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Ashwagandha tea has been used for thousands of years for its health and medicinal properties.
Ashwagandha is an herbal component of alternative medicine in India, known as Ayurveda. Ayurvedic medicine focuses on treating the whole body to support health and wellness.
As an adaptogen, the roots of the Ashwagandha plant are believed to promote homeostasis or balance in the body, while holistically treating any conditions such as fatigue, reduced immunity, lack of libido and mental deficiencies.
Ashwagandha tea was traditionally used to treat a variety of conditions that include anxiety, low energy levels, and stress. Ashwagandha leaves have been utilized in teas since ancient Greek and Roman times and then throughout the Middle Ages. It has also been used throughout Asia and by Native Americans due to its widespread reputation for its healing properties.
Stress
Mood
Sleep- Reduces stress and anxiety
- Improves concentration, fatigue & sleep
- Protects against oxidative stress
Top Ashwagandha Products* ❯What is the Ashwagandha Plant?
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Ashwagandha is known as Winter Cherry and Indian ginseng.
It comes from the same family of plants as the tomato. The fruits from this plant are bright red and berry-sized.
Every part of the plant can be used in herbal remedies, but it is the roots that are believed to provide the greater concentration of bioactive compounds. Ashwagandha was originally indigenous to the southeastern regions of Asia, including India, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan.
In the Hindi/Sanskrit language, the name is translated into “horse smell”; it not only describes the earthy odor of the plant which is shared by horses, but also their strength and perceived vitality.
Brewing Ashwagandha tea has been recorded in history for nearly 3,000 years to rejuvenate the body, due to its adaptogenic properties. Not only has it been used to calm, strengthen, and support the nervous system, but to also improve memory and relieve fatigue and anxiety. It can also promote a sense of relaxation, serving to quiet the mind and enhance sleep.
Uses for Ashwagandha Tea
This herb is typically taken to enhance focus, improve energy levels and elevate the mind. It is said in user reviews to promote a sense of clarity and support improved memory and cognition.
Research supports the cognitive enhancement benefits of taking Ashwagandha, and it has in some instances been used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. However, it is not an approved drug for the prevention or treatment of these conditions.
Many bodybuilders use Ashwagandha because it promotes stamina and physical energy. It also contains iron, which improves the ability of hemoglobin (the molecule in red blood cells that transports oxygen to the cells) to function at optimal levels in the blood.
Taking Ashwagandha capsules has been recommended as a post-workout supplement to improve recovery times and reverse some of the signs of stress on the body that can occur after a rigorous workout. The tea has also been used to reduce symptoms of arthritis, autoimmune disorders, insomnia, anxiety and depression.
Ashwagandha tea is further recommended to enhance sexual function and is viewed as a male libido and fertility booster. It may have benefits for reducing cholesterol and has exhibited some anti-cancer effects in trials, though more research is needed to determine the scope of potential benefits.
In addition to being labeled as an adaptogen, it is said to have anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating properties.
Active Compounds in Ashwagandha Tea Bags
Ashwagandha tea bags contain active dosages of several nutrients and phytochemicals. The roots of the herb contain numerous alkaloids; roughly 5,000 different alkaloids have been identified to date.
Alkaloids are composed of organic bases that contain nitrogen and oxygen and are especially prevalent in seed plants. Chlorogenic acids are found only in the leaf, commonly known as withanolides A-Y. Components of Ashwagandha also include steroidal lactones.
Alkaloids are found throughout the plant, from the leaves to their roots. The main active constituent in the plant is known as Withanine, from the scientific name Withania somnifera. This component is believed to provide anti-carcinogenic effects in cellular structures by suppressing certain functions.
It decreases the synthesis of nuclear factor kappaB, a main component in inflammatory processes. In doing so, inflammation can be controlled to prevent the long-term damage that is associated with excess inflammatory response.
How do you make Ashwagandha Tea?
The most popular ways to take Ashwagandha supplements today is in pill or tablet form, but it is also brewed into tea. Drinking Ashwagandha tea will confer the same benefits, so long as active dosages are reached.
