Have you heard of the health benefits of Ashwagandha? or are you looking for solutions to your various health problems, or are you looking for female beauty herbs from Ashwagandha? Don’t worry, you are in the right place, because here we will mention the various health benefits of Ashwagandha especially for women.
We will review about the miraculous benefits of the famous ayurvedic herb namely Ashwagandha wood herb. Keep reading this article until the end so you find the information you need.
Table of Contents
What is Ashwagandha?
Ashwagandha is one of the main ingredients in Indian Ayurvedic medicine, this plant is known as “Indian Winter Cherry” or as “Indian Ginseng”.
One of the staples of ancient Indian medicine, Ashwagandha is commonly known as “Indian Winter cherry” or “Indian Ginseng”. Sometimes you have heard of Ashwagandha churna, this is a powder that has been finely sifted and can be mixed with water, honey or with ghee. This powder from Ashwagandha is well known for its medicinal value as it can cure many complaints. We will talk about the health benefits of Ashwagandha at the end of the article.
Well, before we get to know the benefits, we need to know first why Ashwagandha is very beneficial for health. Here we will look at five interesting facts about Ashwagandha that many may not know about Ashwagandha.
Ashwagandha is an evergreen shrub that grows in India, the Middle East and parts of Africa. Every part of this bush plant is very useful and has many health benefits.
Ashwagandha itself comes from the Sanskrit word, from the word “Ashwa” which means ‘Horse’, and from the word “Gandha” which means ‘smell’. Charaka an expert in Ayurvedic medicine says that “one can live a long life, regain one’s youth, get a sharp memory and intelligence and be free from disease, shiny skin, and healthy hair and have the strength of a horse.
In the traditional Indian way of life, Ashwagandha is considered as Rasayana, meaning material that can make life longer. That is, this plant becomes a magical herb that can overcome many health problems.
In the modern world and in modern medicine, Ashwagandha also has a special value, where it is considered an adaptogen. This means that this herb helps the body to adapt to stress. Ashwagandha is well known for its rejuvenating and therapeutic abilities.
In Ayurvedic medicine, Ashwagandha is also referred to as Bhalya, something that can increase strength and vajikara. Vajikara is something that can improve the quality of sexual health.
These are some of the Ashwagandha facts that are of concern in Ayurveda so that using this plant as an important ingredient in medicine. Now, we see how every part of Ashwagandha can be used as a natural remedy.
How is Ashwagandha used as medicine?
How every part of the Ashwagandha plant can be beneficial for health. So, let’s get to know the most popular benefits of Ashwagandha as Churna. Churna in Ashwagandha is a paste that occurs when combined with water, ghee or combined with honey. It is prepared from the roots of a shrub called Ashwagandha.
The benefits of Ashwagandha powder are numerous and inexhaustible to discuss. Among the well-known benefits of this powder is to relieve leukoderma, insomnia, constipation, nervous disorders, goiter and others. The paste made from this powder is also good as a topical ointment on the joints that is used to relieve or treat joint pain due to inflammation.
Ashwagandha consists of several types, but the most useful is Nagori Ashwagandha. To get maximum benefits, use fresh powder of ashwagandha.
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Benefits of other parts of the Ashwagandha bush
Another part of this plant is the leaves, the leaves are very bitter but can turn brown, especially because of the iron content, you can consume it as an herbal tea after drying it or fresh. The benefits of Ashwagandha leaves are to relieve anemia, or blood loss due to severe menstruation. Tea from Ashwagandha leaves is also useful as an herbal remedy for energy tonics, fever relief, and curing painful swellings.
While Ashwagandha flowers are astringent, diuretic, depurative and aphrodisiac. While the seeds are anthelmintic, this means they are useful for killing worms and other parasites. Ashwagandha flowers can be mixed with astringents and salt to provide the benefits of removing freckles on the cornea.
While herbal medicine from Ashwagandha seeds is useful for treating hysteria, memory loss, anxiety, syncope and others.
It can be said that the Ashwagandha plant is a versatile plant because its benefits can be obtained from the whole plant, from the leaves to the roots. What is it about this plant, why is it so useful? Let’s take a closer look at what makes ashwaghanda so beneficial.
What exactly makes Ashwagandha so beneficial?
Ashwagandha has a unique basic structure and this is what gives it its medicinal value. All plants have their own set of compounds known as phytochemicals. These phytochemicals have special benefits, including maintaining immunity, responding to antibodies that attack disease. There are also forms of phytochemicals that are beneficial for killing insects, because plants cannot move to kill insects. But there are also some phytochemicals that are only useful for making plants grow fast and strong.
