In the last decade, traditional, as well as Eastern medicine has been making a comeback across Western society.
There are a few theories put forward as to why; many people believe that the West relies too much on pharmaceuticals, which are neither natural and often come with side-effects. This means that if you have an ailment that requires treatment, the side-effects of taking medicine may be worse than the ailment itself.
Or, it may be due to the dangers that can come with modern pharmaceuticals. Many people have concerns that taking too much of these medications can cause dependence, which is not really ideal if you are looking to maintain optimum health.
What is ashwagandha? It is scientifically known as Withania somnifera, and is a herb which gained prominence in Ayurvedic medicine. It is also commonly found marketed under Indian ginseng, or winter cherry and, it has been noted to help the body to manage stress.
So, when it comes to this herb and its uses in managing common ailments, there are many benefits of taking it, especially if you are male. This article will run through some of these advantages, so you can see if it is worth adding to your supplements list. Enjoy!
Reduces Stress and Anxiety

The Anxiety and Depression Association of America, or the ADAA, found that in the US, 3.5 million people have been diagnosed with either depression or anxiety, and 90% of those who have these diagnoses by the age of 30 are men.
That is a very sad statistic but, ashwagandha has been noted to have adaptogenic properties, which help to lower cortisol levels in the body. Cortisol is the stress hormone and, reducing it has been found to reduce the severity and recurrence of stress and anxiety.
Boosts Testosterone Levels

There have been studies conducted that have found that ashwagandha can increase testosterone levels in men. On average, this increase was between 15-18%, provided that the men took around 300 mg to 5g of the herb per day.
Increases in testosterone can, of course, enhance libido, improve mood and create more energy.
Improves Fertility

In a similar vein, this herb has also been shown to improve the quality of sperm count of sperm, thereby enhancing male fertility and overall reproductive health.
It has been linked to improved sperm motility, a reduction in oxidative stress and DNA damage to sperm cells, as well as enhancing the volume of semen. All great if you and your partner are planning for a baby! Of course, if you and your partner have continuous problems with conceiving, you should talk to your medical provider.
Enhances Muscle Mass and Strength

A study that was conducted by the Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine found that supplementing ashwagandha for 30 days helped to improve muscle mass and strength in men. It should be noted, however, that this study was conducted on men who were already engaging in fitness regimens and therefore had healthy diets and work out routines. In short, if you eat an unbalanced diet, it is unlikely that taking this herb will make you look like a young Arnold Schwarzenegger!
Boosts Stamina and Endurance

If you are about to undergo extreme physical training, it may be worth looking into supplementing ashwagandha. It has been found to help to reduce fatigue (probably due to lowered cortisol levels and oxidative stress) and has also been noted to boost stamina and energy levels overall. This can help to enhance physical performance across all sports, as well as boost endurance.
Improves Cognitive Function

As well as boosting your strength, endurance, and your testosterone levels, this herb is also being explored to see if it helps to improve cognitive function. Some studies have suggested that taking this herb everyday was found to boost memory time, reaction time, as well as help with the reduction of neurological inflammation.
Helps To Regulate Blood Sugar

Healthline has stated that taking this herb each day may help to stabilize blood sugar levels, which would make it beneficial for those who have either insulin resistance or diabetes. However, if you have already been diagnosed with either of these ailments, you should talk to your doctor before taking ashwagandha, as it could interact with the antihyperglycemic medications, causing hypoglycemia.
Improves Immune System Function

Ashwagandha has also been found to strengthen the immune system. By reducing cortisol levels and aiding in providing anti-inflammatory properties, this herb can help you to strengthen your immune response. However, if you have been diagnosed with an autoimmune condition and are taking immunosuppressants, you should talk to your doctor before supplementing with ashwagandha, as it could make the physical symptoms of your illness worse.
Improves Heart Health

When you are training for a marathon, or to simply improve your physical health, you want to ensure that your heart is in good condition. Ergo, you will want to ensure that there is no bad cholesterol or triglycerides impacting its function. Ashwagandha has been found to help break down both triglycerides and bad cholesterol, helping your general heart health.
Reduces Inflammation

When it comes to health across the board, inflammation is a big issue. It has been linked to depression, joint pain, fatigue, and even problems with sleep. So, if you have a chronic inflammation issue, it may be worth looking into supplementing with ashwagandha, as it reduces inflammation across the body.
Helps With Sleep

Sleep is a basic human function. Doctors recommend that adults get between 8-9 hours of sleep per night for optimum health, as well as optimum energy levels and cognitive function. If you have noticed that your sleep has been off for a while, it can be worth exploring ashwagandha as a supplement to help you catch your z’s. However, if sleep issues persist for more than two weeks, you should speak to your doctor, as this could point to a more serious issue, such as depression.
Can Support Thyroid Function

Specifically, ashwagandha has been noted to help with hypothyroid disorders, which is when the thyroid gland is underactive. This can lead to fatigue, weight gain and even constipation. Of course, if you suspect that you have this condition, speak to your doctor and discuss taking ashwagandha with them, as it may impact on the effectiveness of any medication.
Can Help With Weight Management

Some chaps who are engaging in self improvement want to start by losing some weight. Of course, you can aim to do this with exercise and diet but, you will also need to boost your metabolism, or enhance it, which is where ashwagandha comes in. It reduces oxidative stress, which helps the body to burn fat, and speeds up metabolism.
Can Enhance Wellbeing

In most cases, any supplement or medicine that helps to reduce oxidative stress, as well as reducing inflammation and helps you to get a good night’s sleep is going to have the knock on effect of enhancing your wellbeing. This is not a bad thing of course! People, and men in general who have an enhanced sense of wellbeing are noted to be more successful in their jobs, their exercise regimens and their relationships. Who doesn’t want that?
Promotes Healthy Aging

Even with all the potions and lotions in the world, aging is still something that happens to everybody. Of course, as ashwagandha helps to combat oxidative stress, it helps to slow the aging process and there is research ongoing into whether or not it boosts collagen and elastin in the skin.
Improves Sexual Health

Now chaps, if you want to boost your sexual performance, it is well worth looking into taking ashwagandha. It has been found to boost libido, according to studies by health brand Atlas Bars and can also enhance your sexual performance. Great stuff!
Boosts Metabolism

When it comes to exercise, stress and high levels of cortisol can be a real drag, and can slow down the impact of any workouts you undertake. Luckily, as this herb lowers your cortisol levels, and helps to reduce oxidative stress, the end result is a faster metabolism. This is ideal for exercise and mental well being.
Supports Joint Health

There is little to no point in undertaking an exercise regimen if you have sore or swollen joints. Excess pressure can hurt the joints more, and can even cause more serious and long-lasting issues. For many men, ashwagandha has been noted to alleviate joint pain and improve mobility of the joints, especially in chronic ailments like arthritis. This is due to the anti-inflammatory properties of this herb. So, if you have stiff joints, it is worth looking into ashwagandha, provided that the stiffness is not caused by an autoimmune disorder. Remember, this herb boosts the immune system, which is not what you want if you have an overactive immune response!
So, there you have it! Before adding any supplements to your diet, you should talk to your healthcare provider. This will ensure that there are no contraindications with any medications you may be taking, or any health issues that you may already have. Stay safe, gents!
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