Ashwagandha is one of the most important herbs in Ayurveda, which is a traditional form of alternative medicine based on Indian principles of natural healing.

People have used ashwagandha for thousands of years to relieve stress, increase energy levels, and improve concentration .

“Ashwagandha” is Sanskrit for “smell of the horse,” which refers to both the herb’s scent and its potential ability to increase strength.

Its botanical name is Withania somnifera, and it’s also known by several other names, including “Indian ginseng” and “winter cherry.”

The ashwagandha plant is a small shrub with yellow flowers that’s native to India and Southeast Asia. Extracts or powder from the plant’s root or leaves are used to treat a variety of conditions, including anxiety and fertility issues .

Here are 8 potential benefits of ashwagandha, based on research..

• Effective for reducing stress and anxiety symptoms.
• Improves measures of physical performance in athletes and healthy adults, including VO2 max and strength.
• Helps reduce symptoms of depression and benefits people with some mental health conditions.
• Helps increase testosterone levels and has some potential benefits for male fertility.
• Reduces blood sugar levels through its effects on insulin secretion and cells’ ability to absorb glucose from the bloodstream.
• Reduces inflammatory markers in the body.
• Improves memory, reaction time, and the ability to perform tasks in certain populations.
• Effective natural remedy to improve sleep and especially help people with insomnia.