Ashwagandha supplement feedback?

[Charliesays77]

A health & fitness expert suggested I start taking Asgwaganda, has anyone tried this supplement and if so have you had any joy with it? I found this intresting write up on it.

Benefits of taking Ashwagandha

1. Improves Thyroid Function

One of the most incredible aspects of adaptogenic herbs like ashwagandha is that they can help people with both under-active and overactive thyroid problems. Ashwagandha has been shown to support a sluggish thyroid for people diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease, and has been shown to improve the health of those with an overactive thyroid, or Grave’s disease, although the research on the herb’s effects on hyperthyroidism is limited.

For the millions of people who are struggling with thyroid problems, many of whom don’t even know it, ashwagandha may serve as the solution they’ve been waiting for.

A 2017 pilot study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, ashwagandha benefits for helping patients with subclinical hypothyroidism were evaluated. The 50 participants were diagnosed with thyroid disorder, but didn’t display obvious symptoms of thyroid deficiency.

During an 8-week period, the treatment group received 600 milligrams of ashwagandha root extract daily, and the control group received starch as the placebo. Researchers found that ashwagandha improved serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroxine (T4) levels significantly compared to placebo. It was concluded that ashwagandha may be beneficial for normalizing thyroid levels in patients with hypothyroidism. (4)

And a study published in the Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine also found that ashwagandha has thyroid-enhancing properties. In the study, patients with bipolar disorder used ashwagandha to improve cognitive function for an 8-week period. Lab testing found that some of these patients experienced T4 increases during the treatment period, although that was not the original purpose of the study.

[Peanut31]

My nutritionist recommended this to me, to take when feeling a bit 💩.

Took one yesterday for the first time, after a few hours of taking I felt like I could run a Marathon.

Perhaps it was psychological?.

Best wishes

Peanut31

[Charliesays77 in reply to Peanut31]

Thanks Peanut, sounds great to me, out of interest what brand and dosage did you take?

[Peanut31 in reply to Charliesays77]

The brand is: seeking health, Ashwagandha extract 420mg per serving.

States: take one anytime with or without food.

It DOESN’T contain eggs, gluten, milk, fish, shellfish, tree nuts peanuts, wheat or soy or GMO.

My nutritionist recommended this website.

I have Hashimoto’s too.

Best wishes

Peanut31.

[Peanut31 in reply to Peanut31]

Forget to mention it’s an America website so in dollars, but, think they sell it via Amazon.

Like I said, I just ordered that brand as recommended by nutritionist, sure other brands will be fine.

Peanut31

[Charliesays77 in reply to Peanut31]

Fab, it's got to be worth a try, I'm so sick of feeling knackered all the time.

[G2G2]

I take a supplement with ashwagandha to lower high cortisol. It definitely worked. Won't know if it's helped Hashimoto's until my next labs.

[Dewberry1]

I been considering starting this aswell as Dr. Axe and others mention it frequently. May be worth giving a go by the sounds of it

[Hidden]

Can someone who was once treated for adrenal fatigue take ashwagandha? I no longer take any prescription drugs for it, just adrenal cortex sold OTC. But I'm not sure I should actually lower my cortisol levels further...so if anyone with adrenal fatigue has tried ashwagandha, I'd love to hear about it as I've been considering adding it lately.

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to Hidden]

I take it to raise my low cortisol and it seems to help

[Hidden in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

Thanks

[bluehaven201]

Ashwandha is perfect for adrenal fatigue!

[Hidden in reply to bluehaven201]

Thanks to you, too

[Bluedragon]

Ashwaganda- Withania somnifera - is a fantastic adaptogen and good for thyroid. However, if you are in a depleted state, it would be better to build your self up first and then use it. I use as a tincture in a mix- I find Bacopa monieri (one of the Brahmis) great and have more of that in the mix. Very grounding and gd for headstuff.

Note Withania can be stimulating at night for some people so take a small amount- can also be good for sleep. 😊

Jo (student naturopathic herbalist)

[newuke]

I take Ashwaganda, Got mine from Amazon, keeps the stress levels down. I'm one of the 10% that has under active thyroid without Hashis!

Seem to work for me. Thyroid has been behaving since October.

Good luck.

Gary.

[CSmithLadd]

You'll find the article below (at the link) very informative with regard to the benefits of ashwaganda and the reasons why it is so helpful to those with low thyroid function:

juliedaniluk.com/food-facts...

It's great stuff.

Healing Hugs!

