What is it?

It is a small herbaceous shrub with yellow flowers and red berries. Ashwagandha is a member of the nightshade family. You may be more familiar with other members of this family, such as potatoes and eggplant. Ashwagandha has been used for thousands of years in ancient cultures but has become popular in modern medicine due to its alleged health benefits. It is claimed that it can help the body adapt to stress. Our age plus our lifestyle and our nutrition all contribute to how our body deals with stress. Unfortunately, in our later years the system that helps us to calm down (the parasympathetic system) does not respond as well as it did when we were younger.

What does it do?

• Lower cortisol levels: these hormones are associated with stress and anxiety. It is interesting to note that cortisol levels decrease with age but in some cases it may suddenly increase. This can result in a decrease in the “feel good” neurotransmitters, serotonin, dopamine, and GABA.
• Cognitive function: May help with memory and attention. May be neuroprotective.
• Sleep: there are some studies that show that Ashwagandha may help with sleep quality because the above-mentioned neurotransmitters are responsible for sleep quality.
• Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant: It has been found that it may contribute to better health because it contains high levels of flavonoids and other compounds that can repair damage in cells.
• Thyroid function: There seems to be some evidence that Ashwagandha may help with the production of thyroid hormones.
• Immune system: In a blinded 30-day period and a 30-day extension with crossover (only the drug was crossed over) the test group that got the supplement showed a significant increase in Cytokines (chemical messengers), while the placebo group showed a decrease. In short, this showed that there was a boost to the immune system.

Is it safe?

Ashwagandha has NOT been proven safe for long term use (more than 3 months) and because it may stimulate the immune system it is not safe for autoimmune diseases or if pregnant. It is also not safe for those with liver disease. The product should be stopped at least 2 weeks before surgery because it may interact with anesthesia. Those who take thyroid hormones should not take Ashwagandha. In addition, it may interact with immunosuppressants and sedative medications. It may also lower blood sugar and blood pressure levels.
As you can see there can be some serious problems with this supplement so always check with your health care provider before starting this or any vitamin or supplement.

How much should I take?

Start low go slow. 225 to 600 mg per day. Ashwagandha is difficult to produce so be careful about what you purchase, you want to be sure you are getting what you are paying for. I recommend Xymogen Ashwagandha. This is made here in the USA and is certified to have in it what it says it does. Xymogen supplements and vitamins are Pharmaceutical Grade. They can only be purchased from a health care provider. I will place a link at the bottom of this page for your convenience.

For any questions or comments feel free to contact me at
SupplementsScribblesmz@outlook.com

To reach Xymogen
http://www.wholescripts.com/register/healthrenew2-thomas

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