Ashwagandha- A herb for vitality for 45+

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is an extensively used herb within Ayurveda and it is known to be beneficial for the human body. It is an upright, evergreen subshrub native to Asia and Africa with inconspicuous greenish or yellow flowers and small, spherical, orangish-red berries. It grows three to five feet in height, mostly on waste land (an unused area of land that is barren or overgrown) and is widely cultivated. The root and leaf are most frequently used for medicinal purposes. The Sanskrit word Ashwagandha is translated to "smell of the horse." This name alludes to both its distinctive scent and its capacity to boost strength. Ashwagandha is a member of the Somnifera family of plants and is also known as Indian ginseng and winter cherry.

Ashwagandha for the aging population Ashwagandha is associated with improvements in quality of life (QOL), sleep quality, and mental alertness in the aging population. It is believed to be especially rejuvenating for men, by strengthening bones, muscles, and semen production. Additionally, it can be helpful for older people by providing them with more energy while reducing pain, inflammation, and nervous debility. Ashwagandha helps to cope with stress, reduce swelling, and improve overall health. It is known to reduce blood sugar and cortisol levels. It is also an anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic agent that can be used to treat a variety of ailments, including osteoarthritis and rheumatism.

Benefits of Ashwagandha: Ashwagandha contains numerous active components that are used to improve a variety of bodily functions. It is useful for:
1. Improving bone health: Ashwagandha is essential for maintaining bone health. It increases the quantity of cells that make bone tissue, which encourages healthy bone calcification. Additionally, it decreases inflammation and stimulates bone formation.
2. Increasing muscle strength: Ashwagandha increases muscle power and strength, along with a reduction in the total body fat percentage and cholesterol levels.
3. Relieving stress and anxiety: Ashwagandha has the capacity to reduce stress and anxiety levels. It has also been shown to improve the quality of sleep in older adults.
4. Lowering blood sugar and fat: Ashwagandha was found to be effective in lowering blood sugar levels and triglycerides (the most common type of fat present in the blood).
5. Enhancing women’s sexual function: Ashwagandha can help women who are having sexual problems. It was shown to improve sexual arousal, lubrication, orgasm, and satisfaction. Additionally, ashwagandha greatly increased the quantity of successful sexual encounters and reduced metrics of distress related to women’s sex life.
6. Improving men’s reproductive function: Ashwagandha has been shown to significantly improve the quality of sperms in infertile men and also the raise the levels of testosterone hormones in males.
7. Strengthening focus and memory: Ashwagandha is known to improve memory, cognition, and the capacity to carry out motor actions after being instructed. It also significantly reduces reaction times during cognitive and psychomotor tests which are used to gauge individual’s ability to follow directions and carry out indicated actions.
8. Increasing oxygen levels: Ashwagandha can raise VO2 max levels in healthy active adults, that refers to the maximum amount of oxygen the body can take in during physical activity. VO2 max levels are used to assess cardiorespiratory endurance or the efficiency with which the heart and lungs supply oxygen to the muscles during exercise. Higher VO2 max levels is usually a sign of good heart health and better physical fitness.

Side effects of Ashwagandha: Ashwagandha roots, leaves and berries can be consumed for their medicinal benefits. Usually, it is available in the form of supplement capsules, tablets, gummy, powder, tincture, and tea forms. Although ashwagandha is a safe and non-toxic plant, consuming it could result in some mild and easily treatable side effects like:
• Nausea
• Headache
• Drowsiness
• Stomach discomfort
• Diarrhea

Ashwagandha is an extraordinary medicinal plant that helps to normalize stress and anxiety. It enhances libido, treats different infertility problems, and improves the reproductive health of both men and women. Additionally, it ensures better heart health and raises physical endurance and immunity. Ashwagandha can interact with some medications like sedatives, blood thinners, thyroid supplements, etc. and can alter their function. Thus, it is recommended to seek expert consultation before consuming Ashwagandha supplements or increased amounts of Ashwagandha.