Ashwagandha
Belonging to the nightshade family, the Ashwagandha is perennial shrub that is short and tender known for its medicinal uses. The plant is known as Withania somnifera, poison gooseberry, Indian ginseng or winter cherry. Dull green in color and elliptic, the leaves are between 4 and 5 inches long. They are bell-shaped and rather small. Its fruits ripen to an orange-red color. Ashwagandha is commonly cultivated in India’s drier regions and is also widespread in China, Nepal and Yemen. The plant thrives on stony soil. It is best propagated in early spring.
Medicinal Uses
Ashwagandha has powerful healing characteristics. It offer exceptional rejuvenating and restorative benefits. Some of the common uses of the plant are:
Arthritis
Using Ashwagandha helps with alleviating pain associated with arthritis. The plant triggers an action on the nervous system to curb pain by inhibiting the transmission of pain signals. Its anti-inflammatory properties are also believed to help with limiting the progress of arthritis. Some studies indicate that it might be a potent treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.
Cardiac Health
Cardiac health benefits considerably from the use of Ashwagandha. It has various benefits on heart health including relief of chest pain, and remedy of heart disease. Using the herb can also be efficient for preventing cholesterol buildup. By keeping the cholesterol levels to a minimum, Ashwagandha helps in promoting cardiac health. It also regulates blood pressure and is a great means of controlling high blood pressure. The herb boosts endurance and muscle strength.
Cancer
Scientists have invested lots of time and resources in the study of the action of Ashwagandha on cancer. Although little, there are indications that the plant can be used to suppress the development cell growth for various cancers. Ashwagandha reduces lung tumors. It can also be used to slow prostate, lung, kidney and breast cancers.
Anxiety
For a long time, the plant was used for calming users. This makes it a potent treatment for anxiety symptoms. It reduces anxiety considerably.
Libido
Traditionally, Ashwagandha was used for remedying libido problems. It was a popular aphrodisiac that was used to efficiently raise the libido of users. The studies that have been conducted on this property prove its ability to be used to boost libido.
Blood Sugar
For diabetes patients, Ashwagandha is an efficient control strategy. Daily usage is very efficient in the control of the condition and may even help in reversing it entirely. It is a great antidiabetic herb that delivers results pretty fast.
Insomnia
Treatment of insomnia is another common use of the plant. Using the right amounts of Ashwagandha alleviates insomnia, letting the user enjoy proper sleep.
How to Use
The best and easiest way to use the plant is by drying the leaves and roots. The dried parts are then ground for ease of use. One way of taking Ashwagandha is by mixing it in either ghee or honey. Between 500 and 1000mg is the recommended dose. In treating insomnia and anxiety, a teaspoon of ground Ashwagandha should be taken in a cup of milk (hot).
NOTE: We highly recommend that before using any herbal medications you should consult your health care provider or medical doctor for professional advice.
Disclaimer: All herbs and spices listed on http://islandherbsandspices.com/ or sold for medical and household use only, again we advice that before using any HERBS for medical purposes, please consult your physician.
