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10 Ashwagandha Benefits for the Brain, Thyroid and Muscles

AHA Publisher — Thu, 27 Aug 2020 07:00:04 +0000

Dr. Josh Axe, DC, DMN, CNS – Ashwagandha (aka Somnifera dunal) is an adaptogenic herb that’s popular in Ayurvedic medicine. It has been used for more than 2,500 years. It’s actually the most commonly used and extensively researched adaptogen herb. Ashwagandha is valued for its thyroid-modulating, neuroprotective, anti-anxiety, antidepressant and anti-inflammatory properties, which are just some of its many benefits. In India, it is known as the “strength of the stallion” because it traditionally has been used to strengthen the immune system after illness. It’s also been referred to as “Indian ginseng” because of its ability to enhance your stamina and work as a natural stress reliever, and those aren’t the only benefits of ashwagandha. In fact, the herb’s ability to work as a stress-protective agent is what makes it so popular. Like all adaptogenic herbs, it helps the body maintain homeostasis, even in moments of emotional or physical stress. But the many ashwagandha benefits don’t stop there. This powerful herb has shown incredible results for lowering cortisol levels and balancing thyroid hormones. Plus, it’s been used for mood disorders and in the prevention of degenerative diseases, as it appears to help with these conditions as well. What Is Ashwagandha? The ashwagandha plant is botanically known as Withania somnifera root. It is a member of the Solanaceae (nightshade) family. Ashwagandha root is also commonly called Indian ginseng, winter cherry and somnifera root. The root and leaves of the ashwagandha plant are most commonly used for their medicinal properties, and the presence of withanolides, a group of steroidal lactones, contribute to the herb’s health benefits. These withanolides include withaferin A, withanolide D and withanone. The literal meaning of the word ashwagandha is “smell of horse” because the fresh roots of the herb are said to smell like a horse. As the story goes, it’s believed that when you consume it, you may develop the strength and vitality of a horse as well. In Latin, the species name somnifera can be translated as “sleep-inducing.” There have been over 200 studies on ashwagandha benefits, including the herb’s ability to: Improve thyroid function Treat adrenal fatigue Reduce anxiety and depression Reduce stress Increase stamina and endurance Prevent and treat cancer Reduce brain cell degeneration Stabilize blood sugar Lower cholesterol Boost immunity Ashwagandha is an important herb in Ayurvedic medicine because it serves many purposes and benefits many body systems, including the immune, neurological, endocrine and reproductive systems. It’s often used as ashwagandha oil (sometimes called ashwagandha essential oil). The primary goal of Ayurvedic medicine is to help people stay healthy without the need for suffering, prescription drug options or complicated surgeries. As part of this 5,000-year-old system, ashwagandha herb is used as a home remedy to relieve a number of health conditions and help the body remain in balance. Research published in Alzheimer’s Research and Therapy indicates that “Ayurvedic medicinal plants have been the single most productive source of leads for the development of drugs.” Many of the Ayurvedic herbs, like ashwagandha root, have proved to be useful in relieving a number of health concerns. In Ayurvedic medicine, this herb is characterized as a “rasayana.” This means it’s used to promote physical and mental health, defend the body against disease and damaging environmental factors, and slow the aging process. In India, it has been used as a broad-spectrum remedy for centuries, but more recently scientists have found that it possesses anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that play a major role in the many ashwagandha benefits. Benefits and Uses What are some ashwagandha benefits for men and women? There are thyroid, anxiety and weight loss benefits, among others. Here are some of the top uses once you diagnose an issue, with the supporting research indicating the herb’s benefits: 1. Improves Underactive Thyroid Function One of the most incredible aspects of adaptogen herbs is that they help people with thyroid problems. Ashwagandha has been shown to support a sluggish thyroid for people diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease, or underactive thyroid. For the millions of people who struggle with thyroid problems, many of whom don’t even know it, it may serve as the solution they’ve been waiting for. These ashwagandha health benefits for the thyroid also account for the herb’s benefits for weight loss since thyroid issues can lead to weight fluctuations. In a 2017 pilot study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, ashwagandha 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. Another study published in the Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicinealso found that ashwagandha has thyroid-enhancing properties. In the study, patients with bipolar disorder used the herb to improve cognitive function for an eight-week period. Lab testing found that some of these patients experienced T4 increases during the treatment period, although that was not the original purpose of the study. Research suggests that, since ashwagandha increases thyroid function, it may not be suitable for people with hyperactive thyroid, such as those with Graves’ disease. 2. Relieves Adrenal Fatigue Research shows that ashwagandha may be useful in supporting adrenal function and helping overcome adrenal fatigue. Your adrenals are endocrine glands that are responsible for releasing hormones, specifically cortisol and adrenaline, in response to stress. If your adrenals are overtaxed due to an overabundance of emotional, physical or mental stress, this can lead to a condition referred to as adrenal fatigue. 