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Top 7 Health Benefits Of Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera)

Ashwagandha is very well known in the world of medicine. It is also called Withania Somnifera or Indian ginseng. This herb has been used for years in Ayurveda which is an ancient science of medicine, as well as Chinese medicine.

Withania Somnifera is a perennial shrub from the nightshade or Solanaceae family. The herbal root has been traditionally used as a tonic as well as a sedative but recent studies shows that the leaf extract contains a compound which is known as Withanolides which have been found to carry regenerative properties on brain-cell synapses in mice and in human cell lines.Withania Somnifera can easily be found in India (especially Madhya Pradesh), Bangla Desh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and in some parts of northern Africa.

Height: It can grow beyond 170 cm but is usually 30-60 cm.
Shape: It has a central stem and is a stout and upright shrub.
Branches: Star-shaped branching and all the branches are covered in fine hairs.
Leaves: Ovate and alternate, up to 5cm wide and up to 10cm long.
Flowers: Green outer-covering layer along with yellow petals on the inner side.
Fruit: Red berries enclosed in papery protective covering (calyx).
Roots: Long and fleshy tubers.

Ashwagandha has huge range of health benefits. It has immune-boosting, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-stress, sleep-inducing and anticonvulsant properties. The known biologically active components in Ashwagandha are alkaloids, saponins, iron steroidal lactones and choline. It also rich in fatty acids which are of 18 different types and several phytosterols and polyphenols.

The roots, berries and leaves of ashwagandha are being used from several years for medicinal purpose. Ashwagandha is also available in the powdered form or in the form of capsules.

1) Relieves Stress

According to a study which was carried out in 2012, it is proved that ashwagandha is highly beneficial in reducing stress and its side effects. People suffering from stress disorders who took ashwagandha had lower levels of stress hormones [cortisol].
Ashwagandha give wonderful results in both acute as well as chronic stress. It acts as a tonic and helps your body to adapt to stressful conditions and strengthens the nervous system as well as the adrenals. It refreshes the body as well as mind and also improves the quality of sleep. It is believed that it is doing wonders nowadays.

benefits-of-ashwagandha

2) Stimulates Brain Power

According to a study carried out in 2012, it is proved that ashwagandha is effective in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. There are several chemicals present in ashwagandha which help in improving the production of the main transmitter of neural signals i.e., acetylcholine. This in turn improves the cognitive abilities which includes concentration, thinking and memory.
It helps in stimulating the growth of parts of the neural cells which are already damaged due to some reasons and thus helps in reducing the risk of age-related mental illnesses like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.
Start taking an ashwagandha supplement so as to protect your brain from degeneration but only after consulting your doctor. Do not take it without consulting a doctor.

3) Protects Against Cancer

According to some studies, it is proved that ashwagandha helps in prevention of cancer. It also helps in preventing or stopping the growth of cancer. It is high in antioxidants. Its anticancer properties helps in treating almost all types of cancer, it acts by restricting the growth of cancer cells which make it beneficial for the cancer treatment.
Its components are doing wonders in preventing the growth of many types of cancer cells like colon, breast, leukemia, melanoma, lung, prostate and sarcoma.
Along with this, it also enhances the effects of chemotherapy and radiations against cancer cells. It also protects the healthy cells against damage from several cancer therapies.

4) Improves Immunity

Another wonderful benefit of ashwagandha is that it helps in boosting the immune system. It helps in increasing the white blood cell production, as it is rich in antioxidants. It also improves the functioning of the immune system so helps in the treatment of several autoimmune disorders.
It gives better overall health and decreases the chances of getting sick more frequently. Plus, when you feel weak and sick, ashwagandha can give you more energy and helps in recovery after illness.
Intake of at least 1 cup of ashwagandha tea regularly will keep your immune system strong.
Ashwagandha tea is not recommended to patients who are suffering from high blood pressure.

5) Fights Depression

Its antidepressant properties make it wonderful for the treatment of depression and stress related disorders, Ashwagandha has stress relieving properties which make it more effective to treat anxiety and depression.
According to a study carried out by researchers at the Institute of Medical Sciences at Banaras Hindu University in India, it is found that ashwagandha stabilizes the moods in patients with behavioral disturbances and anxiety.
Ashwagandha does not leads to drowsiness, which is a major adverse effect of many other prescribed medicines. It should be taken through orally but under the guidance of a doctor so as to control depression and anxiety.

6) Works as a Natural Aphrodisiac

Ashwagandha acts as a powerful aphrodisiac. According to a study carried out in 2013, it is believed that ashwagandha has spermatogenic properties and it can increase sperm count along with semen volume and sperm motility. Ashwagandha can be also taken in the form of capsules.
Add half teaspoon of ashwagandha powder into a glass of warm milk and drink it two times a day.
Another option, take 300-500 mg capsules, twice daily for at least about a month.

7) Treats Arthritis

Ashwagandha is also very effective in treating rheumatism and osteoarthritis due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Its anti-inflammatory properties are because of the alkaloids, saponins and steroidal lactones present in the ashwagandha.
It is beneficial in inflammation as well as pain in the joints and especially morning joint stiffness. It also promotes energy, strength and vitality that are essential factors so as to lead a normal life when suffering from health problems especially like arthritis.

