Ashwagandha Can Improve Thyroid And Adrenal Function
Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb that has shown incredible results in balancing thyroid hormones and treating adrenal fatigue.
It has been widely studied and shown to reduce inflammation, stress, and cortisol levels. It can also help with depression, cognitive function, and anxiety.
There are many other ways that ashwagandha could be very helpful to restore energy and reverse disease. Today we are looking at how Ashwagandha may help balance thyroid hormones and improve adrenal function.
Ashwagandha Thyroid Benefits
Ashwagandha is a superstar when it comes to improving the health of your thyroid. Scientists don’t completely understand how adaptogens work, but we know that they can be extremely effective especially at balancing hormones.
One of the most incredible aspects about adaptogenic herbs like ashwagandha is that it can help people with both hypo and hyper thyroid issues. It has been shown to support a sluggish thyroid for people diagnosed with Hashimotos, and has been shown to improve the health of those with an overactive thyroid or Graves disease.
Adaptogenic herbs work with your body to bring you back into balance whether your levels are high or low.
Animal studies reveal ashwagandha has a thyroid hormone balancing effect. In a 20 days study mice were give ashwagandha and their T3 and T4 levels were analyzed along with lipid peroxidation (anti-oxidant protection). Significant increases in serum T4 were found which indicates this herb has a stimulatory effect on a sluggish thyroid.
Also, ashwagandha may benefit thyroid function because it greatly reduced lipid peroxidation by promoting scavenging of free radicals that cause cellular damage. These results prove ashwagandha can be useful in treating hypothyroidism.
There are currently millions of people who struggle with thyroid problems (many who don’t even know it) and ashwagandha may just be the solution they are searching for.
Ashwagandha Adrenal Rejuvenation
Ashwagandha has also been proven effective in supporting adrenal function helping you overcome adrenal fatigue and chronic stress.
Your adrenal glands are endocrine glands that are responsible for releasing hormones (cortisol and adrenaline) in response to stress on your body.
If your adrenals are overtaxed due to an overabundance of emotional, physical and mental stress, it can lead to a condition known as adrenal fatigue. As you can see from this chart below, if your adrenals become exhausted it can also disrupt your other hormones, including progesterone, which can cause infertility and lower DHEA — which can cause you to age faster.
Medical studies have shown that ashwagandha improves cortisol levels, improves insulin sensitivity and naturally balances hormones. A case study reported a case of a 57-year-old woman with non-classical adrenal hyperplasia. She was treated with ashwagandha for six months, and after her treatment she saw improvements in four adrenal hormone markers, including corticoosterone and 11-deoxycortisol, which decreased by 69 percent and 55 percent respectively — a major improvement!
This hormonal improvement was also accompanied by a noticeable reduction in hair loss.
– via Dr. Axe
Always Use Herbs With Caution
As with all medication, any herbal preparation should be approached with information, care and caution. You want to be sure you understand not only the good things the herb can do for you, but also any possible side effects, dangers or interactions.
Yusuf M. Saleeby, MD, shared with Hypothyroid Mom ways that anyone looking at using ashwagandha should use caution.
Clinicians prescribe this herbal to aid their patients suffering from fibromyalgia conditions as well as to bolstering their immune system. It has characteristics that increase the function of the thyroid gland and production of thyroxine and triiodothyronine, the two principle thyroid hormones.
It has even been researched as a remedy for reducing the dependence and halting the tolerance to pain medication. It has found its way in complementary treatments for the addiction to opiate medications.
Dosing depends on the individual and what in particular is being treated, but a typical starting dose of 500 mg of standardized pharmaceutical grade once to twice daily is the norm. No more than 1000 mg twice daily is suggested. Length of use is safe for months at a time.
There are a few cautions to be considered with any herbal or therapy. Ashwagandha may cause lowering of blood glucose levels so care with folks on sugar lowering medications should be exercised. It may cause either an elevation or a lowering of blood pressure. Drops in blood pressure in those taking medication for hypertension can be of particular concern, so appropriate monitoring should be implemented. Those with stomach ulcers should use caution as it can cause gastrointestinal irritation. Prior to surgery that requires anesthesia this herb should be stopped two-weeks in advance as it may cause central nervous system depression with anesthetics. Ashwagandha is not recommended for use in pregnancy. Use cautiously if you are sensitive to nightshades. Those on thyroid hormone replacement therapy should also exercise caution, as this herb may cause an increase in hormone levels and thyroid function.
There are also some interactions with prescription medications. Chief is the sedative effect when taken with benzodiazepines such as diazepam or lorazepam. Also additive effects of somnolence are noted with phenobarbital and zolpidem. If one is on an immunosuppressant drug, than there are certainly suppressive effects associated with this herb that counteract these drugs’ properties as it promotes immune function.
Ashwagandha is a superb choice of adaptogen herb for the treatment of stress and stress induced illnesses. Ashwagandha is generally regarded as safe and effective for a wide number of medical conditions, but it is still highly suggested to have it managed by a qualified practitioner.
– via hypothyroidmom.com
Have you ever used ashwagandha for fatigue?