Ashwagandha benefits for women: benefits and possible side effects 

Ashwagandha benefits for women include managing hormone issues and fertility. (Photo via Instagram/biokeurpenda)
Ashwagandha benefits for women include managing hormone issues and fertility. (Photo via Instagram/biokeurpenda)

Ashwagandha is a powerful herb that offers several benefits, especially to women. From improving vitality and energy to balancing hormones and promoting overall well-being, this article explains some of the top ashwagandha benefits for women.

Ashwagandha is a small shrub with yellow flowers that are commonly found in India and Southwest Asia. The powder extracted from the plant’s leaves or roots is further used for medicinal purposes to treat a variety of health conditions, including stress and fertility issues in women.


Top 6 ashwagandha benefits for women

Ashwagandha is considered to be one of the most important herbs in Ayurveda. It has been used for thousands of years to ease anxiety, increase energy, and for various other purposes.

Here are 5 potential ashwagandha benefits for women:

1. Provides relief from anxiety and stress

One of the best ashwagandha benefits for women include offering relief from stress and anxiety. Various studies suggest that ashwagandha helps control stress mediators such as cortisol and offers relaxation.

It helps women experience relief from chronic depression and anxiety symptoms, including insomnia, fatigue, weakness, etc.

Ashwagandha benefits for women include reducing stress and anxiety. (Photo via Pexels/Kat Smith)
Ashwagandha benefits for women include reducing stress and anxiety. (Photo via Pexels/Kat Smith)

2. Helps manage the hormonal imbalance

The next potential ashwagandha benefits for women include managing hormonal balance. Irregular and delayed periods, fertility issues, period cramps, and facial hair are all common symptoms of hormonal imbalance. All of this even leads to pregnancy-related and fertility complications.

Consuming ashwagandha regularly, however, helps retain hormonal balance and eases these symptoms. It strengthens the functioning of the adrenal glands, while also improving hormonal imbalance along the way.


3. Works as a sexual stimulant

Ashwagandha is known to provide relief from stress and make you feel good. This, as a result, enhances blood flow in the body, which further helps increase sexual potency. Various clinical studies have shown that ashwagandha is good for women with issues of sexual dysfunction. Regular intake of this herb potentially improves orgasm, sexual arousal, and lubrication in women.


4. Helps improve sleep quality

Regular consumption of ashwagandha benefits sleep in women by improving their mental alertness and sleep quality. Though ashwagandha works less on sleep patterns, it has proven to be effective in terms of sleep quality, especially for women with insomnia.

For best results, drink a glass of warm milk mixed with a tablespoon of ashwagandha before sleeping.

Ashwagandha benefits for women include improving sleep quality. (Photo via Pexels/Rachel Claire)
Ashwagandha benefits for women include improving sleep quality. (Photo via Pexels/Rachel Claire)

5. Helps ease vaginal infection

Ashwagandha benefits for women typically also include combating vaginal infections. Ashwagandha consists of different antibacterial and antimicrobial properties that help prevent and deal with vaginal infections, particularly yeast infections.


6. Benefits the skin

Ashwagandha has antioxidants that help give glowing and flawless skin. Antioxidants fight against skin problems such as acne, pigmentation, dark spots, wrinkles, and fine lines to help you achieve clear younger-looking skin. On top of that, it prevents aging and provides nourishment.

Alongside the aforementioned ashwagandha benefits for women, regular intake of this herb can prevent menopause issues and help with weight loss and fertility while also reducing body inflammation and regulating blood sugar levels.

Ashwagandha can be easily added to your diet. You can add it to your smoothies, juices, coffee or simple water to attain the benefits. It is available in capsules, powder and teas.


Are there side effects of ashwagandha on females?

While ashwagandha is safe and effective when used for up to three months, long-term use can lead to certain health issues and side effects.

Some common side effects of ashwagandha on females include:

  • Drowsiness
  • Miscarriage
  • Upset stomach
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Liver problems
Ashwagandha is not suitable for pregnant women. (Photo via Pexels/Pavel Danilyuk)
Ashwagandha is not suitable for pregnant women. (Photo via Pexels/Pavel Danilyuk)

Although ashwagandha benefits for women include managing hormones, sleep, and body weight, it is not appropriate for everyone, especially for women who are pregnant. So, before just adding it to your routine, do check with your doctor once to ensure everything’s safe for you.

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