10 Ashwagandha Benefits for Men
If erectile dysfunction becomes part of your life, you are likely going to be looking to find something to decrease the symptoms or eliminate it altogether. Though it’s vitally important to check your biomarkers and consult your doctor about possible underlying health conditions, you cannot ignore some tested-and-true natural solutions for ED. Among them, the Ashwagandha benefits stand out.
If you’re wondering what this plant is and what positive effects Ashwagandha has on men’s sex life and health, here is all you need to know about this supplement.
What is Ashwagandha?
Ashwagandha is a traditional herb used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries. It is believed to have various health benefits, including improving sexual function and fertility in men. It may also help reduce stress and anxiety, improve brain function, and boost the immune system.
Some research suggests that Ashwagandha may also have some anti-inflammatory properties, which may benefit men’s health and well-being. Therefore, men may add Ashwagandha to their health regimen as it may offer a wide range of benefits for both sexual and overall health.
To further detail, Ashwagandha is an evergreen plant native primarily to India, China, and Africa. An herb used in ancient medicine for thousands of years, it’s also called Indian Ginseng or Indian Winter Cherry. Ashwagandha means “smell of a horse,” which refers to the smell of the plant’s root.
10 Ashwagandha Benefits You Should Know About
Classified as an adaptogen, Ashwagandha is used primarily to treat stress-related problems such as anxiety and insomnia. However, many of the benefits of Ashwagandha for men are linked to increased sexual pleasure and helping relieve many of the symptoms associated with erectile dysfunction.
Those using this herb in ancient medical practices believed it could rejuvenate men, helping them feel physically and mentally more youthful. Regarding Ashwagandha and erectile dysfunction, the good news is that you may experience numerous benefits that can ease or eliminate your condition.
1. Reduced Anxiety and Stress
The most well-known of the many Ashwagandha benefits for men is its ability to reduce stress and anxiety levels. Proven to lower cortisol levels, it reduces pituitary and adrenal activity within your body, meaning you won’t feel as if you are in constant stress mode.
2. Increased Sexual Stimulation and Pleasure
Throughout the centuries it has been used, Ashwagandha has long been considered an aphrodisiac. Looking closely at the sex classic “Kama Sutra,” you will find one of the most important Ashwagandha benefits for men. If you have erectile dysfunction, the herb is recognized to be an extremely potent sexual stimulant.
As to how Ashwagandha benefits men regarding solving erectile dysfunction, it helps primarily by enhancing your body’s synthesis of nitric oxide. When this occurs, the blood vessels and arteries that send blood to your genitals and penis become dilated, making it easier for you to get and maintain an erection.
If part of your problem with erectile dysfunction also involves a loss of your libido, studies have shown that Ashwagandha can help with this as well. As it works to reduce your stress hormone levels, it also boosts your testosterone levels, resulting in an increased sex drive.
3. Greater Endurance During Sex
Once you increase your sex drive, get an erection and maintain it, you can also thank Ashwagandha for increasing endurance during sex. In a study involving two groups of men, those who used Ashwagandha were found to have two times as much endurance during sex as their counterparts. It was attributed to the herb’s ability to increase oxygen consumption and muscle strength. For this reason, the herb is a consistent and crucial ingredient in many supplement packs for men’s better sex life.
4. Fewer Serious Side Effects Compared to Other Supplements
One of the greatest benefits of Ashwagandha is not having to worry about any potentially serious side effects. In most men who take Ashwagandha, the most common side effects are:
- Drowsiness
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
In addition to these Ashwagandha side effects, you should know some men also experience a sense of feeling hot, which has been likened to hot flashes women experience during menopause. However, research has shown that this side effect is much rarer than others and can be lessened by taking the supplement during a meal.
5. Increased Muscle Mass
If you want to experience a natural increase in your muscle mass, you’re in luck. Studies have shown that Ashwagandha is filled with alkaloids, considered nature’s strength boosters.
6. Reducing Premature Ejaculation
When you deal with ED, premature ejaculation can also be part of the equation. To bring this to a halt, you can take Ashwagandha supplements for erectile dysfunction. Keeping your cortisol levels in check will reduce the stress and anxiety you may feel during sex, especially if you have issues with premature ejaculation. Once your anxiety diminishes, it becomes easier for you to maintain control until the time is right to ejaculate.
7. Increased Sperm Movement
Yes, having your spermatozoids gain the ability to swim around at a faster pace can help reduce the difficulties you’ve been experiencing with erectile dysfunction.
Known as sperm motility, it’s very important for a couple’s ability to conceive. A 2018 research study found that men taking Ashwagandha showed increases not only in their sperm motility but also in their sperm counts and the quality of their semen.
8. Improves Your Sleep
As you know, once those sleepless nights start adding up, the chances of you having a sex drive or getting an erection will go downhill. But, from the time it was first used thousands of years ago, Ashwagandha has been helping people get a good night’s sleep, and now medical science has proven this claim.
