What does the average Joe sporting the “dad bod” have in common with athletes and bodybuilders? Both use a well-known Ayurvedic herb called Ashwagandha for its many health benefits. This potent herb is gaining popularity as more and more men discover how Ashwagandha supports men’s health. Not only is it a superb herb for strength and endurance, but it also may improve cognitive function, support a healthy reproductive system, and promote stress relief.
Whether you’re getting amped up for your next workout or driving the Dad Cab to pick up the kiddos, the use of Ashwagandha as a health supplement is more than a passing fad, it’s an adaptogenic wonder that’s withstood the test of time.
In Ayurveda, Ashwagandha is known as a Rasayana or rejuvenator. Also called Indian ginseng or winter cherry, this revered herb has been used for centuries for its wide range of health benefits.
In modern-day, this powerful adaptogen is most commonly used to improve the body’s resilience to stress, but that’s not the only advantage you’ll have when you supplement with Ashwagandha. Curious to know what else this age-old herb can do? Keep reading to uncover the top five benefits of ashwagandha for men.
1. Enhance Strength and Endurance
The goal of every athlete is to perform their very best. But you don’t have to be an athlete or a gym rat to take advantage of the benefits of Ashwagandha. If you’re an average guy looking to make the most of your workouts, supplementing with Ashwagandha may enhance your athletic performance and may even help you recover faster from strenuous workouts.
In an eight-week clinical study, a group of men were given 300 mg of Ashwagandha twice a day while undergoing a resistance training regimen. At the end of the eight weeks, the participants who supplemented with Ashwagandha had considerably greater improvement in muscle strength and size compared to the placebo group.
2. Relieve Stress
Dealing with stress is a normal part of life. But not all stress is bad. Certain types of stress, called hormetic stress, can be beneficial and make your body stronger and more resilient.
But what do you do when your stress levels reach an all-time high? Looming deadlines at work and financial worries can weigh heavily on your mind. All this extra stress produces extra cortisol – your body’s main hormone for stress.
How can you alleviate overwhelming stress and regain your mental well-being? Try supplementing with an adaptogenic herb like ashwagandha.
An adaptogen is a plant or herb that helps your body recover from physical or mental stress. Adaptogens give you that extra biological boost you need to power through feelings of overwhelm and fatigue.
Ashwagandha is one of the more well-known adaptogens. It enhances the body’s resilience to mental and physical stress by helping to lower cortisol levels – bringing them back into a healthy range. Ashwagandha is a natural herb that can be taken daily to support the well-being of your body and mind while providing energy and vitality.
3. Rejuvenate the Reproductive System
Overwhelming stress can take its toll not only on your mental wellbeing but on your physical health as well – and this includes your reproductive system. Men who are stressed are more likely to experience hormonal and reproductive imbalance.
Ashwagandha promotes vitality and healthy circulation which in turn can help support healthy sexual function. In a recent study, a group of men aged 40 – 70 years, were given Ashwagandha extract. At the end of the sixteen-week study, the men were found to have reinforced hormonal and reproductive function.
4. Boost Cognitive Function
For centuries, Ashwagandha has been used in traditional Ayurveda to enhance memory and support cognitive function. The many bioactive compounds in Ashwagandha – namely withanolides, flavonoids, and alkaloids – support brain health by helping to regulate neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that send messages between neurons. Dopamine and serotonin are two examples of neurotransmitters that help sharpen your focus and improve your mood and memory.
Having Ashwagandha may improve your reaction time and attention span while performing cognitive tasks. You may also find improved mental alertness and concentration with consistent Ashwagandha supplementation.
5. Improve Sleep Quality
Getting deep, restorative sleep is essential to your physical and mental health. The amount of restful sleep you get not only affects how well you function, but it can affect your ability to fight disease and sustain a healthy metabolism.
Taking Ashwagandha may improve sleep quality and promote a more restful night’s sleep, allowing you to feel more alert upon waking. One study found that taking just 300 mg of Ashwagandha twice a day helped participants fall asleep faster and spend more time in deep, restful sleep.
Best Time to Take Ashwagandha
Now that you know the top five benefits of Ashwagandha for men’s health, you may be wondering when the best time to take this robust herb is. Ashwagandha can be taken at any time of day, but the best time to take it is in the morning and again in the afternoon. Using Ashwagandha twice a day may support a balanced adrenal system.
Support Health with Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is a very versatile herb, but as with supplements in general, you probably won’t notice an immediate improvement. It takes time for your body to realise the benefits of taking them. It can take several days or weeks before you notice changes in your quality of sleep or improved moods and concentration.
At ORGANIC INDIA USA, we seek to support your health by providing quality organic herbs through sustainable bio-regenerative farming practices.
Try our Tulsi Ashwagandha and Tulsi Green Tea Ashwagandha to relax and unwind.
The information on this page is not meant to diagnose, treat or cure any conditions. Please consult with your doctor if you have questions or preexisting conditions.*
