ashwagandha for stress
Post on 17-Aug-2015
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Modern life is full of challenges such as:
meeting deadlines frustrations relationship issues financial burden illness and much more
One of the best Integrative medicine resources for CAM practitioners is a supplement called Ashwagandha.
Origins
Ashwagandha or Withania somnifera is commonly known as “Indian Winter cherry” or “Indian Ginseng”
It is and is one of the most frequently used herbs in Ayurvedic Medicine
The Biologically Active Constituents of Ashwagandha
The biologically active chemical constituents of Ashwaghanda include:
Characteristics of Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha root has the following properties:
Tonic Aphrodisiac Narcotic Diuretic Anthelmintic Astringent Thermogenic Stimulant
Rasayana
Ashwagandha is also referred to as a
rasayana in Ayurvedic medicine This Sanskrit term means
preventing aging and disease
Characteristics
Ashwagandha or Withania has the following properties: Free radical scavenging activity Antioxidant activity Supports immune system
Brain Function Pharmacology
In vivo and In vitro studies have demonstrated that Withania:
Provides potent antioxidant protection Stimulates the activation of immune
system cells; lymphocytes and phagocytes
Is a proven adaptogenic Both Withania and Diazepam have
been shown to act as a mood stabilizer in comparative in-vivo studies
Research studies have also shown that Ashwaghanda has anxiolytic effects
In vivo and In vitro studies have demonstrated that Withania cont’d
Induces dendrite extension in a human neuroblastoma cell line
Attenuates hippocampal neuronal cell damage in mice
Possess GABA-mimetic activity
Mechanism of Action
Ashwagandha is primarily known in Western medicine as an Adaptogen
The active constituents are possibly due to Withanoside IV
Inhibits nitric oxide production Down regulation of nNOS Suppresses corticosterone release Activates cholineacetyltransferase, which in
turn increase serotonin level in hippocampus to inhibit NADPH-d (stress-related hormone)
Possible mode of action in the brain
GABA mimetic activity Prevents stress-related hormones such
as NADPH diaphosphorase and cortisol from increasing
Comparable calming anxiolytic effect to the drug Lorazepam in rat maize test
Both Ashwagandha and Lorazepam reduces rat brain levels of tribulin, an endocoid marker of clinical anxiety
Possible mode of action in the brain cont’d
Clinical Study
Published Clinical trial (Chandrasekhar et al., 2012)
Cohort of 64 subjects with a history of chronic stress Serum cortisol measured Standard stress-assessment questionnaires utilised Participants were randomized to either the placebo
control group or the study drug treatment group for a period of 60 days
The treatment group consumed a capsule containing 300 mg of high-concentration full-spectrum extract from the root of the Ashwagandha plant
During the treatment period (on Day 15, Day 30 and Day 45), a follow-up telephone call was made to all subjects to check for treatment compliance and to note any adverse reactions.
Final safety and efficacy assessments were done on Day 60
Study findings
Serum cortisol (stress hormone) levels were substantially reduced in the treated group
Ashwagandha effectively improves an individual's resistance towards stress
Study limitations: Low sample size Time duration of study
Integrative healthcare solutions
Excellent results without side-effects are achieved when Ashwagandha is used with other Complementary and
Alternative Medicine therapies such as:
Yoga Acupuncture
Homeopathy Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
Lifeline Technique Exercise Therapy
Hypnotherapy Spiritual Counselling
Tai Chi Meditation
Massage Therapy Aromatherapy
For more Integrative Medicine resources:
Complementary medicine recommendations
Complementary therapy recommendations (if required)
Specific dietary advice Lifestyle plans
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Ray S Noronha BSc Hons
I worked for over 14 years with eminent scientists as a front line medical researcher for a top-flight pharmaceutical company in the areas of Oncology, Asthma, Neurodegeneration, Arthritis, Atheroma and Immunosuppression. In the last 12 years I have been working with medical doctors as a practitioner of Ayurveda, Remedial Massage, Indian Neurotherapy, Homotoxicology, Yoga and Spiritual Counseling in Integrated Medicine Centres in Germany, Canada, UK and Australia.
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