6 Ways Ashwagandha Can Boost Your Sex Drive
May 17, 2024
Ashwagandha is widely used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat various conditions of the body and improve overall health.
Table of Contents:
- 6 Benefits of Ashwagandha for Sex Drive
- How to Include Ashwagandha in Your Diet?
- How Often Should You Consume Ashwagandha?
- Precautions While Including Ashwagandha to Improve Sex Drive
- Conclusion
- FAQs
It is a powerful herb known for its ability to improve sexual health in both men and women. By reducing stress, balancing hormones, and increasing energy, ashwagandha helps individuals feel more vital and sexually active. So, is ashwagandha good for sexuality and how can it improve libido? Read below:
6 Benefits of Ashwagandha for Sex Drive
1. Boost Libido
Ashwagandha is widely recognised for its potent effects on enhancing libido. Its ability to increase blood flow is particularly beneficial for sexual function, as good circulation is essential for arousal in both men and women. Additionally, ashwagandha helps reduce stress by lowering cortisol levels. Chronic stress can suppress sexual desire and response, making stress-reducing properties of the herb crucial for restoring libido.
2. Improves Mood
As an adaptogen, ashwagandha plays a significant role in mood regulation by mitigating the effects of stress and anxiety, which can negatively impact mood and, by extension, sexual health. Regular intake of ashwagandha has been shown to promote a calming effect, reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression.
3. Stress Reduction
Ashwagandha is highly effective in reducing stress, primarily by lowering cortisol, the stress hormone. Elevated cortisol levels can disturb many bodily functions, including sexual health and libido. By moderating these levels, ashwagandha helps alleviate stress and its negative impacts on the body, thereby improving sexual desire and performance.
4. Boosts Physical Power
Ashwagandha is renowned for its ability to increase energy levels and vitality, both of which are essential for a healthy sex life. It works by reducing physical and mental stress, which can often drain energy levels and affect sexual stamina. Regular use of ashwagandha contributes to improved endurance and energy, which are vital for both sexual performance and overall daily activities.
5. Hormonal Balance
Ashwagandha plays a critical role in regulating hormone levels, which is key to maintaining a healthy reproductive system and optimal sexual function. By modulating the balance of vital hormones such as testosterone in men and progesterone and estrogen in women, ashwagandha ensures that reproductive processes function smoothly.
6. Helps with Erectile Dysfunction
The ability of ashwagandha to boost nitric oxide production is crucial for its effectiveness in treating erectile dysfunction. Nitric oxide is essential for erectile function because it helps relax the blood vessels, allowing more blood to flow to the genitals, which is necessary for maintaining an erection.
How to Include Ashwagandha in Your Diet?
Ashwagandha is a versatile herb in Ayurvedic medicine, known for its variety of applications. Here are some specific ways it is used:
Daily Tonic: Ashwagandha is often taken as a daily tonic in powder or tablet form to maintain general health and well-being over time.
Medicinal Preparations: It is included in many Ayurvedic formulas used for treating specific conditions like anxiety, sleep disorders and hormonal imbalances.
Topical Applications: Ashwagandha is sometimes used in creams and ointments for its anti-inflammatory properties to help heal skin conditions.
Ashwagandha Tea: Brewed as tea or boiled in water, ashwagandha is used to prepare herbal decoctions aimed at calming nerves and reducing stress.
How Often Should You Consume Ashwagandha?
The frequency of ashwagandha consumption can vary depending on the health needs and the form in which it is taken. Generally, ashwagandha is taken daily. For most adults, a typical dose ranges from 300 to 500 mg of a standardised extract (containing 1.5% withanolides) once or twice a day. It is always best to start with a lower dose to assess tolerance and then gradually increase as needed. Consistent use over at least a month is usually necessary to begin experiencing the full ashwagandha sex benefits.
Precautions While Including Ashwagandha to Improve Sex Drive
When including ashwagandha in your routine to boost male sex drive, consider the following precautions:
Medical Conditions
Men with thyroid disorders should use ashwagandha cautiously as it can influence thyroid hormone levels. Additionally, if you have autoimmune diseases or are on hormonal therapy, consult with your healthcare provider before starting ashwagandha, as it can affect immune and hormonal functions.
Medication Interactions
Ashwagandha might interact with certain medications, including those for diabetes and hypertension, by affecting blood sugar and blood pressure levels. It can also interact with sedatives due to its calming effects. Discuss with your doctor if you are taking any such medications.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Although not directly applicable to male sex drive, it’s important to note that ashwagandha is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women.
Surgery
Since ashwagandha can slow down the central nervous system, it is recommended to stop taking it at least two weeks before any scheduled surgery to avoid potential interactions with anesthetics and other medications used during surgery.
It is important to purchase ashwagandha supplements from a reliable source. High-quality and tested supplements reduce the risk of contaminants that could negatively impact your health.
Final Words
In conclusion, ashwagandha offers a range of benefits for sexual health, improving libido, reducing stress and improving overall vitality, which contribute to better sexual performance and enjoyment. However, it is important to know when to avoid using ashwagandha. You can also consult an ayurveda practitioner, who can guide you how to use ashwagandha and what should be the right amount for you. Indeed, regular use of ashwagandha has shown improvement in many individuals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, ashwagandha can increase sex stamina by reducing stress, balancing hormones and enhancing energy levels.
Ashwagandha does not work immediately; it typically takes a few weeks to notice its effects as it gradually improves body functions.
No natural supplement works exactly like Viagra, but ashwagandha and ginseng are popular for their libido-immproving effects.
Both have benefits; ashwagandha reduces stress and boosts libido, while Shilajit increases stamina and energy. Your choice may depend on specific needs.
Ashwagandha is not a direct substitute for Viagra as it works more gradually to increase sexual health holistically, rather than providing an immediate effect.
Ashwagandha can increase libido, reduce stress, improve mood and improve overall energy, contributing to better sexual experiences.
Look for ashwagandha that is labelled as standardised root extract with at least 1.5% withanolides for optimal sexual health benefits.
Typically, a dose of 300-500 mg of ashwagandha extract per day is recommended for improving sexual function but consult with a healthcare provider first.
Yes, ashwagandha can improve sexual health by boosting libido, increasing stamina and reducing stress, all of which contribute to better sexual performance.