This beverage is commonly made using portions of the dried root. The following is a typical recipe:
- 3 to 6 g dosage of dried Ashwagandha root or bulk powder
- Immerse root into approximately 3½ cups boiling water
- Allow the root to steep in the boiling water for approximately 15 minutes
- Remove the root from the liquid and strain to remove any remaining plant matter
It is believed that drinking 2 to 3 cups of Ashwagandha tea daily provides optimal results. You can flavor the tea with a natural sweetener if you find the taste to be bitter. It is also possible to combine the roots with other herbal tea ingredients to improve the taste.
Side Effects & Safety
Ashwagandha is rated Possibly Safe by the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. This means that some research shows that it can be used safely, but more studies are required to determine whether it is appropriate for all people.
In clinical trials lasting up to 12 weeks long, it has been used without causing any serious adverse effects. In one Indian trial, 3 gram tablet dosages given with milk for one year produced no reports of serious negative effects.
Another study found no reports of toxicity when giving 2 gram oral dosages to children for 60 days.
Some people may experience mild side effects when taking this supplement, especially in high doses. It has caused a small number of cases of stomach upset, diarrhea, and vomiting. It can irritate the gastrointestinal tract and should be avoided by people with stomach ulcers.
While this tea is generally regarded as safe and has few side effects, you should avoid taking Ashwagandha in any form if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. This herbal extract has abortifacient effects, based on animal studies.
Ashwagandha may interact with certain medications, such as benzodiazepine drugs, antidiabetes drugs, antihypertensive drugs, immunosuppressants and thyroid hormones. It may also interact with herbs that have sedative properties such as 5-HTP, calamus, California poppy, catnip,
hops, kava, St. John’s wort, skullcap, or valerian root extract.
Talk to your pharmacist, doctor, or pediatrician regarding safety first to determine whether it is appropriate for you to drink Ashwagandha tea.
- Mikolai J, Erlandsen A, Murison A, Brown KA, Gregory WL, Raman-Caplan P, Zwickey HL. In vivo effects of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract on the activation of lymphocytes. J Altern Complement Med. 2009
- Siddique AA, Joshi P, Misra L, Sangwan NS, Darokar MP. 5,6-de-epoxy-5-en-7-one-17-hydroxy withaferin A, a new cytotoxic steroid from Withania somnifera L. Dunal leaves. Nat Prod Res. 2014
- Biswal BM, Sulaiman SA, Ismail HC, Zakaria H, Musa KI. Effect of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) on the development of chemotherapy-induced fatigue and quality of life in breast cancer patients. Integr Cancer Ther. 2013
- Elsakka M, Pavelescu M, Grigorescu E. Withania somnifera, a plant with a great therapeutical future. Rev Med Chir Soc Med Nat Iasi. 1989
- Kulkarni SK, Dhir A. Withania somnifera: an Indian ginseng. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2008
- Kalani A, Bahtiyar G, Sacerdote A. Ashwagandha root in the treatment of non-classical adrenal hyperplasia. BMJ Case Rep. 2012
- Mathur R, Gupta SK, Singh N, Mathur S, Kochupillai V, Velpandian T. Evaluation of the effect of Withania somnifera root extracts on cell cycle and angiogenesis. J Ethnopharmacol. 2006
- Bhattacharya SK, Bhattacharya A, Sairam K, Ghosal S. Anxiolytic-antidepressant activity of Withania somnifera glycowithanolides: an experimental study. Phytomedicine. 2000
- Rasool M, Varalakshmi P. Suppressive effect of Withania somnifera root powder on experimental gouty arthritis: An in vivo and in vitro study. Chem Biol Interact. 2006
Article last updated on: May 28th, 2018 by Nootriment
2 Comments
cant get ashwagandha in cork ireland,problem with plant im told,where can i buy it.
Hi Pat,
Thanks for your question. Are you able to but it in supplement form or as a bulk powder? Some locations might not allow it to be sold as a raw plant product, but might allow it as an ingredient in finished goods.