Ashwagandha Purchase & Information
Alternative Names
Amangura, Ajagandha, Asan, Amukkirag, Asgand, Asana, Asgandha, Asgandh, Ashvagandha, Ashagandha, Ashwanga, Ashwaganda, Asundha, Asoda, Aswagandha, Asvagandha, Ayurvedic Ginsen and Avarada, Clustered Wintercherry, Cerise d'Hiver, Ginseng Indien , Ginseng Ayurvédique, Ghoda Asoda, Hayahvaya, Indian Ginseng, Kuthmithi, Kanaje Hindi, Orovale, Peyette, Samm Al Rerakh, Samm Al Ferakh, Strychnos, Sogade-Beru, Turangi-Ghanda, Vajigandha, Withania, Winter Cherry CAUTION: Make sure you see separate listing for Canaigre, Blue Cohosh, Ginseng American, Codonopsis, Ginseng Siberian and Ginseng Panax
Scientific Name
Withania Somnifera
Why Do People Use Ashwagandha ?
Oral - The oral preparations of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha), like ashwagandha powder, are utilized for many purposes like for chronic liver disease, insomnia, anxiety problems, tuberculosis, tumors and for arthritis. Ashwagandha powder is also used as general tonic and as an "adaptogen" to enhance the environmental stress resistance. Moreover, Withania somnifera is also used to improve cognitive function, for immunomodulatory effects, preventing the effects of aging, decreasing inflammation, treating infertility women and men, for emaciation, fibromyalgia, menstrual disorders, for treating asthma, bronchitis, leukoderma, for arthritis and backache.
Topical - Topically, it is also utilized for hemiplegia, backache treatment and for ulcerations.
Is It Safe To Use?
Likely safe - It is likely safe to use when utilized appropriately and orally. However, regarding safety of ashwagandha there is insufficient reliable information available.
Likely Unsafe in Lactation & Pregnancy - Ashwagandha powder is likely unsafe to use in pregnancy even when take for short term, appropriately and orally. As for lactating females, they should avoid its use because there is insufficient reliable information to rate the safety of its use for females breastfeeding their children.
How Effective Is Ashwagandha ?
Most effective parts of Withania somnifera are its berry and root. Ashwagandha powder contains a number of active constituents like saponins, steroidal lactones (withaferins, withanolides), alkaloids (anaferine, isopelletierine). But ashwagandha does not contain nicotine as a few analysts have reported.
Few withanolides present in ashwagandha are structurally similar to ginsenosides, a constituent present in ginseng. Animal model findings recommend that ashwagandha powder has a number of pharmacological impacts including antipyretic, analgesic, immunomodulatory, anxiolytic, hypotensive, sedative, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Some other functions are smooth muscle relaxation, stimulation of thyroid synthesis and stimulation of respiratory function.
Some scientists believe that Withania somnifera has stress depressant impacts. Clinical experiments recommend that ashwagandha smothers anxiety-induced enhancement of dopamine receptors in the corpus striatum. Ashwagandha also seems to lessen anxiety-induced enhancement of plasma corticosterone, blood urea nitrogen along with blood lactic acid. Ashwagandha powder appears to have anxiolytic impacts, perhaps due to its ability to act as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).
Withania somnifera does not seem to alter laboratory monitoring of acetaminophen, phenytoin, salicylates, carbamazepine, phenobarbital, procainamide (consisting N-acetyl procainamide), valproic acid, gentamicin and theophylline.
How Ashwagandha Works?
Not known.
What Are The Side Effects /Adverse Reactions of Ashwagandha ?
The oral preparations of ashwagandha appear to be well tolerate in typical dosage. In excessive dosage, ashwagandha powder may cause diarrhea, gastrointestinal (GI) upset, vomiting and damage to the serous membranes.
How Ashwagandha Interacts With Other Herbs and Supplements?
