By now you’ve probably heard the buzz about Ashwagandha. This traditional Ayurvedic herb is a powerful remedy for many of today’s ailments - stress, poor sleep and low energy.
From the Ayurvedic perspective, Withania somnifera is considered a rasayana or rejuvenative for its potent ability to restore depleted tissues, frazzled nerves and low sexual energy. With benefits ranging from blood sugar balance to antidepressant properties, certainly everyone can benefit from this magic herb? The answer is a little more complex. Read on to find out why Ashwagandha isn’t for everyone.
Traditionally, the roots of the plant are used for medicine. These roots are starchy, dense, heavy and oily; often difficult to digest. So individuals with low digestive fire or agni may want to avoid this plant. To improve digestibility, traditional preparations will pair the herb with an anupana or a carrier. Some examples of effective anupana are ghee, honey or boiled milk with black pepper or cinnamon. Simply taking capsules of the powdered herb will not have the same effect and those with weak digestion (hello, vatas) may have a hard time getting any benefits. As with any medicine, dosage and duration should be considered. Ashwagandha can be quite heating and hard on the liver when taken long term.
Those with a female hormone imbalance might want to avoid Ashwagandha as it promotes testosterone (1). In cases of PCOS or Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, the individual has an excess of androgens (testosterone) so Ashwagandha is contraindicated. If you experience acne along the chin or weight gain in your mid section and hips, you may already have elevated testosterone and taking Ashwagandha could worsen the problem.
Still, a case can be made for using Ashwagandha to treat hormonal imbalances because of its adaptogenic properties, helping the body to cope with stress and lower cortisol. It is known to support the adrenals and thyroid function - key pieces when working to balance hormones. Because of these complexities, if you suffer from menstrual issues or hormone imbalance, you should work with an experienced practitioner to find an approach that works best for you.
Finally, those with auto-immune conditions may want to rethink this one. As an adaptogen, it upregulates the immune system and helps the body respond to stress. But people with conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and type 1 diabetes may experience harmful effects when their system is pushed into overdrive. The same goes for those with hyperthyroid such as in Grave’s disease. Ashwagandha will stimulate the thyroid and worsen an overactive thyroid.
If you’ve taken this herb, you may have experienced its powerful healing effects. A time tested favorite, Indian ginseng has many medicinal uses. But as with any strong medicine, caution should be exercised in its use. To be sure that it’s supportive to your wellness, work with a practitioner who’ll advise you of proper dosage and usage.
Have you tried this potent herb? Comment below with your experience.
Sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6438434/