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 that’s tied to longevity and maintaining a strong body. 3. Combats Stress and 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, without the 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. In addition to these positive findings, researchers indicated that no serious adverse effects occurred in either group. A major ashwagandha benefit is that there are no or minimal adverse reactions when taking it. Conversely, antidepressant and anti-anxiety medications may cause drowsiness, insomnia, loss of sexual desire and increased appetite, among other negative effects. 4. Improves Depression Not only does ashwagandha benefit people who deal with anxiety and chronic stress, but it can also be helpful for people who experience signs of depression. The herb improves resistance toward stress, and studies show that it thereby improves people’s self-assessed quality of life. In a 2000 experimental study involving rats, ashwagandha efficacy was compared to the antidepressant medication imipramine. Researchers found that it exhibited antidepressant effects that were comparable to imipramine when rats were exposed to “behavioral despair” and “learned helplessness” tests. It was concluded that ashwagandha can be used as a mood stabilizer in clinical conditions of depression. 5. Balances Blood Sugar Levels Ashwagandha has been evaluated for its anti-diabetic effects, which are possible because of the presence of phenolic compounds, including flavonoids. Research shows that flavonoids possess hypoglycemic activities, and a study involving rodents concluded that both ashwagandha root and leaf extracts helped achieve normal blood sugar levels in diabetic rats. An animal study published in Reports of Biochemistry and Molecular Biologyfound that when ashwagandha was given to fructose-fed rats, it inhibited the fructose-induced increases in glucose, insulin resistance and inflammation. This data suggests that ashwagandha extract may be helpful in improving insulin sensitivity and reducing inflammatory markers in humans. 6. Helps Fight Cancer Research suggests that ashwagandha has promising anti-tumor effects, can help reduce tumor cell growth and may work to prevent cancer cells from growing. The extract has been shown to help inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells — specifically breast, lung, stomach and colon cancer cells, which are among the leading types of cancers in the world. It’s believed that ashwagandha helps prevent the growth of cancer cells mostly due to its immune-boosting and antioxidant abilities. In addition to the anti-cancer ashwagandha benefits that have been displayed in multiple studies, researchers also suggest that the herb can help reduce the side effects of anti-cancer agents that can reduce immunity and quality of life. According to an overview published in the African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines, ashwagandha acts as an immunomodulator that can enhance the life span of cancer patients, who are especially at risk of lowered immunity. An animal study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology found that supplementing with ashwagandha was correlated with an increase in white blood cells within the body. This indicates that the immune system is better able to protect the body from disease and harmful invaders when using this herb. The decreased count of white blood cells in the body after chemotherapy is a major concern because it puts cancer patients at a much higher risk of health issues, like contracting an infection. This is why this herb may serve as a complementary addition to conventional cancer treatments. 7. Reduces Brain Cell Degeneration and Improves Memory Emotional, physical and chemical stress can have damaging effects to the brain and nervous system. Recent research shows that ashwagandha is more than a stress reliever — it also protects the brain from cell degeneration, which can lead to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. One of the main reasons it is so effective at healing the brain is because it contains powerful antioxidants that destroy the free radicals that cause aging. Withaferin A and withanolide D are the two main withanolides in ashwagandha that are used to improve cognitive function. Withanolides are naturally occurring steroids that are commonly present in plants of the nightshade family. When these steroids were injected into rodents to test their cognitive-improving abilities, researchers showed that they helped promote cell outgrowth, reverse behavioral deficits and plaque buildup, and reduce amyloid beta burden, which is crucially involved in the development of Alzheimer’s disease. A 2017 pilot study published in the Journal of Dietary Supplements suggeststhat ashwagandha effectively enhanced both immediate and general memory in people with mild cognitive impairment. The herb was also able to improve attention, information processing speed and mental skills. The study involved 50 adults who received 300 milligrams of ashwagandha root extract or placebo for an eight-week period. Researchers concluded that ashwagandha treatment was able to boost memory and other cognitive skills. 8. Boosts Immune Function Because ashwagandha works as an adaptogen that can reduce the body’s stress hormones, it can help boost your immune system and reduce inflammation within the body. Animal and laboratory research shows that it can enhance immune function by increasing immunoglobulin production. It is also able to promote an anti-inflammatory environment by suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokines. By downregulating the immune system when it’s compromised, this adaptogenic herb might be a useful tool in the treatment of various inflammatory disorders. 9. Increases Stamina and Endurance Studies show that ashwagandha can boost endurance during physical activity by sharpening...

