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You are here: Home / Buy It / Herbal Xanax – Ashwagandha

Herbal Xanax – Ashwagandha

January 2, 2009 by Adria Ali 4 Comments

 

     An estimated 4 million people in the United States are addicted to prescription drugs.  Xanax is one of the most popular drugs on the market.  It’s popularity level increases over time due to the calming affects.  These days, drugs are handed out like candy to cure every aliment under the sun.  The dangers of getting addicted to these prescriptions can be very high.  So, why not try herbal remedies to lighten your mood.  This herb called Ashwagandha has the ability to calm you down without getting addicted. 

Here’s a little background…..

Antioxidant properties of ashwagandha root
Researchers from Banaras Hindu University in Varanasi, India, have discovered that some of the chemicals within ashwagandha are powerful antioxidants. They tested these compounds for their effects on rat brain and found an increase in the levels of three natural antioxidants — superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase. They say, “These findings are consistent with the therapeutic use of ashwagandha as an Ayurvedic rasayana (health promoter). The antioxidant effect of active principles of ashwagandha root may explain, at least in part, the reported anti-stress, cognition-facilitating, anti-inflammatory and anti-aging effects produced by them in experimental animals, and in clinical situations.”

Aphrodisiac properties of ashwagandha root
Ashwagandha is historically used as an aphrodisiac.
Ashwagandha is mentioned in the ancient Kama Sutra as an herb to be used for heightening sexual experience, Ashwagandha herb has the ability to restore sexual health and improve overall vitality while promoting a calm state of mind.I have included ashwagandha extract in a libido product called Passion Rx. Laboratory studies show ashwagandha can produce nitric oxide which is known to dilate blood vessels.

Ashwagandha: a mood enhancing and anti-anxiety herb
The roots of ashwagandha are used extensively in Ayurveda, the classical Indian system of medicine. In rodent studies ashwagandha has been shown to reduce anxiety and have a positive effect on mood.

Ashwagandha and brain health
Ashwagandha is used in India to treat mental deficits in geriatric patients, including amnesia. Researchers from the University of Leipzig in Germany wanted to find out which neurotransmitters were influenced by ashwagandha herb. After injecting some of the chemicals in ashwagandha into rats, they later examined slices of their brain and found an increase in acetylcholine receptor activity. The researchers say, “The drug-induced increase in acetylcholine receptor capacity might partly explain the cognition-enhancing and memory-improving effects of extracts from ashwagandha observed in animals and humans.”
   A study done in 1991 at the Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center indicated that extracts of ashwagandha had GABA-like activity. This may account for this herb’s anti-anxiety effects.
   A 2002 laboratory study indicates ashwagandha extract stimulates the growth of axons and dendrites. A 2001 study in rodents showed ashwagandha extract had memory boosting ability.A 2000 study with rodents showed ashwagandha extract to have anti-anxiety and anti-depression effects.

Additional benefits of ashwagandha root
One small study (see bottom of page) found ashwagandha root was able to reduce blood sugar and cholesterol levels, and had a diuretic effect.

Ashwagandha side effects
Ashwagandha herb does not seem to have any significant side effects but long term studies are not yet available to determine ashwagandha side effects from chronic use. Nevertheless, it is best to take breaks from use. For instance, one can take a week off each month or take ashwagandha 3 or 4 times a week as opposed to daily. There is one casereport from Holland of a person taking high doses of ashwagandha for prolonged periods who ended up with excessive thyroid hormone production (source).

     If depression and stress are keeping you from achieving your fitness goals, then maybe it’s time you tried this great herb.  If you are dependent on Xanax then maybe you should go for a cheaper and healthier (non- addictive) form.  Emotional eaters could also benefit from mood enhancing herbs.  Brightening up your mood keeps you from over eating, espacially at night when you have the extra time to snack. 

Adria Ali

(CES, PES, CPT, BS)

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Filed Under: Buy It Tagged With: ashwaganda, dangers of xanax, emotional eating, herbal anxiety remidies, herbal remedies for anxiety, herbal remedies for depression, herbal remedies for stress, herbs instead of xanax, how many people are addicted to perscription medication, how to control emotional eating, natural anti-inflammatory, the benefits of ashwaganda, the best herbal remedies, xanax

About Adria Ali

I am the author of this web page and I have been a personal trainer for over 13 years. I currently hold a Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology (exercise science), as well as all of the certifications from National Academy of Sports Medicine. I also have a background in sports training as well as internships in physical therapy and Occupational Therapy. I got into personal training to help people like my mom who struggled with her weight her whole life.


DISCLAIMER: The purpose of FitTipDaily.com is to promote broad consumer understanding and knowledge of various health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Comments

  1. Bob Young says

    July 4, 2014 at 2:40 pm

    Currently taking .50 xanax daily is it safe to take .50 xanax and start taking ashwanghanda. If so how much daily? I want to get off of xanax completely But have severe side effects when taking less than .50 daily. Can't sleep Have panic attacks. Have hypothyroidism taking 125 a day. Have copd do not take anything for this inhalers give no relief. Would appreciate your advice. Thanks
  2. Adria Ali says

    July 7, 2014 at 8:37 am

    Bob, You may need to ask your doctor about that one since I don't know the interaction affects of xanax. Something to consider might be the dosage of your thyroid medication. If it's too high it could cause anxiety and it will make it impossible to sleep. Lastly, a LOT of people with hypothyroidism tend to be allergic to gluten. This would also cause anxiety and inability to sleep. Keep in touch with me and let me know how this all pans out. Adria
  3. Buddy says

    January 17, 2015 at 8:18 pm

    I was an acoholic, sober now 6 yrs. I had plenty of self confidence with the drink, now I've lost a lot of that. I am currently taking Xanax 0.5 mg ER twice daily for anxiety and anger issues. I am a nervous person, since childhood. Raised in a home with an acoholic father. I would like to try the Ashwagandha for self confidence, so could someone recommend a safe dosage that would work with the Xanax? I would like to get off the Xanax all together if I could. Some good advice would be greatly appreciated.
  4. Adria Ali says

    January 19, 2015 at 8:59 pm

    Buddy, Sorry to hear about the confidence change but congrats on becoming sober! What you should know is that when you drink your body DUMPS magnesium from to combat drinking. Magnesium is a key mineral to keep you calm, help you sleep, and ward off body fat (especially in the stomach area). What I would recommend is that you start taking magnesium at night. My favorite brand is Jigsaw and we sell it in the fittipstore.com (you can find the tab for our store at the top of the page). I love this brand because it's time release and it doesn't cause an upset stomach which could send you running to the bathroom. Since everyone is different, I would recommend taking 1 or 2 pills - 2 hours before bed at night. If you wake up drowsy then cut the dose down. The more you take it the more your body will adjust and you will be able to take more as time goes on. Some people take up to 6 pills at night and they have seen a huge improvement in their anxiety. Ashwagandha is also a great pill but you need to do your research and look up the interactions it could have with xanax. It's meant to replace it, I don't know about taking it in combination with the xanax. However, the magnesium shouldn't have a reaction with the xanax because it's naturally occurring in foods and in some mineral waters. I would again check this online and then test this on a day when you don't have to be around people. Again always check this with your doctor since we aren't medical practitioners. Thank You for writing in and good luck! Adria

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