Ashwagandha Herb

 Ashwagandha herb is a shrub cultivated in India and North America whose roots have been used for thousands of years by Ayurvedic practitioners. Ashwagandha herb contains flavonoids and many active ingredients of the withanolide class. Several studies over the past few years have indicated that ashwagandha herb has anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor , anti-stress, antioxidant, mind-boosting, immune-enhancing, and rejuvenating properties (see studies at bottom of page). Historically ashwagandha herb has also been noted to have sex-enhancing properties.

Ashwagandha herb root extract 5:1, 500 mg, 60 veggie caps
Formulated by Ray Sahelian, M.D.
Ashwagandha is an herb that is extensively used in Ayurveda, the traditional health care system in India.  Ashwagandha herb is used as a general tonic and "adaptogen", helping the body adapt to stress.  In addition, Ashwagandha herb has been shown to possess antioxidant activity.

 
 Ashwagandha herb Supplement Facts:
Ashwagandha root extract (5:1 extract) - 500 mg - this means it is five times the concentration of the regular ashwagandha herb powder. Suitable for vegetarians.
  
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Suggested Use: As an herbal dietary supplement, take half or 1 Ashwagandha capsule a few times a week.

High Quality products formulated by a medical doctor
 Consider highly popular all natural products formulated by Dr. Ray Sahelian, M.D., including Mind Power Rx with ashwagandha for better mental focus, concentration, and mood; Diet Rx which helps you eat less. It really does curb appetite; Good Night Rx for better sleep; Eyesight Rx for better vision, often within days; MultiVit Rx a daily comprehensive multivitamin for more energy and vitality; Joint Power Rx for healthy joints; Prostate Power Rx for a healthy prostate gland; and Passion Rx with ashwagandha and Horny Goat Weed for sexual enhancement, better libido, and improved performance and stamina in men and women.

Antioxidant study
Researchers from Banaras Hindu University in Varanasi, India, have discovered that some of the chemicals within ashwagandha are powerful antioxidants. They tested these compounds for their effects on rat brain and found an increase in the levels of three natural antioxidants—superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase. They say, "These findings are consistent with the therapeutic use of ashwagandha as an Ayurvedic rasayana (health promoter). The antioxidant effect of active principles of ashwagandha may explain, at least in part, the reported anti-stress, cognition-facilitating, anti-inflammatory and anti-aging effects produced by them in experimental animals, and in clinical situations."

Ashwagandha: a Mood Enhancing and Anti-anxiety Herb
The roots of Withania somnifera (WS) are used extensively in Ayurveda, the classical Indian system of medicine, and WS is categorized as a rasayana, which are used to promote physical and mental health, to provide defence against disease and adverse environmental factors and to arrest the aging process. In rodent studies ashwagandha has been shown to reduce anxiety and have positive effect on mood.

Benefits of Ashwagandha herb
One small study found ashwagandha herb benefit blood sugar and cholesterol levels, and have a slight diuretic effect. Another benefit of ashwagandha herb is that it may have antitumor ability. Ashwagandha is historically used as a sex enhancer. Laboratory studies show another benefit of ashwagandha herb is that it can produce nitric oxide which is known to dilate blood vessels.

Ashwagandha Herb and cancer
Growth inhibition of human tumor cell lines by withanolides from ashwagandha herb Withania somnifera leaves.
Life Sci. 2003 Nov 21;74(1):125-32.
Ayurvedic medicines prepared in India consist of ashwagandha herb root as one of the main ingredients. Ashwagandha herb is consumed as a dietary supplement around the world. The leaves of ashwagandha herb were used in the treatment of tumors and inflammation in several Asian countries. We have isolated twelve withanolides from the leaves of this species. Compounds were tested for their anti-proliferative activity on NC. We conclude that incorporation of ashwagandha herb in the diet may prevent or decrease the growth of tumors in human.

Effective sexual herbs
Additional herbs that have an influence on sexuality include: Ashwagandha herb, Catuaba herb, cnidium monnieri, coleus forskohlii, Horny-Goat-Weed herb, Maca herb, Mucuna-Pruriens herb, Muira-Puama herb, Rehmannia herb, Rhodiola herb, Tongkat-Ali herb, tribulus herb, and Yohimbe. For more information on mucuna pruriens.

Ashwagandha questions
Q. Does ashwagandha influence thyroid function?
   A. Ashwagandha may influence hormone levels but western research with ashwagandha herb is very limited and we don't how at this time in any clear way how ashwagandha and thyroid hormone levels are related.

Q. Can ashwangandha improve eyesight?
   A. The influence of ashwagandha on eyesight is minimal compared to other herbs and supplements such as Lutein.

Q. I noticed u didnt mention any scientific study (in your ashwagandha page) on the effect of ashwagandha in our immune system. i read alot about the positive effect of ashwagandha in our immune system but recently i read that withanolides (found in ashwagandha) suppress our immune system so now im confused. i also learned that now theres a patented ashwagandha called Sensoril and theres a withanolide in it that acts as immunomodulator, so im thinking maybe this is the one that suppresses our immune system. there are many kinds of ashwagandha in the market, root, extract etc, u also have one being sold at physicianformulas.com
   Is ashwagandha products ok to take , will it hurt or help our immune system, i know u are the one who can answer this?
   A. The immune system is very complicated and it is difficult to know the effect of an herb unless it is studied in various dosages for several months on a large group of humans. No such study has been done so we can't say for sure what the influence of ashwagandha is on the immune system. As a rule, it is best not to take an herb in high doses for prolonged periods, and as long as ashwagandha is used 2 or 3 times a week, we don't see any major problems arising with the immune system.

Q. Please tell me if Ashwagandha is rich in amino acid Arginine.I was reading some where that Ashwagandha is rich in Arginine.I have herpes & I can't take it if Ashwagandha rich in Arginine.
   A. The amount of amino acids in a 500 mg ashwagndha capsule is so insignificant as not worthwhile to be mentioned. any protein food you eat will have thousands times the amount in a capsule of this herb.

Q.  I had my thyroid gland removed years ago. I am taking Levoxyl or whatever thyroid medicine that I need to be on for the rest of my life. Since Ashwagandha may stimulate the thyroid, what would it do to me since my thyroid is "dead"?
   A. We would think ashwagandha would not have much of an influence in terms of thyroid effect since you don't have an active thyroid gland. It is a good idea to start with smaller doses of ashwagandha, such as a third or half of a capsule.

Q. Is zallouh effective for sexual enhancement as is ashwagandha?
   A. See zallouh for more info. For more up to date erectile dysfunction herb info.

Q. I have a question about ashwagandha. I read that it is better to not take it at the same time than another anti-anxiety medication. So, sometimes I use a Rivotril pill for anxiety. My question is: When I plan to take a Rivotril, how long do I have to wait after taking ashwagandha herb?
   A. Rivotril is the brand name for clonazepam. A safe approach would be to wait till the next day.
 

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For additional ashwagandha herb study information, see Ray Sahelian, M.D.

For sexual enhancement, see tongkat ali website or yohimbe article.