#Insomnia #sleeping #plant #hit
It is also called “Indian ginseng”…
This plant belonging to the nightshade family, like tomatoes, helps to regain a calm state in the evening while maintaining good vitality during the day. From its Latin name “Withania somnifera”, it has been recommended for thousands of years, particularly in India in the practice of Ayurvedic medicine, for its virtues on sleep. She is very trendy at the moment on TikTok where she has several thousand videos with the tag #ashwagandha. That’s in fact its name: ashwagandha. It is also praised by celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow for its benefits for the body.
To fall asleep more easily?
Several studies have been conducted in recent years on the benefits of ashwagandha. Researchers from the Sleep Institute in Japan showed in a study published in 2017 that the plant promoted falling asleep and could be useful for the treatment of insomnia, thanks to triethylene glycol, an active component present in its leaves. In 2021, analysis of five randomized controlled trials involving 400 participants, published in PlosOne, confirmed that ashwagandha extract may have a beneficial effect on improving sleep in adults. And these health benefits don’t stop there. An Australian study highlighted anti-fatigue probably linked to its impact on the autonomic nervous system. Indian research suggested that Ashwagandha root extract could be used losing weightin adults subjected to chronic stress, or even for gain muscle mass. The plant is also considered “adaptogenic”, meaning that it is capable of increasing the body’s ability to better resist stress. A study carried out in 2023 observed an improvement in the state of skin subjects following the application of an ashwagandha lotion, showing effects anti-aging. Finally, like ginseng, the energizing qualities of ashwagandha sometimes classify it in the category of aphrodisiacsbut an Australian study showed that while it could increase testosterone, it had no effect on erection vigor or sexual well-being.
The plant is sold in the form of a food supplement, in powder or capsule form and can be purchased in pharmacies or specialized stores. In Ayurvedic medicine, herbs like ashwagandha are usually recommended in low doses for a short time, such as for two weeks. It is also traditionally prepared in juice or tea with other ingredients. Be careful however, several adverse effects are listed with this plant such as drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, gastritis, flatulence, diarrhea, constipation, vision problems or even nocturnal cramps. Always respect the dosage and if your sleep problems persist, talk to a healthcare professional.
