Ashwagandha Benefits for Females

Many women are used to juggling multiple roles, from being professionals, mothers, caregivers, and more. If you don't take proper care of yourself, this can be too much pressure and can eventually take a toll on both your body and mind, leading to issues such as stress, hormonal imbalances, poor sleep, mood swings, and low energy.

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Luckily, there are many ways to make sure your body doesn't break down. While you can get medical prescriptions, many women are choosing natural remedies like ashwagandha. These are perfect for long-term wellness, offering various benefits and supporting female health in many ways.

Here are the top ways ashwagandha is beneficial for women.

Reduces Stress and Anxiety

Stress is a common symptom for many women. Whether you feel pressure from work, family issues, personal relationships, or just private matters, it can affect your health in many ways. When stressed, some women experience anxiety, mood swings, sleep problems, and hormonal issues.

One of the main advantages of ashwagandha is that it is a stress reliever. That is why it is used as an adaptogen. This simply means that it can help your body cope better with stress. It works by lowering the levels of cortisol, a hormone that rises when you are stressed, helping you feel calmer and more relaxed.

Taking ashwagandha regularly can help regulate and balance your cortisol levels, significantly reducing stress and anxiety, and allowing you to feel more balanced and in control. If you are dealing with anxiety disorders or panic attacks, ashwagandha can be a great solution.

Balances Hormones

Women go through hormonal changes in different stages of their lives, including during monthly cycles, pregnancy, and menopause. Even stress, lack of sleep, or poor nutrition can throw hormones out of balance. This can lead to irregular periods, reproductive issues, weight changes, mood changes, sleep issues, skin conditions (like acne), hair loss, fatigue, and even more health problems.

Ashwagandha works by helping to balance your hormones, which in turn helps support your bodily functions. It works on the endocrine system (the system that makes hormones) to help calm things down. It supports and enhances the functions of the adrenal glands, the organs in the body that produce essential hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. It also supports thyroid function, which is closely linked to female hormone health. If taken regularly, it can help women naturally improve their general well-being and functionality.

Reduces Fatigue

If you often feel very tired, even for no reason, you may be suffering from a condition called chronic fatigue. This can make it hard for you to rest, and even when you think you have rested enough, the tiredness doesn't improve. You still have low stamina or a general lack of energy.

Ashwagandha can help reduce both physical and mental exhaustion. It works by improving how your cells use oxygen, which then helps your body to produce more energy. In simple words, it helps your body use energy more efficiently, which makes you feel less tired.

The best thing about ashwagandha is that it builds up and supports your natural energy over time, gradually minimising fatigue. It doesn't work like caffeine or energy drinks, which only provide short bursts of energy and later make you crash. For women who feel tired due to long-term stress or overwork, Ashwagandha is the best option for long-term support.

Improves Sleep Quality

Lack of sleep can be caused by many factors and can also bring about many health issues. But many women struggle with falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early. This can be caused by stress, hormonal changes, mental health, physical pain or health conditions, and lifestyle factors, such as stress, inconsistent sleep schedules, substance abuse, and more.

Ashwagandha can help calm the mind, reducing stress and anxiety, which can help you sleep better. It also has antioxidant properties that might help reduce pain and inflammation. It supports the production of GABA too. This is a chemical in the brain that promotes relaxation and sleep.

Regular use of Ashwagandha can help you sleep more deeply, wake up refreshed, and feel more energetic during the day.

Supports Reproductive Health

Ashwagandha has been used for centuries to support female reproductive health. It helps balance hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone, which play a crucial role in reproduction. If you are trying to conceive, Ashwagandha may help improve fertility by reducing stress (which affects ovulation), balancing reproductive hormones, supporting a healthy menstrual cycle, and improving blood flow to reproductive organs. It may also help reduce the symptoms of PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome), a common hormonal disorder that affects fertility.

Ashwagandha is also helpful during postpartum recovery, as it helps boost energy, improve mood, and support hormone balance after childbirth.

Supports Menopause Symptoms

Menopause in women is natural and happens due to ageing. Some women experience it earlier, while others experience it a lot later. Women in menopause don't get their periods and can't get pregnant because the body reduces the production of the reproductive hormones, mainly estrogen and progesterone.

This transition is often accompanied by multiple symptoms, including hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, anxiety, sleep disturbances, fatigue, and more. Ashwagandha can help ease these symptoms by supporting hormone balance, reducing mood swings and irritability, improving sleep and relaxation, reducing fatigue, and boosting energy levels. It is a helpful remedy whether you are going through perimenopause or menopause.

Helps with Weight Management

One of the major causes of weight changes in women is hormonal imbalances. This is a common problem for many, especially when stressed. Since ashwagandha can help regulate and balance hormones, it can also aid in weight management.

It can help reduce stress-related eating, balance cortisol, which is linked to belly fat, improve energy levels, which encourages physical activity, and support thyroid function, which is essential in metabolism.

Note that ashwagandha is not a weight loss pill. However, by supporting healthy metabolism, hormonal balance, and other important bodily functions, it makes it easier to lose or manage weight naturally.

Improves Skin and Hair Health

The health of the skin, hair, and nails starts from within. When these organs are radiant and thriving, it means that the hormones are well balanced, you are eating healthy, staying hydrated, and sleeping adequately. However, if you start noticing acne or dry skin, or your hair and nails start becoming weak and brittle, it could be a sign of an internal problem, like inflammation or hormonal imbalances.

Ashwagandha has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that help reduce acne caused by stress or hormonal issues. It helps promote glowing skin, strengthens hair roots and reduce hair fall, strengthens your nails, and improves blood circulation. It also helps your body detox, which contributes to clearer skin and healthier hair.

Boosts Brain Function and Memory

Many women experience something called brain fog. This affects their ability to think clearly, remember things, focus on tasks, make suitable decisions, and more. It is not necessarily a medical diagnosis, but it can impact daily functioning and interfere with daily life.

Brain fog can be caused by stress, lack of sleep, and anxiety. Ashwagandha can help support various brain functions. It can help improve memory, attention, and mental clarity. It also protects the brain from ageing and damage caused by stress.

How to Take Ashwagandha

Ashwaganda is available in many forms. Pills, or tablets and capsules are some of the most preferred forms. These are easy to take, and you know exactly how much ashwagandha is in each capsule, so you don't have to worry about measuring anything. Just one or two, as recommended, is enough for the day.

Powder is another popular form. Many people find it more effective. However, unlike pills, you have to prepare it. Simply take a half or one teaspoon, mix it in water, juice, smoothie, or a beverage, and drink. You might need to do this once or twice a day, depending on the specific product.

If you are looking for something more enjoyable, you might find ashwagandha gummies a more suitable choice. These come in different flavours and have different concentrations of ashwagandha. Just be mindful of the other ingredients added. You also might need one or two gummies, once or twice a day. Always read dosage recommendations on the label or confirm with your supplier.

Another helpful tip is to take ashwagandha with food. This will help it be more easily digested and absorbed by the body. It also reduces the chance of common side effects, such as stomach upset, especially if you are taking it for the first time.

Is Ashwagandha Safe for Women?

Generally, yes, all women can take ashwagandha with no worries. However, like any other supplement, it is important to take some precautions and follow instructions. For example, don't take any more than the recommended amount, as this can lead to unwanted side effects. If you have a question or are unsure about something, ask a professional, such as your supplier or a medical professional.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women should also not take ashwagandha before talking to a doctor. The same goes for people with underlying health conditions and those taking prescribed medication. Unless your doctor agrees, don't add any more supplements or medicine to your existing prescriptions.