· By Chiru Roy
7 Easy and Fun Ways to take Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is the best rejuvenating agent in Ayurveda. While it is known by several names, the count is far lesser than the number of benefits it offers. Ashwagandha has the scientific name, Withania somnifera, also known as winter cherry or Indian ginseng, a rasayan (chemical) that increases both mental and physical strength.
Ayurveda view
Ayurveda believes that our health largely depends on three pillars- food, sleep and sexual wellness. Food must be freshly cooked free from preservatives, sleep must be sufficient and timely, sexual energy must be balanced. Ashwagandha is a wonder drug for sexual problems, endocrine and reproductive issues like Infertility, Polycystic Ovarian Disease and Erectile Dysfunction.
Therapeutic Benefits
Ashwagandha works miraculously and act as
- Adaptogen to normalize neuroendocrine function.
- Natural Stress Booster to reduce anxiety and depression.
- Immunity strength builder
- Aphrodisiac adding adds vitality to life
- Treatment for terminal illnesses like Cancer, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease
- Fights for inflammation and tumor growth
- Helps lower cortisol levels
- Helps increase testosterone levels, improve the quality and quantity of sperm in men
- Improves brain function, memory and the ability to perform tasks
- Slow down the aging process
Why are we not eating it?
Despite its endless therapeutic benefits, Ashwagandha is not popularly consumed, because of its bitter taste and smell. But when blended with certain other ingredients, bitterness can be easily masked and it becomes more palatable.
7 Ways to Take Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is an absolute must in your diet for overall health. It can be consumed either in a powder form or tablets. Ensure that the Ashwgandha powder you choose is 100% natural, organic and chemical free, to make the most of it.
The combination of Ashwagandha with other healthy ingredients makes it even more effective. In whichever way you choose, one must take at least 5 grams of Ashwagandha daily.
Try some of the quick and easy recipes, here:
- Ashwagandha tea with milk and cardamom
This is one of the most common and easy way to consume Ashwagandha. Ayurveda recommends drinking up to 2 cups daily to relieve you from stress and fatigue. Prepare tea using your recipe with milk, and then add 5gms Ashwagandha powder. Add honey instead of sugar as a sweetener.
- Ashwagandha Banana Smoothie
Sounds yummy! Mix banana and milk with nuts of your choice like almonds, peanuts, cashew nuts, etc. in a blender, until smooth. Add 1 teaspoon Ashwagandha powder and cinnamon powder and its ready to be served. Enjoy!
- Ashwagandha Turmeric milk
Both Turmeric and Ashwagandha have high therapeutic benefits. Add1 teaspoon Ashwagandha powder and1 teaspoon Turmeric powder in half cup milk. Add honey as sweetener and heat the mixture till its lukewarm. In the end, put some coconut oil.This is great for taking your immunity to the next level.
- Ashwagandha Chocolate
If you’d like to introduce Ashwagandha to your kids, this is a great way. For Ashwagandha chocolate, you need half cup Ashwagandha powder, half cup maca powder, 1 tablespoon of raw cocoa powder, half cup coconut butter, half cup ghee and half cup of honey. Mixit all together, and allow to freeze in amould for a few hours. Your guilt-free and delicious home-made chocolate is ready.
- Rich Ashwagandha Sweet and Salty Cookies
Kids can make a complete meal out of milk and cookies. To prepare the healthy cookies, take half cup fine flour, 2 teaspoon Ashwagandha powder, ¼ cup butter and milk. Mix sugar or salt, baking powder and prepare a dough. Make cookies and bake in the oven at 375 F for 12 minutes. To make them more nutritive, you may add Shatavari and Licorice root powder as well.
- Shrikhand
Shrikhand is traditional Indian sweet, popular as a summer dessert. It is quite easy to prepare and equally liked by all age groups. Hung the curd, add Ashwagandha powder and sugar with nuts, cardamom, nutmeg and saffron to garnish. Serve it cool for a blissful experience.
- Crunchy Ashwagandha Snacks
No kid can resist eating pasta, pizza and noodles. Try this healthy twist to make everyone happy. Maize flour, ghee, guar gum and Ashwagandha powder are mixed together to prepare noodles, pasta and snacks. For ¼ kg of milled maize flour, add 2 teaspoon ghee, proportionately add 2-6% Ashwagandha powder and 0.5-1.5%guar gum to prepare a dough and give your desired shape.
Conclusion
The benefits of Ashwagandha are truly innumerable and can be easily deemed as a superfood.ThisAyurvedic medicine works as a natural energy booster, hormone balancer, and a solution to insomnia.Generally, the best time to take the supplement is with breakfast in the morning. For those, who wish to use Ashwagandha for a peaceful sleep should consume it at night before bed.Don’t rush for instant result, but expect positive changes in around two weeks’ time.
The benefits of Ashwagandha are truly innumerable and can be easily deemed as a superfood. This Ayurvedic medicine works as a natural energy booster, hormone balancer, and a solution to insomnia. Generally, the best time to take the supplement is with breakfast in the morning. For those, who wish to use Ashwagandha for a peaceful sleep should consume it at night before bed. Don’t rush for instant result, but expect positive changes in around two weeks’ time.