Summer has arrived in the Pacific Northwest and with warmer temperatures you can see more people running and biking outside. As daylight hours increase, we will be more active and will need more energy during the summer months.
According to many traditions, Ashwagandha (Withania somniferaSolanaceae family) is a perfect herbal support for the 21st century man who desires increased energy, stamina and vitality for exercise and sexual functioning. Fatigue, sleep problems and imbalanced male hormones are common problems and seem to be more prominent these days.
To truly understand Ashwagandha, we must understand it in the context of Ayurvedic medicine, where it has been used as an adaptogenic herb for centuries.
Ayurvedic medicine is an ancient medicine native to India dating back to 1500 BC. Ayurvedic treatments go to the root of the patient’s physiological and psychological being, especially his innate constitution. The goal of Ayurveda is to bring people into their own natural harmony. This goes to the heart of any imbalance and discomfort and once the individual is brought into balance, their overall health can be restored. The constitution is treated by treating the major Dosha type with herbs and therapies containing opposing elements.
There are three doshas. Kapha are the elements water and earth; Vata are the elements of air and space; And Pita is fire. This is a simple explanation of a complex and complicated ancient system of medicine, in which the individual is treated with herbs, diet, massage, exercises and other complex therapies that are contrary to their basic constitution.
In Sanskrit, ashwangandha means that which has the scent of a horse, because it gives the vitality and sexual power of a horse. The root of Ashwagandha (its common botanical name is Indian Ginseng or Winter Cherry) is used in Ayurvedic herbal medicine. Ayurveda considers it the most important tonic for men and calls it a ‘Rasayana‘, which means powerful rejuvenation. It is also used as an aphrodisiac, tonic, nervine, sedative and astringent herb. Ayurvedic practitioners prescribe Ashwagandha to men who may suffer from exhaustion, general weakness, sexual weakness or restless sleep. Used in ancient Ayurvedic medicine, it is considered a nourishing and regulating herb of metabolic processes. It is used similarly to ginseng in Chinese medicine herb to keep in your medicine cabinet and take daily to support immune function and endurance.
Ashwagandha and the research
Ashwagandha is a great immune system strengthening herb that helps with psychological complaints and supports cognitive function. Other research shows that it has an affinity for supporting healthy cholesterol levels. In a research group of cyclists, Ashwagandha increased VO2max by 13%, reduced time to exhaustion and improved the cyclists’ energy efficiency and endurance overall.
Safety of Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) can be replaced by Withania coagulans. No real contraindications, warnings, or precautions exist for Ashwagandha. However, high doses can cause gastrointestinal complaints. A theoretical allergy may exist in individuals allergic to the Solanaceae family (Nightshade family).
References
- Frawley, David & Lad, Vasant. The Yoga of Herbs: An Ayurvedic Guide to Herbal Medicine, 2i.e Revised and expanded edition. Lotus Press, Twin Lakes, WI. 2008. P.10.
- Frawley, David & Lad, Vasant. The Yoga of Herbs: An Ayurvedic Guide to Herbal Medicine, 2i.e Revised and expanded edition. Lotus Press, Twin Lakes, WI. 2008. Pp. 160-161.
- KP Khalsa, AHG. Lecture notes from Bastyr University. 2010.
- Sodhi, Virender. Improving athletic performance with Ayurvedic supplements. http://ayurvedicscience.com/newsletters/athletic-performance-enhancement-with-ayurvedic-supplements/ (April 1, 2015).
- Mills, Simon and Bone, Kerry. Principles and practice of herbal medicine: modern herbal medicine. Churchill Livingstone, NY, NY, 2001. P. 600.
- Mills and Bone. The Essential Guide to Herbal Safety. Elsevier Churchill Livingstone: 2005. P. 631.
Writer Dr. Sam Madeira completed his PhD in Naturopathic Medicine at Bastyr University in 2012. His specialties include botanical medicine, men’s health, endocrinology, environmental medicine and physical medicine. He currently specializes in men’s health and bioidentical hormone replacement therapy in Seattle. Dr. Madeira enjoys helping people find their unique path to health.
For educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, or to sell any product.
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