Ashwagandha The Magical Herb

I love this little “super-herb”.  The question isn’t what does it do for you, but what doesn’t it do for you?   I believe it is one of the best all-around  supplements for general health.  Who doesn’t want so many benefits packed into one supplement?

This herb has been used for over 3,000 years to relieve stress, increase energy levels and improve concentration.  It is also considered an adaptogen, which means it can help your body normalize physiological functions disturbed by chronic stress, through the correction of imbalances in the neuroendocrine and immune systems. 

I personally started taking it as an anti-inflammatory as I am fighting lyme bacteria and that causes a lot of inflammation. I have already seen improvements, and ran across so many other wonderful attributes to this herb that I thought I would share them with you today.

  1. It can help reduce blood sugar levels.  It is estimated that half of adults in the  U.S. have diabetes or pre-diabetes!

2.  It has anti-cancer properties. Ashwagandha helps induce apoptosis ( the         programmed death of cancer cells.  Approximately 34.8% of men and women will be diagnosed with cancer at some point during their lifetimes.

3.  It can reduce cortisol levels.  Cortisol, our stress hormone is a big problem today as many people live with chronically elevated levels which can lead to high blood sugar levels and increased fat storage.

4.  It may help reduce stress and anxiety.  It is believed to work by blocking the stress pathway in the brain.  Ashwagandha is best known for this ability.

5.  It may reduce symptoms of depression. 

6.  It can boost testosterone and increase fertility in men. 

7.  It may increase muscle mass and strength.  Studies have shown greater gains in muscle strength and size and the reduction of body fat.

8.  Reduction of inflammation.  It can help reduce inflammation markers such as C-reactive protein, which can give us a snapshot into overall health.

9.  It may lower cholesterol and triglycerides. 

10.  May improve brain function, including memory. 

Best of all this herb is a safe supplement for most people.  It is not recommended for pregnant or breast feeding women, nor those with autoimmune disease. 

A good dose is 450-500 mg capsules once or twice a day.

I hope you have found this information helpful.  It’s your life….live a great one!