Category: Sports Nutrition

Health Benefits Of Ashwagandha-indian Ginseng

Abstract

Ashwagandha is one of most potent herb in Ayurvedic healing system. It is composed of two sanskrit words (Ashwa – horse and Gandha – smell, because its roots when crushed give smell like horse’s urine).

This describes that herb provides the strength of a stallion and traditionally prescribed to strengthen immune system of people after illness. Ashwagandha is also known as Indian Ginseng because of rejuvenating properties though ginseng and Ashwagandha are not related to each other.

Ashwagandha

Geographic distribution

Ashwagandha has the great medicinal importance in Ayurveda from ancient times. This herb is found in all over parts of India. Ashwagandha is grown in various botanical gardens in India.

Classification

  • Sanskrit names – Ashwagandha, Balada, Kamrupini, Gandhpatri ,Vajini
  • Common names – Winter cherry, Indian ginseng
  • Scientific name – Withania somnifera
  • Family – Solanaceae
  • Plant parts used – Whole plant parts

Morphology

  • Size – This is an erect, perennial and branched herb and usually 30-60 cm in height but can grow up to 170 cm.
  • Leaves – Leaves are alternate and ovate, up to 10 cm long.
  • Flowers – Flowers are 4-6mm in diameter and bright yellow or greenish.
  • Fruits – Red berries enclosed in a papery protective covering (Calyx).
  • Roots – Roots are long, unbranched and fleshy tubers.

Health benefits of Ashwagandha -INDIAN GINSENG

Ashwagandha is packed with miraculous properties which are quite beneficial in body healing for various health complications. Thus it has become new ray of hope in the management of various health complications.

According to Ayurveda, Ashwagandha helps to balance the vata dosha which is related to brain health. Ashwgandha  has calming effect on nerves.Moreover regular consumption of Ashwagandha may result in numerous health benefits.

Ashwagandha benefits are discussed in details below

  • Anti – cancerous properties – It has been found in various research studies that Ashwagandha has anti cancerous properties which are quite beneficial to provide relief in the cancer. It also helps to reduce the adverse effects of chemotherapy and radiation without interference with tumor cell killing activities.
  • Antimicrobial activities – Ashwagandha is a valuable medicinal herb in Ayurveda. It possesses the antimicrobial activities which are effective to manage the various infection like gastrointestinal, urinogenital and respiratory tract infections.
  • Cardio – protective properties – It also offers health benefits in the cardiovascular problems. It provides strength to heart muscles and also helps to maintain the good cholesterol levels.
  • Anti stress properties – Aswagandha acts like a nervine tonic. It helps to maintain the both physical health and mental health. According to Ayurveda, Ashwagandha helps to balance the vata dosha which is related to brain health. It helps to pacify the nervous system thus provide the relief in stress, anxiety and depression.
  • Anti-diabetic properties – Ashwagandha also possesses anti diabetic properties because its helps to maintain the good blood sugar levels. It has been found that regular consumption of Ashwagandha helps to manage the problem of diabetes.
  • Stimulation of thyroid gland – Ashwagandha helps to improve the thyroid health. It is an adptogenic herb which helps to manage the both hypo and hyper thyroid complications. It helps in the proper functioning of thyroid hormones.
  • Antioxidant properties – Ashwagandha is also packed with the antioxidant properties. It helps to neutralize free radicals which are produced during metabolism. It is beneficial to manage the oxidative stress in body.
  • Immunomodulatory properties – Ashwagandha helps to strength the immune system which is beneficial to provide the relief in various infections.
  • Skin health – Ashwagandh helps in stimulation of DHEA which is an adrenal steroid hormone in the body. It helps in the production of proteins which are helpful in maintaining the skin hydration, skin elasticity and collagen which are good for healthy skin.
  • Healthy hair – Ashwagandha also supports the good hair texture. It helps to improve the scalp circulation and provide the strength to hair. It also supports the production of melanin pigment that is responsible for hair color. Use of this herb is also good to get rid from dandruff.
  • Blood production – Ashwagandha also possesses the haemo poetic properties which means it is useful in the production of blood cells. It is also helpful to manage to problem of anemia.
  • Aphrodisiac properties – Aphrodisiac properties of Ashwagandha helps to improve the fertility and vitality. It is helpful to enhance sexual desire. In case of males it helps to improve the quality and production of semen. Where as in case of females it helps to manage the hormonal imbalances.
  • Anti-inflammatory properties – Ashwagandha’s anti-inflammatory properties helps to provide the relief in joint pains and various other body pains. Ashwagandha is packed with phytochemical compounds like saponins, alkaloids and steroidal lactones which have anti-inflammatory properties.
  • Mood booster – Ashwagandha herb is also known as the mood booster. It helps women to cope up with the mood swings.
  • Increases the body’s stamina and strength – Ashwagandha helps to maintain the body’s stamina because it helps to balance the adrenal hormones which are involved in the physical activities. These hormones help to decrease the pain of muscles and joints while doing physical activities though they also help to maintain the same energy levels. This is the reason, athletes consume Ashwagandha .
  • Helpful in insomnia – Ashwagandha’s rejuvenating properties are beneficial in insomnia. It helps to pacify the nervous system thus beneficial to manage the stress. It also helps people to maintain a good sleep.

