Ashwagandha is a highly valued herb in the Indian Ayurvedic system of medicine and it has been used for thousands of years for a wide variety of conditions. Ashwagandha is prized for its supportive effects on fertility. Let’s take a look at four ways ashwagandha contributes to male fertility.
Support Your Body’s Response to Stress
Stress can interfere with certain hormones needed to produce sperm, and severe or prolonged emotional stress can affect your sperm count. Ashwagandha is known as an adaptogen, meaning it provides the body with what it needs to adapt to physical and psychological stressors. Plants recognized as adaptogens help to normalize the body’s functions even during diseased states, are non-toxic, nutritive, and have been deemed safe for long term use.
Ashwagandha helps manage normal stress and promotes a calming effect and relaxation, which contributes to enhancing overall vitality and health. Most adaptogens are stimulating, but ashwagandha is unique because it’s calming and relaxing. This makes it a good choice for a wide range of stress and immune-related fertility issues.
Hormone Imbalances
Infertility can result from an abnormality affecting other hormonal systems including the hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid and adrenal glands. A study of mice given ashwagandha root extract for twenty days showed that ashwagandha supports normal thyroid function, via T4 hormone production.
Potent Antioxidants in Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is rich in antioxidants which seek and destroy the free radicals implicated in aging and numerous disease states. Antioxidant levels play a critical role in the health of not only all of the cells that make up the body, but those of sperm and egg health as well. Increasing antioxidant levels has been shown to support healthy sperm and eggs.
Sperm Count
Ashwagandha root supports reproductive capacity and function, specifically sperm concentration. Take a look at a summary of a study done on ashwagandha and sperm here.
Ashwagandha Dosage
Ashwagandha is a tonifying herb that may need time to build up and taken long term. Taking it once, you probably won’t feel it. It will take time. I recommend taking it daily to obtain the desired effect.
Tincture (1:5): 30-40 drops, 3 times per day
Capsules: One 400-500 mg capsule, with 2% to 5% withanolides, twice per day.
To support healthy sleep habits, consider taking 1 capsule of ashwagandha thirty minutes before sleep. For those with more serious insomnia, stress or nervousness, consider upping the dose. Start low and work up in the dose of ashwagandha.
Powder: Start with ¼ teaspoon and slowly work your way up to 1 teaspoon at a time.
Ashwagandha capsules, powders, and tinctures can all be found on our Healthy Goods website.
Personally, I prefer the powdered or tinctured form of adaptogens because I find them more potent and effective. The herb is also commonly featured in adaptogen blend formulas, which may contain other adaptogenic herbs like ginseng and Rhodiola.
Ashwagandha can also be incorporated into recipes, such as Ashwagandha-infused Moon Milk, Ashwagandha Chocolate Chunks, and Ashwagandha Hot Chocolate.
As you can see, ashwagandha covers many key areas that play a role in reproductive health.
In Health and Happiness,
Kelly Harrington, MS, RDN
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist for Healthy Goods