These chemicals or phytochemicals are for health, this is what makes the Ashwagandha plant so beneficial. The high levels of these phytochemicals provide many benefits for beauty and health. This substance affects various systems in our body.
Ok, now let’s see what are the health benefits of Ashwagandha for women, of course what we have mentioned is very limited because there are so many other health benefits of this herb.
Health Benefits of Ashwagandha
Historically, the root of the Ashwagandha plant has been used medicinally to treat insomnia, constipation, arthritis, stress, digestive problems, diabetes, fever, nervous disorders, memory loss, snake bites, and many other problems. Now take a closer look at these benefits one by one.
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1. Treating anxiety
Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic plant that can relieve stress, it can improve memory and brain health, and fight symptoms of anxiety and depression. In controlled studies, it is stated that the ingredients of the Ashwagandha plant can provide benefits for those with stress and anxiety disorders. In a study conducted for 60 days in those who were chronically stressed, the group that was given a potion of Ashwagandha was found to have decreased anxiety and insomnia by 69% compared to the group that was not given Ashwagandha, which only experienced a decrease of 11%.
If you are experiencing stress, you can use ayurvedic oil and massage gently on your body, one of the ingredients in ayurvedic oil is Ashwagandha. The ingredient that relieves stress in Ashwagandha is a substance known as Ayurvedic Sugandhadi Oil, it can relieve stress, tension, fatigue and body aches.
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2. Ashwagandha treats inflammation
When the body experiences resistance to venomous animal bites, infection, trauma and others, the body will respond to this which is known as the anti-inflammatory response, this is what we feel, pain when infection and so on. The body’s response is to restore the body’s balance. But we feel stinging, pain, pain and so on. But in the case of chronic pain, the body cannot regulate the inflammatory response, so the result is chronic imbalance and chronic pain.
However there are many ayurvedic herbs that can treat chronic pain and Ashwagandha is one that has been shown to be effective for inflammation. Herbal tea made from Ashwagandha leaves is very useful for reducing inflammation.
3. Cure acne
The root of this plant contains anti-bacterial and anti-microbial properties, its benefits are against acne and skin infections. Another benefit is increasing collagen in the skin, as well as preventing aging. To cure acne you can use natural herbs from Ashwagandha powder. Not only does it keep acne at bay it also works for blackheads, reducing scars, skin tone, and inflammation.
4. Ashwagandha for heart health
There are many benefits of Ashwagandha for the heart, because Ashwagandha is an herb that can treat cholesterol, chest pain, high blood pressure, and other heart diseases.
Adding Ashwagandha plant or its powder in daily diet will provide great benefits for heart health.
5. Boost immunity
Ashwagandha is one of the many ingredients of Thai Lakshadi which is well-known for its ability to attack infections, cure fever, and can increase the body’s immunity. Lakshadi Thailam is a great massage oil to use on babies, it can soothe sensitive and inflamed skin.
In addition to using these oils, your baby can use baby soap that contains Ashwagandha, this will work effectively to provide benefits for babies like using herbal Ashwagandha.
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6. Treating cancer
Ashwagandha contains a substance called withaferin, this substance helps induce apoptosis which is the programmed death of cancer cells. It not only kills cancer cells but can also prevent new cancer cells from reappearing. A substance known as withaferin is said to promote the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cancer cells. This will interfere with the function of the cancer cells.
Research also states that Ashwagandha can treat various types of cancer, including breast cancer, colon cancer, ovarian cancer, brain cancer, lung cancer, and others. In a study conducted on mice, mice with ovarian tumors were treated with withaferin alone and this showed a significant reduction in tumors. Treatment with withaferin is also believed to prevent the spread of tumor cells to other areas. So, Ashwagandha is an effective ingredient for treating cancer.
7. Treating Alzheimers
One of the amazing benefits of Ashwagandha is that it treats Alzheimer’s by inhibiting the production of beta-amyloid plaques. This plaque is considered deadly to brain cells, it grows in those with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
National Brain Research Center (NBRC), has made research related to the benefits of Ashwagandha on Alzheimer’s sufferers. After being treated on mice with Ashwagandha, it was found that the mice were getting healthier and with better cognition. Then at the end of one month, brain function returns to normal, and those plaques called amyloid plaques have reduced.
Ashwagandha works by increasing protein in the liver and then clearing amyloid in the brain, so it doesn’t change brain chemistry directly.
