What the Heck Is Ayurveda?

Ashwaghanda has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for three millennia. Ayurveda, one of the oldest systems of medicine in the world, has been practiced in India since a time before written word. So many of the Ayurvedic practices were passed orally from generation to generation. Ayurveda comes from the Sanskrit words for life (ayur) and knowledge (veda).

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An Herb By Many Names...

Ashwaghanda, scientific name Withania somnifera, has many names, and many spellings. Let’s start with the Sanskrit meaning for the name; the Sanskrit words ashva, meaning horse and gandha, meaning smell probably refer to the strong smell of the roots, but it could be argued that the consumption of the root can give a guy, or gal, the strength of a horse.

The spelling is a nightmare if you’re doing any research. Ajagandha, ashand, ashandh, asgandha, ashagandha, ashvaganda, ashwanga, asvagandha, aswagandha, the list goes on.

Then there are the completely different names: amangura, asan, asoda, avarada, Ayurvedic ginseng, clustered winter cherry, withania, kuthmithi,. And my favorite, Rhoda asoda, because it rhymes.

So What’s Ashwaghanda’s Claim to Ayurvedic Fame?

Ashwaghanda is the crown jewel of Ayurvedic medicine. It is prized as the Fountain of Youth herb and is used to treat multifarious maladies and afflictions.

Stress Management - My Favorite Use For Ashwaganda

Okay, so you know when you get all stressed out and you start feeling tired and have a hard time thinking clearly? You start feeling like you must have mad cow disease or something because you can’t remember where you put your keys or your specs? If it’s been more than just a stressful day or two, it’s been a stressful month, maybe you’re putting on some extra belly, having a hard time sleeping and your decision making skills are lacking.

Well, that’s the work of cortisol. Cortisol is the corticosteroid that is pumped out of your adrenal gland when you’re stressted out. It’s the fight or flight hormone. Longterm stress causes longterm cortisol presence. Longterm cortisol presence can increase the risk of insomnia, depression, anxiety, headaches, memory loss, impaired concentration, heart disease, weight gain, high blood sugar and digestive trouble, among other things.

Although studies of herbal medicine in the U.S. are limited (reasons for that are numerous, and a subject for another post), in other countries herbal medicine is studied and taken seriously.

Ashwaghanda has been shown to reduce both stress and anxiety in patients during a double blind test overseen by doctors at the Department of Neuropsychiatry and Geriatric Phychiatry at Asha Hospital, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India.

In another study performed by the Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India showed that the use of Ashwaganda was as effective as lorazepam in treating depression and anxiety.

Both studies showed that ashwaganda can be used safely to treat depression and anxiety.

Ashwaganda Is Also Used In The Treatment Of...

• Inflammation
• Longevity and Anti-Aging
• Athletic Performance
• Cardiovascular Ailments
• Osteoporosis
• Alzheimer’s and Memory Problems
• Arthritis and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Cancer
• High Cholesterol

Many scientific studies have been done on the effectiveness of ashwaganda use. Don’t take my word for the safety or effectiveness of ashwaganda use. Do your own research.

Preparation and Dosage

The general guidelines for preparing ashwaganda: make a tea by boiling ashwaganda root in water for 15 minutes and allow it to cool. Drink 750 mL per day. If using ashwaganda root tincture the dosage is 2-4 mL, three times daily.

Side Effects

According to Dr. Peter Bongiorno ND, LAc in a Phychology Today article, ashwaganda has no noted side effects, but when taken in large doses it could cause stomach upset, diarrhea or vomiting.

Warnings and Precautions

Ashwaganda is likely to be unsafe during pregnancy, and could cause miscarriage. Do not use while breast-feeding.

Ashwaganda can lower blood sugar, and this could interfere with diabetes medication and cause dagerously low blood sugar.

Ashwaganda should be used cautiously with medications for high blood pressure, and when used by anyone with low blood pressure.

Ashwaganda may irritate the GI tract and should not be used by anyone with stomach ulcers.

Ashwagandha can make the immune system more active, which can increase the symptoms of auto-immune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and other conditions.

Ashwaganda can slow the central nervous system. Anesthesia and other meds during and after surgery could increase this effect. Do not take ashwaganda for two weeks prior to a scheduled surgery.

Ashwaganda can increase thyroid hormone levels. Anyone with a thyroid condition or taking thyroid hormone medications should use caution when taking ashwaganda, or avoid it altogether.

More information about the potential risks and side effects of ashwaganda can be found at WebMD.

You may be interested in these other posts about medicinal herbs:

• Here you can learn a little about toothache plant.
• Lemon balm is my go-to for congestion and bronchitis. Learn about it here.

Thanks for your time. Have a wonderful day!