Today, in the scientific era and developed allopathic medicines, people are again moving toward herbs. Because they often believe that it not only cures diseases but also eliminates them from the root.
Nowadays, it seems like there is a vitamin or powder for everything, but there is one popular substance that may be somewhat reliable. It has been utilized for more than 3,000 years.
Ashwagandha is one of the essential herbs in Ayurveda, a traditional alternative medicine based on Indian ideas of natural healing.
Withania Somnifera, often known as “Indian ginseng,” “winter cherry,” and other names, is the botanical name of this substance, which is most frequently discovered as a capsule, pill, powder, or combination.
Ashwagandha is categorized as a Rasayana by the old Indian system, which means it promotes life span extension.
One could categorize Ashwagandha in contemporary medicine as an adaptogen, which implies it aids the body in adjusting to stress. The herb’s revitalizing and medicinal properties are its most well-known benefits.
Since ancient times, people have utilized ashwagandha to raise energy, reduce stress, and enhance focus.
To be specific, ashwagandha has many benefits for women. These may include regularising the menstrual cycle and acting as a sexual stimulant.
One could say that ashwagandha has many advantages. Today we will be discussing those concerning men’s health.
Ashwagandha Benefits For Men
Based on studies, below are 10 possible benefits of Ashwagandha that you must know:
Ashwagandha For Anxiety
For its ability to reduce anxiety and stress, ashwagandha is primarily known. A molecule that aids the body in coping with stress, it is an adaptogen.
According to research, this lessens the activity of your body’s stress-response regulation system, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis.
Regardless of the form, stress almost always involves the hormone cortisol. Stress can be emotional, psychological, or physical. Because your adrenal glands release cortisol in reaction to stress, it serves a variety of other purposes.
One investigation involving 60 persons discovered that those who consumed 240 mg of ashwagandha extract daily for 60 days experienced significantly less anxiety than those who got a placebo.
To treat stress-related neuropsychiatric diseases like anxiety, ashwagandha comes in a variety of dosages, but a recent assessment[1] of studies found that there isn’t enough data to establish which form and dosage are best.
May Act As Aphrodisiac
Aphrodisiac use of ashwagandha dates back many years. As one of the strongest sexual stimulants, this herb is also described in the classic “Kama Sutra.”
Ashwagandha increases the body’s ability to synthesize nitric oxide in men. Vascular arteries that supply blood to the genitals enlarge. So, ashwagandha powder is advantageous[2] for guys.
Additionally, in men with lower sperm counts, it boosted sperm concentration and motility. The sex hormone DHEA-S, which is involved in the synthesis of testosterone, increased by 18% more during the ashwagandha treatment.
As compared to those who received a placebo, those who took the herb also had a 14.7% larger rise in testosterone.
But the scientists concluded that further rigorous research is required because there is currently insufficient evidence to support the possible advantages of ashwagandha for male fertility.
The manufacturers of substances like Performer 8 and TestoPrime also added ashwagandha extract. As a result, it may help in stimulating various sexual hormones.
May Lower Blood Sugar Levels
Diabetes is a difficult condition to manage since it requires a lifestyle change and the daily use of medication regimens.
There are strong anti-diabetic activities[3] in ashwagandha ingredients like withaferin A (WA). This encourages the absorption of glucose from the bloodstream by your cells.
Ashwagandha therapy effectively lowered blood sugar, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), insulin, blood lipids, and oxidative stress, according to a review of 24 investigations, including 5 clinical studies in persons with diabetes.
Keep in mind that Ashwagandha may interact with your medications so always consult your doctor first.May Increase Mental Abilities
Ashwagandha supplementation might improve[4] mental performance. It might be advantageous for the following cognitive processes:
- effective executive function
- attention
- speed of response
According to a study conducted on 50 adults, ingesting ashwagandha extract at a dose of 600 mg daily for eight weeks significantly improved the following outcomes as compared to taking a placebo.
Might Increase Athletic Performance
According to research, ashwagandha may improve athletic performance, making it a desirable supplement for athletes.
According to one analysis of research results, the plant may enhance physical performance, including strength and oxygen use during exercise.
A study of five different trials on ashwagandha found that it increased athletes’ oxygen intake.
Twelve studies involving both men and women who took ashwagandha daily doses of 120 mg to 1,250 mg were included in one examination of the literature.
The findings indicate that the plant may improve[5] physical performance, such as strength and oxygen utilization during exercise.
Might Enhance Immunity
Did you know that Ashwagandha is one of the 15 components of the well-known Lakshadi Thailam, which is well-known for preventing[6] infections, treating fevers, and increasing immunity?
Because of the many health and skin benefits of lakshadi Thailand, it is utilized as a body massage oil for infants.
For sensitive or irritated skin, ashwagandha calms and soothes. It is therefore perfect for newborns’ fragile skin. Ashwagandha is one of the main constituents of Natural Soap, which you can use on your infant as well.
Might Make Sleeping Better
Ashwagandha is a popular supplement for promoting peaceful sleep, and this research[7] indicates it may help you in sleeping better with anxiety.
Due to its reputation for promoting sleep, ashwagandha may seem advantageous for people who have trouble falling asleep. For better sleep and to help you relax, try drinking a warm cup of milk mixed with ashwagandha powder before bed.
