Side Effects of Ashwagandha for Men & Women | Purplle

We all know the good side of Ashwagandha and why we need to include it in our diet. But what a lot of us ignore are some of the side effects. So let’s quickly learn more about it so that we can only reap the good effects and leave out the side effects. We will also learn about the different side effects that are typical to men and women. So what’s the wait? Let’s dig in right now!

Ashwagandha Side Effects you should never ignore

1. Liver problem: Fitness enthusiasts tend to overdo Ashwagandha intake as it helps in the absorption of protein powder by the body.  It was noticed in experiments and research that people taking the herb often and without proper supervision suffered from liver problems. Ashwagandha is a very potent herb and so Ashwagandha side effects can even lead to liver damage. So it is always advisable to follow precautions that are mentioned on the pack or talk to a health practitioner. 

2. Affects Hyperthyroidism: What is hyperthyroidism? When your thyroid glands are too active and produce an excess of thyroid hormones that is when we characterize it as hyperthyroidism. Unfortunately, patients with this underlying condition should be very careful while taking ashwagandha. It might increase hormone production, even more, causing unnecessary complications. 

3. Stomach Problems: Sometimes, patients suffer from different kinds of stomach problems. The most commonly known one is ulcers. If you have been diagnosed with particular problems, then taking Ashwagandha, especially without medical help is not at all advisable. It can worsen the condition. Also, people suffering from diarrhea are advised to stay away from Ashwagandha as it can lead to more loose motions.

4. Excessive Low Blood Pressure: Blood Pressure needs to be maintained at a certain bracket. Too high or too low is always a problem. Ashwagandha has the ability to lower blood pressure. Which is great news for patients with high blood pressure. But excessive intake might lead to extremely low blood pressure. It can be fatal too if not checked at the right time. We suggest you consult your doctor before including it in your diet.

5. Pregnancy: This is a big NO. If you are pregnant then never take Ashwagandha. One of the very infamous Ashwagandha side effects is known to be fetal death or complications. 

6. Diabetic Patient Problems: We all know diabetic patients are extremely susceptible to a lot of food, lifestyle, supplements, etc. Ashwagandha side effects count as one of the very top concerns. If you are diabetic and are still taking Ashwagandha for any other reason, we would recommend keeping a close eye on your blood sugar levels. 

7. Chest Pain: Some people have reported that they experience chest pains after taking Ashwagandha. If you consume this herb regularly in whatever form - powder, pill, oil, nutritional supplement, and suddenly experience chest pains, we’d advise you to see your doctor.

8. Drowsiness: We have mentioned earlier that Ashwagandha does calm your nerves and induce sleep. However sometimes if the proper dosage is not followed, people have complained of drowsiness. The situation has seen to worsen when the patient has combined Ashwagandha and some other drugs. 

9. Fever: Very simply put, Ashwagandha causes fever because it raises the body temperature. Conclusive studies and researches are underway to draw a connection between the two elements. The spike in temperature normally subsides after a few days. Experts suggest that if you have a fever or a slightly raised body temperature, it would be wise not to take this herb. 

10. Dry Mouth: Though this isn’t a very severe side effect, however, it can cause considerable discomfort. Lots of people have complained about feeling dry in the mouth and tongue area. The urge to drink water also increases. Often it is accompanied by heartburn. The best remedy to this situation is to suck on ice chips. It’ll keep your body sufficiently hydrated. Some people also advise chewing gum. However, we think nothing is as good as the good ol’ water. 
 

Wake up to Ashwagandha Side Effects for Men

The exhaustive list above points out Ashwagandha side effects in detail. However certain side effects are more pronounced in men and others in women. 

1. Stomach Problems: The problems of the stomach like diarrhea, ulcers, and nausea is more evident in men than women. 

2, Anxiety: Ashwagandha is known to help with erectile dysfunction. Hence a lot of men take more than prescribed for better performance. They are often completely unaware of the fact that too much Ashwagandha can cause tremors, palpitations, and anxiety. This in fact can then affect the sexual experience. As we have always advised taking this herb after consulting your doctor or according to the prescribed amount. 

3, Testosterone: Often Ashwagandha is taken to increase the testosterone levels in the body. This helps to stay energetic and active - Perfect for younger males. However, older men, especially ones suffering from prostrate problems should be very careful. The body might be extra sensitive to hormones which might aggravate the situation. To tone down the effects of Ashwagandha, you can try and include one spoonful of Chyawanprash in your diet instead.

Know Ashwagandha Side Fffects for Women

1. Breastfeeding: New mothers know that whatever they eat or ingest is also going into the baby’s system. Ashwagandha is a very potent herb. Yes, of course, it does have its amazing benefits but sometimes it can cause bad side effects. So if you are breastfeeding, it's best to avoid it. The potency can be harmful to the baby and might show affect his tiny, yet-to-develop system. 

2. Pregnancy: Never ever have Ashagandha when you are pregnant. Everything you have has the ability to penetrate the placenta and reach the fetus. Ashwagandha can cause miscarriage or disabilities in the yet-tobe-born baby. If you did depend on Ashwagandha for taking care of your skin during pregnancy, we suggest you shift to flaxseeds or chia seeds. Both have loads of antioxidants and are great alternatives to Ashwagandha. 

3. Suppresses self-immunity agents: Ashwagandha as mentioned before is great for the immune system. However, if taken unregulated it can suppress your natural self-immunity agents. As a result, your natural body immunity will show a decline. This isn’t a very good sign because, with the advent of Covid and coronavirus, you would want your immunity to be in top shape. 

Ashwagandha does more good than harm. There is no doubt about it. We while including it in our diet sometimes are careless and do not read up enough. This is why we then see adverse effects. Staying active, and energetic with a good gut and a strong immune system is every person’s dream. Ashwagandha helps you realize this dream. So proceed with caution, stay active and feel alive. 

Read More - Health Benefits of Ashwagandha for Men & Women