Ashwagandha - effects, properties, contraindications

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Sleep Well - dietary supplement for good sleep and tranquillity

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Sleep Well is a calming and relaxing dietary supplement with the standardised CALMOMIX® complex of herbal extracts and high quality magnesium.

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Ayurveda is a traditional Indian medicine. It deals with physical, mental and spiritual health. Ayurvedic medicine uses natural healing methods and herbal medicine. The World Health Organisation fully recognises Ayurveda as  a medical scienceand.

Check out the detailed compositional analyses:

• Ashwagandha Naturell
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• Ashwagandha SFD
• Ashwagandha Solgar
• Ashwagandha Aliness
• Ashwagandha Swanson

What to look out for when choosing ashwagandha?

Dr. Witold Tomaszewski, M.D., suggests that before purchasing ashwagandha product, one should pay attention to two parameters:

• Standardisation - determines whether there is an active ingredient in a particular herbal product and in what quantity. Supplements with ashwagandha should specify standardisation for vitanolides content. The minimum is 2.5%.
• DER (Drug Extract Ratio) - specifies how much plant material was used to produce one part of the extract obtained. For example, a DER of 10:1 means that 10g yielded 1g of extract. A higher DER is a stronger extract.
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Form of administration: tablet, capsule or decoction?

On the market we have drops, tablets, capsules, drops, dried and powdered root. We can tailor the supplementation to our preferences. Not everyone will like the peculiar smell of tablets. I suggest trying the famous moon milk, and you will find the recipe at the end of the article.

Dosage of ashwaghanda

Recommended dosage of ashwaghanda depends on its form and the usual daily dosage is 300 to 800 mg of standardised 2.5-10% vitanolides extract, 3-6 g of powdered root or 1-2 tablespoons of root tea.

It is essential to follow the manufacturer's supplementation recommendations on the leaflet. Consuming larger portions than suggested is not justified. Ashwagandha does not have an immediate effect and you will have to wait for up to several weeks for the pro-health effects.

How much ashwagandha for stress, sleep, and how much for ... potency? Check out the article on ashwagandha dosage written in conjunction with your doctor.

Is ashwaghanda addictive?

No, ashwagandha is not physically or mentally addictive. It has no substances in its composition that would cause addictionand. It does not act in the same way as, for example, some drugs or other substances, such as those used in psychiatry or pain management.

Ashwagandha - when does it have effects?

The effects of ashwagandha are perceptible after approximately4-12 weeks of daily consumption of 250 mg to 800 mg. Regular intake of ashwagandha after just 4 weeks can reduce stress, tension and improve sleep quality.

Ashwaghanda doctor reviews

Ashwagandha has positive reviews from doctors specialising in Ayurvedic medicine. They emphasise its potential in supporting the treatment of many ailments, reducing the harmful effects of stress, reducing anxiety and mental tension, and improving sleep quality - an important aspect of Eastern medicine.

In Poland, doctors' opinions on ashwagandha are divergent. Doctors are quite sceptical about the use of ashwagandha, but there are also those who have no objection to using the plant as a support (but not a treatment) for the body and mind, treating the plant as an additional element of therapy.

Dr of Medical Sciences Witold Tomaszewski comments: Ashwagandha has health-promoting potential, but patients should not treat it as the main source of treatment for their ailments. In addition, Indian ginseng may react with some medications - it is worth talking to your healthcare practitioner before taking it.

Contraindications to the use of ashwaghanda

Ashwagandha should not be usedand:

• persons under 18 years of age,
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• pregnant women,
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• breastfeeding women,
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• patients with cancer,
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• patients with autoimmune diseases, thyroid diseases, multiple sclerosis, type I diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis,
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• people with bleeding disorders, gastrointestinal or liver diseases.

Ashwagandha drug interactions

Before supplementation, it is a good idea to consult your doctor or pharmacist to rule out possible interactions between ashwagandha and other substances.

Do not use ashwagandha if you are takingand:

• blood-thinning medicines, 
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• medications used to treat thyroid disorders, 
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• medications that suppress the immune system,
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• medications used to treat depression, anxiety, sleep disorders,
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• medications for high blood pressure,
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• anti-diabetic medicines,
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• sleep supplements (e.g. St. John's wort, valerian, methystine pepper).

