Ayurveda’s benefits have been widely researched, investigated, and understood. One such ancient pharmaceutical herb is ashwagandha. It’s actually one of Ayurvedic medicine’s most significant herbs. But how many of us are aware of the possible side effects of ashwagandha?
Ashwagandha is utilized for a variety of stress-related illnesses because it is traditionally employed as an adaptogen. Adaptogens are natural compounds that help the body cope with physical and emotional stress. Insomnia, aging, anxiety, and a variety of other illnesses are among the conditions for which it is recommended, however, there is little scientific evidence to back up most of these claims. A medicinal herb, Ashwagandha, has played a vital role in providing several health benefits such as improved blood pressure, memory, stress, and anxiety and has also helped in boosting muscle strength and fertility.
Read this article- Ashwagandha Can Cure These Four Diseases!
It is a phrase that “every situation has two sides” and so it has, and these are the possible side effects of ashwagandha-
1. A large intake of ashwagandha can cause Diarrhea
One can experience nausea, digestive problems, diarrhea, and other health issues if there’s a lot of intake of ashwagandha. When taken orally, ashwagandha for up to 3 months can be possibly considered safe, but the long-term of ashwagandha is not clear yet.
A large intake of ashwagandha can possibly cause several ailments like stomach upset, diarrhea, and also vomiting sometimes. And rarely can cause liver problems.
A positive side noted here is that if one consumes ashwagandha according to the recommended dose then there won’t be such problems. Ashwagandha is a safe herb when used as directed”, But if the consumption is in larger doses or if it exceeds the recommendations then it does not cause digestive upset or nausea.
2. You might have a headache
Ashwagandha might cause headaches and tiredness as well as other negative effects. However, these headaches, as well as the digestive side effects, aren’t always permanent. “Some of these adverse effects may be temporary.”
Ashwagandha has the potential to cause headaches and sleepiness.
It is proven that ashwagandha has been shown in tests to slow, stop, and perhaps reverse nerve cell damage. Despite this, practically all investigations on ashwagandha and brain nerve cell injury have been conducted on animals or animal cells.
Ashwagandha has been shown to boost memory, brain function, and intellect by increasing acetylcholine levels in the brain.
3. Not recommended for pregnancy
According to the experts, taking ashwagandha during pregnancy is not recommended. If you have any concerns, you should seek the advice of a medical expert. Effects on the fetus have been observed.
When pregnant, ashwagandha is probably not a good idea. Some data suggests that ashwagandha can induce miscarriages. There isn’t enough credible information to tell if ashwagandha is safe to take during breastfeeding. Avoid using to be on the safe side.
While pregnancy can be both exciting and stressful, ashwagandha isn’t the best stress reliever in this situation.
4. You may feel drowsiness
While studies have shown that ashwagandha might help you sleep better at night, sleepiness can be an unwanted side effect for certain users, interfering with daily duties and making driving unsafe.
The calming effects of ashwagandha are likely to be more obvious in persons who are taking other calming medicines like benzodiazepines and barbiturates.
Sleepiness and slower breathing are possible side effects of Ashwagandha. Sedative drugs, for example, can make you sleepy and slow your breathing. When used with sedative drugs, ashwagandha might cause respiratory issues and/or excessive sleepiness.
Ashwagandha may also aid in the treatment of insomnia by improving sleep quality. The chemical triethylene glycol, which promotes sleep induction, is found in the plant’s leaves.
5. Not recommended for patients with Prostate cancer
Prostate cancer can spread to neighboring organs, such as your bladder, or travel to your bones or other organs through your bloodstream or lymphatic system. Broken bones can result from prostate cancer that has progressed to the bones.
The prostate is located below the bladder (the hollow organ that stores pee) and ahead of the rectum (the last part of the intestines). Because ashwagandha might raise testosterone levels, it should be avoided by people who have hormone-sensitive prostate cancer.
If you have endocrine prostate cancer, you should avoid Ashwagandha since it can raise testosterone levels, which can be problematic for prostate cancer sufferers.
