Ashwagandha Capsule - Benefits, Dosage & Side-Effects

Ashwagandha is a herb used in traditional medicine. It is a small shrub that grows in India, the Middle East, and parts of Africa. The medicine is made out of its roots and berries. Ashwagandha supplements come in two forms which are capsules and powder.

Ashwagandha popularly comes in the form of powder, churna which is a finely sieved powder that can be consumed by mixing with water, ghee (clarified butter) or honey. Besides, capsules are the most palatable way to consume Ashwagandha in a fast-paced life. You can ingest them in a jiffy and they yield numerous benefits. It boosts the functioning of the brain and nervous system. It promotes a healthy reproductive system by improving its function. Ashwagandha also improves cell-mediated immunity by improving the body's defense against disease. 

Consuming Ashwagandha can be an easy and effective way to improve the quality of your life and it can have a positive effect on your overall health. Below we have answered some common queries related to Ashwagandha. Read on to acquaint yourself.

What Does Ashwagandha Do for the Body?

1. May Help Reduce Stress and Anxiety: Ashwagandha is a powerful adaptogen by nature, which enhances the body's resilience to stress. There are some human studies on Ashwagandha’s stress-relieving properties. Five studies were reviewed where the Ashwagandha tablets helped lower stress levels. A study showed that adults who took Ashwagandha daily for 8 weeks had lower levels of fatigue and anxiety. Having Kapiva Ashwagandha capsules helped them concentrate better than the adults who did therapy for the same amount of time. 

2. Improves Immunity: Ashwagandha has shown exemplary immune-boosting effects on immune systems. It conducts antioxidant properties that protect against cellular damage caused by free radicals. It has also demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects that help fight illness. The anti-inflammatory properties also help aid painful conditions like arthritis. Further, Ashwagandha also contributes to the increase of red blood count due to its rich iron content. All of this helps you recover sooner. 

3. Manages Diabetes: The amazing hypoglycemic property of Ashwagandha plays an important role in helping lower the blood sugar level of the body. The insulin production from the pancreatic cells becomes an active component for taking Ashwagandha. It leads to low blood glucose levels by reducing the breakdown of starch into glucose. Some human studies suggest that it can lower the blood sugar levels in both healthy people and someone with diabetes. However, limited evidence suggests that Ashwagandha reduces blood sugar levels through its effects on insulin secretion and sensitivity.

4. Anti-anxiety and Mood Enhancing: Ashwagandha treatment is considered to be very effective for helping treat different types of psychological illness like depression, Alzheimer's, dementia, etc. It helps keep the serotonin level under control and helps with the symptoms of anxiety which includes restlessness, uneasiness, cold hands and feet, etc. The antidepressant properties of Ashwagandha help in calming the mind, reducing irritability and improving stamina and energy. Studies revealed that Ashwagandha can have a calming effect on symptoms of anxiety when compared to allopathic medicine, a sedative and anxiety medication. However, the study for this was not done on humans.

5. May Improve Brain Function and Memory: Kapiva Ashwagandha capsules have the potential to help improve brain function, reflex time, memory and the ability to perform tasks. Test-tube and animal studies conclude that Ashwagandha may alleviate memory and brain function problems caused due to injury or disease. Research has shown that Ashwagandha promotes nerve cells from harmful free radicals by promoting antioxidant activity. It is believed that Ashwagandha has been used to boost memory in traditional medicine. However, limited human research has been conducted in this.

6. Increases Energy: Ashwagandha benefits us by increasing the stamina and energy levels of the body. Weakness and fatigue are reduced while the vitals of the body improves because of the active ingredients of Ashwagandha and other herbs used in the formulation of the Ashwagandha doses. 

Is it Safe to Take Ashwagandha Daily?

The exemplary health benefits of Ashwagandha makes it safe to use every day. If Ashwagandha intake is between 250 to 500mg then there is no harm in using it every day. Several human studies have suggested that these doses are safe and useful. Ashwagandha doses can be taken in the form of capsules, powder(churna), etc.

Everyone is different and their tolerance level to herbal supplements vary. A good practice is to start with a lower dose as it will help you gauge your own tolerance to it. You can gradually increase your dosage if you don’t observe any side effects. The upper range of Ashwagandha dosage should be discussed with your medical professional. You could start with one Ashwagandha tablets a day to see how you react and slowly add capsules until you’re taking the full suggested dose. 

What are the Side Effects of Ashwagandha?

Herbal supplements like Ashwagandha rarely have many side effects as they are derived from natural ingredients. However, there are certain possibilities of side effects that can arise. 

When Ashwagandha is taken by mouth, it is mostly safe when it is taken for up to 3 months. The safety of long-term usage of Ashwagandha is not studied yet. Large doses of Ashwagandha might cause stomach problems like upset stomach, diarrhoea, and vomiting. In rare situations, liver problems might occur.

When Ashwagandha is applied to the skin, it doesn't have enough reliable research or study to know if it is safe or if it has any side effects.

Having said all this, pregnant women and anyone with any major ailments should seek medical advice from a healthcare professional before they start consuming any supplement, no matter how benign it seems. Despite Ashwagndha’s benefits, it contains compounds that may lead to miscarriage, premature birth, or uterine contractions or create medical complications by interacting with other medicines.

How Quickly Does Ashwagandha Work?

Humans aren’t one of the species known for their patience. We all want to lose 10kgs in two weeks, reach the top of our career before 30, want our online orders delivered within hours and so on. We are very happy when something is delivered on time, just like how some allopathic medicines provide pain relief in 30 minutes, we expect the same from ayurvedic supplements and that becomes a problem. 

Ashwagandha capsules aren't a magic pill that gives immediate results. However, these supplements help you to nourish your body and build healthy and clean habits. A healthy balanced diet and exercise along with the Ashwagandha benefits will help you lead a healthy life.

If Ashwagandha doses are taken regularly along with a healthy and balanced diet, it will show an impact in two weeks. The quality of your Ashwagandha tablets makes the biggest difference. For the maximum benefit for the body, you require a high-concentration, full-spectrum extract.

Summing it up

Many households swear by Ashwagandha as one of the best immunity boosting herbal supplement for old people and children. It is also one of the best supplements of Ayurveda, the most ancient system of medicine and has been used as a household remedy for ages. Adding Ashwagandha capsules to your lifestyle can be an effective way to improve your health and quality of life.