For instance, a research of 50 adults between the ages of 65 and 80 discovered that taking 600 mg of ashwagandha root daily for 12 weeks greatly enhanced both the quality of their sleep and their mental alertness when they woke up in comparison to placebo therapy.
People with insomnia and those who took more than 600 mg per day for at least eight weeks saw more noticeable improvements, according to the researchers.
Might Help Lose Weight
Do you worry about putting on weight all the time? You can maintain[8] and lose weight with the use of ashwagandha.
Even though ashwagandha is also offered in capsule form, it is recommended that you take it as a powder prepared from the dried leaves of the plant.
You can add some honey to a glass of milk after mixing one teaspoon of ashwagandha powder into the milk. Cardamom is an additional ingredient that can be used to enhance flavor, support metabolism, and aid with digestion.
Might Prevent Cancer
Certain research has revealed that the ashwagandha chemical withaferin A aids in the induction of apoptosis, or the cancer cells’ pre-programmed death.
In several other ways, it also inhibits the development of new cancer cells.
Several cancers, including ovarian, breast, lung, colon, and brain cancer, may be positively affected, according to laboratory studies[9].
In one such trial, rats with ovarian tumors were given with aferin alone or in conjunction with an anti-cancer treatment, and the rodents showed a substantial decrease in tumor growth. But clinical research is lacking.
Might Reduce Aging Signs
In a study, it was shown that the ashwagandha root extract has a wealth of potent antioxidants including polyphenols, which can lower[10] levels of free radicals in the body and delay the onset of aging.
Conclusion
The main conclusion is that Ashwagandha is an age-old medicinal plant[10] that may offer a variety of health advantages.
According to study results, it may aid in lowering anxiety and tension, promoting sound sleep, and even enhancing cognitive function in some populations. Before taking it you should know about its benefits.
Most people believe that ashwagandha is generally safe. But not everyone can use it, so before including ashwagandha into your regimen, it’s crucial to speak with a healthcare provider.
References/Sources
Working4Health prefers using primary and verified references. We have strict sourcing guidelines and our primary references include peer-reviewed research, academic, and medical institution studies.
- Alex B Speers, Kadine A Cabey, Amala Soumyanath, et al. Effects of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) on Stress and the Stress- Related Neuropsychiatric Disorders Anxiety, Depression, and Insomnia Curr Neuropharmacol. 2021;19(9):1468-1495. doi: 10.2174/1570159X19666210712151556. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34254920/
- Prasad Mamidi and A B Thakar Efficacy of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera Dunal. Linn.) in the management of psychogenic erectile dysfunction Ayu. 2011 Jul-Sep; 32(3): 322–328. doi: 10.4103/0974-8520.93907
- Rajangam Udayakumar, Sampath Kasthurirengan, Thankaraj Salammal Mariashibu, et al. Hypoglycaemic and Hypolipidaemic Effects of Withania somnifera Root and Leaf Extracts on Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats Int J Mol Sci. 2009 May; 10(5): 2367–2382. Published online 2009 May 20. doi: 10.3390/ijms10052367
- Dnyanraj Choudhary, Sauvik Bhattacharyya, Sekhar Bose Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal) Root Extract in Improving Memory and Cognitive Functions J Diet Suppl. 2017 Nov 2;14(6):599-612. doi: 10.1080/19390211.2017.1284970. Epub 2017 Feb 21. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28471731/
- Diego A. Bonilla, Yurany Moreno, Camila Gho, et al. Effects of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) on Physical Performance: Systematic Review and Bayesian Meta-Analysis J Funct Morphol Kinesiol. 2021 Mar; 6(1): 20. Published online 2021 Feb 11. doi: 10.3390/jfmk6010020
- Ajit Tharakan, Himanshu Shukla, Irin Rosanna Benny, et al. Immunomodulatory Effect of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) Extract—A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo Controlled Trial with an Open Label Extension on Healthy Participants J Clin Med. 2021 Aug; 10(16): 3644.
Published online 2021 Aug 18. doi: 10.3390/jcm10163644 - Kae Ling Cheah, Mohd Noor Norhayati, Lili Husniati Yaacob, et al. Effect of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract on sleep: A systematic review and meta-analysis PLoS One. 2021; 16(9): e0257843. Published online 2021 Sep 24. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257843
- Dnyanraj Choudhary, Sauvik Bhattacharyya, and Kedar Joshi Body Weight Management in Adults Under Chronic Stress Through Treatment With Ashwagandha Root Extract J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. 2017 Jan; 22(1): 96–106. Published online 2016 Apr 6. doi: 10.1177/2156587216641830
- Dushani L. Palliyaguru, Shivendra V. Singh, and Thomas W. Kensler Withania somnifera: from prevention to treatment of cancer Mol Nutr Food Res. 2016 Jun; 60(6): 1342–1353. Published online 2016 Jan 29. doi: 10.1002/mnfr.201500756
- Narendra Singh, Mohit Bhalla, Prashanti de Jager, et al. An Overview on Ashwagandha: A Rasayana (Rejuvenator) of Ayurveda Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med. 2011; 8(5 Suppl): 208–213. Published online 2011 Jul 3. doi: 10.4314/ajtcam.v8i5S.9
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
Michael has been in the male wellness industry for 25+ years. Before joining Working For Health as a full-time male wellness journalist, he contributed to multiple online portals in the male wellness field. Before that, he has been an assistant to several sexologists.