[hachiko]

Ok, there always has to be that one person who did not benefit, I didn't see any benefits with ashwagandha. Whatsoever.

But I have heard opposite results from others. So I guess you don't know, until you give it a go.

[The_will_of_Jill]

I started taking it last August and within three days I noticed that my very severe anxiety issues had subsided considerably. gone where the awful feelings of fight or flight while doing my shopping even at whole foods I was able to take my time and not freak out when someone looked at me or spoke to me.

i love it

[Hidden]

Hi Charlie. Re Ashwaganda: I s there any one who should NOT take ashwaganda? I know Dr Andrew Weil recommends it. I follow him and over the years have gotten good advice from his books but I also remember vaguely reading quite a while ago that there were reasons some should not take it. I would be interested to know the answer as it sounds like something I would like to try but want to be sure it's safe for me. Grateful for anyone who has info re this. Thanks, irina1975 P.S. Always looking for ways to reduce my anxiety. Take a small dose of Xanax (alprazolam) as needed for anxiety but would love to get off it it.

[Hannah13 in reply to Hidden]

I would like to know this too irina - is it safe to take if you do not know whether you have high or low cortosol and is it ok if you take blood pressure meds? I have heard a lot about it and would like to try some too. Looking forward to hearing more experiences from people who have/are on it.

[Hidden in reply to Hannah13]

Hi Hannah, I just googled poss contraindications for taking ashwaganda and found a reasonably thorough website. rxlist.com My understanding of an adaptogenic herb is that it can help when a med prob presents as 'too much or too little". For me that means helping your body get back in balance -to the middle of the road regardless of which direction is off balance. So when I read the site it talked about the usual 'may do this may do that.' I think I am going to give it a try (starting small) to see if it helps my thyroid issues. I will also try to find some ashwaganda tea. That is a good way IMO to try something new without causing severe side effects. I use herbal teas a lot and one I discovered about a year ago was an Indian herbal tea called Tulsi. The herb it is made from is called 'Holy Basil" not to be confused with basil the italian spice. Anyway, it is also an adaptogenic herb. I find sometimes when my mind is upset and I can't let go of thinking about my 'what-ifs' this tea helps relax me. Look these up and see what you think. I believe there are many more ways from around the world/different cultures to get help for my health probs. BTW I do always let my docs know if I am taking something they don't already have writtien in my online chart. And I don't use them as a substitue but as adjuctive help to whatever my docs and I have agreed on. One thing I appreciate about the specialists I have is their diverse backgrounds which IMO makes for a more well-rounded healthcare approach. My doctormix includes european jewish/indian/syrian/garden-variety american/ african-american/asian. Works well for me.

[jpar]

Please search for ashwahanda withdrawal and ashwahanda reviews. This way you can see both sides and be well informed about taking it. Ashwahanda and Rhodiola can act like antidepressants and can have withdrawals when you stop them. Also, both of these herbs can negatively affect the liver. I would just suggest to go slowly, maybe take it a few days a week and not everyday at first. I would also check to see what brand may be more pure. I have read that some of these supplements tested had other ingredients that were not listed. Hope it works out for you.

[Hidden in reply to jpar]

Hi jpar. Good advice. Gives me more info and will follow your suggestions re go slowly. Will also do some research. As it happens, the EP in my Cardiac group that did my Watchman is Indian. I think I will ask him for input. He isn't my main EP but he does the Watchmans for the group. Also my dentist is Indian and does a good job of combining western dentistry with eastern philosophy / holistic suggestions. It's time for a checkup so maybe I'll hold off ew ashwaganda til I see him. As I type, it occurs to me it might be good to wait on the Ash. til I get thru the Plavix phase of my Watchman process. Doesn't do to begin too many things at once. Can't tell where side effects-if any are coming from. My dentist, BTW, taught me some good practices such as "pulling" (can google for a better explanation than I can give.) But it involves swishing your month out with certain type oils first thing in am-I use either sesame or coconut oil. Many american dentists don't believe in this but I think it is a good part of keeping a healthy mouth. I'm 74 next week-have all my own teeth except 2 in the very back whose crowns cracked a couple of years ago (they'd been there forever), have no partial plates, caps, etc, Pretty unusual over here. I guess my advice is if one treatment for cardiac or whatever is going on, be patient, and complete one thing at a time. Nothing,not even herbs, is harmless to everybody. Thanks again. irina1975

[Polly91 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Irina

Did you try ashgawanda for adrenal fatigue & did it help/was it addictive?

