Ayurveda offers not just learnings like how to live your life in a healthy manner, cures and other aspects of life, but it also offers knowledge of different herbs. Nature has given us many cures, if there is a bodily issue, there is a natural way to treat it or its symptoms. Many ayurvedic procedures were also the true bases of modern day treatments. Many of these herbs and treatments are still in practice, mostly through word of mouth and familial practices in India. However, not many people know how or why these herbs are important. One such herb is Ashwagandha. It is a plant that looks like a small tree and grows in countries in Asia and Africa. People often use it to help with stress. However, scientists haven't found much strong proof that it works as an "adaptogen," which is something that's supposed to help your body handle stress better. How Does Ashwagandha Affect The Body? This plant contains different chemicals that could have effects on the body. According to a study published in 2019 Cureus, some of these chemicals might help calm the brain, reduce swelling, lower blood pressure, and even change how your body's defense system (the immune system) works. Scientists are still studying exactly how these chemicals affect the body. Ashwagandha has been traditionally used as an adaptogen, meaning people have used it for many problems they think are related to stress. These include things like trouble sleeping, getting older, feeling anxious, and many other health issues. A 2021 in the Current Neuropharmacology showed that Ashwagandha or Withania somnifera (WS) extract exhibited anti-anxiety and anti-stress in animals and human studies. It also improved the symptoms of depression and insomnia; however, these claims need to be studied more. Research also points to possible benefits of ashwagandha in other areas. This includes potentially enhancing muscle growth and improving memory function. Furthermore, it may have a positive impact on male fertility and could help in lowering blood sugar levels. However, more extensive research is necessary to confirm these effects.Finally, some evidence suggests that ashwagandha might help in reducing inflammation within the body. It may also have the ability to boost the function of your immune system, helping your body defend itself. However, further and larger studies are required to fully understand and confirm these potential benefits. Are There Any Side Effects of Ashwagandha? The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health explains that when you take ashwagandha by mouth, it seems to be safe for most people for up to 3 months. We don't know if it's safe to take it for a longer time. If you take a lot of ashwagandha, it might cause problems like an upset stomach, diarrhea, and throwing up. In rare cases, it could lead to liver problems, including very serious liver failure where a person might need a liver transplant. There isn't enough reliable information to know if ashwagandha is safe for breast-feeding mothers, so it's best to avoid it. Ashwagandha might make the immune system more active, which could worsen the symptoms of auto-immune diseases like Multiple Scoliosis (MS), lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis. People with these conditions should avoid using it. Ashwagandha might increase thyroid hormone levels, so people with thyroid conditions or those taking thyroid medication should use it cautiously or avoid it.