{"id":6302,"date":"2019-05-09T03:22:10","date_gmt":"2019-05-09T03:22:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/?p=6302"},"modified":"2021-06-09T12:56:21","modified_gmt":"2021-06-09T12:56:21","slug":"20-interesting-ways-you-can-use-ashwagandha","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/20-interesting-ways-you-can-use-ashwagandha\/","title":{"rendered":"20 Interesting Ways You Can Use Ashwagandha"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Also known as Indian ginseng, winter cherry, and poison gooseberry, ashwagandha is an herb from the nightshade family. Farmers harvest ashwagandha and turn it into a dry powder that readily available from health food retailers online. The crushed powder has many uses and health benefits, from soothing digestive inflammation to calming the nervous system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ashwagandha powder has a special place in Ayurvedic medicine, the oldest form of practiced healing that focuses on holistically treating the body. Ayurveda originates from India, some 3,000-years ago, and many traditional healers still practice this type of medicine today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ashwagandha can energize the body, increasing ATP production, while providing the nervous system with a calming effect. This dual operation of the herb means that it\u2019s ideal for people with energy management problems or a weak central nervous system that\u2019s feeling the strain of stress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are eight interesting ways you can use ashwagandha to benefit from its healing and energizing properties.
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1.    Consuming Ashwagandha Powder<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Manufacturers crush ashwagandha <\/a>into a fine powder for use in traditional medicinal therapies. Ashwagandha powder is affordable and provides plenty of health benefits to users. Ayurvedic medicine relies heavily on ashwagandha powder as a natural treatment for a variety of ailments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In most cases, it’s best to consume ashwagandha powder with ghee or honey. However, mixing it with both may cause a toxic reaction, as per the Ayurvedic medicine guidelines. When combined with ghee or honey, the ashwagandha uses the carrier substrate to enter the digestive system and improve absorption into the bloodstream. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taking ashwagandha powder with water won\u2019t have the same beneficial effects as mixing it with ghee or raw honey. When combined with ghee and cane sugar, the ashwagandha has a restorative impact on female reproductive health and may soothe the symptoms of inflammatory joint disease. When added to cane sugar, the ashwagandha provides a cooling effect, which is beneficial during the summer months.
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2.    Ashwagandha Tablets<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Some people may find that handling ashwagandha powder is ineffective for measuring the dosage. For those individuals that want a more accurate and convenient way of adding ashwagandha to their diet \u2013 they should consider using the tablet form of the supplement <\/a>for best results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tablets provide a level of convenience that exceeds what\u2019s possible with the powder alone. Carrying around a tub of ashwagandha powder in your handbag or car glovebox is annoying, and what happens if you forget it at home? For those individuals who treat convenience as a priority \u2013 try using ashwagandha capsules instead of the powder. It\u2019s far easier carrying a few tablets in your lunch box, and they come inaccurate dosages, so you know precisely how much ashwagandha you\u2019re using. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since most manufacturers charge a hefty premium for tablets or capsules, you can save yourself some money by making the pills at home. Buy yourself a pill holder and some gelatin capsules from your online health retailer. Fill the gelatin caps with powder at home, and store them in an airtight container for use throughout the month.
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3.    Ashwagandha Tonic<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ayurvedic medicine<\/a> relies heavily on the use of tonics to treat a variety of ailments. A tonic is a liquid or beverage that contains medicinal compounds beneficial for preventing or curing disease and infection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The use of tonics to treat health conditions has been around for centuries, and there are thousands of recipes for different tonics that address all types of health disorders. Ashwagandha has many benefits when consumed as a tonic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should you have digestive issues, drinki8ng an ashwagandha tonic can help reduce the signs and symptoms of systemic inflammation that occur due to the consumption of refined carbohydrates in our diet. Similarly, drinking ashwagandha tonic also helps people deal with the effects of the stomach flu and digestive disorders as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s a recipe for our favorite ashwagandha tonic. Mix it up and drink it down \u2013 you can store any leftovers in the fridge for use later in the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ingredients:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2-tsp ashwagandha powder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2-cups whole raw milk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1-tbsp caramelized sugar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1\/2-tsp. Cardamom<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simmer the powder in the milk for 10-minutes, then add the sugar and cardamom – stir to combine.
