Ashwagandha side effects, risks, safety, uses for various health conditions, and ashwagandha root benefit, does it help with reducing anxiety or improving sexual health?

 Ashwagandha is a shrub cultivated in India and North America. The ashwagandha root has been used for thousands of years by practitioners of Ayurvedic medicine. Ashwagandha root contains flavonoids and many active ingredients of the withanolide class. Aashwagandha root has anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor , anti-stress, antioxidant, mind-boosting, immune-enhancing, and rejuvenating properties. Historically ashwagandha root has also been noted to have sex-enhancing properties.

Ashwagandha side effects
No significant ashwagandha side effects reported in the medical literature, but long term studies are not yet available. A very high dose of ashwagandha could could irritability and insomnia. A mild ashwagandha side effect could include sleepiness or lethargy but this is not a consistent effect.

Buy Ashwagandha root extract 5:1, 500 mg, 60 veggie caps
Formulated by Ray Sahelian, M.D.
Ashwagandha root is an herb that is extensively used in Ayurveda, the traditional health care system in India.  Ashwagandha root is used as a general tonic and "adaptogen", helping the body adapt to stress.  In addition, Ashwagandha root has been shown to possess antioxidant activity.

 Ashwagandha Root Supplement Facts:
Ashwagandha root extract (5:1 extract) - 500 mg - this means it is five times the concentration of the regular ashwagandha root powder.
 Suggested Use: As an herbal dietary supplement, take half or 1 Ashwagandha root capsule a few times a week.

Click here to buy Ashwagandha supplement, Passion Rx male and female enhancer, Mind Power Rx, Eyesight Rx, or to sign up to a FREE newsletter at Physician Formulas

Ashwagandha root benefit
Antioxidant - researchers from Banaras Hindu University in Varanasi, India, have discovered that some of the chemicals within ashwagandha root are powerful antioxidants. They tested these compounds for their effects on rat brain and found an increase in the levels of three natural antioxidants — superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase. They say, "These findings are consistent with the therapeutic use of ashwagandha root as an Ayurvedic rasayana (health promoter). The antioxidant effect of active principles of ashwagandha root may explain, at least in part, the reported anti-stress, cognition-facilitating, anti-inflammatory and anti-aging effects produced by them in experimental animals, and in clinical situations."

Brain - Ashwagandha root is used in India to treat mental deficits in geriatric patients, including amnesia. Researchers from the University of Leipzig in Germany, wanted to find out which neurotransmitters were influenced by ashwagandha root. After injecting some of the chemicals in ashwagandha into rats, they later examined slices of their brain and found an increase in acetylcholine receptor activity. The researchers say, "The drug-induced increase in acetylcholine receptor capacity might partly explain the cognition-enhancing and memory-improving effects of extracts from ashwagandha root observed in animals and humans."
      A study done in 1991 at the Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center indicated that extracts of ashwagandha root had GABA-like activity. This may account for this herb’s anti-anxiety effects.
  
Aphrodisiac Properties
Ashwagandha root is historically used as a sex enhancer. Laboratory studies show it can produce nitric oxide which is known to dilate blood vessels. We are not aware of specific human studies regarding the role of ashwagandha in erectile dysfunction.

Passion Rx with ashwagandha and mucuna
Some of the herbs in highly popular product Passion Rx include Mucuna-Pruriens herb, Maca, ashwagandha root extract, Catuaba herb, Muira Puama herb, Tribulus, Tongkat ali, and Yohimbe. Both mucuna and ashwagandha are used in Ayurveda. Passion Rx is formulated by Ray Sahelian, M.D.
Ashwagandha root : a Mood Enhancing and Anti-anxiety Herb
The roots of ashwagandha is used extensively in Ayurveda, the classical Indian system of medicine, and ashwagandha root is categorized as a rasayana, which are used to promote physical and mental health, to provide defence against disease and adverse environmental factors and to arrest the aging process. In rodent studies ashwagandha root has been shown to reduce anxiety and have positive effect on mood.

Additional benefits of Ashwagandha root
One small study found ashwagandha root was able to reduce blood sugar and cholesterol levels, and had a diuretic effect.

