Ashwagandha is Sanskrit for smell of the horse, which refers to both its unique smell and ability to increase strength. Ashwagandha is a prominent herb in Ayurvedic medicine and has become a popular supplement due to its health benefits. Ashwagandha helps increase testosterone levels and significantly boosts sperm quality and fertility in men. Ashwagandha has been shown to increase muscle mass, reduce body fat, and increase strength in men. Its botanical name is Withania somnifera, and it’s also known by several other names. Ashwagandha supplements may improve brain function, memory, reaction time, and the ability to perform tasks. Animal and test-tube studies have shown that withaferin, a bioactive compound in ashwagandha, promotes the death of tumor cells and may be effective against several types of cancer. Ashwagandha has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety in both animal and human studies. The limited research available suggests that ashwagandha may help reduce depression.
