The Ashwagandha Extraordinary: Stress Mitigating, Anti-Anxiety, Herbal Solution
The Ashwagandha Extraordinary: Stress Mitigating, Anti-Anxiety, Herbal Solution
But to start with, what actually is Ashwagandha?
Ashwagandha is an herb derived from the roots of Withania Somnifera, a plant belonging to Solanaceae family. It is also commonly called Indian Ginseng or the winter cherry. The word Somnifera means sleep-promoting and is of Latin origin. While the name Ashwagandha is a combination of Ashva, signifying horse and Gandha meaning smell. Thus, in Sanskrit language, Ashwagandha implies the odor of a horse, owing to the aroma that the roots originate.
How Does Ashwagandha Act?
The herb owes its effectiveness and health benefits to its active components, withanolides (withaferin A, Sitoindoside IX, and X), lactones, and acyl steryl glycosides. In addition, Ashwagandha contains a considerable quantity of iron and alkaloids. Withanolides (primarily withaferin A and withanilide D) have been the most extensively researched, and exerts a positive effect on the immune system, glucose metabolism, nervous system, sleep, as well as hormonal balance.
With that in mind, let us jot down all the benefits.
Improves Memory
This traditional herb has been well-identified for its potential to support memory, mental power and even has an effect on neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Today, modern science has found that definitely, Ashwagandha has got the potential to increase spatial and visual memory.
Ashwagandha has also illustrated considerable improvement in immediate and general memory, continual attention, executive function, as well as speed of processing information.
Various research studies have explained that Ashwagandha has inhibitory properties on the enzyme, acetylcholinesterase, majorly accountable for memory and cognitive function. It is nothing but an enzyme that acts a catalyst in the breakdown of acetylcholine into choline and acetate. When Ashwagandha blocks this enzyme, implying that less of acetylcholine will be broken down, and as a result, more of it (acetylcholine) would be present in blood circulation. Acetylcholine plays a vital role in cognitive functions of attention, learning, and memory.
In neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s, the herb is known to stop, slow down, and even reverse neurological decline. It does so by defending the nerves against oxidative damage as well as synaptic loss, which are the key players in these disorders. The fact that Ashwagandha reverses or expels out the negative effects, such nerve damage signifies that taking it as a supplement considerably lowers the risk of these disorders and age-associated cognitive decline.
Regulates Blood Sugar
Research studies have found that Ashwagandha helps to make cells more sensitive and less resistant to insulin. In both type 1 and 2 diabetes, the insulin-producing beta cells present in the pancreas fail gradually; meaning that with time, the body fails to create a sufficient amount of insulin. When there isn’t sufficient of insulin or body tissues are resistant to insulin, blood sugars fall down.
The inspiring fact about Ashwagandha is that it can guard against pancreatic beta cell injury as well as maintain the production of insulin production.
Since Ashwagandha has the power to reduce blood sugar levels, taking it in combination with diabetes medications might result in lowering down of your blood sugar – which actually at times is worse than hyperglycemia.
Lowers Cortisol Levels and Stress
Cortisol is an essential hormone that aids the body’s response to stress. On the other hand, if its levels are too high, they would add to unwanted performance, poor mental health and an extensive range of physical ailments.
As an active individual, with all the density and intensity of training, performance, and other life problems, you put your body under a lot of stress and strain. Cortisol is a powerful hormone, and the body requires it for an optimal performance. Its primary role is to mobilize the body’s nutritional resources in traumatic conditions.
Ashwagandha is an adaptogen, and it assists the body to preserve homeostasis even in times of emotional and physical stress. The herb helps to renovate the balance to the body by checking out the negative effects of stress and bringing down the cortisol levels.
Improves the Sleep Quality
When exhausted and depressed, the body inhibits some of the body’s natural coping mechanisms including sleep. For an athlete, sufficient sleep is very crucial for reaction time, performance, and recovery.
Ashwagandha is a helpful herb to treat insomnia. In the morning, it boosts energy, and in the night, it soothes and gives a restful sleep. The relaxing effects are owing to the ability of Ashwagandha to make better the stress response, boost immunity and hormonal balance. All these effects add to the regulation of the sleep-wake cycle, in turn reviving the body’s natural mechanisms of sleep regulation.
To conclude, Ashwagandha can be taken directly in its pure supplement form and HealthDiva is the great platform to offer you Ashwagandha in capsule form. HealthDiva Ashwagandha capsules will be soon available…
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