Arthritis. Studies with rats show that ashwagandha may be beneficial for treating arthritis.93 Both paw swelling and degenerative changes were reduced in rats with induced arthritis when the rats were given ashwagandha root powder for fifteen days.94 Only one human study is available and it used ashwagandha in conjunction with zinc and two other herbs.95 The study, which involved 42 patients with osteoarthritis, found significant reduction of pain and disability.
How do you use it?
Ashwagandha is commonly used in powdered form, which is made from the root. Commercially prepared powders, both in and out of capsules are available. Buy from a reputable company and follow label directions. Take it with a meal and/or a full glass of water.
Dosage: How much do you use?
Commercial preparations: Capsules are often standardized to 2–5 mg with anolides, one of the active ingredients. For these standardized capsules, a dose of 150–300 mg is typical.
Root powder: For the root powder, 2–3 g taken three times a day (up to 9 g per day) is a typical Ayurvedic dose.96 Western herbalists most commonly recommend somewhat less, roughly 3–6 g per day97 Experiments on rats suggests that a single dose (25 or 50 mg/kg taken orally) taken an hour before anticipated stress may help ameliorate some of the physical consequences of that stress.98
What should you be aware of before using it?
We know little or nothing about the consequences of long-term use.
Many members of the nightshade family are toxic. Ashwagandha roots have been used for thousands of years. If the dangers were obvious, they would have received much wider attention than they have. That, however, does not guarantee that it is completely safe.
The plant can make some people drowsy, so you should be cautious about driving and engaging in dangerous activities that require quick reaction time until you figure out how much this particular side effect affects you. Taking ashwagandha with other herbs with a sedative effect can compound the sedative effect. Be cautious about mixing it with melatonin or herbs that make you drowsy. (See Chapter 5 for a list.)
If you have thyroid problems, check with your doctor before using ashwagandha. Thyrotoxicosis has been reported in humans and increased blood levels of thyroid hormones have been reported in animals.99
If you have immune system issues, discuss ashwagandha with your doctor before taking it. Studies show that it may have an immunosuppressant effect.100
There is some question as to whether it is safe to use ashwagandha during pregnancy. The Western literature says no. Ayurvedic practitioners have used it as a pregnancy tonic for years. However, one of its other traditional uses is as an abortifacient. Prudence dictates that you not use it during pregnancy, at least not without professional supervision.
One article suggests that it causes kidney lesion in rats.101
One study showed that high levels of ashwagandha (3000 mg/kg per day for a week) hampered sexual desire and function in male rats.102 But it has a reputation for having the opposite effect in humans.
Another study demonstrated that it’s possible to kill a rat if you give it enough ashwagandha.103 More is not better. Stay within recommended doses.
Ashwagandha contains some nicotine. If you have a problem with cigarette addiction, you may want to be a bit cautious about using it.
Astragalus
Scientific name: Astragalus membranaceus
Also known as huang-qi or huang-qui, milk vetch, tragacanth, goat’s horn, goat’s thorn, green dragon, gum dragon, hog gum, locoweed
Astragalus, Astragalus membranaceus
Courtesy of Stanislva Doronenko
Astragalus is a hairy-stemmed perennial plant, mainly grown in China. It is, however, becoming ever more common in the West. It is a relative of licorice. The dried root is used medicinally.
The Chinese have been using astragalus for more than a thousand years. It is used mainly as a tonic to enhance and balance vital energy, especially among the elderly. It is also used topically as a vasodilator to speed healing. Though use in the Western world dates back to the 1800s when it was included in various tonics, only in the last twenty-five years or so has astragalus become common. What boosted astragalus sales the most was when herb sellers began touting its alleged anti-cancer properties. The media picked up the story, and astragalus became widely available. Since then it has come to be used most commonly to help ward off viral and bacterial infections. Tests of the herb’s effectiveness and safety, however, are also fairly new. The herb, nonetheless, shows great promise. Once Westerners become more familiar and comfortable with its use, it may join echinacea and vitamin C as common treatment for colds and flu.
What is it good for?
Immune support. The most common use for astragalus in the West is as a cold-and flu fighter. Surprisingly, the clinical evidence for that use is slim. What we do know is this: Extracts contain COX and LOX inhibitors, suggesting that astragalus may have anti-inflammatory properties.104 In the laboratory, extracts of the drug were able to protect liver cells from environmental toxins.105 Astragalus appears to stimulate the production of interferon, a protein produced by the body to hamper the ability of viruses to multiply.106 It may also stimulate the body’s killer cells and white blood cells, both of which protect the body against invading organisms.107 Note, however, the qualifiers: it may stimulate interferon and it may stimulate killer cells. These studies have been of extracts of the herb, which may or may not behave like the whole herb. So far, all the studies have been preliminary and unconfirmed. Some limited human research has examined the use of astragalus for viral infections. In a clinical study, 1,000 people experienced fewer colds and less severe colds while taking astragalus.108 However, most human studies have been small, poorly designed, and unduplicated.109
Energy and endurance. The anecdotal evidence for this use is strong in China, where astragalus is used especially by young people as a tonic to promote muscle growth and increase stamina.110 Animal tests show preliminary support for this use. Mice that were fed astragalus could swim longer in cold water.111 However, clinical studies have yet to show this effect in healthy adults. A couple of studies have shown that it can improve heart function in patients with heart disease.112 Another study suggests that it can improve breathing in patients with asthma.113 To date, however, we have no evidence that it can improve circulation, respiration, energy levels, or endurance in healthy athletes.
How do you use it?
Decoctions work best for astragalus. Use 1 teaspoonful of the root per cup of water, bring to boil and simmer for 10–15 minutes.114
Commercially prepared capsules containing extracts of the roots are available. Good ones are standardized to 0.5% glucosides and 70% polysaccharides.
Tinctures