Ashwagandha for Women’s Health:
7 Takeaways

A root herb native to India, Ashwagandha has grown in popularity due to its various health benefits. In ancient Indian medicine, this plant is known as a “Rasayana”, meaning rejuvenator. The two most sought-after benefits of ashwagandha are stress support and hormonal balance. Recent research indicates additional benefits; especially for women. There are 7 reasons why you may desire to add ashwagandha to your daily supplement routine:

1)  Graceful Aging & Cognitive Performance:

Stress, both emotional and physiological, affects aging dramatically. The body's stress hormone, cortisol, contributes to muscle loss, wrinkles, and cognitive impairment. Research has found that ashwagandha improves stress resistance, possibly decreasing cortisol production. One study of 64 individuals observed a reduction in stress and a significant decrease in cortisol levels in individuals taking ashwagandha compared with placebo.

2) Thyroid Health:

Millions of people struggle with their Thyroid function. According to womenshealth.gov, Women are approximately 5-8 times more likely than men to have thyroid dysfunctions. One in eight women will develop thyroid problems during her lifetime. Of those, underactive or sluggish Thyroid function is most commonly reported. This is especially true in the United States.

In a 2017 pilot study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, ashwagandha's benefits for helping patients with subclinical hypothyroidism were evaluated. The 50 participants were diagnosed with thyroid disorder but didn’t display obvious symptoms of thyroid deficiency.

During an eight-week period, the treatment group received 600 milligrams of ashwagandha root extract daily, and the control group received starch as the placebo. Researchers found that the extract improved serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroxine (T4) levels significantly compared to placebo.

It was concluded that the herb may be beneficial for normalizing thyroid levels in patients with hypothyroidism. These health benefits of ashwagandha for the thyroid also account for the herb’s benefits for weight loss support, since weight fluctuations are common in those with Thyroid complaints.

3) Menopausal Support:

Ashwagandha acts on the endocrine system by encouraging hormone balance. A study involving 51 menopausal women supplementing with ashwagandha noted a significant reduction in symptoms such as hot flashes, anxiety, and mood.

5). Natural Remedy for Anxiety:

One of the most well-known ashwagandha benefits is its ability to work as a natural remedy for anxiety. In a 2009 study published in PLOS One, ashwagandha proved to be comparable to common pharmaceutical drugs lorazepam and imipramine but without adverse effects.

In the 12-week, controlled study, 75 participants with anxiety were divided into two groups, one that received naturopathic care and another that received standardized psychotherapy intervention. The naturopathic care group received dietary counseling, deep breathing relaxation techniques, a standard multivitamin, and 300 milligrams of ashwagandha twice daily.

The psychotherapy intervention group received psychotherapy, deep breathing relaxation techniques, and placebo pills twice daily.

When anxiety levels were measured after the 12-week period, the group that received ashwagandha had anxiety scores that decreased by 55 percent, and the psychotherapy group’s scores decreased by 30.5 percent.

Significant differences between the two groups were also found in mental health, concentration, social functioning, vitality, fatigue, and overall quality of life, with the ashwagandha group displaying greater clinical benefits.

7). Adrenal Fatigue:

If your adrenals are overtaxed due to an overabundance of emotional, physical, or mental stress, this can lead to adrenal fatigue. We know it as “burn-out.”

When your adrenals become exhausted, this can also disrupt other hormones in your body, including progesterone, which can cause infertility and lower levels of DHEA, a hormone tied to longevity and maintaining a strong body.

Research shows that ashwagandha may be useful in supporting adrenal function and helping overcome adrenal fatigue. The adrenals are endocrine glands, responsible for releasing hormones, specifically cortisol and adrenaline, in response to stress. Ashwagandha has a balancing effect on these glands. Keep in mind the studies show clearly that 6-12 weeks of use is suggested to experience these benefits fully.

How to Determine a High-Quality Ashwagandha Product:

1. Certified Organic
2. Water extracted
3. Contains at least 300mg per serving
4. Lab tested for heavy metals and pathogens
5. Company has a Certificate of analysis and can confirm country of origin

North American Herb & Spice has a reputable Ashwagandha product that meets this criteria.