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4.    Ashwagandha Extract<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While consuming ashwagandha powder is an effective method for gaining the medicinal advantages of the herb<\/a>, using an extract oil provides a more potent form of the plant. Manufacturers make ashwagandha oil extract using a steam-distillation process. The steam heats the plant material, extracting the natural oils.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Manufacturers bottle and sell the oil, and it’s available for purchase from some select health retailers. It\u2019s a bit harder to find the oil extract compared to the powder, but if you search hard enough, you\u2019ll eventually come across a source of this potent home remedy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Add a dropper-full of the oil to juice or milk and drink it once a day in the morning to safeguard your digestive system from stress associated with indigestion. The oil also provides a remarkable, uplifting feeling that gives you clean energy. The oil also has a powerful effect on the mind, increasing neurotransmitter activity that keeps your brain sharp and functional.
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5.    Ashwagandha Tea <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ashwagandha makes a fantastic tea infusion as well. Tea is part of Eastern cultures, and the many different species of tea available treat a wide variety of health disorders. Green tea is excellent for reducing cholesterol and blood sugar, while black tea aids digestion and soothes the effects of inflammation<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ashwagandha tea makes an excellent energy booster that relieves symptoms of systemic inflammation in the body that\u2019s slowing you down. Here\u2019s our favorite recipe, give it a try the next time you feel like you need a bump in your energy levels. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ingredients:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1-tsp. Ashwagandha powder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1-cup boiling water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1-tsp. Raw honey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Directions<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Add the ashwagandha powder to a tea infuser and let it steep in the water for 5 to 6-minutes. Add some raw honey to cut the bitter taste, and drink it as hot as you can to benefit from the medicinal properties of the plant. Drink it as often as you like throughout the day for an energy boost when you need it most.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6.    Ashwagandha Massage Oil<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Are you feeling stressed out? Are your muscles sore after a hard workout? Why not try a massage with some ashwagandha oil? The anti-inflammatory<\/a> properties of the oil penetrate deep into the tissues, relieving stress and muscle ache associated with pains, sprains, and anxiety. Since most massage parlors don\u2019t carry ashwagandha oil, you\u2019ll need to bring along your bottle of oil to your therapy appointment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ashwagandha oil promotes strength and calmness, along with supporting vigor and vitality in people that are feeling worn out from the stress of life. Some oil blends feature ingredients explicitly designed for massage. The additional compounds intensify the effects of the ashwagandha during a massage therapy session. Sesame and olive oil, along with passionflower and Bala make an excellent combination for your therapy session.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Have your masseuse heat the oil for a few minutes before starting the massage therapy. The warm oil provides a relaxing sensation that relieves stress and revitalizes the body.
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7.    Ashwagandha Complications<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While ashwagandha has potent healing and energizing properties in small doses, it may not be so great when taken in large amounts. Anecdotal studies show that consuming large quantities of ashwagandha may lead to the development of stomach and digestive system<\/a> discomfort. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Affected individuals may notice cramps and a general feeling on unwellness if they consume too much of the powder in one sitting. In some cases, affected individuals may also experience bouts of diarrhea as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s for this reason that Western homeopaths don\u2019t recommend the use of ashwagandha powder for pregnant women. Some studies show that large doses of ashwagandha powder may induce abortions in lab rats. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As with everything in life, a small quantity can provide benefits, while excessive use can cause complications. Should you use ashwagandha and experience any form of allergic response, its best to stop your usage, and ask your doctor about any further complications you may expect from using the powder.
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8.    Tips for Buying Ashwagandha<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When you visit your online health retailer to purchase your ashwagandha powder, it\u2019s a prudent strategy to find out more about the product to ensure you\u2019re making a sustainable purchase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Look through the product information for details on the origin of the powder. Good ashwagandha powders will allow you to trace it back to the source of production, establishing the route from farm to supplement shelves across the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your ashwagandha should be an organic product, with proof that the farm used no chemical fertilizer or pesticides <\/a>in the growing process. Check to see if the ashwagandha is sustainably harvested, providing minimal impact on the environment around the fields.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since ashwagandha hails from India, it\u2019s important to check if the farms provide their workers with a decent living. Working in emerging economies often opens the workers to exploitation due to lax employment regulations around the safety and treatment of workers on farms. Always check that your ashwagandha product is certified organic by the USDA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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