I’m thinking about trying it.

Thanks

P x

[Hidden in reply to Polly91]

Hi Polly91.

(Reply to a post today about a thread from 10 months ago titled "ASHWAGANDA SUPPLEMENT FEEDBACK?".)

No. I decided against taking ashwaganda for the following reasons but first I did google Ashwaganda and re-read information (webmd.com which was informative) so I didn't forget to share my reasons with you completely.

At first it sounded like a helpful herb-adaptogenic. I already had some teabags which I used as I am leery of taking strong forms of herbal supplements when I don't know how pharmaceutical companies may have tampered with their properties.

For me, a tea bag usually can't do too much harm.

My reasons for deciding against:

1) I have many food intolerances (not to be confused with true food allergies which can be life-threatening-seafood, peanuts, etc.) For me certain foods just make my life uncomfortable-stomach problems, worse arthritis pain, etc. One of the food groups I have cut out which has made a big difference in lessening arthritis pain for me is nightshades. The common nightshade foods most of us eat are tomatoes, white potatoes (sweet pot are fine), eggplant, and okra.

There are other foods, herbs, and spices that belong to the nightshade group and a google search will give a more complete picture. Ashwaganda is a member of the nightshade group of plants. This would be enough for me to not use it but I also learned about other areas in which ashwaganda might cause me problems.

2) Ashwaganda may interact with some drugs. I also take a small dose of Xanax for anxiety if I need it. This was prescribed when I was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation and it helped me cope with this new diagnosis in 2011. I rarely need the Xanax now but on occasion I have other anxieties so don't want to mix the 2 substances.

3) I also have hypothyroidism which for a long time was undertreated with uncomfortable symptoms as a result. Since this past April I have been well-treated by a new endocrinologist and slowly have been improving and feeling much better with a new medication regimen. This is a priority and I don't want to throw my helpful meds and dosages out of whack. Ashwaganda is known (according to my research) to interact with thyroid hormones so is another reason to be cautious about taking it.

This not to say that ashwaganda is not a good supplement or can't help our systems to improve in various ways.

I would just say do your homework taking into account allergies, current meds, and other medical problems you may have. A good rule is to remember even 'natural' herbs, spices, supplements are not always harmless. Even if someone else has had good results that is not a guarantee they would benefit you or me.

Another rule I stick to when trying something new is to add only one thing at a time (and slowly) so if problems develop I can pinpoint the cause.

One last item: I have had an adrenal cyst (very small) that had been ignored by other doctors for the past 15 years. It was seen accidentally on an xray done for another reason and as far as I know has not caused me problems.

This new Endocrinologist did a very complete adrenal work-up and nothing needs attention right now but he is watching it. He also was able to tell my adrenal function is as it should be. I feel comfortable with his care and prefer to not try and help my adrenals on my own.

Take care. irina

[Polly91 in reply to Hidden]

Great helpful & thorough reply Irina thank you.

I too have many good intolerances & interestingly potatoes are ok but eggplant & sweet potatoes are not!

Did you do a test or do you monitor symptoms & food diary ?

Other than ashwaganda did you try anything else for adrenal fatigue ?

I read you had some advice about dental issues? I have had a few issues & wondered what the coconut oil remedy was ? Did it work ?Coconut oil is solid so I was a bit confused ?

Thanks again

Polly x

[Hidden]

webmd.com I think/ will research tom am tosee where else I might have seen it. Off to bed. xx I think they referred to it as a member of the solanaceae familyand then mentioned nightshades.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I just re-checked my ashwaganda websites and the one that mentions the nightshade connection is chopra.com (the official site of the Chopra Center which I believe the physician and author Deepak Chopra runs.)

Will look more tomorrow. I've also seen references where arthritis pain is helped by avoiding nightshades. I love tomatoes but tend to not eat them anymore because when I do my pain is greater. Probably because I can't eat just one.

Tomato and mayonnaise sandwiches are a southern summertime favorite here.

There is another popular Indian tea that I drink sometimes and do feel calmer. The herb is "Holy Basil" and the tea

is sold under the name 'Tulsi' Very calming. I'd like to drink the Ashwaganda tea but after finally feeling better with my T3 and T4 (and my TSH now down to 1.04) I'm hesitant to upset my thyroid applecart.

[Isslewissle]

Hi I have just found this information after posting asking if it is ok to take ashwagandha with levothyroxine and have found the information very useful. Thanks.