Ashwagandha: Boon For Neurodegenerative Conditions
A simple medical definition of nervous system says:
“The nervous system is a complex network of nerves and cells. It carries messages to and from the brain and spinal cord to various parts of the body. It includes the Central nervous system and Peripheral nervous system. While the Central nervous system is made up of the brain and spinal cord the Peripheral nervous system is made up of Somatic and the Autonomic nervous systems.”
In short nervous system is the most important part of a human body. A healthy nervous system makes an individual intelligent, calm and successful. In modern times the modern factors are putting a detrimental impact on our nervous systems. These factors include stress, toxins from environment, and low nutrition.
Here, an Indian herb also known as Indian ginseng comes as savior. Various scientific studies suggest and support the ability of ashwagandha as adaptogen in helping to relieve stress, but also it protects brain cells from the harmful effects of present lifestyle.
In cases of anxiety and depression this Indian herb has been found to be as effective as tranquilizers and antidepressant drugs. Scientific studies prove that oral administration of ashwagandha for five days showed anti-anxiety effects similar to those achieved by one of the most sold anti-anxiety drug lorazepam. The antidepressant effects of ashwagandha were similar to the antidepressant drug imipramine.
Studies have proved that stress causes free radical damage in human bodies which furthers destroys the nervous system. Early aging symptoms of premature aging have long been found to be associated with nervous tension due to increased oxidative stress. However, in studies when ashwagandha was administered it was found that the potent antioxidant properties of ashwagandha extract removed the oxidative stress there by revitalizing the nervous system.
Other studies carried out on chronic stress support the findings made on ashwagandha. In an animal study when the brains of the animals used in the study were examined it was found that eighty five percent of the brain cells exposed to chronic stress showed signs of degeneration that can lead to long-term cognitive problems in humans.
As a god sent herb when ashwagandha was given to these stressed animals there was a remarkable reduction of 80 percent in the degenerating brain cells.
Studies have showed that ashwagandha reduces stress by reducing the increased levels of the stress hormone cortisol. There is also increased energy, good sleep with the use of ashwagandha.
A study carried out at the Institute of Natural Medicine at the Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University in Japan found many brain benefits of ashwagandha. The Institute’s scientists have been looking for methods to encourage the regeneration of nerve cell components called axons and dendrites in human brain.
The researches of this Japanese Institute using a validated model of damaged nerve cells and impaired nerve-signaling pathways found that this herb supported noteworthy regeneration of the axons and dendrites of nerve cells. Its extract supported the reconstruction of synapses, the junctions where nerve cells communicate with other cells.
The scientists of the Japanese institute further found that ashwagandha extract helps to reconstruct and regenerate networks of the nervous system. This property of ashwagandha makes it a potential treatment for neurodegenerative ailments like Alzheimer, Parkinson and chronic conditions for which there are presently no effective treatment in the modern medicine.
Reference:www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/Dendrite extension by methanol extract of Ashwagandha (roots of Withania somnifera) in SK-N-SH cells. Tohda C1, Kuboyama T, Komatsu K.
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