Top 7 Herbs for Cancer in Ayurveda

One of the most commonly used alternative and conventional therapy for cancer treatment is herbal medicine. According to some studies, along with conventional cancer treatment, 6 out of every 10 people are using this therapy. As herbs are a natural therapy and do not cause any side effects, this therapy is accepted by a huge number of people.

1) Turmeric (Curcuma Longa)

For its excellent results in fighting against cancer progression, turmeric became the most popular medicinal herb worldwide. The main active compound is Curcumin which is present in turmeric and is of yellow colored which is only responsible for turmeric activity in the prevention and treatment of cancer. It is result giving, effective and beneficial in treatment of all kinds of cancer. According to number of studies, it is believed that due to anticancer properties of Curcumin, turmeric is responsible for destroying cancer cells and also prevent their further growth. It is very effective in the breast cancer treatment, stomach cancer treatment, bowel cancer treatment, skin cancer treatment.

According to Lab Results, Curcumin Helps in

Impeding vascular epithelial growth (a polypeptide which stimulates new blood supply) to starve cancer cells of their fuel and oxygen and fuel.
Inducing a tumor suppressor gene.
Inhibiting COX-2, an enzyme that causes negative inflammation, which can lead to cancer.
Stopping metastasis (spread from one organ to another) of cancer cells.
Killing large cell B-cell lymphoma cells (the most common reason for non-Hodgkin lymphoma).
Preventing regrowth of cancer stem cells.
This helps in fighting against many malignant cancers.

2) Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera)

According to ayurveda Ashwagandha is one of the excellent herb used for its amazing anti-oxidant properties. Due to its anti-oxidant properties, it protects normal body from cancer. It helps to improve the patient’s condition who are already suffering from cancer and are undergoing radiotherapy or chemo therapy. It also minimizes the damage of the healthy cells from these harmful therapies. Severe imbalance between the three body energies lead to development of cancer. By increasing overall survival time, it reduces tumor cell proliferation. Ashwagandha acts as a chemotherapeutic agent as well as radio sensitizer. It is very effective in brain cancer, prostate cancer, renal cancer, skin cancer, breast cancer. It helps in regeneration and rapid recovery of the tissues of the body. Ashwagandha is also available in form of capsules which are safe, effective and 100% natural.

3) Guggul (Commiphora Wightii)

Guggul is the resinous plant extract of Commiphora mukul which has great anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The site of cancer growth has an immense inflammatory action in progress due to the rapid breakdown of the body tissues and a haywire metabolism that is fueling the irregular growth of the cancer cells.

It has a free radical scavenging activity which decreases the chances of development of cancer to a large extent. It is helpful in treating polycystic ovarian syndrome, benign prostate hypertrophy, tumor and cancer. Guggul [commiphora mukul] is also available in the form of capsules. It helps in revitalizing cells and then rejuvenating them.

4) Kanchnaar (Bauhinia Variegata)

Kanchnaar is a very useful medicinal plant with the Latin name Bauhinia variegata.Since ancient times, Bauhinia variegate is a very effective herb that is in use for its excellent benefits in managing glandular growths and soft tissue malformations. A very popular classical Ayurveda preparation kanchnaar which is used in the treatment of all kinds of tumors and cancers. Tumors and cancers usually have an imbalance of the kapha body energy which is balanced by the piercing action of Kanchnaar extracts. Kanchnaar guggal is composed of kachnaar bark, amalaki, bibhitaki, ginger, black pepper, varuna.

5) Tulsi (Ocimum Tenuiflorum)

Tulsi is the most sacred herb in the India. Tulsi is one of the excellent immune-modulators and is one of the preferred herb in the Ayurvedic treatment of cancer. It is a COX – 2 inhibitor which suppresses inflammation and helps in treatment of severe pain which is a common feature in cancer patients. Holy basil cells fight and destroy against pre – cancerous changes in the cells and the potential to repair damaged cells. Eugenol [the active component of the leaves of holy basil] inhibits the division and migration of the cancer cells. It also prevents the cancer cells from invading into the surrounding structures and induces the process of programmed cell death called as apoptosis. Tulsi is also available in the form of capsules which are very effective in treatment of such cancer.

6) Echinacea (Andrographis Panniculata)

Echinacea is also called as Andrographis panniculata and is excellent herbal medicinal plant which helps in fighting cancer in humans as well as in boosting immunity. It is also a great natural anti – oxidant. It helps to fight against infections of all kinds and boosts body’s natural ability to fight against cancer. Its analgesic and Fibrinolytic properties making it useful in managing cancer patients who are undergoing radiotherapy or chemotherapy. With regular usage of this herb, precancerous changes can easily avoided and cancer patients can easily survive with effective management of the adverse side effects that these patients suffer from due to chemotherapeutic drugs and radiations. According to some studies, this extract helps in breast cancer, Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and prostate cancer.

7) Wheatgrass

Wheatgrass is obtained from our very own source of staple food known as wheat or Triticum aestivum.Its great medicinal benefits help in the prevention of the diseases such as leukemia, cancer etc. The chlorophyll content of wheatgrass is effective in the treatment of hemoglobin deficiency which is one of the most common problem in cancer patients. It is the source of an enzyme superoxide – dismutase which acts as a best scavenger for free radicals. It is also said that wheatgrass juice charged with ultraviolet rays become all the more effective in the treatment of cancer. Wheatgrass is also available as an herbal supplement in the powdered form which is for all types of cancer.