Ashwagandha (Root Extract) Overview: Benefits, Side Effects, Dosages & More

“Ashwagandha is an incredibly powerful ancient herb with a wide array of benefits. From stress reduction to hormone management, learn why India’s traditional healthcare system has trusted this herb for millennia.”

- Article written by Ethan Wood, CPT & Registered Nutritionist

What is Ashwagandha?

Ashwagandha is an ancient herb used in Ayurvedic medicine, India’s traditional healthcare system.

Recently popularized worldwide, it’s most well-known as a powerful adaptogen that helps individuals calm their stress hormones¹.

Ashwagandha comes from the Sanskrit words “ashva” meaning horse and “gandha” meaning smell, referring to its distinctive odor².

The scientific name of ashwagandha is Withania somnifera, and it belongs to the nightshade family of plants².

How Does It Work?

Ashwagandha contains potent chemicals that help to support overall health.

Primarily, it functions as an adaptogen which is a substance that mitigates stress within the body by regulating the production of cortisol, the main stress hormone³ ⁴.

Additionally, ashwagandha possesses powerful antioxidant properties making it particularly effective at protecting against cell damage caused by free radicals³ ⁴.

Ashwagandha also modulates various neurotransmitters such as serotonin and GABA, which are involved in mood regulation and relaxation⁴.

What Benefits Can Be Expected?

Ashwagandha can be used for a variety of reasons, but it may be most beneficial for⁵:

- Stress Reduction

Ashwagandha can lower cortisol levels and improve psychological well-being in people with chronic stress or anxiety disorders³ ⁴.

Ashwagandha has a unique ability to help moderate stress mediators such as heat-shock proteins (Hsp70) and stress-activated c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK-1)³ ⁴.

Ashwagandha also reduces the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which is a bodily system which works to manage stress response³ ⁴.

- Sleep Quality

Ashwagandha can enhance sleep quality and duration by inducing a state of calmness and reducing insomnia symptoms³ ⁴ .

Sleep quality benefits have been noted as more effective in people with insomnia and individuals who supplemented with more than 600mg daily for 8 weeks or longer³ ⁴.

- Athletic Performance

Ashwagandha can boost physical performance and endurance by increasing muscle strength, oxygen consumption, and energy levels³ ⁴.

Studies have shown that ashwagandha supplementation can significantly increase VO2 max in athletes and other healthy adults³ ⁴.

Other studies have shown that ashwagandha can significantly enhance the level of muscle growth attained through resistance training³ ⁴.

- Hormone Management

Ashwagandha can balance hormone levels in both men and women by improving thyroid function, testosterone production, and reproductive health³ ⁴.

Specifically, ashwagandha has been shown in clinical data to benefit male fertility and increase testosterone levels³ ⁴.

It also has been able to increase sperm concentration, sperm motility, and semen volume in both men with low and normal sperm count³ ⁴.

- Brain Function

Ashwagandha can improve cognitive function and memory by enhancing neural communication, neurogenesis, and neuroprotection³ ⁴ .

Studies have shown that ashwagandha can lead to significant improvements in attention, information-processing speed, and memory³ ⁴.

It also seems to specifically benefit older individuals suffering from mild cognitive impairment and schizophrenia³ ⁴.

- Inflammation Reduction

Ashwagandha can reduce inflammation and pain by inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines and enzymes³ ⁴.

The compound withaferin A found within ashwagandha has been shown to minimize specific inflammatory responses in the body such as molecules named nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)³ ⁴.

How to Take Ashwagandha (Dosage)

Ashwagandha dosages depending on specific goals

With the current clinical literature, there is no standard dosage for ashwagandha.

Certain studies indicate that ashwagandha supplementation may be beneficial for stress reduction in dosages from 250mg-600mg per day³ ⁴.

Many studies have used significantly higher doses, some nearing 2,000mg per day, although safety has not been established at this high of a dose³ ⁴.

It’s always best to consult your doctor or medical professional before implementing a new herbal supplement, as they can help you determine personal safety and efficacy.

Are There Any Side Effects?

Ashwagandha is considered safe for the majority of individuals when taken in appropriate doses for short-term use (up to 12 weeks)⁴. However, some people may experience mild side effects such as headache, nausea, diarrhea or allergic reactions⁴.

People pregnant or breastfeeding should avoid ashwagandha as it may cause miscarriage or harm the baby⁴.

People with an autoimmune disorder such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus should also avoid ashwagandha as it may worsen their symptoms by stimulating the immune system⁴.

Individuals on medications such as blood thinners or antidepressants may need to consult with their healthcare professional before implementing ashwagandha as it may interact with them⁴.

What Makes Woodwell’s So Effective?

Ashwagandha can be extracted from any piece of the Withania somnifera plant (leaves, stems or roots), however the root contains the most beneficial compounds such as withanolides which are responsible for most of its pharmacological effects⁵ ⁶.

Due to this, Woodwell’s Ashwagandha is extracted specifically from the root of the plant using a water-based method that preserves its natural potency without using any harsh solvents⁶.

Woodwell’s Ashwagandha is also paired with Organic Black Pepper to ensure maximum potency by increasing its bioavailability up to 2000%⁶.

Grab Yours Today!

With this potent formula alongside such an unbeatable price, Woodwell’s Ashwagandha (Root Extract) is frequently out-of-stock. Make sure you get yours while you can!

One-Time Purchase: $13.99

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