How Long Does It Take for Ashwagandha to Start Working?

 When it comes to herbal medicine, the Ashwagandha or Indian Ginseng is considered a wonder herb in Ayurveda. It is a common medicinal herb loaded with health benefits. To gain beneficial results, the user needs to use the herb regularly over a period of time. A lot of new users ask: how long does it take before you can reap the benefits of Ashwagandha? Should I take Ashwagandha for as long as it’s needed? 

Most treatments take effect from 6 to 8 weeks, but chronic ailments can go for as long as needed. Ashwagandha is used for different purposes and numerous treatments. Hence, the period effectivity depends on the illness being treated and the dosage per medication. 

Withania somnifera or Ashwagandha is a common perennial shrub that is cultivated in several regions of India. You can find this in places where there are dry and stony soil with partial shades. Some regions in the Middle East and Africa also use this plant as a traditional medicine for a wide variety of illnesses. But its popularity is because of its usefulness as a medicinal herb for Ayurveda. Known as effective and safe, many people rely on this plant for cheap and painless treatments. 

In Ayurveda, the Ashwagandha plant is classified as Rasayana, or plants that bring rejuvenation to the body. Because it rejuvenates the body, Ayurvedic practitioners also use this plant to increase longevity and boost energy and calm. It is known as a source of magnesium and Vitamin B6, which are good adaptogenic. 

How Long Does It Take for Ashwagandha to Start Working? 

Ayurveda is one of the most popular holistic healing methods in the world. It is known for promoting mind, body, and health by natural internal purification. It achieves healing through a special diet, massage therapy, meditation, and herbal remedies. Such remedies include Ashwagandha plants. 

 Ashwagandha medicine is often consumed via tablet or capsule form. You can also use powdered leaves or fresh boiled leaves for tea. Here are some of Ashwagandha’s known benefits and how long it is needed to start the healing process. 

 For Stress And Anxiety

Ashwagandha is known for producing a calming effect due to its adaptogenic properties. It has been studied a lot of times due to this medicinal property. According to a study from the Asha Hospital in Hyderabad, a high-concentration full-spectrum version of Ashwagandha effectively improves a person’s stress and anxiety resistance. 

Cortisol was also reduced substantially, with no harmful effects for patients. The higher amount of Ashwagandha in dosages resulted in more benefits in the short-term well-being of patients. 

Medication Duration: 6-12 weeks

For Weight Loss

In line with stress and anxiety management, Ashwagandha is also useful in weight loss. The findings revealed benefits in weight management due to better handling of stress and anxiety. Additionally, the study showed that most food cravings are reduced during the intake of Ashwagandha. 

The treatment was designed to run from 4 – 8 weeks. The eight-week run has the most significant benefit yield, and this, the recommended length for this medication. 

Medication Duration: 8 weeks

For Bodybuilding

If you want to gain muscle mass and strength, you can supplement your daily routine with the Ashwagandha herb. You can choose the length of treatment based on your needs. But to cut the length of medication, you might have to select a higher dosage. 

You can take the slow road and take 500mg of herb per day to increase your muscle size in 8 weeks. Similar results are achievable quickly by upping the dosage from 500mg to 1,250mg in 30 days. 

Medication Duration: 30 days to 8 weeks

For Additional Endurance Boost

It is also possible to improve your cardiorespiratory endurance capacity by using Ashwagandha. In 2012, a study found out that the Indian Ginseng can enhance the performance of professional cyclists. Indian Ginseng or Ashwagandha effectively improves the aerobic performance and endurance of professional cyclists who participated in the study. 

Please note: this study was conducted with participants who were already training their bodies (athletes). More research might be needed to put on this subject. However, it was concluded that the potential of Indian Ginseng for endurance boosts does exist. 

Medication Duration: 8 weeks

For Maintaining Low Blood Sugar Levels

Ashwagandha is also helpful in maintaining the blood sugar levels of diabetes patients, especially those who have Type 2 diabetes. The Indian Ginseng works by boosting both Insulin production and sensitivity. With the help of this herb, the blood sugar levels in the bloodstream are reduced effectively. The study suggests mixing Ashwagandha powder and milk for personal consumption. 

