Ashwagandha is widely used in Ayurvedic medicine to aid the natural healing processes as it is believed, in various cultures, to maintain youth. Native to India and North Africa, the Ashwagandha plant has been found to have a variety of health benefits when taken as a supplement.
Ashwagandha can regulate chemical signals in the stress pathway in the brain and reduce cortisol levels which is a compound released by the adrenal glands in response to stress. Therefore, Ashwagandha is a useful aid to many people in reducing stress and anxiety. It can also reduce inflammation and help the brain to heal and recover from injury or illness. This can decrease the risk of diseases such as Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease.
Researchers believe that Ashwagandha could potentially reduce the growth of certain cancers such as breast and lung cancer. This is down to a compound within the Ashwagandha plant called Withaferin A. The compound induces programmed cell death, which decreases the growth of a tumour.
Additionally, Ashwagandha can mitigate the risk of heart disease by decreasing the levels of triglycerides and LDLs (bad cholesterol) in the blood. This can prevent atherosclerosis, the buildup of plaque within the arteries, which is a known lead to a number of heart diseases.
Cautions:
Do not take Ashwagandha supplements if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Speak to one of our GPs if you suffer from an autoimmune disease before taking Ashwaganda supplements.
Levitas Clinic Guildford has seen great benefits in using Ashwagandha. For further details, please email us at reception@themewspractice.com or telephone us on 01483 452555.
For more detailed information, please go to our literature review page.