We have been hearing about it for some time now. But there are many questions about Ashwaganda: what it is useful for and how to take it, what are the benefits and for how long to take it? We will try to clear things up a bit in this article, responding to the most frequent questions.
What is Ashwaganda?
Ashwaganda or Withania somnifera, also known as Indian ginseng, is a woody shrub that grows spontaneously in Asia and whose beneficial properties have been exploited for years in the Ayurvedic tradition. It has been used for centuries in the Indian tradition but only recently has the functional aspect been examined using specific clinical studies.
What is it useful for? What are its benefits?
What are the actions for which ashwaganda has become so famous in recent years? What exactly does this plant do? It has several known actions. First and foremost, it is considered a true adaptogen, meaning it is a physical as well as mental aid for the body, in response to stress factors.
But there’s more: as supported by several scientific publications, ashwaganda may be useful in many other situations.
- It can be supportive for agitation and stress
- It can support cognitive and mental functions
- It can support the body’s natural defences
How to use Ashwaganda: when, how and for how long to take it?
The root is the part of the plant that is used. It is then dried, pulverised and the extract obtained is what we normally find in dietary supplements.
The extract is usually titrated into withanolides. These are the chemical molecules to which various scientific studies[1] attribute this plant’s famous actions.
As per when and how much, the response depends naturally on the correct dosage. 600 mg is the daily intake that many clinical studies consider optimal[2].
Dietary supplements in capsules that provide the entire amount in a single intake can be an optimal solution for those who want to try the benefits of this essence that has now become very popular.