Dosage with 1-2 teaspoons per day is recommended. If you don’t have Ashwagandha powder, you can boil the plant with 3 cups of water for 15 minutes. Strain the mixture after. 

Medication Duration: As long as needed

For Preventing Cancer

According to WebMD, Ashwagandha contains high anti-cancer properties that can help fight certain types of this disease. Some of the cancer types affected by the herb’s anti-cancer feature are cancers in the following parts: prostate, colon, breast, lung, brain, melanoma, gastrointestinal cancer, and thyroid cancer. 

Because of its anti-cancer compounds, the use of Ashwagandha as an alternative for chemotherapy and radiation is considered. The compound called withaferin helps in killing tumor cells from the types of cancer mentioned above. More studying is needed to be done regarding this area. 

Medication Duration: As long as needed

For Depression

Two studies from 2000 and 2012 suggest that consuming the Ashwagandha extract can reduce the effect of depression. During the 2000 study, 39 subjects (20 with the drug and 19 with placebo) participated and took the pills for six weeks. The research has shown that the group who took the pill with Ashwagandha extract reported a 79% decrease in severe depression among the subjects. 

In an additional 2012 study, pills with a high-concentration full-spectrum extract from the Ashwagandha root effectively reduce the stress that causes depression and panic episodes. Further studying is needed to know how people without a prior history of depression react to this treatment. 

Medication Duration: 6 to 8 weeks

For Slowing Aging Effects

Ashwagandha has been known for its rejuvenating properties. It has been a popular Ayurveda medicine for years and is known for its anti-aging properties. Finally, a study was conducted just this year, which aimed to understand if the Ashwagandha root extract effectively slows down the effects of aging on the quality of life of the elderly. 

The study has shown improvement in both the mental and physical well-being of the respondents. Both sleep quality and mental alertness had improved, and no harmful effects had manifested to the participants. 

Medication Duration: 12 weeks

For Testosterone Boost

Among the lesser-known benefits of Ashwagandha is its testosterone boosting property. A study made in 2009 tested the effect of Ashwagandha on the sperm quality and hormone levels of 75 male participants who are under infertility screening. The outcome was a great success in increasing testosterone levels. Additionally, male participants who took the Ashwagandha root extract had higher antioxidant levels in their bloodstreams. 

Medication Duration: 3 months

For Arthritis

When it comes to Arthritis, Ashwagandha powder (with Sidh Makardhwaj) works quite well as a pain reliever. A study from 2015 has shown that even those suffering from severe rheumatoid arthritis cases had manifested improvements in reducing the symptoms after the seven weeks.

It was also learned that Ashwagandha could even become more effective in treating Arthritis if partnered with a proper light diet, massage, and castor oil fast. Overall, Ashwagandha has a significant potential to become an arthritis treatment. 

Medication Duration: 7 weeks

For Alzheimer’s Treatment

As of now, medical practitioners haven’t found a cure for Alzheimer’s disease yet. The increased amount of beta-amyloid is the culprit of memory loss. Research made in 2011 showed how Ashwagandha could slow down beta-amyloid production, thus slowing the deterioration of the mind and progression of the disease itself. 

Medication Duration: As long as needed

For Better Heart Health

You can also use Ashwagandha to improve your heart health. This result is possible due to the reduced levels of cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the body. If you need a supplement for maintaining your LDL levels, you can count on Ashwagandha to give your heart health a lift. 

Medication Duration: As long as needed

How Should I take Ashwagandha for the Best Result? 

Each individual can take a range of dosages depending on the effects and benefits desired. On average, some pills and capsules range from 250mg to 5g. You might have to do trial and error to know what dosage works best for your condition. 

As for consumption, Ashwagandha capsules and pills are preferred for more accurate dosages. But if you’re planning to make one from your garden, you can add powdered Ashwagandha to your glass of milk each night. This method helps in making you sleep better and attain full rest.