Ashwagandha and gout, is there a benefit?
Suppressive effect of Withania somnifera root powder on experimental gouty arthritis: An in vivo and in vitro study.
Chem Biol Interact. 2006 Dec 15;164(3):174-80. Epub 2006 Nov 7. Faculty of Biosciences, School of Bioengineering and Biosciences, Vellore Institute of Technology (Deemed University), Vellore 632014, Tamil Nadu, India.
The effect of ashwagandha root powder on paw volume and serum lysosomal enzyme activities was investigated in monosodium urate crystal-induced rats. The levels of beta-glucuronidase and lactate dehydrogenase were also measured in monosodium urate crystal incubated polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNL). A significant increase in the level of paw volume and serum lysosomal enzymes was observed in monosodium urate crystal-induced rats. The increased beta-glucuronidase and lactate dehydrogenase level were observed in untreated monosodium urate crystal incubated polymorphonuclear leucocytes. On treatment with the ashwagandha root powder (500/1000mg/kgbody weight), the above changes were reverted back to near normal levels. Ashwagandha also showed potent analgesic and antipyretic effect with the absence of gastric damage at different dose levels in experimental rats. For comparison purpose, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) indomethacin was used as a standard. These results provide evidence for the suppressive effect of ashwagandha root powder by retarding amplification and propagation of the inflammatory response without causing any gastric damage.

Ashwagandhanolide, a Bioactive Dimeric Thiowithanolide Isolated from the Roots of ashwagandha.
J Nat Prod. 2006 Dec 27;69(12):1790-1792. Laila Research Center, Unit I, Phase III, Jawahar Autonagar, Vijayawada 520 007, India, and Bioactive Natural Products and Phytoceuticals, Department of Horticulture and National Food Safety and Toxicology Center, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824.
A new dimeric withanolide, ashwagandhanolide, was isolated from the roots of an Ayurvedic medicinal herb, ashwagandha. Ashwagandhanolide displayed growth inhibition against human gastric, breast (MCF-7), central nervous system (SF-268), colon (HCT-116), and lung cancer cell lines. In addition, ashwagandhanolide inhibited lipid peroxidation and the activity of the enzyme cyclooxygenase-2 in vitro.

Ashwagandha extract availability by herbal ingredient suppliers
Ashwagandha extract is available in a number of concentrations and extract potencies. These include 1 percent alkaloids, 1 percent withanolides, 1.5 percent withanolides, 2.5 percent withanolides, and 5 percent withanolides.

Are you aware of good quality ashwagandha liquid?
    We have not looked into the liquid form of this herb.

Ashwagandha herb emails
Q. Can ashwangandha herb improve eyesight?
   A. The influence of ashwagandha herb on eyesight is minimal compared to other herbs and supplements.

Q. I have a few quests on the Physician Formulas ashwaganda extract (5:1) 500mg. Is it from the root only or the whole plant? Also, what is the withanolide percent in the bottle or capsule? Is the capsule easily broken in half if I need smaller dosage or is powder form inside and cannot be broken up.
   A. It is ashwagandha root and a 5 to 1 extract, and the raw material supplier has not analyzed the percent withanolide
the capsule can be easily opened and the contents emptied. This 500 mg ashwagandha product is potent, we suggest using half a capsule or 3/4.

Q. I would like to know your thoughts on the effects of ashwagandha on the levels of cortisol in the body. Some ecommerce sites make claims that this herb reduces levels of the hormone cortisol by up to 26 percent, while lowering fasting blood sugar levels and improving lipid profiles.
   A. We have not seen any human studies with ashwagandha and measurement of cortisol levels. Even if done so, herbs influence more than the level of one hormone but have influences on a number of natural chemicals in the body and it is quite a limited viewpoint to focus on the level of only one hormone or substance that is influenced. The more important aspect is how ashwagandha makes one feel and how it benefits a particular medical condition.

Q. Does ashwagandha cause male enhancement?
   A. If you mean a bigger penis, no. Ashwagandha may help slightly with impotence. A more potent male herb is tongkat ali.

Q. I'm thinking of taking ashwagandha but i'm afraid of its iron content
   A. There is no iron in the Ashwagandha product by Physician Formulas.

Q. Can ashwagandha and CoQ10 be taken together?
   A. If the dosages are low then there should be not problems taking these two supplements together.

Q. I like to order ashwagandha. Before I order Please tell me if ashwagandha is rich in amino acid arginine. I was reading some where that ashwagandha is rich in arginine. I have herpes and I can't take it if ashwagandha rich in arginine.
   A. Ashwagandha is an herb and does not have the amino acid arginine.

Q. Thank you for the ashwaganda I am enjoying my life with it. I think peoples don't need Viagra just take ashwagandha. Thanks again.

Q. Could you please explain what take "before meals" means? Does that mean an ashwagandha capsule should, or should not be taken with food? How long "before" a meal? It sounds as though one should take ashwagandha immediately preceding a meal, but then why not say take "with food"? If it shouldn't be taken with food, why not say
take "on an empty stomach" or "between meals"?
   A. The reason the instructions are not very specific is that different people respond better taking ashwagandha supplement at different times. Some people find taking it with food is better for them, others like to take it a few minutes before eating, and still others like to take the ashwagandha capsule half an hour or an hour before a meal. The best way to find out how it works for you is by trial and error. And do let us know what works for you.

