The Complete Guide to Ashwagandha and Its Health Benefits
Ashwagandha is a traditional, medicinal herb, known for its healing properties and one of the pillars of Ayurvedic medicine in India. It is commonly found in Asia and Africa. The botanical name of Ashwagandha is Withania somnifer, and in Sanskrit it means “smell of the horse” (Ashwa means horse and Gandha means smell). Ashwagandha is also known as “Indian ginseng” and “winter cherry”.
Ashwagandha is an adaptogen, a plant-based natural substance, that helps the body effectively cope with stress. It is this stress that disrupts our appetite and weight, making us unhealthy.
Properties of ashwagandha
Ashwagandha has the following adaptogenic properties:
- Ashwagandha reduces the stress in our body thereby improving mental health
- It decreases the stress-related cortisol levels in our body,
- It protects, repairs and strengthens muscles, making our body stronger
- It stimulates our appetite
- It promotes muscle growth and bone health
- It enhances our immunity
- It boosts energy levels
- It improves our stamina
- It reduces high blood sugar levels
- It makes us calmer
How does ashwagandha make us gain weight
Ashwagandha does not directly make us gain weight (as per some research), rather, it enhances and improves the other allied issues like stress, weak immunity, poor digestion, excess fat, bad gut health – which, once improved, lead to weight gain, in a healthy manner.
- Better digestion/appetite: Ashwagandha enhances our appetite, regulates our gut health and eases digestion. We exercise regularly to reduce excess body fat and to improve our flexibility and mobility. It increases our appetite and regular eating habits ease our digestion making us lighter and energetic. It improves our gut health facilitating the smoother removal of toxins from our body, thus making us gain weight without bloating and discomfort.
- Increased muscle mass: Ashwagandha contains “withanolides”, which are compounds that enhance our muscle mass. They also repair/heal our damaged muscles and make them stronger. This builds up healthy muscle mass, increasing our weight (not “fat” weight but “muscle” weight). A combination of an exercise regime and resistance training, is a great way to increase energy and boost muscle recovery, leading to improved muscle mass, and therefore weight gain. Ashwagandha is also known for its anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, that speed up the recovery process and repair of the muscles, making them stronger.
- Energy booster: Ashwagandha improves our immune system and we are less prone to catching infections or falling ill. Our energy levels are at an “all time high” and we are stronger. The enhanced energy levels make us more enthusiastic about exercise and hardcore physical activities like weightlifting and strength training, that lead to weight gain. The restorative properties of ashwagandha are great at alleviating exhaustion as well as increasing our fortitude.
- Sound sleep: Ashwagandha reduces our stress, calms our mind and makes us to sleep better. Did you know – that a good night’s uninterrupted sleep also impacts our weight gain process ? Sleep is the time when the repair and restorative process of our body occurs. Sleeping soundly gives our body the much desired and required rest and improves the building of muscle mass and storing our energy. The ‘hunger’ hormones like leptin and ghrelin, activated by sound sleep, regulate our daily meals with sufficient calories, that promote weight gain.
- Stress buster: When we stress, we tend to have a poor appetite and unusual eating habits leading to loss of weight. Ashwagandha reduces our stress levels, making us calmer and peaceful. This calm state of mind regulates our appetite and the digestive process.
- Weight Gain: We eat mindfully leading to the absorption of the essential nutrients better thereby gaining weight. Weight gain, in the correct sense, happens when the muscle mass exceeds the fat mass in our body. The toned and stronger muscles make our physique better and increase our confidence about ourselves. So, to gain weight, consume Ashwagandha; maintain your daily routine of healthy meals; exercise; regular sleep habits; and manage stress!
How to consume ashwagandha
- Ashwagandha is available in the form of supplements like powder, leaves, and capsules.
- One of the ways of consuming ashwagandha is with ghee, milk, or honey for weight gain.
- Consumption, in moderation, as per medical guidance is recommended.
Caution
Consult your healthcare practitioner before making any lifestyle/dietary changes. They will advise you based on your age, gender, and medical history. Never take any supplements without professional guidance.
