Ashwagandha The Powerful Health Benefits and Beauty Benefits You Need to Know

Ashwagandha, the magical herb, is considered to be nature’s gift to mankind. For centuries, Ayurvedic medicine has used it to treat people for their day to day woes such as stress, anxiety, exhaustion, lack of sleep.

But what exactly is Ashwagandha? It is a small shrub with yellow flowers and a red fruit, native to India, North Africa, and the Middle East. The extract is typically taken from the berries or roots of the plant. The Sanskrit term Ashwagandha translates to “smell of horse”, and rightly so. Traditionally, it is believed that a person who consumes this herbal medicine will gain horse-like strength and vitality.

Ashwagandha’s leaves, fruits, seeds, and roots are used for medical purposes. In Ayurveda (India’s traditional medicinal system), ashwagandha is one of the most prized and fundamental herbs that has been utilized as a rasayana or rejuvenator for nearly millennia.

Ashwagandha is beneficial in fighting against cancer and diabetes, it prevents asthma, arthritis, hypertension, and stress, reduces inflammation, lowers blood sugar levels, reduces cortisol, boosts brain function and helps fight symptoms of anxiety and depression. It is a surprising fact that this herb is so popular and provides a lot of benefits that so much is written about its medicinal properties in both traditional Chinese medicine and ayurveda.

Let’s take a closer look at all of Ashwagandha’s superpowers.

 

1. Ashwagandha Controls Cholesterols

Ashwagandha is good for cardiovascular health problems due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The herb strengthens the heart muscles and can also control cholesterol by bringing down the blood cholesterol level.

 

2. Healing properties

Ashwagandha’s healing propertiesare highly appreciated in Ayurveda. The topical application of this herb is found to heal joint pains, swelling and skin sores.

 

3. It Enhances Immunity:

Ashwagandha has the reputation of being a highly powerful immune-booster. Studies indicate that it helps in the increase of white blood cells – the greatest factor responsible for improved immunity function.

 

4. It Prevents Insomnia:

If you’re finding trouble falling asleep in the night, a daily dose of Ashwagandha can help. Being highly rejuvenating, Ashwagandha helps calm the nervous system, busts anxiety and induces sleep. You can mix a teaspoon of Ashwagandha powder with a teaspoon of honey and a glass of warm water to prepare a sedative and calming concoction for yourself.

 

5.Hormonal Balance in Women

One of the benefits for women is that it encourages the hormone balance by acting on the endocrine system, thus reducing the pains associated with menstrual cycle of woman. Its use reduces the menopausal imbalances like hot flashes, mood fluctuations, and anxiety etc.

 

6. Helps in Treating Cancer

It has great immunizing potential. By slowing the growth of cancerous tumors, it helps in the treatment of cancer.

 

7. It Makes The Skin Glow

One of the best benefits of Ashwagandha for skin is its ability to make the skin glow. Applying a mixture of one tablespoon ginger, two tablespoons Ashwagandha root and one tablespoon dried lemon peel on your skin after cleansing and moisturizing, as it can increase the blood circulation to your skin and give it a natural flush.

 

8. Helps in Producing New Blood

Its hemo-poetic properties enable it to produce new blood. Its use is highly recommended for increasing the RBCs and WBCs in the blood.

 

9. It Prevents Premature Skin Aging

Did you know that stress can play havoc on your skin and cause it to age faster by inhibiting the production of skin friendly compounds and proteins like collagen, elastin and hyaluronan? Hormonal imbalance can further worsen your skin and cause it to become dry and wrinkled. Ashwagandha helps prevent both, stress as well as hormonal imbalance, thereby preventing your skin from aging prematurely.

 

10. Healthy Hair

Used in shampoos, Ashwagandha is believed to help improve scalp circulation and strengthen the hair, as well as help get rid of dandruff. It also appears to stimulate production of melanin, the pigment responsible for the colour of your hair. So, it may actually reverse greying of hair. And if that wasn’t enough, it also helps deal with hair loss.