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Face Mapping: What Your Skin May Be Telling You

AHA Publisher — Tue, 05 Nov 2019 08:00:55 +0000

Jillian Levy, CHHC via Dr. Axe – If you’re like most people, you at least occasionally deal with acne breakouts, skin dryness, redness and signs of uneven skin tone. If so, you probably wonder about possible underlying causes of these skin conditions in hopes of finding a way to get rid of them for good. One route you may want to explore is face mapping, a theory with thousands of years of history rooted in both ancient Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic medicine. Practitioners who still today utilize face mapping techniques tell us that the underlying premise is this: where ailments like acne or redness show up on your face is representative of what’s going on elsewhere in your body, particularly in major organs such as your kidneys, liver and heart. What Is Face Mapping? Face mapping is an ancient medicinal technique that involves making connections between problems affecting someone’s face and their overall health. Some experts, including certain dermatologists, consider face mapping to be an approach that combines elements of Eastern and Western medicine philosophies. That’s because it takes into account various causes of skin/facial conditions, such as: allergies, diet, stress levels, hormones, genetics, age and personality type/body constitution (also called doshas). Face mapping for acne is one of the most popular applications of this theory. The idea is that acne flare ups that repeatedly develop on certain locations on the face, such as the chin or forehead, have specific causes. Face mapping can also be used to help treat issues like redness, rashes due to food allergies, lines, puffiness and wrinkles. Face maps can differ somewhat depending on their origin, but most divide the face into at least 10 different zones. Here is a basic face mapping chart that can be used to help indicate underlying causes of skin problems: • Blemishes on your forehead — impacted by the small intestine and bladder; may be tied to unmanaged stress, poor digestion and sleep deprivation • Breakouts between/above your eyebrows or nose area — said to represent an imbalance in the kidneys, stomach, bladder or spleen. When acne develops near the nostrils, it may also be tied to gut-related problems and inflammation of the small intestine. • Lines/wrinkles between your eyebrows on the right side — can indicate that you are repressing emotions such as anger. This may be tied to poor liver function and require acts of forgiveness, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine. • Lines/wrinkles on the left side of your eyes — may represent problems with functions of the liver and spleen • Breakouts or lines above the eyebrows — represents a problem with heart function • Puffiness under the eyes — said to be connected to poor kidney function • Acne on the chin, around the mouth and on the jaw — said to be due to imbalance in reproductive system, as well as the large intestine or colon and stomach. When acne forms below the lips and lower chin, it may represent that the whole digestive system is not functioning properly, including the spleen and kidneys • Red cheeks — can be tied to dysfunction of the stomach, liver and lungs; may also indicate an immune response, respiratory issues or allergies • Red nose — may indicate heart-related issues like high blood pressure and inflammation • Irritation on your neck — can be representative of stress that affects the immune system What Science Says Is face mapping a real solution for dealing with ailments such as rashes and acne? Overall, scientific evidence is lacking to show that Ayurvedic and Chinese face mapping is accurate and useful for most people. However, there is some research showing that certain types of skin conditions on the face that tend to show up in particular areas, such as acne or redness on the chin or cheeks, may be representative of problems such as hormonal issues, stress or immune reactions. A 2019 study also states, “Distinct regional differences in transepidermal water loss (TEWL), capacitance, blood flow, sebum, pH and temperature are demonstrated in facial skin”, which means parts of the face may be impacted by certain lifestyle changes. Modern dermatological science suggests the root causes of most skin conditions that manifest on the face include: • Hormonal imbalances, such as high levels of androgenic hormones like testosterone • High levels of stress • High production of oils, especially in the “T-zone,” which consists of your forehead, nose and chin • Poor sleep habits • Poor hygiene that allows oils, sweat, dead skin cells and bacteria to accumulate • Poor gut health, including lack of healthy probiotic bacteria • Allergies and immune responses • Irritation/reactions to makeup, skincare and hair products • Genetics • Sun exposure • Poor circulation • Underlying diseases such as diabetes or heart disease • Environmental exposure to irritants Many of the causes listed above are also addressed by face mapping treatment protocols. Most dermatologists