When to take Ashwagandha?

Ashwagandha is a super herb that is predominantly found in Asia and Africa. It is considered to be a very important herb in Ayurveda. In Ayurveda, Ashwagandha is considered a Rasayana which helps maintain homeostasis of the body's physical and mental aspects. Ashwagandha is derived from the Sanskrit word for the smell of the horse since the herb has an odor similar to it. Its botanical name is Withania somnifera. The herb is used for relieving stress. Ashwagandha contains chemicals that help calm the brain, reduce inflammation, reduce blood pressure, and it helps build immunity. Ashwagandha is available in the form of tablets, powders, and liquids. In this article, we will talk about when to take Ashwagandha.

What is Ashwagandha?

Since ancient times, people have used the roots and fruit, orange in the color of Ashwagandha, for different medicinal purposes. Ashwagandha is a commonly used herb to relieve stress, reduce inflammation, lower blood pressure, and improve the immune system. Ashwagandha is traditionally used to treat stress. It is used as an adaptogen. Adaptogens are used to relieve physical and mental stress that the body suffers. Some other conditions, such as insomnia, anxiety, and aging, are also being treated with Ashwagandha. 

Uses of Ashwagandha - 

There are a lot of proven health effects and benefits of Ashwagandha. Some of them include the following.

1. Reduce stress and anxiety: Ashwagandha is known to reduce stress in the body. It is also responsible for the reduced activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, which regulates the stress response. 
2. Improving physical performance: Ashwagandha helps in improving physical performance in adults. 
3. Reduce mental health conditions: Ashwagandha is believed to reduce the symptoms of mental health conditions like depression.
4. Helps to improve sleep: Ashwagandha is known to promote sleep, and some research also suggests that it helps treat some sleeping disorders. Some people found that Ashwagandha positively affects the quality of sleep.
5. Reduces inflammation: Ashwagandha contains compounds that help to decrease inflammation in the body.

Some other uses of Ashwagandha are used in reducing blood sugar levels in patients suffering from diabetes and in reducing symptoms of arthritis. Also, Read 13 Best Ashwagandha Supplement Brands.

 When to take Ashwagandha?

Since it is an ayurvedic medicine, you can take Ashwagandha at any time of the day or during the night. However, one can prefer to consume it in the morning or evening. 

1. When Ashwagandha is taken in the morning:

The effects of Ashwagandha are brief; it takes weeks or months sometimes to see pronounced changes. It usually depends on the personal choice about when to consume ashwagandha tablets. If a person is supplementing the diet with vitamins or other supplements, adding Ashwagandha and having it with the other supplements in the morning can have good effects on the body. One downside of having Ashwagandha in the morning on an empty stomach is that it can cause discomfort and uneasiness in the gastrointestinal tract. Hence, it would help if you took it after breakfast or some snacks. 

2. When Ashwagandha is taken in the night: 

If a person is suffering from insomnia or other sleep disorders, they can use Ashwagandha with milk before going to bed, which helps to relieve the person. For people who observe stomach discomfort after taking Ashwagandha, it is best to consume it at night and then take it in the morning. it is important to choose a timeslot when you can consume and remain consistent in taking Ashwagandha. Also, it is best to have Ashwagandha at night if you feel discomfort while having it on an empty stomach. Also, Read Ashwagandha Benefits And Its Side Effects.

Precautions to consider while taking ashwagandha - 

Usually, Ashwagandha is an ayurvedic medicine and hence has no side effects. However, large doses of Ashwagandha can cause side effects such as stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, etc. Hence, it should be consumed in moderation and in controlled amounts. It is important to read and follow the directions carefully which have been printed on the label. If it is being used for treating any disease, a healthcare provider must be consulted before including it in daily life. Pregnant women should consult a doctor before starting consumption of Ashwagandha as it can cause stress for the fetus and induce premature labor. Another precaution you should consider is choosing a well-known company Ashwagandha since manufacturers have no regulations to manufacture ayurvedic medicine. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) -

Also, Read About Get Rid Of Depression: Top 10 Herbs That Can Help

Conclusion -

Ashwagandha is an important herb in Ayurveda that is present and grown in Asia and Africa and is known to have several different health benefits. It is used to reduce stress and also in cases of insomnia and other sleep-related disorders. Ashwagandha is also used to treat mental issues like anxiety and depression. When to take Ashwagandha is an important question in many people's minds. The simple answer is that it depends on people's convenience and choice. The timing that people choose should be such that they continue to have the dose consistently. Many people take Ashwagandha in the morning and their other nutritional supplements, aiding overall health. However, they observe some discomfort in the stomach when they consume Ashwagandha empty stomach. Such people should take tablets or powder after having breakfast or a small meal.