When it comes to sex and every aspect related to it, there are numerous things you can do naturally to spice things up.
Erectile dysfunction? Get some erectile supplement pills and change your diet. Libido issues? Try out some herbs, and it will get back on track in no time. Infertility? Change your diet and lifestyle before anything else.
No matter what the problem is, the truth is most specialists will first recommend the natural approach, which is not just healthy in the long run, but also less likely to bring in any side effects. The same rule applies to ashwagandha, one of the latest trends in super foods for sex.
There are numerous ashwagandha libido associations, not to mention support with psychogenic erectile dysfunction, sexual desire, and overall sexual health.
Now, what should you know about it, and how can you take advantage of its effects?
What Is Ashwagandha?
Ashwagandha is an evergreen shrub. It is not that common in the western world, as it mostly grows in parts of Africa and Asia.
It is used naturally, but you can also find different supplements based on it – more convenient to take.
Normally, the shrub is used as an adaptogen – in other words, it is used to treat medical conditions associated with stress.
There is not much evidence regarding its direct effects, yet the shrub has similar properties – calming the brain, reducing swelling, and even keeping blood pressure low.
The stress association is just the most common use for ashwagandha. Scientifically known as withania somnifera, it has also been given in traditional medicine for sexually related problems. The herb is meant to help with sexual anxiety, improve sexual intercourse and annihilate sexual dysfunctions.
Now, since it is mostly used for stress-related problems, sexual performance will be improved if all the potential issues are psychological.
Basically, erectile dysfunction, low libido or poor performance can be caused by stress and anxiety too – in fact, these are some of the main causes.
With these thoughts in mind, ashwagandha is now widely used to enhance sexual function.
Does Ashwagandha Help With Erectile Dysfunction?
There are not too many scientific research studies associated with the health benefits of ashwagandha over sexual function.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that ancient doctors knew something when they prescribed it to improve sexual desire.
Scientific research is limited, and there are no conclusive results, but then, ashwagandha does help with stress relief and anxiety issues.
If abnormal sexual behavior is caused by stress, the supplement will help against this type of erectile dysfunction.
A few failures in your past can cause psychological ED – the fear of failing again could lead to ED. You feel anxious about it, and all these negative thoughts will affect the sexual function, even if the reproductive system is alright. This is when herbal supplements kick in.
You do not need any drugs or medications because there is nothing wrong with you physically – instead, you need to tackle the stress and anxiety.
Ashwagandha cannot improve sexual desire, boost erections or sperm count directly, but it has indirect effects on all these things if they are caused by anxiety.
In conclusion, this ayurvedic medicine for sex is good in the management of psychogenic erectile dysfunction.
Does Ashwagandha Increase Size?
Ashwagandha supplements particularly work on stress. The same rule applies to other similar products, such as Indian ginseng.
While they can add to the testosterone levels and even prevent sexual dysfunction, such herbal supplements cannot increase the penis size.
It makes no difference what ashwagandha dosage you take. It can add to your sexual function, but this is it.
Small size cannot be caused by stress or anxiety. It is not even caused by something physical in particular. Therefore, these supplements will have no effects on the size of your penis whatsoever.
However, since you will find it easier to obtain and maintain an erection, firmer and stronger erections will require more blood in the penis. As a result, the penis may look a bit longer than normally, but this is only a temporary thing.
Ashwagandha improves the psychogenic ED and sex life, but the ashwagandha extract will not affect the physical part of your reproductive system, so your penis size will not be affected – not positively and not negatively either.
To improve penis size naturally, stretching exercises using penile extender represent a better option.
Does Ashwagandha Increase Libido?
Ashwagandha is a powerful aphrodisiac, meaning it has plenty of effects on your sex drive.
Your libido will be seriously improved in a few different ways. First of all, ashwagandha can stimulate a natural increase in testosterone levels.
Second, a healthy ashwagandha dosage will also increase the production of nitric oxide in the body.
The blood flow will also be improved – all over the body, including around the genitals. This is also one of the reasons wherefore the supplement is taken for psychogenic ED too.
There are many times when a low libido is caused by stress and anxiety. You have a stressful day in work – the last thing you want when you get home is to have sex. You have a long day looking after kids or sorting all sorts of things – sex is last on your priorities then.
When caused by anxiety, low libido is caused by the fear of failing to perform. Since ashwagandha extract prevents issues caused by stress and anxiety, it will also help you overcome low libido issues. You will feel back on track in no time, but also learn how to detach yourself from stressful things in life.
Your reproductive system will improve, as well as your sex life. According to some peer-reviewed studies, it looks like ashwagandha benefits also include dilating blood vessels. Since ED is related to poor circulation, this effect can boost erectile function as well.
How To Take Ashwagandha
Whether it comes to stress relief, premature ejaculation or low libido, ashwagandha has been used in traditional medicine for hundreds of years.