Contact Planet Ayurveda Support Team to provide you the costing/ordering and delivery information at costing.planetayurveda@gmail.com or Call at 0172-521-4040 (India), +91-172-521-4040 (Outside India) or Whatsapp at (+91) 842-749-4030.

7 Merits and Demerits of Garcinia Cambogia fruit

Abstract

Garcinia Cambogia is one of the key ingredients used in most naturopathic supplements for weight loss today. Though originally it is an herbaceous plant and its fruit part is basically used for weight loss, but it has been very commonly used nowadays for its properties that aid in rapid and natural weight loss.The main reason behind the much claimed miraculous effects of Garcinia Cambogia fruit is HCA (Hydrxy citric acid). HCA is the major fruit extract that is responsible for making people thinner with its use.

But as we all know, there are side effects and disadvantages of all good things in the world, here we will throw light upon 7 merits and demerits of Garcinia Cambogia fruit in detail.

Garcinia Cambogia Fruit

Merits of Garcinia Cambogia

Garcinia Cambogia fruit is a very good and natural appetite suppressant which is not a new found plant at all. People in South – East Asia, especially Malaysia have been using this fruit as part of many of their Malaysian delicacies for years.

It helps in rapid shrinkage of fat cells in the body and also prevents the formation of new ones. In turn, Garcinia Cambogua fruit or products containing its standardized and authentic extracts can help people shed bulk weight at a very good pace.

In addition to its weight loss potential, Garcinia hasmany other health benefits also. It is a great detox plant which helps improve Liver function. It helps reduce free radicals in the body which have a very harmful impact at cellular level. Free radicals actually oxidize our body cells to neutralize their negative charge and in turn disturb the chemical composition of our cell’s internal as well as external environment. Consuming fruits like Garcinia and other similar antioxidants can help us in protecting our body right up to the cellular level preventing the development of any harmful diseases.

For patients with ulcers and other gastric problems, Garcinia is a very good natural substitute. Although there are a plethora of other natural supplements for this problem but since, obesity has been frequently found to be linked with disrupted gut functions and digestive problems, Garcinia is one in many solutions for such people.

Garcinia Cambogia fruit has a very delicious flavour which makes it an exception. It has a very sweet taste which can ideally not be correlated with weight loss. That is why Garcinia is something that will satisfy the taste buds as well as keep your weight loss program ticking as well.

The best part of using Garcinia is that there are no rebound weight gain problems. This is in part because of the fact that the weight loss process is more lifestyle based than just taking Garcinia as a supplement. This means that after a while people not only lose weight but also develop healthy lifestyle changes that can help them maintain their weight for a longer period of time.

Garcinia is not a rich man’s medicine; its prices are quite affordable and it is not an exotic plant to be looked out for. It’s easy availability especially in India, Africa and South – East Asia makes it a fair deal to invest in.

Demerits of Garcinia Cambogia

The down side of using Garcinia are not so frivolous but still exist. The biggest problem is commercialization. People are using its name for making odd ends meet and in turn the effectiveness of the products containing Garcinia is increasingly becoming questionable. This is why common people have a hard time in looking for the best Garcinia product which can actually help them.

Another problem is lifestyle. It is important to know that Garcinia is an herbal supplement and not a replacement for a good diet plan and lifestyle modifications. People think that if they are taking weight loss medications, then it will work wonders for them without them having to sweat at all on their part. Nothing beats a good diet plan and a healthy lifestyle, not even Garcinia.

In spite of so much research and documentation conducted over this plant, there is a large stratum of scientists who absolutely discard Garcinia’s potential and therefore, discourage its use. The truth is there is still a lot more to be found than writing off this herbal supplement which has great potential to help mankind in more ways than one.

Another very common problem with the usage of good Garcinia supplements comes when the person is doing just about everything right for losing weight and still does not get the desired results. This is in part because of the fact that there may be some underlying condition like hormonal imbalance or some other deep seated problem which may not be preventing Garcinia from working appropriately on the body. A thorough investigation of the person’s clinical condition is advised in such cases.

Adulteration of Garcinia supplements with chemicals that can potentially cause a lot more harm than benefit has also brought a lot of bad name to this amazing fruit. Its safety especially for women’s health is still under scanner, which is why Garcinia is not considered a 100% safe product. But, still there are plenty of good brands having high quality Garcinia extract which are neither that harmful nor produce any major side effects.

All said and done, there are many test and trials conducted in which Garcinia seemed to show absolutely no impact  on a person’s weight loss with its use. This makes many to believe that Garcinia is falsely propagated for selling supplements and in reality does not really hold any potential for our benefit.

Last but not the least, Garcinia Cambogia fruit does have some side effects which occur only in case of its abusive use, without proper consultation from a naturopath or Ayurvedic practitioner.

Garcinia, if consumed in large doses can lead to diarrhoea and abdominal cramps adversely affecting the person’s health. In such a case, its use should be discontinued for sometime unless one is fit to take it all over again. The same applies to anyone who may rarely develop an allergy to Garcinia Cambogia fruit. In such cases, though, if allergic reaction occurs, Garcinia should never be used, instead other healthy alternatives can be exhausted.

Contact Planet Ayurveda Support Team to provide you the costing/ordering and delivery information at costing.planetayurveda@gmail.com or Call at 0172-521-4040 (India), +91-172-521-4040 (Outside India) or Whatsapp at (+91) 842-749-4030.