Both men and women will benefit from all the ways that ashwagandha supports your sexual health.
From the Kama Sutra, one of the oldest texts on human sexuality, to a growing collection of clinical science research, ashwagandha has been long celebrated for its positive effect on sexual health. Today, both men and women choose this all-natural supplement for its safe and powerful results.
Read on for 4 big ways that ashwagandha can support your sexual health…
Ashwagandha as an Aphrodisiac
Ashwagandha has a long history in traditional medicines as an aphrodisiac. The Kama Sutra mentions ashwagandha in its literature as a potent sexual stimulant. In India, many natural Ayurvedic herbal aphrodisiac products still contain this herb. In Africa, tribes continue to use it for this same purpose.
Most significantly today, modern scientific studies are exploring ashwagandha’s amorous reputation. Researchers have found that it may be a natural herbal alternative treatment for loss of libido and erectile dysfunction.
For women, taking ashwagandha typically produces an increase in sexual desire and satisfaction. For men, its extracts have the ability to stimulate the production of nitric oxide in the body. This causes a dilatation of the blood vessels that carry blood to the genitals, leading to increased sexual desire.
Ashwagandha to Support Fertility
For both men and women, consuming ashwagandha can significantly benefit fertility. Stress, illness, and hormone imbalance — all of these issues threaten reproductive health and make it difficult to conceive. Different properties of ashwgandha address each of these common concerns.
Reducing stress in the body creates a more optimal environment for fertility and conception. Stress reduction is one of ashwagandha’s most well-known benefits. Consuming this powerful herb can help reduce the body’s level of cortisol – the “stress hormone” – by up to 26%.
Men and women both benefit from a healthy body, as another key to optimum fertility. Luckily, boosting the immune system is another widely recognized benefit of ashwagandha. In fact, several studies have reportedly shown that it greatly boosts the immune system by increasing white blood cell production. This helps to ward off illness and disease.
Finally, maintaining a healthy balance of sex hormones has a huge impact on human fertility in the male and female reproductive systems. In this area, ashwagandha impacts men and women in specific ways…
Ashwagandha as a Hormone Stabilizer
In women, research shows that ashwagandha supports thyroid function, an organ responsible for regulating hormones. It has been shown to reduce the stress hormones (cortisol) that disrupt endocrine function and prompt premature aging. It also stimulates blood flow to a woman’s reproductive organs. This increases arousal and sensitivity, which makes it a popular choice for women who wish to regain their sex drive and satisfaction.
In men, researchers found it “significantly” increased serum levels of testosterone and luteinizing hormone. This is a hormone that stimulates testosterone production. A 2013 study reported that Ashwagandha stimulated enzyme activity and revitalized the balance of reproductive hormones in infertile men.
In addition, ashwagandha can counter a major factor of male and female hormone imbalance: stress. As mentioned above, ashwagandha provides holistic support in this area, helping to counter the effects of stress on the body. This can help to re-stabilize and maintain hormone levels.
Ashwagandha for Healthy Aging
Men and women’s reproductive systems respond to aging in different ways. Consuming ashwagandha supports the body’s positive response to the aging process and to maintaining healthy sexual function.
For women, ashwagandha acts on the endocrine system by encouraging hormone balance. A study involving 51 menopausal women supplementing with ashwagandha noted a significant reduction in symptoms such as hot flashes, anxiety, and mood.
With these many varied benefits, it’s clear why people have been using ashwagandha for thousands of years for more fertile and potent sexual function.
REFERENCES
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8458480
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9811169
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23796876
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19501822
- http://www.amazon.com/Rasayana-Ayurvedic-Longevity-Rejuvenation-Traditional/dp/0415284899