In today’s society, more and more people turn to natural remedies, so it is gaining in popularity.
It is worth noting that while many supplements are natural, they may still have some adverse reactions – most commonly, stomach upset.
It might be worth talking to a healthcare professional before taking this pill for sexual satisfaction.
If you live in parts of the world where you can find ashwagandha, taking it in a natural form will not really help, as you need the root extract. When it comes to supplements, you are more likely to find them in tablets. Take them whole – unless the prospect says otherwise.
Pretty much every placebo-controlled study claims some positive results, yet crushing the tablet will simply expose you to the dosage much faster than normally – stomach upset is more likely to occur then. A faster dose will not improve your poor sexual performance.
You can also find the supplement in powders. It makes no difference if you want a healthier erectile function or need help with the stress hormone. Pay attention to the actual dose, rather than the supplement form.
Powders are usually mixed into something like a glass of water or milk.
Ashwagandha supplementation or the ashwagandha root may also be found in oils or creams and other similar cosmetic products. There are no ancillary findings regarding their efficiency, though. Every systematic review targets the oral supplementation rather than topical one.
How Much Ashwagandha Per Day?
Whether you want a healthier blood flow, the possibility of boosting testosterone, the necessity to increase sexual desire, or you simply deal with chronic stress, general health professionals recommend ashwagandha to adults only, as there are no studies regarding its effects on children.
On the same note, children are less likely to suffer from stress or require sex therapy.
According to most blind placebo-controlled studies, the safest dose is around 1,000mg per day. The medicinal herb will require a similar dose to boost testosterone or other health conditions. Alternative medicine will not help increase testosterone or boost libido if you take a higher dose.
Instead, according to most randomized, double-blind studies, taking more of the withania somnifera root extract will increase the risks of adverse reactions. Luckily, they are not too harsh, but since there are no positive effects associated with a higher dose, it is simply not worth it.
The 1,000mg per day can be taken regardless of how you take it – powders, capsules, tablets or other forms. Ashwagandha’s benefits will be the same, whether you take it in the morning or the evening. Most experts recommend taking it in the morning, though.
Furthermore, check the prospect of the supplement if you are unsure how to take it. Ashwagandha root extract can be taken in one dose or perhaps split into two identical doses – see how you feel too.
Different medical conditions or requirements may need smaller doses, hence the necessity to discuss this option with a doctor. Different supplements may interact negatively with one another if taken simultaneously.
To reduce stress and anxiety – but also for muscle growth, most people can do with up to 600mg per day. To lower blood sugar levels, you will probably need at least 750mg a day – usually split in three doses. As for fertility, you may need a few grams a day.
How Long Does Ashwagandha Take To Work For Men?
Back in the day, when traditional medicine was the only way to treat people, different doctors had different ideas about how long the potential benefits of ashwagandha may take.
Even today, more research is needed regarding how long to take ashwagandha.
Taking ashwagandha asks for consistency – a single dose will not give you any visible results. If you talk to a doctor first, follow their recommendations. Otherwise, check the prospect coming with the supplement.
Normally, you should take ashwagandha for at least 12 weeks to notice any improvements. You may see things turning better throughout the treatment, but you need to stick to its overall duration for maximum effectiveness.
It makes no difference if you need help dilating blood vessels, improving low libido, boosting muscle mass, or reducing stress. Although there is not much available evidence, it seems ashwagandha can also help with sperm motility and count.
Simply give the treatment three months and see how you feel after.
Can You Take Too Much Ashwagandha?
Many supplements do not mention potential side effects because it would take industrial quantities to affect the human body negatively.
Unfortunately, ashwagandha is not one of those supplements. Too much of it can cause all sorts of reactions – most of them are gastrointestinal and will not cause any life-threatening situations. With these thoughts in mind, it is imperative to follow recommendations in the prospect or the doctor’s advice.
Many people make the mistake of taking more because they think the positive effects will show up faster.
Too much of ashwagandha will not rush the positive effects. It will not give you a better sleep from day one. Your declining sex drive will not improve within minutes.
It takes time to get there, and you need patience and consistency.
Bottom line, the only thing that may happen if you take a higher dose is getting potential side effects. There are no positives associated with higher doses, and there is no way you can rush your treatment, so simply follow the recommendations and give the supplement time to work on the body.
Side Effects Of Ashwagandha
Most side effects are noticed if you take ashwagandha by mouth.
Again, there is not too much research regarding the effects of topical creams, oils, and other similar treatments.
However, some people have reported redness or rash in high quantities.
Regarding oral uses, ashwagandha is rated safe when taken for up to 12 weeks – not more than that. Long-term effects are not really known, but large doses will most likely give you an immediate warning.
Most side effects are gastrointestinal. You risk facing stomach upset, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. These are the most common things to pay attention to.