Q. i have a question about my sexual life. to directly to the fact. i think i have a problem somewhere in system. Recently when i have sex with my partner, I don't last for even up to 2 minutes before i come. What will the cause of and what solution can help me of this before is too late for me please. i just ordered the passion Rx. I will like to know also the different between ashwagandha and Passion Rx.
   A. Ashwagandha is one herb only that has many effects, including sexual enhancement and relaxation. Passion Rx is a combination of many sexual herbs that are potent in a combination form and can help with many aspects of sexual enhancement.

I ordered an herb for anxiety called ashwagandha. How does this product work? I have recently stopped taking Xanax and Valium, because of the side effects and addictive properties. However, I do have anxiety issues. Will this ashwagandha product help, and how so? Is it safe to take this product with the Passion Rx products, or should I stick to one herb at a time. I am knew to herbs, and I want to make sure I am doing the right thing.
    It is better to learn how each herb or formula works by itself rather than combining them. Ashwagandha has withanolides which can help reduce stress and anxiety. There are other herbs and supplements helpful for anxiety. See the link below for an index

I tried taking an ashwaghanda supplement containing 125mg. of Sensoril brand ashwaganda extract. I took three different days on an empty stomach as recommended on the label, and each time I did, I experienced a muscle-tension headache lasting over 3 hours. My guess is that this is a result of increased acetylcholine activity. I was taking it for the cortisol-reducing, calming effect, but that wasn't noticeable. Would other companies' extracts give me the same problems?
    The effects of ashwagandha depend on the dosage, extract potency, and method of processing the herbal extract. Ashwagandha products from different companies are likely to provide different effects. Another option is to take less, such as a third of a tablet or capsule.

I am very interested in the herb ashwaganda and all its benefits. I have ordered a bottle of the pills and was wondering if they may be taken with the prescription drug of LDN. Low dose Naltrexone. The dosage of the LDN I take daily is 4.5mg. for multiple sclerosis. That is all the meds I am taking at this point and I have tried to find this question and the answer on the Internet but have not succeeded in finding an answer. Please tell me if ashwaganda can be taken in the same day as Naltrexone but at different times.
    We have not seen any studies regarding the combination of this herb with this prescription medication. As a general rule, if starting another supplement or medication along with an existing pill, it is best to use a very low dose initially at a different time of day and have approval by a health care provider.

I'm having a fine needle biopsy of thyroid and was instructed to not use blood thinners before procedure i'm taking ashwaganda 2 days a week and 5htp 6 days a week do these products have blood thinning effects? Do 5 htp or ashwaganda have cancer cell 'feeding' or stimulating properties. if you can not answer either question do you know of any any resources for information on this subject.
    We have not seen studies regarding the blood thinning effects of ashwagandha or 5-HTP. Most likely they do not have cancer enhancing properties. it's often a good idea to minimize supplement use during a medical procedure.

Currently I take anti depressant like Luvox and Risperidone. Is it safe to take ashwagandha herb along with these medications?
    We are not able to answer this kind of question since there are many factors that are involved in making a decision regarding how to combine supplements and prescription medications including dosage, the overall health of the person, dietary habits, etc.

We are glad to bring to your kind attention that Ixoreal Biomed Private Ltd. is launching KSM 66 ashwagandhaa in the North American markets at the Supply side West expo 2009, Las Vegas on the 12th of November, 2009. We cordially invite you to visit us at Stall No. 27026 on 12th and 13th of November to purview our product and the immense potential it offers. KSM-66 ashwagandhaa - Salient features
Root-only derived withanolides>5% (value by HPLC-the most consistent and error proof method)
Extraction process, free from alcohol and other chemical solvents, based on the principles of "Green Chemistry"
Nutrient dense ashwagandha rich in prebiotic fructooligosaccharides along with essential amino acids, Vitamin A, Calcium and Iron
Sensory characteristics (palatable taste and pleasant aroma)
Manufacturing at ISO 9001:2008 and GMP certified state-of-the-art unit, meeting the international standards conforming to WHO-cGMP standards. If our product evokes your interest and you wish to explore possible business opportunities, please revert to me for a scheduled meeting with our director. Ms.Sasmitha Sahu
Business Development Manager, Ixoreal Biomed Private Ltd., 5-9-225, 3rd Floor, Sanali Estate, Chirag Ali Lane, Abids, Hyderabad - 500001. India.