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Ashwagandha tinctures and oils are used prominently in the Ayurvedic medical system of India.
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a shrub that grows in certain arid regions of India, Africa and the Middle East.
It has been used for thousands of years as a therapeutic agent and as a food source. The leaves, roots, seeds and berries of the plant are sources of a number of beneficial bioactive constituents.
In clinical trials, W. somnifera is demonstrating an array of medicinal properties. As one of the most versatile and well-tolerated substances known in nature, ashwagandha shows anticancer, antidiabetic, cardioprotective, anti-inflammatory, adaptogenic, immunomodulatory and other properties.
As its long history of traditional usage shows, ashwagandha tincture extract is likely safe for routine supplementation. The tincture is quite bitter tasting, but is sometimes added to teas or other beverages and sweetened to be more palatable. Ashwagandha oil is often applied directly to the skin to alleviate joint pain and swelling.
Stress
Mood
Sleep- Reduces stress and anxiety
- Improves concentration, fatigue & sleep
- Protects against oxidative stress
Top Ashwagandha Products* ❯Benefits of Ashwagandha Tinctures & Oils
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Ashwagandha tinctures and oils contain concentrated amounts of various phytonutrients (plant chemicals) that are responsible for the plant’s diverse medicinal benefits.
More specifically, ashwagandha extract contains:
- Steroidal lactones including Withaferin A;
- Viscosa lactones;
- Naringenin;
- Catechin;
- Gallic acid:,
- Phenolic acids;
- Palmitic acid;
- Oleic acid;
- Linoleic acid
Withania somnifera is classified as an adaptogen; it causes normalizing health effects on the entire body. It is taken as a sedative and to calm the mind in the presence of stress, anxiety and depression.
It is given to both children and the elderly to improve the immune system and is said to be a Rasayana.This is any type of substance in Ayurvedic medicine that is believed to lengthen the lifespan.
Ashwagandha tincture or oil are believed to reduce inflammation, help balance hormones in the body, act as a tonic, aphrodisiac, diuretic, anthelmintic, astringent and stimulant. Below are some of the benefits linked to its use.
Ashwagandha for Cardiovascular Health:
Withania somnifera is believed to protect the health of the cardiovascular system in various ways. Clinical experimentation on both animals and humans confirms that ashwagandha extract lowers low density lipoproteins, very low density lipoproteins, triglycerides and cholesterol in serum samples.
This lowers the risks for various life-threatening conditions and diseases including hypercholesterolemia, high triglycerides, arterial plaque, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, heart disease and more.
By positively affecting lipid profiles, ashwagandha tincture may also reduce the risks for developing type ii diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome (prediabetes). W. somnifera may help to protect against obesity and it numerous related ailments and diseases.
Ashwagandha Hormonal Benefits:
Oral administration of an ashwagandha tincture each day is likely effective for improving overall hormonal balance. Ashwagandha is known to modulate the actions of the thyroid gland, and thereby improve metabolic function. The thyroid is the master control unit for the body’s hormones.
Along with the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, the thyroid regulates metabolism as well as performing various other important functions. Constituents found in this plant extract are known to modulate the thyroid; accelerating its performance in hypothyroidism cases and slowing it down in hyperthyroidism cases.
Ashwagandha’s Anti-Cancer Effects:
Ashwagandha has shown actions against various cancer cell lines. It is implicated minimally as an adjunct cancer therapy. It may be more useful in combination with paclitaxel therapy, most likely due to its immunosuppressive effects.
Ashwagandha tinctures and oils may help to improve T-cell profiles and thereby enhance tumor cytotoxicity. Angiogenesis is impeded and metastasis is significantly hindered in breast, prostate, stomach, pancreatic, lung, colon, renal, skin, cervical and neurological cancers.
More Facts about Ashwagandha Oils
Improving diabetes, obesity, heart disease, cancer and hormone balancing only begins to touch on the complete therapeutic potentials of Withania somnifera.
Like Asian and American ginseng (Panax ginseng and Panax quinquefolius), W. somnifera is one of just a few dozen plants classified as adaptogens.
Adaptogens strengthen the individual’s capacities to handle daily stressors. This could stem from personal physical limitations, environmental toxicity, societal pressures and more.
Chronically high stress, much like obesity, is strongly associated with many preventable diseases and ailments. Managing stress effectively is a key factor for the natural improvement of overall health.
By taking an ashwagandha supplement, stress management may be improved. This is especially useful when used in combination with practices including meditation, pranayama (breathing exercises), yoga and more.
Topical application of Ashwagandha Oil has not been studied as extensively as oral use of this dietary supplement. In Ayurvedic medicine, this oil is said to be “vata pacifying” and to promote strength, energy and health muscle mass.
It is recommended for athletes and for the elderly to boost their physical stamina, combat fatigue and rejuvenate the muscles and fascia through therapeutic massage. The oil usually combines the extract from the Ashwagandha root with sesame oil or other natural oils to be rubbed on the muscles and joints.
Conclusions about Ashwagandha Tinctures and Oils
The beneficial phytochemicals from Withania somnifera that are found in tinctures and oils can improve health in various ways. Ashwagandha has been used widely for many centuries as a medicinal agent that helps to normalize health.
It enhances the performance of various body systems simultaneously and is known to be free of serious side effects in the vast majority of cases.
There are certain side effects possible, as well as negative interactions with other medicinal substances. In order to be sure that using ashwagandha tinctures or ashwagandha oil is safe in your specific medical state, please consult with your doctor before beginning.
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- Wadhwa R1, Konar A1, Kaul SC2. Nootropic potential of Ashwagandha leaves: Beyond traditional root extracts. Neurochem Int. 2015 Sep 8. pii: S0197-0186(15)30043-7. doi: 10.1016/j.neunet.2015.09.001. [Epub ahead of print]
- Gannon JM1, Forrest PE1, Roy Chengappa KN1. Subtle changes in thyroid indices during a placebo-controlled study of an extract of Withania somnifera in persons with bipolar disorder. J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2014 Oct-Dec;5(4):241-5. doi: 10.4103/0975-9476.146566.
Article last updated on: April 16th, 2018 by Nootriment
1 Comment
Have just started using ashwagandha and am using it as a tincture in plain water and am on long-term medication anything else that might be useful for the long-term future