Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is commonly known as “Indian Winter cherry” or “Indian Ginseng”. It is one of the most significant herbs in Ayurveda. Additionally, it has strong antioxidant qualities that help safeguard against the harm that free radicals do to cells.
Enhancing cell-mediated immunity, Ashwagandha strengthens the body’s resistance to disease. Ashwagandha is a well-known ayurvedic herb with several health advantages (mental and physical health conditions).
For nearly 300 years, Ashwagandha has been utilised in ayurvedic medicine to treat everything from high blood pressure to improving fertility.
Include Ashwagandha in your diabetes diet plan if you’re looking for realistic strategies to control your blood sugar levels. But how does it support the control of excessive blood sugar levels?
First, let us understand how Ashwagandha may benefit those who have diabetes and those who have high blood glucose levels.
Ashwagandha – An Overview
Ashwagandha is a little shrub with tiny yellowish-green flowers and red berries, and simple green leaves. It has a ginger- or carrot-shaped tuberous root. Ashwagandha’s roots and leaves are where most of its health benefits are found.
Read more: Ashwagandha – Benefits, Weight Loss, Side Effects
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The most popular usage for the leaves is in teas. You can consume the root in various ways. Although nowadays, it is most frequently dried, powdered, and taken as a supplement.
Ashwagandha holds a position of repute in Ayurveda and other traditional medical techniques. In addition, scientific research confirms the various medical benefits of the plant. As a result, it rapidly gained popularity beyond the confines of geography.
People use it to treat various health conditions.
- Fibromyalgia
- Menstrual irregularities
- Hiccups
- Arthritis
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Tumours
- Tuberculosis
- Asthma
- Leukoderma (a skin condition characterised by white patches)
- Bronchitis
- Diabetes
- Chronic liver disease
- Stamina and strengthening
Is Ashwagandha Good for Blood Sugar (Diabetes)?
Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) extracts and several pharmaceutical formulations often get used as tonics helpful for preventing and treating chronic diseases.
In addition, the plant may also be utilised to avoid and treat problems with physical health brought on by metabolic diseases like diabetes and others.
Ashwagandha won’t help you cure diabetes. However, it can undoubtedly help you manage the disease and its symptoms. According to a study, Ashwagandha can effectively boost insulin secretion and improve insulin sensitivity in muscle cells when used appropriately.
Ashwagandha comprises macro and micro components. These are amino acids, peptides, lipids, and the building blocks of nucleic acids. Also, ashwagandha is rich in bioactive chemicals, according to Ayurveda. Commonly sold as a finely sieved powder that can combine with water, ghee (clarified butter), or honey, ashwagandha is a well-known herb.
Researchers found that consumption of Ashwagandha root powder by people with diabetes helped them control and lower their blood sugar levels.
According to several studies, persons with stress-related health issues can also use ashwagandha to manage and improve their fasting blood glucose levels. In addition, in both patients with and without diabetes, adding ashwagandha enhances insulin secretion and sensitivity, reducing blood sugar levels.
The HealthifyMe Note
Ashwagandha can undoubtedly help you control your diabetes condition and its symptoms. It can effectively increase insulin secretion and enhance insulin sensitivity in muscle cells. Since each person is different, it is critical to understand how much you need. You can speak with a dietitian to find out how ashwagandha is recommended for your condition. You can take Ashwagandha with milk, or have ashwagandha tea or shots.
Ways to Consume Ashwagandha for Diabetes Patients
Ashwagandha Tea
Steeping the ashwagandha roots in boiling water for 15 to 20 minutes and straining and serving it with lemon and honey is one of the best ways to consume it.
Ashwagandha Milk
Mix ¼ to ½ tsp of ashwagandha root powder in a glass of milk. Continue for 1-2 months for significant results.
Consume Ashwagandha Tablets With Water
Take one ashwagandha tablet twice daily with warm milk or water.
Conclusion
Diabetes is a chronic health condition. Some kinds include type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes. No matter what type of diabetes you may have, adopting a healthy lifestyle can aid in reasonable diabetes control. With the proper dosage, ashwagandha may assist in managing and controlling diabetes.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. Can diabetics take Ashwagandha?
A. Various physical and mental health issues, including diabetes, can be treated with Ashwagandha. It promotes insulin secretion and enhances muscle cell insulin sensitivity.
Q. When should I take Ashwagandha for diabetes?
A. You can take it once or twice a day before meals. For best effects, take this every day for one to two months. However, talk to your doctor if you’re taking blood pressure or diabetes medication before taking ashwagandha, .
Q. Is Ashwagandha good for insulin resistance?
A. Ashwagandha is well known for reducing blood sugar to normal levels by boosting insulin synthesis and sensitivity, particularly during fasting and after meals. Ashwagandha is helpful for people with diabetes since it promotes the release of more insulin and increases the sensitivity of muscle cells to insulin.
Q. Can Ashwagandha increase blood pressure?
A. No, ashwagandha reduces blood pressure. Combining Ashwagandha with blood pressure-lowering drugs may result in dangerously low blood pressure. Therefore, it’s advisable to maintain a close eye on your blood pressure while consuming ashwagandha.
Q. Is Ashwagandha good for diabetic neuropathy?
A. Ashwagandha, also known as Withania somnifera in botany, is a medicinal plant that can treat many medical conditions, including diabetic neuropathy.
The Supporting Sources
1. Kumar Vikas, Dey Amitabha, Chatterjee Shyam. Phytopharmacology of Ashwagandha as an Anti-Diabetic Herb. Science of Ashwagandha: Preventive and Therapeutic Potentials. 2017 September 12; 37. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-59192-6_2
2. Samadi Noshahr Z, Shahraki MR, Ahmadvand H, Nourabadi D, Nakhaei A. Protective effects of Withania somnifera root on inflammatory markers and insulin resistance in fructose-fed rats. Rep Biochem Mol Biol. 2015 Apr;3(2):62-7. PMID: 26989739; PMCID: PMC4757043.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4757043/
3. Udayakumar R, Kasthurirengan S, Mariashibu TS, Rajesh M, Anbazhagan VR, Kim SC, Ganapathi A, Choi CW. Hypoglycaemic and hypolipidaemic effects of Withania somnifera root and leaf extracts on alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Int J Mol Sci. 2009 May 20;10(5):2367-2382. doi: 10.3390/ijms10052367. PMID: 19564954; PMCID: PMC2695282.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2695282/
4. Anwer T, Sharma M, Pillai KK, Iqbal M. Effect of Withania somnifera on insulin sensitivity in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus rats. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2008 Jun;102(6):498-503. doi: 10.1111/j.1742-7843.2008.00223.x. Epub 2008 Mar 16. PMID: 18346053.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18346053/
