Mysterious ashwagandha: what is it and why is its sale banned in Russia?

Today it is fashionable to take various vitamins and dietary supplements, thereby taking care of yourself. We do not lead the healthiest lifestyle, but buy beautiful jars with multi-colored capsules in bulk to stay young, active and get rid of bad health.

However, not all dietary supplements are beneficial for the body. Others, on the contrary, can adversely affect health. An example of such a “vitamin” that promises to relieve you from stress is ashwagandha or “Winter Cherry”. Banned for sale in Russia available in pharmacies and specialty stores, but still in markets.

Note that the The Fashion Vibes edition does not support the independent appointment and intake of any dietary supplement. We draw your attention to the fact that before taking any dietary supplement it is necessary to consult a doctor, and this material has only an educational function.

what it is

Let’s start with the fact that this is a shrub whose name translates as “horse scent”. The plant received such a name for its most pleasant aroma (in no case do we want to offend the horses).

Therefore, the medicinal raw material is the root of the plant, which is also called “Indian ginseng”. The shrub belongs to the nightshade family and can cause irreversible harm to health if used incorrectly.

In ancient India, ashwagandha was taken in powder form, the plant was valued for its ability to fill a person with energy and calmness, while maintaining mental clarity. The supplement was especially revered by men for its positive effect on potency.

Today, ashwagandha is available in the form of tablets, capsules, mixtures and herbal tinctures. Indian ginseng is slightly bitter and difficult to drink.

Scientifically Proven Health Benefits of Winter Cherry

1. Taking the supplement reduces stress and anxiety, improves sleep quality, and helps cope with manic-depressive states.
2. It helps to lower blood sugar levels.
3. It causes an increase in muscle mass and strength by lowering cholesterol levels.
4. Increases libido in women.
5. Increases fertility and testosterone levels in men.
6. It has a positive effect on concentration and memory.
7. It supports the work of the heart.

Contraindications

First of all, never, under any circumstances, resort to self-medication. This advice applies to absolutely everything, even the most harmless drugs. You should consult a doctor before you start taking anything.

The supplement is contraindicated in pregnant and lactating women. Ashwagandha is also dangerous for those with autoimmune diseases, stomach ulcers, kidney disease, and those taking medications that regulate iron in the body, pressure and blood sugar.

Any use of the herb can cause symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, skin itching, diarrhea, dry mouth, fever, extreme drowsiness followed by frequent headaches.

Feedback from people who have tried the supplement is mixed

Kostya: “I felt the first improvements after two weeks. It was as if a new strength had been given to me: I was less tired, irritable, my private life improved.

olya: “It works as if you didn’t notice all the stressful situations you might have reacted to before. He noted that the drug did not cause drowsiness.

Alyona: “I was constantly in a cheerful mood, which at some point began to bother me, because I like to be sad, to think, to withdraw into myself – ashwagandha turned off these feelings. I needed a vigorous activity. At the same time, active work did not lead to fatigue. But this was not intellectual work, so I had a hard time concentrating on the work.

Michael: “I bought a supplement in the form of tablets from the market. Appearance, packaging, taste, smell – everything was normal. I took the drug for five days, two tablets a day, over the next 12 days I increased the dose to four pieces. After 17 days of taking it, I saw absolutely no effect: I did not increase my calmness, I did not sleep better. ”

As we can see, the action of “Winter Cherry” is often rated quite neutral (however, the editors of The Fashion Vibes do not recommend taking any nutritional supplements without consulting a doctor). Why then is its sale prohibited in pharmacies and specialty stores on the territory of the Russian Federation? The main reason for the ban is the lack of convincing scientific studies and contraindications, which we mentioned above. The second reason is the addiction caused by these drugs, which often leads to overdose and uncontrolled intake.