While such cases are extremely rare, the liver may also be affected – after all, the liver is sensitive to anything you eat or take.
Large doses – such as 1,500mg of root extract – can cause even more side effects. Most commonly, the supplement will affect the membranes inside the stomach. All these side effects are mild to moderate and will cease once you stop taking the supplement.
Although normally ashwagandha will improve your sleep and can help you overcome sleep-related disorders, drowsiness is a potential side effect and may affect some users’ capabilities throughout a day – such as operating a vehicle, for example.
The sedative effects of the supplement are more obvious in people who also take sedative drugs or other similar supplements. For instance, those who take barbiturates are more likely to experience drowsiness while taking ashwagandha.
Make sure you talk to a specialist doctor if you vomit food and water, even after stopping the supplementation. Side effects should be mild or moderate – severe abdominal pains require medical attention.
Effects like weight gain are less likely to occur from supplementation.
Pregnant women, suffering from thyroid conditions, hormone sensitive prostate cancer, diabetes, stomach ulcers, or autoimmune conditions should not take the supplement. The same goes for those who take barbiturates, anticonvulsants, or benzodiazepines.
Other Uses Of Ashwagandha
Stress relief is one of the main reasons wherefore ashwagandha gained notoriety overtime.
Furthermore, stress-related weight gain can also be prevented that way, not to mention other issues associated with stress.
Taking oral supplements based on ashwagandha may also improve overall sleep quality.
It can prevent sleep-related problems, such as insomnia. Apart from these two uses, there are more reasons wherefore people take ashwagandha, but clinical studies are not conclusive enough.
Ashwagandha may also have athletic performance benefits in the long run, so it makes a good supplement for athletes – regardless of the sport. Some evidence also suggests that it can reduce symptoms and side effects of some medications for mental health.
Ashwagandha can reduce the levels of blood sugar, as well as inflammation of different kinds. WA is the most important nutrient associated with the capability to reduce inflammation caused by different affections.
Taking ashwagandha is likely to improve cognitive function as well. It is suitable for people with schizophrenia and can work wonders in adults with cognitive impairment. Apart from all these, ashwagandha is associated with sexual improvements, especially in men.
It can improve the sex drive before anything else, but the fact that it improves the blood flow makes it suitable for those with different types of erectile dysfunction. At the same time, it can positively affect the sperm count as well.
What Herb Can Make You Horny?
Ashwagandha is not the only option if you want to increase your libido naturally. Maca root is sweet and has a few similar benefits too.
People use it in traditional medicine to improve fertility – some refer to it as Peruvian Viagra. It grows in central Peru, but also in surrounding countries.
Tribulus – known as bindii as well – is an annual plant. It is mostly grown in dry climates. According to tests performed on animals, it can raise testosterone in male specimens, yet there are no studies performed on people.
Ginkgo biloba herbal supplements are well known for its masculine benefits. It is one of the oldest trees in the world – and is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine. It can improve sexual function from all points of view.
Red ginseng, also known as Panax Ginseng, is another popular supplement in traditional Chinese medicine. It improves sexual function overall, but it is known for boosting the libido before anything else. Red ginseng works in women, too, and can increase sexual arousal when close to menopause.
Fenugreek is most commonly known for its ability to increase sperm count – it is, therefore, available in all sorts of supplements for male enhancement. The same goes for pistachio nuts – while often overlooked, pistachio can reduce the signs of erectile dysfunction, among many other benefits.
Other foods that can boost libido – without too much scientific evidence – include:
- Oysters
- Dark chocolate
- Saffron
- Chasteberry
- Honey
- Epimedium or Horny Goat Weed
- Hot chilies
- Alcohol – not more than a glass, or you could cross the line and actually cause erectile problems.
FAQs Ashwaganda Libido
Still unsure about the ashwagandha libido connection?
Can Ashwagandha Make You Lose Weight?
There are quite a few clinical studies on both people and animals. Ashwagandha can reduce weight gain – especially associated with stress. Effects on other forms of weight gain are uncertain. Also, it is not certain how the supplement can work against weight gain.
How Long Does Ashwagandha Take To Work?
Ashwagandha will take time to show some effects – pretty much like any other type of supplement. The duration of the treatment and the time needed to notice effects will vary from one individual to another. It also depends on the goals – those taking it to relieve stress will see faster results than others.
Can Ashwagandha Be Taken On An Empty Stomach?
There are no rules or recommendations about it. You can take it on an empty stomach, but do it with a bit of food if you feel any discomfort. If you know you have a sensitive stomach, you might as well take it with food all the time.
Conclusion
The ashwagandha libido connection may vary from one individual to another. Scientific research is, indeed, limited.
However, there are light studies and suggestions about it, not to mention the common uses in traditional medicine.