Find out more from the article: Ashwagandha with what not to combine

Side effects when using ashwaghanda

Ashwaghanda is considered a safe supplement for most people, as confirmed by  studiesand. However, like any supplement, ashwaghanda can cause a variety of side effects. 

The most commonly reported side effectsand:

• stomach pain,
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• nausea,
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• vomiting,
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• headache,
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• insomnia, insomnia, nightmares,
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According to some scientific studies, over-supplementation may adversely affect thyroid function and interfere with hormone production (especially in the course of Hashimoto's, hypothyroidism, underactive) and cause skin rashesand. Use caution and consult your doctor before supplementation.

See also: Ashwagandha side effects

How to avoid the side effects?

Ashwaghanda - for whom?

Mother Nature has gifted us with many valuable plants that will help us support our health and influence our wellbeing positively.  

Ashwagandha can help you if: 

• you feel chronic fatigue, 
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• you live with mental tension and stress, 
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• you have problems sleeping and relaxing, 
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• you want to improve sports performance (strength and endurance), 
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• you want to strengthen immunity, 
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• you want to increase your libido;
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If your ailments are not improving or are getting worse, it is essential to see your doctor. Your body is letting you know it needs a better look.

Ashwaghanda - which is the best?

The best ashwagandha is Ashwagandha Naturell, as it has a standardised extract of ashwagandha leaves and root and a content of 7% vitanolides, which are responsible for its valuable health properties. When buying an ashwagandha supplement, pay attention to the standardisation, DER (Drug Extract Ratio) and the number of mg per daily serving (usually 250-500 mg is recommended).

See also articles on plants:

• Berberine
• Swanson berberine
• Curcumin
• Piperine
• Caffeine
• Passionflower 
• Wild rose
• Cordyceps (cordyceps)
• Lion's Mane
• Reishi
• Machaic
• Caffeine
• Hogweed
• Chaga mushroom
• Spirulina

Moon milk - a recipe for beneficial sleep

In Indian medicine, to achieve harmony of body, soul and mind, the basis is a nutritious diet and a good night's sleep. Try drinking moon milk in the evenings for a while.

Ingredients for 1 serving:

1. Milk of any % fat content or vegetable drink - 200 g
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2. Natural honey - 1 tbsp
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3. Powdered ashwagandha root - 1 teaspoon
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4. Nutmeg - 1 pinch
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5. Milled cinnamon - 1 pinch
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6. Curcuma - 1 pinch
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Preparation of moon milk:

1. Heat the milk/vegetable drink over a low heat.
2. Heat the milk.
3. Add all ingredients except honey to the warm milk. 
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4. Stir the ingredients well, preferably with a whisk.
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5. Add the honey. Do not boil (we want to preserve its nutritional value).
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6. Decorate or add other ingredients as desired, e.g. dried flowers, fruit.
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Summary

• Ashwagandha is the best-studied adaptogen with beneficial effects on the body.
• Ashwagandha is the best-studied adaptogen with beneficial effects on the body.
• This plant has been used for thousands of years in Eastern medicine to strengthen the body and support its adaptation to stressors.
• Ashwagandha is the best studied adaptogen for the body.
• Ashwagandha does not have an ad hoc effect, it needs to be taken for at least several weeks to feel the effects.
• Clinical studies suggest that ashwagandha supports the body's adaptation to stress, reduces anxiety, increases performance, improves fertility and libido, supports mental performance with antioxidant and tonic effects.
• It is usual to use 300-800 mg of extract standardised to 2.5-10% vitanolides, 3-6 g of powdered root or 1-2 tablespoons of tea made from the root.
• Ashwagandha interacts strongly with some medications, so consult your doctor before supplementation. Particular caution should be taken by people with thyroid disease.
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• Using ashwagandha in the amount recommended by the manufacturer for up to 12 weeks is usually safe and well tolerated.
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• After 12 weeks of use, a break of 4 weeks is recommended. The effects of chronic use of ashwagandha on the human body are unknown.
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