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

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

Ashwagandha side effects, safety
No significant ashwagandha side effects reported in the medical literature, but long term studies are not yet available. A very high dose could could irritability and insomnia. A mild 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. This root is used as a general tonic and adaptogen, helping the body adapt to stress. In addition, it has been shown to possess antioxidant activity.

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

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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 it 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"?
   The reason the instructions are not very specific is that different people respond better taking dietary 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 it 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.

Ashwagandha benefit

Antioxidant potential
Researchers from Banaras Hindu University in Varanasi, India, have discovered that some of the chemicals within the 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 in this plant 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."

Anti-anxiety and mood enhancing herb
The roots of ashwagandha is used extensively in Ayurveda, the classical Indian system of medicine, and  where its categorized as a rasayana, used to promote physical and mental health, to provide defense against disease and adverse environmental factors and to slow the aging process. In rodent studies it has been shown to reduce anxiety and have positive effect on mood.

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? I am new to herbs, and I want to make sure I am doing the right thing.
    This Ayurvedic plant has withanolides which can help reduce stress and anxiety. There are other herbs and supplements helpful for anxiety.

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 its role in erectile dysfunction.

Passion Rx natural formula
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.

Blood thinning
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?
    We have not seen studies regarding the blood thinning effects of ashwagandha or 5-HTP. it's often a good idea to minimize or completely stop supplement use during a medical procedure.

Brain health
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 it. After injecting some of the chemicals 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 had GABA-like activity. This may account for this herb’s anti-anxiety effects.

Cancer
 Ashwagandhanolide, a Bioactive Dimeric Thiowithanolide Isolated from the Roots of ashwagandha.
J Nat Prod. 2006. Laila Research Center, Unit I, Phase III, Jawahar Autonagar, Vijayawada, India, and Bioactive Natural Products and Phytoceuticals, Department of Horticulture and National Food Safety and Toxicology Center, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan.
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.

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

Cortisol influence
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, while lowering fasting blood sugar levels and improving lipid profiles.
  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 it makes one feel and how it benefits a particular medical condition.

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. Faculty of Biosciences, School of Bioengineering and Biosciences, Vellore Institute of Technology (Deemed University), Vellore, 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.  Ashwagandha 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.
  
Vision
Can ashwangandha herb improve eyesight?
   The influence of on eyesight is minimal compared to other herbs and supplements.

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

Thank you for the ashwaganda product. I am enjoying my life with it. I still need Viagra but it does help me get in the mood more.

I will like to know the different between ashwagandha and Passion Rx.
   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.

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

Use with antipsychotic medications
 See antipsychotic medication usage and how to reduce the side effects using natural antioxidant supplements such as withania. Clozapine is a medications also known as Clozaril and used as an antipsychotic.

 vailability 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, 2.5 percent, and 5 percent withanolides. We have not looked into the liquid form of this herb.

Sensoril brand
I tried taking an ashwaghanda extract containing 125mg. of Sensoril brand. I took three different days on an empty stomach as recommended on the label, and each time I experienced a muscle-tension headache lasting over 3 hours. I was taking it for the 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. 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.

Luvox
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.

Naltrexone
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.
    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.

Suppliers
Ixoreal Biomed Private is launching KSM 66 ashwagandha in the North American markets at the Supply side West expo 2009, Las Vegas on the 12th of November, 2009. Root-only derived withanolides greater than 5% (value by HPLC - the most consistent and error proof method). Extraction process, free from alcohol and other chemical solvents. Ms. asmitha Sahu Business Development Manager, Ixoreal Biomed Private Ltd., 5-9-225, 3rd Floor, Sanali Estate, Chirag Ali Lane, Abids, Hyderabad - 500001. India.