8. Tighten the skin, good for pregnant women
Ashwagandha is also the main ingredient in the manufacture of Bala Ayurbeda oil, this oil is also popularly known as Dhanwantaram Thailam. This oil is used in the treatment of pregnant women to relieve pain, fatigue and increase energy and immunity. Another benefit is that it strengthens muscles and increases skin elasticity and this can help get rid of stretch marks on the belly of pregnant women.
9. Treating Insomnia
Are you having trouble sleeping or never getting quality sleep? Don’t worry we have the solution, it is using ashwagandha, it will take care of your sleep problems. Ashwagandha is known for its drowsiness-inducing properties. Try drinking a warm cup of ashwagandha powder and mix it with milk, drink before bed to stimulate sleep and relieve fatigue and make you sleep soundly.
10. Ashwagandha treats asthma
Another health benefit of ashwagandha is that it treats asthma. Asthma can cause shortness of breath, chest tightness, wheezing, and can cause coughing. If you are experiencing problems like this, then ashwagandha is a proven herbal remedy that can treat your asthma.
Among the causes of asthma are dust, pollen, pollution, stress and anxiety. Ayurvedic medicine states that ashwagandha is an ingredient used in the treatment of asthma. You can consume ashwagandha root regularly and this will relieve stress and can freshen the breath.
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Other Benefits of Ashwagandha are:
11. Treating ulcers
12. Increasing stamina
13. Cure for Vitiligo
14. Battling diabetes
15. Benefits of Ashwagandha for Hair
Ashwagandha is an herb that contains anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties, it helps maintain a healthy scalp. It is powder is a source of antioxidants known as flavonoids, it also contains fat, glucose, tannins, nitrates and contains potassium. Ashwagandha also contains a compound called tyrosine, this is an amino acid that can stimulate the growth of melanin and prevent the loss of melanin in the hair.
The ashwagandha is also reported to be a wonderful natural remedy in stopping the hair loss that usually occurs after pregnant women give birth. This herbal remedy stimulates sebum production which in turn can promote healthy hair growth through DHEA.
How to use Ashwagandha
There are many ways to take ashwagandha for the purpose of obtaining hair health benefits. Are as follows:
- Ingestion: Ashwagandha can be taken as a tea from the dried leaves or by taking ashwagandha supplements.
- Applying to the skin: Another way of using ashwagandha is to apply it directly on the scalp thoroughly. Make a paste with ashwagandha powder and distilled water, apply it on the hair and scalp. Gently massage and leave for 30 minutes, then rinse as usual.
- Adding it: Another way to use ashwagandha is to add it in shampoo and this is beneficial for relieving irritation of the scalp, also stimulates blood flow in the scalp which in turn can help hair growth properly.
16. Benefits of Ashwagandha for skin
Ashwagandha is a super natural ingredient in providing benefits to the skin. This herb promises beautiful and healthy skin. Its antioxidant content is very high so it fights signs of aging such as wrinkles, fine lines, dark spots, and blemishes on the skin. This herb is also rich in alkaloids whose function is to work on the nervous system, this will have a direct impact on the hair and skin.
Benefits of Ashwagandha for Men
It turns out that there are also benefits of ashwagandha for men and which is very well known as a drug to produce testosterone, namely the male hormone. Apart from that, it is also useful in maintaining a good level of testosterone and this is important for men.
Ashwagandha is also useful for men who have low sperm levels, by consuming ashwagandha regularly, sperm quality will return to normal and healthy. That is, an important benefit of ashwagandha for men is to increase their fertility.
Another benefit of ashwagandha for men is treating prostate cancer thanks to a substance called withaferin-A. This means that in cancer recovery, ashwagandha can help during cancer recovery.
Benefits of Ashwagandha for women
In addition to the benefits of ashwagandha for women that have been mentioned above, there are also specific benefits and these relate to the sexual qualities of women.
Ashwagandha is good for women’s reproductive health too, this is because ashwagandha can reduce stress. Stress is the first problem that affects fertility, the menstrual cycle, and also affects a woman’s libido. So, by taking ashwagandha regularly, this problem will be resolved slowly.
The benefits of ashwagandha for women are also related to menopause. Menopause is a problem of bone fragility that often occurs in women as they age. During menopause, the body experiences hormonal instability, and this can lead to depression, anxiety, insomnia, and so on. Ashwagandha is found to be an excellent herbal remedy for treating these problems. Ashwagandha acts on the endocrine system which in turn reduces the problem by reducing the symptoms. If you are entering menopause, then consume this herb regularly to maintain your health.