advise that before turning to face mapping for help, start with the basics: clean your face regularly with gentle, appropriate products, use SPF if you’re in the sun, treat any existing skin infections and remove any known allergens from your diet and lifestyle. If you already practice good hygiene and eat a balanced diet but your symptoms are still ongoing, you might consider visiting a consultant who specializes in face mapping for additional help. What’s the bottom line about what science says about face mapping? It isn’t supported by solid evidence; however, it isn’t believed to be risky either, making it an option you may want to pursue if other treatments haven’t worked well. Chinese Face Mapping Chinese “face reading” is also known as mien shiang, a practice that is at least 3,000 years old. Just like with other Traditional Chinese Medicine practices, such as acupuncture, face reading is based on channels of energy that flow through the body along specific meridians. When someone’s “life force energy,” or Qi, is disturbed, this is believed to manifest on the face in the form of breakouts, bumps, redness and other issues. However, most studies show that the meridian system “lacks a physical anatomical basis.” Chapman Lee, a Chinese scholar and co-founder of the skincare line Baszicare, explained to Refinery29 that “Face mapping is the ability to see the reflection of the body’s organs on each part of the face by observing the face’s complexion — such as luster, dullness and color [and breakouts!] — as well as the tongue and face expression.” How does Ayurvedic face mapping compare to Chinese face reading? The two differ somewhat in terms of which organs/systems influence various parts of the face. TCM also involves manipulations of the body’s meridians, while Ayurveda focuses more on addressing someone’s genetically determined body type (their dosha). In TCM, dysfunction of the organs in the digestive organs (mainly the liver, kidneys, stomach, spleen and intestines) are responsible for many problems that develop on the skin. For example, poor liver health is said to represent decreased detoxification and, therefore, increased facial inflammation, redness and breakouts. Other factors that TCM addresses to improve skin health include a poor diet, a lack of sleep, high stress levels, emotional anger and use of medications. Dermalogica Face Mapping Dermalogica is a company that offers skincare advice based on a combination of ancient Chinese diagnoses and science-based knowledge. Their techniques have a lot of overlap with Chinese and Ayurvedic face reading; however, they focus more on issues like hormonal fluctuations, irritation due to products, sun exposure and dehydration. According to the Dermatologica website, the skin analysis they refer to as Face Mapping® “involves looking at your skin with a trained eye, touching your skin and asking you questions about your lifestyle and environment.” The personalized recommendations that Dermalogica makes based on face mapping theory (in addition to other dermatological information) is called your “Personalized Skin Fitness Plan.” The purpose of this service is to identify your skin goals, reveal your true skin type and base product recommendations on your individual skin condition and lifestyle. Some of the most common recommendations that consultants make based on face readings include: • Avoiding irritation caused by fragrances and skin/haircare products • Removing makeup and pore-clogging cosmetics Preventing sun damage • Staying hydrated • Resolving stress • Eating a balanced diet • Addressing food allergies • Avoiding bacteria from contact with cellphones and dirty pillow cases This Face Mapping® service is completed within several minutes and conducted by a qualified Dermalogica skincare professional. You can visit one of the company’s Concept Spaces, or find a nearby salon or spa that is qualified to perform the analysis. Final Thoughts • What’s the meaning of face mapping, and how does it work? It’s an ancient theory (but not a scientifically-proven process) based on the belief that symptoms that affect the face are indicative of deeper health issues. • Acne face mapping is one of the most popular applications. While face mapping differs depending on the origin, most practitioners believe that acne on the forehead represents a kidney or digestive issue, while acne on the chin and jaw indicates dysfunction of the intestines and colon, as well as hormonal imbalances and high stress levels. • Chinese face mapping (or face reading) is based on the idea that poor functioning of the liver, kidneys, stomach, spleen and intestines are responsible for many problems that develop on the skin, due to how they disturb the body’s flow of energy. • Dermalogica face mapping is one popular program that’s available in certain locations, including spas and salons. Dermalogica is a company that offers skincare advice based on a combination of ancient Chinese face mapping diagnoses and science-based knowledge. To read the original article click here. For more articles from Dr. Axe click here.

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