Ashwagandha, or Indian ginseng, is an Ayurvedic medicinal plant with calming, anti-stress, and anti-inflammatory properties. In addition, it aids vitality and increases longevity.
Its name comes from the term “Horse Scent”, something used to exemplify one of its benefits: increased virality.
Its use has become widespread in the West due to its effective results; recent research points to the brain effects of regular consumption of this substance. According to research published by PubMed, ashwagandha repeatedly showed antidepressant effects over a few weeks in animals. This research has excited the medical community, indicating the consumption of the root for sufferers of anxiety.
How to consume Ashwagandha?
Because it is rich in iron and different alkaloids, the most consumed part of this plant is the root. Its ingestion can be made through teas, capsules or liquid, being found in natural products stores, pharmacies and fairs.
From the active substances in its root, consumption is indicated in the following quantities:
Tea: 120ml of hot water to 1 teaspoon of ashwagandha root. After preparation, wait 15 minutes for ingestion. Consume 1 cup of tea daily for 6 months for best results.
Capsule: Each capsule contains, on average, 500mg. The recommended dose is 2 capsules a day, along with a meal.
Liquid: If the substance is liquid, 40 drops of the liquid dissolved in a little water is the recommended dose for daily consumption.
The consumption of Ashwagandha should be conscious, pregnant or breastfeeding women cannot consume it. Diabetics and hypertensive people should also be aware, because the plant has properties that reduce blood pressure and alter blood sugar levels.
After a period of 6 months of consumption, side effects may appear, so treatments that do not go beyond this period are indicated, and may cause vomiting and diarrhea.
Benefits
With antihyperglycemic, antioxidant, calming, anxiolytic, and other agents, this root guarantees interesting health benefits, such as:
From new studies, the plant has been discovered as a treatment for several types of cancer, but there are no scientific conclusions so far.
Self-observation becomes very important as new research on Ashwagandha is developed. Understanding what functionality the substance has in your body in the areas you wish to improve is crucial for the desired effects.