Throughout five scientific studies, researchers found the herb positively influenced sleep quality, mental awareness, and stress levels when people awakened. So if you’ve been tossing and turning each night lately, Ashwagandha may be the answer to your sleep issues.
9. Protecting Testosterone Synthesis
When you have a battle raging inside your body between cortisol and testosterone, chronic stress will usually mean cortisol will win in the end. Because of this, the stress hormone is sometimes called a “testosterone stealer.” Once your testosterone levels sink lower and lower, gaining and maintaining an erection is nearly impossible.
Testosterone synthesis can be protected if you make Ashwagandha supplements part of your daily regimen. As it is, you can expect the following:
- Increased energy levels
- Improved mood
- Ease in maintaining a healthy weight.
10. Reduced Blood Sugar Levels
Since diabetes can contribute to erectile dysfunction and many more health problems, it is important to note that Ashwagandha has been shown to reduce blood sugar levels in diabetic males.
Studies showed that diabetic men who took Ashwagandha supplements had lower levels of blood sugar, insulin, A1C, oxidative stress markers, and blood lipids. Since certain components in Ashwagandha, such as Withaferin A, contain anti-diabetic properties, the herb helps your body maintain healthy sugar levels.
How to Use Ashwagandha to Boost Testosterone
If you are concerned about your body’s testosterone levels, Ashwagandha can be used to put your worries to rest.
As it reduces the harmful cortisol hormone levels, it also slows the decline of your testosterone levels. In addition, it helps you by increasing and maintaining normal T levels.
Despite its successful use for thousands of years, never start taking Ashwagandha without getting a physical exam from your doctor. If all seems to be fine and you start taking this herb, you may find it can substantially impact your ability to say “so long” to erectile dysfunction and other health issues.
FAQs Regarding Ashwagandha Uses and Benefits
1. What is Ashwagandha Good For?
Ashwagandha is good for helping you with many health problems, including but not limited to erectile dysfunction. In addition, containing many chemicals known to help reduce stress, it is good for lowering your blood pressure, improving your immune system, lowering stress hormones, and boosting testosterone.
2. What Does Ashwagandha Do for Males Exactly?
Ashwagandha has many health benefits for men. The most important include increasing testosterone levels and increasing the quality and motility of a male’s sperm. Ashwagandha also helps improve blood flow throughout the body, especially to the genital region.
3. Can Women Take Ashwagandha Too?
Yes. The medicinal plant has similar positive effects in women as it has in men: stress relief, better libido, improved cognitive function, improved PMS and menopause symptoms, less painful menstrual cramps, better sleep, balanced body weight, better skin and hair, reduced anxiety and depression, etc.
4. Does Ashwagandha Help Men in the Bed?
One of the biggest benefits of Ashwagandha for men is that it has been shown to help them in bed. As a very potent aphrodisiac, scientific studies suggest Ashwagandha helps with sexual desire, more pleasure during sex, and better sexual performance.
The primary way Ashwagandha helps restore a good sex life is its ability to increase blood flow to your genital region. As blood vessels to this part of your body become dilated, sexual desire and satisfaction increase, making it easier for you to get and hold an erection throughout the sexual experience.
5. Can Men Take Ashwagandha Daily?
Yes, you can take Ashwagandha daily to help with erectile dysfunction. Dosage may vary between 250-600 mg daily, with most men taking 600 mg per day. For best results, you should take 600 mg daily divided into two doses, one at breakfast and the other later in the evening. The supplement is always best taken with food. However, if improving your sleep is a primary goal, studies have shown 600 mg daily is the most effective dosage.
6. How Quickly Does Ashwagandha Work?
Since no two men are exactly alike, results can vary regarding how quickly Ashwagandha will begin to show positive results. While it is possible to notice results in as little as two or three days, you will likely need to take it daily for at least a month to notice any changes. On the other hand, a smaller daily dosage of 250 mg may take ten or more weeks to yield noticeable results.
7. Can You Stop Taking Ashwagandha Altogether?
You can stop taking Ashwagandha after consulting with your doctor. For example, if you have an upcoming surgery, doctors recommend you stop taking the herb two weeks beforehand. However, if you have a thyroid disorder, it is also recommended you don’t suddenly stop taking Ashwagandha since this may play havoc with your thyroid levels.
8. When Should You Take Ashwagandha for Testosterone?
Two dosages should be taken for a testosterone boost, one in the morning and one at night. Ashwagandha can be taken in capsule form, liquid extract, or powder form. You may make an Ashwagandha latte with cinnamon and almond milk if you choose powder form. By all accounts, it is quite delicious.
Bottom Line
While Ashwagandha may offer several health benefits for men, it’s important to consult a healthcare professional before taking any supplement. This is because herbs and supplements can interact with medications and other medical treatments and may not be appropriate for everyone.
A specialized men’s health professional can help determine if Ashwagandha is safe and appropriate for an individual’s specific needs and health profile. For example, suppose a man is interested in using Ashwagandha to improve their sex life or overall health. They should go through a complete checkup and medical history with their doctor to understand the plant’s potential benefits and risks.