How Ashwagandha Is The Perfect Anxiety Cure

Ashwagandha, an adaptogen, is known for combating the effects of stress in the human body. Science now supports the idea of using it for anxiety relief too! This post from Corpina evaluates if Ashwagandha is a perfect cure for anxiety.

Do you suffer from anxiety? Having some from time to time is natural. When it gets to the point that it is affecting your day to day life, however, you might need to take action to correct it.

There are plenty of effective strategies for coping. Whenever I hear of a new one, I like to try it out and see how it works with me. One that has recently caught on with me is taking ashwagandha for anxiety.

I won’t say that Ashwagandha cured my anxiety, but there’s reason to believe that it helps with controlling it.

What Is Ashwagandha?

Ashwagandha is a plant used in the Indian practice of Ayurvedic medicine. It is known by many names: Withania Somnifera, Indian Ginseng, and Indian Winter Cherry, among others.

The plant is the most revered in Ayurveda, a system of holistic healing developed in India. Ayurveda practitioners use the root as a narcotic, a stimulant, a diuretic, and even an astringent.

Cancer patients use the plant to reduce the effects of immunosuppression. They also use it to counteract the pain associated with chemotherapy.

It’s a plant with proven medical uses, but how does taking Ashwagandha for anxiety fare?

Ashwagandha & Anxiety

Ashwagandha is an adaptogen. This means that it has properties that combat the physical and chemical effects of stress in the human body. Specifically, there are two compounds, alkaloids and lactones, believed to contribute to these abilities.

That on its own is a positive sign. Scientific studies, though, further support the idea of using Ashwagandha for anxiety and panic attacks.

One such study examined the effectiveness of the plant on lab rats. Researchers subjected the rats to a range of known stressors, including a forced swimming trial.

Rats that took Ashwagandha before the test had improved times. They also had lower concentrations of stress compounds in their blood. Their conclusion was that Ashwagandha aided in the stress reduction, but is that also applicable to humans?

A second study, An Alternative Treatment For Anxiety, suggests that this is the case. This study carried out trials on humans, monitoring several metrics of stress.

Researchers assessed groups of people taking daily doses of Ashwagandha against a control group taking a placebo for several weeks.

The researchers found that individuals who took Ashwagandha enjoyed greater stress reduction than those who took the placebo.

Though they acknowledged limitations to the study and admitted a need for more research, they concluded that Ashwagandha “appears to alleviate these prevalent conditions in these limited controlled trials.”

The science is there, but how does that translate to the average person who wants to take Ashwagandha for anxiety and depression?

Taking Ashwagandha

• The Optimal Dose

Participants in the study received a 1,000 mg daily dose of Ashwagandha. Lower doses are cost-effective and suitable for treating some conditions. In these cases, a daily dose of 300-500 mg will do. The optimal Ashwagandha dosage for social anxiety, though, is 6,000 mg daily.

• Ashwagandha Dosage Timing

When taking Ashwagandha for anxiety, breaking it into three doses of 2,000 mg is most effective. You should time the doses to coincide with meals. If you are taking a single daily dose, do so with breakfast.

Ashwagandha For Anxiety: Reviews

There are three main ways to ingest Ashwagandha. It is available in pill form, as a powder, and as a liquid extract. Your choice will be dependent on your preferred method of consumption, but a few stand-outs rate quite highly:

As a capsule, customers praise BRI Nutrition’s “Pure Ashwagandha” for being gelatin free. It comes in 90-capsule bottles, providing a long lasting supply for daily users.

Herb Pharm’s “Ashwagandha Extract” is a tincture. It combines a liquid form of the root in a suspension of alcohol. You can add this liquid to a drink for easy consumption.

For those that prefer powders, Terrasoul Superfoods “Ashwagandha Root Powder” is a certified organic variety. You can mix the powder into foods, or add it to soothing drinks like tea or milk.

Frequently Asked Questions

Despite its popularity, Ashwagandha is just gaining renown in Western markets. As a result, there are some common questions potential users have about its efficacy:

Is Ashwagandha Dangerous? Studies suggest no toxicity when adhering to standard doses. Data from Examine.com shows that the LD50 of Ashwagandha extract is 465mg/kg in rats and 432mg/kg in mice.

What Are Ashwagandha’s Side Effects? Some studies have shown limited side effects. One report detailed a woman who experienced abnormal hair growth while taking the extract. Another documented an itching and burning of a man’s penis.

There is a possibility that huge doses may reduce blood pressure and sugar levels. It may also irritate ulcers and disrupt thyroid hormone levels. Sticking to recommended dosages should render these effects a non-issue, though.

Ashwagandha may enhance other substances. Sedatives, alcohol, and other anti-anxiety medications will have a more pronounced effect when taken in conjunction with Ashwagandha.

To avoid any potential complications, you should consult your doctor to learn more about possible interactions between Ashwagandha and compounds you are currently taking.

Does Ashwagandha Cause Panic Attacks? There is no data implicating Ashwagandha in panic attacks. Available information suggests that its anxiety-reducing effects may help those who suffer from such attacks.

Should I Take Rhodiola Or Ashwagandha For Anxiety? Both remedies have their proponents. There is some evidence to suggest, however, that Rhodiola’s side effects may increase the effects of anxiety in some individuals.

Anecdotal evidence from individuals who have taken Rhodiola and seen their anxiety worsen also exist. These individuals reported difficulties concentrating, problems sleeping, and a mid-day “crash” that left them devoid of energy.

Conclusion

No remedy is a “cure all” that will handle every problem you are experiencing. Ashwagandha may be right for you, though, if used in conjunction with your other anxiety control strategies.

If you want to learn more about Ashwagandha and incorporate it into your regimen, you should:

• Read the scientific literature.
• Talk with your doctor about safely taking Ashwagandha.
• Identify the method of ingestion that will work best for you.
• Find a cost-effective extract and monitor your results.

Source: Ashwagandha For Anxiety: Is This The Perfect Cure? – Corpina