Ashwaganda
Revitalizing, balancing and health strengthening adaptogen, reduces effects of stress and calms nerves.
BODY SYSTEM: General Health
SUPPORTS: Daily Use
ACTION: Building
Properties: Alterative, aphrodisiac, astringent, nervine, rejuvenative, sedative, and tonic.
Main Uses:
Immune System - Generally, ashwagandha stimulates the immune system. It has also been shown to inhibit inflammation and improve memory. These actions support the traditional reputation of ashwagandha as a tonic or adaptogen. It counteracts the effects of stress and generally promotes wellness.
Cancer/Arthritis - Ashwagandha is helpful in putting cancer tumors into regression and in reducing inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis. The plant's high steroid content was found to be more potent than hydrocortisone in animal and human arthritis. The compounds known as withanolides are believed to account for the multiple medicinal applications of this herb.
Endurance/Stamina - Traditionally, ashwagandha has been used in many ways--as a sedative, a diuretic, a rejuvenating tonic, an anti-inflammatory agent, and as an "adaptogen" (endurance enhancer). Many Western herbalists refer to this herb as "Ayurvedic ginseng" because of its reputation for increasing energy, strength, and stamina, and for its ability to relieve stress.
Alzheimer's Disease - Because ashwagandha has traditionally been used to treat various diseases associated with nerve tissue damage related to the destructive molecules known as free-radicals, some researchers speculate that the herb may have antioxidant properties. Free-radical damage plays a role in normal aging, and in such neurological conditions such as epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease.
Boost Sexual Performance - In one study, 101 normal healthy male volunteers aged 50 to 59 took 3 grams of powdered ashwagandha daily for three months. All showed significantly increased red blood cell counts, and 71% of the volunteers reported improved sexual performance. Although ashwagandha is not considered an aphrodisiac, this rejuvenating effect may be related to the improved endurance shown in animal stress tests.
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