Ashwagandha Benefits for Men
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The benefits of ashwagandha include overall health support to a man and can provide relief from the daily stresses of life. This herb may possibly improve hormonal imbalance and provide protection from discomfort caused by it. It has been used since ancient times as an herbal supplement for better health and vitality in men.
Introduction to Ashwagandha Herb
Ashwagandha is one of the most powerful herbs in the Ayurvedic treatment system. The word Ashwagandha made up of two Sanskrit words Ashwa – horse and Gandha – smell i.e. Horse smell because the roots of Ashwagandha smell like horse urine). This herb provides the strength to the immune system of the body and makes it able to fight many ailments.
In Ayurveda, Ashwagandha is known as a Rasayana, it means a herb that restores youthfulness by enhancing the mental and physical health of humans.
Scientific Classification
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Clade: Tracheophytes
- Clade: Angiosperms
- Clade: Eudicots
- Clade: Asterids
- Order: Solanales
- Family: Solanaceae
- Genus: Withania
- Species: W. somnifera
- Binomial name: Withania somnifera
Name of Ashwagandha Herb in Different Languages
- Hindi name – Asgandha, Asgandh
- Sanskrit name – Ashwagandha, Kamrupini, Balada, Vajini, Gandhpatri
- Tamil name – Askulang, Amukura
- Telugu name – Penneru Gadda
- Marathi name – Doragunj, Asandh
- Malayalam name – Amukkura
- Gujarathi name – Ghoda Aakun, Aasandha
- Kannada Name – Ashvagandhi
- Bengali Name – Asvagandha
Chemical Constituents
The main chemical constituents of Ashwagandha withanolides, withaferin A, steroidal lactones, alkaloids, tropine, cuscohygrine, sitoindosides, and acylsterylglucosides.
Description
Ashwagandha is a small woody shrub. It can raise up to 35–75 cm in height. From the middle stem, branches are spread radially. The leaves are dull green and 10–12 cm in length. The flowers are greenish-yellow, small in size and round in shape. The flowers found in bunches in axils and 4–6 mm in diameter. The fruits are red berries that are embedded in the green enlarged calyx. The roots are hard, elongated tuberous, fleshy, white brown and aromatic.
Habitat
Ashwagandha is commonly found in all parts of India, from northern tropical to southern India. It is also extensively cultivated for use as a natural health supplement. It is also occur in China, Nepal, and Yemen.
Part Used Medicinally
The part of Ashwagandha is used for its medicinal properties is Root part.
Pharmacological Activity
- Anti-stress
- Adaptogenic
- Aphrodisiac
- Anti-inflammatory Activity
- Immunomodulatory Activity
- Anti-aging activity
- Anti-carcinogenic activity
- Hypolipidemic effect
- Anti-hyperglycaemic Effect
- Antiparkinsonian properties
- Nootropic effect
- Anticonvulsant Activity
- Antioxidant effect
- Antibiotic Activity
Ayurvedic Properties of Ashwagandha
- Taste: Pungent, Bitter, and Astringent
- Physical Property: Light, Unctuous
- Potency: Hot
- Metabolic Property (After Digestion): Pungent
Effects on Doshas
It helps to balance the Tridoshas in the body especially Kapa and Vata dosha.
Benefits of Ashwagandha in Men
1. INCREASED SEX DRIVE
Ashwagandha is aphrodisiac in nature. It stimulates the production of nitric oxide in the body of men, resulting in the dilation of blood vessels carrying blood in the genitals. This increases sex drive and satisfaction in men.
2. TREATING ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION
Ashwagandha helps in reducing stress and low cortisol levels which leads to erectile dysfunction in some men. Improper blood flow also increases erectile dysfunction in men. So, Ashwagandha also improves blood flow.
3. INCREASED FERTILITY
Low sperm count, imbalanced hormones and low libido cause infertility in men. Ashwagandha increases sperm count, hormonal level and libido which improves fertility in men.
4. IMPROVE SPERM QUALITY AND QUALITY
Radical oxygen species (ROS) in the body lead to sperm loss and stress increases the number of ROS in the body. Ashwagandha reduces stress, which lowers the level of oxidative stress and improves the quantity and quality of sperm in men.
5. INCREASE TESTOSTERONE LEVEL
Ashwagandha is known to increase the production of testosterone hormone. The level of this hormone affects fertility in men. Ashwagandha reduces stress by inhibiting the production of cortisol, it also helps to increase testosterone level and increase sexual function in men.
6. INCREASE MUSCLE MASS AND STRENGTH
Ashwagandha increases muscle mass and strength in men and also reduces body fat.
Beauty Benefits of Ashwagandha
1. PROVIDE SKINCARE
Ashwagandha stimulates Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), which acts as a precursor to both estrogen and testosterone and promotes the formation of natural skin oils. It also increases the generation of compounds and proteins important for healthy skin.
2. PROMOTE HEALTHY HAIR
Ashwagandha is considered to promote the scalp’s circulation and strengthen hair, as well as relieve dandruff.
Other Health Benefits of Ashwagandha
1. STRESS AND ANXIETY
Stress can gradually dominate us and over time has a harmful effect on our body, overall health, and life. Ashwagandha is known to promote a feeling of calm and help the body to relieve agitation. This herb is a natural alternative to reduce stress and anxiety for every person.
2. MANAGES CHOLESTEROL LEVELS
Ashwagandha’s anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties can strengthen your heart muscle walls and lowers the bad LDL cholesterol levels.
3. INSOMNIA
Ashwagandha has been used in traditional Indian medicine as a natural herb to induce sleep. It has the ability to support deeper, better quality sleep.
4. ANTI-AGING ACTIVITY
The concentration of antioxidants and catechin in ashwagandha is beneficial to treat aging-related conditions such as heart disease, Alzheimer’s, atherosclerosis and cancer.
5. REDUCE BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS
Ashwagandha reduces blood sugar levels by its action on insulin secretion and sensitivity.
6. REDUCE INFLAMMATION
Ashwagandha enhances natural killer cell activity and reduces inflammation.