Ashwagandha Lehyam is used to improve cognition, sexual function, immunity, energy levels, reduce inflammation and support a positive mood.

Ashwagandha is also known as Withania somnifera, Indian winter cherry, Indian ginseng and/or poison gooseberry.

Ashwagandha is indigenous to India, Africa and parts of the Middle East. It has been used for many hundreds of years in those regions as a natural medicine.

Ashwagandha lehyam is an herbal jam form of this supplement that has been widely used in Ayurvedic medicine. Within Ayurveda, it is taken to relieve stress and weakness in the body. It is said to act as a natural tonic for overall health and well-being.

This plant extract is currently being researched for its therapeutic effects. It is believed to act as an adaptogen and aphrodisiac.

There is also evidence that it can enhance thyroid function, thereby generally improving hormone balance and energy levels.

Ashwagandha Lehyam Adaptogenic Properties

Withania somnifera is a distant cousin of the potato and tomato.

All are members of the nightshade family and are sources of beneficial phytonutrients including flavonoids, alkaloids and steroidal lactones.

Withaferin A is a steroidal lactone found in Ashwagandha Lehyam that is reported to produce many of the beneficial effects of this herb.

Ashwagandha is used in Ayurvedic medicine as an adaptogen. Adaptogens are believed to improve the body’s ability to maintain homeostasis when exposed to external stressors. Sources of stress can include environmental toxins, poor nutrient availability, emotional pressures and physical injuries.

In order for any given substance to be classified as adaptogenic, certain conditions must be met. It must first be non-toxic. Secondly, it must be capable of positively affecting various systems of the body at the same time. Finally, it must have a balancing effect on the body.

The purported adaoptogenic effects of Ashwagandha Lehyam make it similar to American and Asian ginseng plants (Panax quinquefolius and Panax ginseng). This is one reason why Ashwagandha is sometimes referred to as Indian Ginseng.

Effects of Ashwagandha Lehyam

Ashwagandha Lehyam contains Withaferin A and other bioactive substances which exhibit a number of different mechanisms of action in research trials. Ashwagandha demonstrates anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, antidiabetic, cognition-improving, hormone modulating, anticancer, cardioprotective and antioxidant properties.

In animal tests, it has been shown to improve markers associated with hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, heart disease, stroke, obesity, diabetes and cancer.

Additionally, ashwagandha may help to improve glucose tolerance, modulate the secretion of cortisol, decrease gastric ulcerations, improve memory and mood, fight against immune system weakness and alleviate depression.

Ashwagandha for Thyroid Health

Thyroid dysfunction affects more than 12 percent of the US population and an estimated 20 million Americans show signs of some form of thyroid disease.

The thyroid is responsible for regulating many functions in the body, including energy metabolism.

Thyroid disorders can have wide-ranging negative effects on the body, including weight gain, low energy, mood disorders and increased susceptibility to infection and disease.

Ashwagandha Lehyam may have positive benefits for thyroid function and exhibit a normalizing effect. This supplement may help to increase secretion of the major hormones of the thyroid gland: thyroxine and triiodothyronine. This can have positive benefits for weight loss, athletic performance, cognitive function and general health and well-being.

Safety of Ashwagandha Lehyam

Ashwagandha is rated as Possibly Safe by the Natural Medicines database. This supplement has been used for thousands of years and is generally well tolerated. Side effects are rare and usually mild when it is taken appropriately and not combined with interacting medications.

Consumption of Ashwagandha Lehyam may cause nausea, diarrhea, gastrointestinal discomfort, drowsiness and changes in blood sugar or blood pressure levels in some individuals. In high doses or when combined with other medicinal agents, it has been reported to cause shallow breathing and arrhythmias.

Use caution if you are taking any prescribed medications, or are using any other supplements that may affect blood pressure, glucose absorption, circulation, gastric ulcers or thyroid hormone levels.

If you are scheduled for any surgery in the next three weeks, discontinue supplementation until after the procedure. If you have known allergies to nightshade plants, do not use Ashwagandha Lehyam supplements. Likewise, do not supplement with ashwagandha is you are taking thyroid replacement pills.

There is not enough information about the safety of ashwagandha to determine its appropriateness for pregnant or nursing women.