The Ultimate Guide For Ashwagandha
Benefits, Uses and More
Ashwagandha is used for a wide variety of health benefits ranging from stress and anxiety to being able to manage certain chronic health conditions.
If you are curious about what Ashwagandha can do for you and why its popularity has been on the rise then you’ve come to the right place.
- What Is It
- Forms
- Dosage
- Combined Supplementation
- Precautions
- Final Thoughts
What Is It
Ashwagandha is an herb from the ancient traditions of Ayurveda and has captivated modern health enthusiasts with its remarkable potential to promote well-being and vitality. Ashwagandha is renowned as an adaptogen—a natural substance that helps the body adapt to stress and maintain balance.
It is important to note that while Ashwagandha can provide various health benefits it is not for everyone and extensive tests involving this supplement are still being run.
Stress Relief
One of the most sought-after benefits of Ashwagandha is its ability to help with stress and anxiety due to its adaptogenic capabilities. The supplement can affect neurotransmitters and reduce your cortisol levels causing you to have a sense of calmness and lower your overall stress.
Cognitive Enhancment
Ashwagandha has the potential to benefit brain health and improve motor skills as well as memory and focus. The addition of stress relief, can lead to an increased sense of capability and benefit further benefit individuals.
Mood Balance
With this supplement being a holistic herb it can affect many aspects of your brain that promote mood regulation and behavioral responses. Ashwagandha has been shown to help manage mild depression and anxiety.
Other Benefits
On top of the previously mentioned benefits these are the other things that Ashwagandha may do to benefit you.
- Vitality and Energy
- Immune Support
- Anti Inflammatory Effects
Forms
When taking Ashwagandha it is important to take into consideration the quality of the ingredient you are getting as well as the potency of the supplement. In addition to this, there are typically three ways in which you can supplement Ashwagandha into your daily routine. Here we have put together what we have decided as the best Ashwagandha supplement for each category.
Capsule
Pros
- No taste
- Pre measured
- Easy to take
Cons
- Cant mix
- No dose flexibility
We have chosen Now Ashwagandha 450mg as the best capsule Ashwagandha supplement due to their easy-to-take vegan capsules and no additives. In addition to this, they offer a great price with a 90 capsule supply being under $15.
Gummy
Pros
- Taste
- Pre measured
- Vegan
Cons
- No dose flexibility
- Added sugar
We have chosen the Effective Nutra Ashwagandha gummies as the best gummy Ashwagandha supplement, this is due to their high potency gummies that make it easy for anyone that wants the benefits from a higher dosage to reach their daily goal. They use high-quality ingredients and provide a great-tasting product. You can get a 90-capsule supply for about $20.
Powder
Pros
- Can pick dose
- Can mix into things
- Quick absorption
Cons
- Taste
- Less convenient
We have chosen the Carmel Organics Ashwagandha powder as the top Ashwagandha powder. This is due to their organic and high-quality ingredients as well as their easy-to-mix product. You can simply add your dosage into a glass of water or cook it into your meal without even tasting the product. As well you can get 0,5lb’s for under $10.
Dosage
When taking Ashwagandha it is important to always consider the potency of withanolides which is the active compound that determines the potency of the Ashwagandha you get. This may be listed on the bottle but can typically be found with some research.
When choosing your dosage of Ashwagandha you are going to want to determine the types of benefits you are looking to receive as certain doses will result in different outcomes.
Reduce stress and anxiety – 225 – 600mg daily
Reduce blood sugar levels – 250 mg – 3g daily
Boost fertility (males) – Up to 5g daily
Enhance muscle growth and strength 500mg+ daily
It is important to note that you should consult a health care professional before deciding to supplement Ashwagandha as each person may experience benefits or side effects differently.
Combined Supplementation
Combining the supplementation of Ashwagandha with certain other supplements can help improve the benefits that Ashwagandha provides alongside bringing new benefits.
Rhodiola Rosea
Another adaptogenic herb like Ashwagandha, Rhodiola Rosea, may further support stress management, energy levels, and cognitive function when taken together.
Magnesium
Magnesium is involved in relaxation and stress reduction. Combining Ashwagandha with magnesium can provide comprehensive support for managing stress and promoting relaxation.
B Vitamins
B vitamins, such as B6 and B12, play roles in mood regulation and energy production. Taking them alongside Ashwagandha can offer comprehensive support for mental well-being.
Precautions
Ashwagandha is a great supplement that comes with many health benefits, even though it is a natural supplement there are still some precautions you should take to ensure safe use. So what are Ashwagand’s side effects?
Overconsumption and Cycling
When taking Ashwagandha it is important to consider how much you are taking. The potency of the supplement can make it so you quickly take too much of the supplement.
Common signs that you have taken too much Ashwagandha include drowsiness, gastrointestinal discomfort, dysregulated hormone balance, and more.
It is important to note that these effects may not take place right away and take time to build up.
When taking Ashwagandha it is recommended that you cycle on and off and do not take it for a prolonged period. This is due to its hormonal properties and its ability to reduce stress by changing cortisol levels. As well it is common for individuals to build a tolerance to Ashwagandha rendering it less effective the longer it is taken.
Pregnancy
It is recommended that pregnant or breast feeding mothers do not take Ashwagandha due to its hormonal properties.
Final Thoughts
Overall Ashwagandha is a great supplement that can benefit you in many aspects of your life, by being able to reduce stress it allows you to go through your day with less worry about things out of your control and live with a reduced feeling of anxiety. In addition to this, the cognitive benefits are amazing and can allow for more deep-focused work to be completed in your day. The natural origins of this supplement are appealing as well since you know that you are getting something straight from nature.
With its immense health-boosting benefits Ashwagandha is great for men or women looking to prolong their energy while also reducing feelings of mental fatigue. It is important to take Ashwagandha in a safe manner and cycle with this supplement through specific periods of your life as prolonged use will build up a tolerance to the supplement.