6. Avoid taking ashwagandha during fever
When suffering from a fever, avoid using Ashwagandha, according to Ayurveda Doctor Rekha Radhamony. Many bioactive chemicals in the Indian shrub work as antioxidants, anti-inflammatory agents, and immunomodulators. It helps to keep bacteria from spreading diseases like the common cold and flu.
However, avoid this Ayurvedic herb if you already have a high temperature because it is difficult to digest. Fever weakens you and causes other organs to malfunction. If you take Ashwagandha at this time, your stomach may be unable to metabolize it, causing diarrhea and other health issues.
7. Not recommended for diabetic patients
In animal tests, ashwagandha has been proven to lower blood sugar levels. Because it’s unclear whether this applies to humans, patients with diabetes should seek medical advice before taking ashwagandha.
The use of ashwagandha root and leaf extracts as a therapy option could be beneficial. Ashwagandha powder can help lower blood sugar and raise salt and low-density lipoprotein concentrations in the urine.
According to 5 clinical studies, treatment with ashwagandha significantly lowered blood sugar, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), insulin, blood lipids, and oxidative stress markers, according to a review of 24 investigations.
But excessive use of ashwagandha might lower the blood sugar level even more. Therefore, it is always advisable to take this herb in the right doses.
Consult your physician
“Ashwagandha may be prohibited if you are taking certain medications or are already being treated for specific medical issues, such as autoimmune illnesses or thyroid conditions.” As a result, speaking with your doctor before taking ashwagandha is a good idea. This is a crucial step in ensuring that ashwagandha won’t interact with any medications you’re taking, or cause any problems or increased dangers in regards to any other conditions you may have and does not cause any side effects.
If you have diseases like Diabetes and stomach ulcers you should consult a doctor because:
- If you have diabetes, ashwagandha has been found in animal experiments to lower blood sugar levels. Because it’s unclear whether this applies to humans, patients with diabetes should seek medical advice before taking ashwagandha.
- If you have stomach ulcers, see your doctor before taking ashwagandha because it can irritate the lining of your digestive tract, causing ulcers.
- If you’re having surgery that needs anesthesia, stop taking ashwagandha two weeks before the process to avoid a possible medication interaction with the anesthesia.
Who should not take Ashwagandha?
While ashwagandha is generally considered safe, it should not be taken by anyone who is pregnant, breastfeeding, or has hyperthyroidism. Because this herb can interact with a variety of drugs and cause side effects, it’s best to talk to your doctor before using it.
When you take ashwagandha on a daily basis, what happens?
According to studies, taking 12 ml of ashwagandha root extract each day will boost immune cell levels, which can help fight illness. Furthermore, a daily dose of 250–500 mg of ashwagandha for 60 days can lower C-reactive protein levels by up to 30%, which is an inflammatory marker.
Excessive consumption of ashwagandha-based products can result in uterine contractions, premature birth, and miscarriages. As a result, it must be taken only under the supervision of a physician.
Excessive ashwagandha use can result in abortions.
When ashwagandha is combined with anti-anxiety medications, it can cause stomach trouble, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Ashwagandha can help to reduce blood sugar levels. As a result, if you have low blood pressure, you should avoid taking Ashwagandha.
When a patient has a stomach ulcer, using Ashwagandha can irritate them. Because it interferes with the central nervous system, Ashwagandha should not be used while a patient is scheduled for surgery.
How much ashwagandha can be consumed safely?
Ashwagandha does not have a defined dose; it is entirely dependent on your health and fitness level. However, research shows that a safe amount of the plant is between 125 mg and 5 g, divided into 2-4 dosages each day. Supplements come in a wide range of forms and can be obtained online or in local health stores. For purity, it is preferable to purchase from a reputable retailer.
You can read this article to get a better understanding of How To Intake Ashwagandha?
Summary
Ayurvedic medicine uses Ashwagandha as herbal therapy. According to several studies, ashwagandha may provide a variety of health benefits, including the decrease of stress and anxiety, as well as arthritis relief.
Before taking ashwagandha, pregnant women and those with preexisting health concerns should consult their doctor so that the side effects and other effects can be reduced as ashwagandha is an Ayurvedic herb a proper prescription from a doctor should be taken before use so that these 7 possible side effects of ashwagandha could be neglected.
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