Supplements & Herbs with Sedative Properties - Concomitant use of ashwagandha powder and sedative herbs and supplements may have additive effects. Few of such herbs and supplements include calamus, catnip, yerba mansa, California poppy, Jamaican dogwood, hops, St. John's wort, kava, valerian, skullcap, 5-HTP and others.
How Ashwagandha Interacts With Drugs?
Benzodiazepines - Interaction rating of Withania somnifera and drug like benzodiazepines is moderate so be careful of this mixture. According to clinical experiments, ashwagandha may increase the pharmaceutical effects of benzodiazepines. It is confirmed by some preliminary experiment that clonazepam (Klonopin) and diazepam (Valium) may have additive effects with Ashwagandha. This might also happen with other benzodiazepines that include flurazepam (Dalmane), alprazolam (Xanax), midazolam (Versed) and lorazepam (Ativan).
CNS Depressants - This mixture represents an interaction of moderate nature requiring close monitoring. Sedative effects of ashwagandha powder may increase when it is used along with drugs like anxiolytics, barbiturates and other sedatives.
Thyroid Hormone - Interaction rating of ashwagandha and thyroid hormone is minor but you still need to monitor this interaction closely. According to clinical experiments, it is demonstrated that when Withania somnifera is used with thyroid supplements it shows additive effects. According to some preliminary researches, thyroid hormone synthesis may increase by the oral utilization of ashwagandha.
How Ashwagandha Interacts With Foods?
Not known.
How Ashwagandha Interacts With Lab Tests?
Digoxin Serum Assay - Ashwagandha contains withaferin A, which has a structure similar to digoxin. Therefore, ashwagandha powder can erroneously raise level of digoxin when utilizing fluorescence polarization immunoassays (FPIA) or the Abbott Digoxin III assay. The Beckman test for digoxin is insignificantly influenced. The Roche Tina-Quant turbidimetric restraint immunoassay is only influenced by high levels of ashwagandha, proportionate to plasma levels after an overdose.
Thyroid Function Tests - Some evidences recommend that ashwagandha powder can empower thyroid hormone secretion or synthesis. Hypothetically, ashwagandha may increase thyroxine (T4) or triiodothyronine (T3) values or may stimulate thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH).
How Ashwagandha Interacts With Diseases and Conditions?
Immune system Diseases - Ashwagandha powder may have immunostimulant impacts. Ashwagandha may potentiate diseases of autoimmune etiology by invigorating immune activity. So, patients with autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) should be advised to minimize the use of Withania somnifera.
Peptic Ulcer Disease - Ashwagandha powder may highly exacerbate peptic ulcer disease due to its ability to irritate gastrointestinal tract.
Surgery - Ashwagandha powder has CNS depressant impacts. It may result in CNS depression when consolidated with anesthesia and different drugs after and during surgical processes. Advise patients to stop Withania somnifera at least two weeks prior elective surgical processes.
What Should Be the Dose/Administration of Ashwagandha ?
ORAL People normally utilize 1-6 grams of ashwagandha or ashwagandha powder in the form of tea. Tea is made by boiling appropriate quantity of ashwagandha in hot boiling `` water for 15 minutes. The typical dosage of tea is 3 cup every day. Liquid extract or tincture are used in a dose of 2-4 ml thrice every day.
Comments
The word Ashwagandha is derived from Sanskrit language and is a mixture of the word ashva, which means horse, gandha, which means smell. Root has a solid smell that is depicted as horse like. Sometime ashwagandha is adulterated or substituted with a similar plant called Withania coagulans. Don’t confuse this plant with Physalis alkekengi which also called winter cherry.
General Certificate of Analysis (COA)
Specification sheet links below are a standard copy of the COA less the batch or lot number and manufactures dates. Specification sheet can be dated and should only be considered as a general information. Please contact and request an up to date COA if needed for specific updated information before placing order by filling out the contact form with product name and SKU number. If ordering quantities of twenty five kilos or more contact for availability.
