause miscarriages.
Breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if ashwagandha is safe to use when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
"Auto-immune diseases" such as multiple sclerosis (MS), lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), or other conditions: Ashwagandha might cause the immune system to become more active, and this could increase the symptoms of auto-immune diseases. If you have one of these conditions, it's best to avoid using ashwagandha.
Surgery: Ashwagandha may slow down the central nervous system. Healthcare providers worry that anesthesia and other medications during and after surgery might increase this effect. Stop taking ashwagandha at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Thyroid disorders: Ashwagandha might increase thyroid hormone levels. Ashwagandha should be used cautiously or avoided if you have a thyroid condition or take thyroid hormone medications.
myrevitaplus
Ashwagandha - Uses, Side Effects, And More
