Is ashwagandha a nightshade?

Ashwagandha is an adaptogen that's a member of the nightshade family, and thus a distant cousin to tomatoes and eggplants. It also goes by Withania somnifera, Indian ginseng, and winter cherry.

Who should not take ashwagandha?

Certain groups of people should avoid using ashwagandha, including those who are pregnant or breastfeeding and those who have medical conditions like diabetes, high or low blood pressure, stomach ulcers, autoimmune disease, or thyroid disorders.

What herbs are in the nightshade family?

Nightshades are in the Solanacease family, which has more than 2,000 different plant species. Tomatoes, potatoes, tomatillos, eggplant and peppers are common edible nightshades. Many herbs and spices are derived from nightshades, including cayenne pepper, crushed red pepper, chili powder and paprika.

Does ashwagandha have anti-inflammatory?

Reduced Risk of Chronic Diseases

Ashwagandha has anti-inflammatory properties. While inflammation is a natural response to infection or stress, chronic inflammation over time is linked to heart disease, diabetes, cancer, arthritis, and bowel diseases.

What happens when you take ashwagandha daily?

Ashwagandha is a medicinal herb that may offer several health benefits, such as improved blood sugar, inflammation, mood, memory, stress and anxiety, as well as a boost in muscle strength and fertility. Dosages vary depending on your needs, but 250–500 mg per day for at least one month seem effective.

The Dark Side of Ashwagandha

What are the dangers of taking ashwagandha?

Large doses can cause upset stomach, diarrhea, and vomiting. Risks. Talk to a doctor before using ashwagandha if you have any health conditions, including cancer, diabetes, thyroid problems, bleeding disorders, ulcers, lupus, multiple sclerosis, or rheumatoid arthritis. Ashwagandha might interfere with thyroid tests.

Does ashwagandha cause liver damage?

The widely used medicinal herb Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) has been recently reported to cause liver damage. Withanone is a major metabolite of Ashwagandha. Withanone was found to cause DNA damage.

How does ashwagandha affect the thyroid?

Ashwagandha's cortisol-lowering effects may be responsible. Chronic stress increases cortisol levels, leading to lower levels of T3 and T4. Ashwagandha appears to stimulate your endocrine system, boosting thyroid hormone levels by reducing cortisol ( 6 ).

Can turmeric and ashwagandha be taken together?

This turmeric and ashwagandha tea, which is equal parts soothing and rejuvenating. The health benefits of both turmeric and ashwagandha are now globally renowned, and the combining both could actually do wonders for your overall health.

Can ashwagandha cause hair loss?

A number of studies and researches have highlighted the association between ashwagandha and hair loss reduction. An observational research done in 2012, revealed that the patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia experienced a visible reduction in scalp hair loss after using ashwagandha for eight months.

Is ginger a nightshade?

Nightshade spices usually give food a hot kick. You can still get this sensation through non-nightshade spices like ginger, garlic, horseradish and wasabi. Usually you'll need more of these spices than you would of the red peppers.

Is Cinnamon a nightshade?

A Cinnamon belongs to the family Lauraceae and is not a nightshade. Nightshades are members of the family of flowering plants known as Solanaceae, which includes jimsonweed, henbane, mandrake, belladonna, capsicums (paprika, chili peppers, etc.), eggplant, potato, tomato, tobacco, and petunia.

Is Avocado a nightshade?

In the end, if you feel you might have some sort of autoimmune disease or that you're suffering from a leaky gut, you should try cutting out the foods on the nightshade vegetables list. There are several great replacements for these foods, like avocado, Brussels sprouts, and Jerusalem artichokes.

Why should people with autoimmune avoid ashwagandha?

Why is ashwagandha not advisable for people with autoimmune disorders? In people with autoimmune disorders, the immune system is already overactive. Because ashwagandha can stimulate the immune system, it can rev up your immune system even more, and that can be harmful.

Can I take ashwagandha and vitamin D?

For our Destress Capsules, containing both Ashwagandha and Vitamin D, we recommend taking two capsules daily for optimum results.

Does ashwagandha make your heart race?

Rare but serious complications of using ashwagandha include liver injury, rapid heartbeat, and allergic reactions. However, common side effects are typically mild and resolve when you stop using the herb.

Can you take ginger and ashwagandha together?

Organic combination of pure Ashwagandha root and Ginger root is known to also enhance cognition, have anti-aging properties, aid with digestion, boost the immune system and act as an aphrodisiac. Ashwagandha is often called Indian ginseng in reference to its rejuvenating and tonic effects.

Can ashwagandha cause hypothyroidism?

This herb can boost thyroid hormone levels in the body, therefore is advised only for the patients of hypothyroidism. Also, due to the opposite effects of both types of thyroid, consumption of ashwagandha can worsen hyperthyroidism symptoms.

Can I take ashwagandha with Hashimoto?

Not everyone with subclinical hypothyroidism needs treatment (Biondi, 2019). However, people with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, the most common cause of hypothyroidism in the U.S., should not take ashwagandha.

What herbs should I avoid with hypothyroidism?

Bugleweed (Lycopus virginicus, Lycopus europaeus) and lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) may interfere with the action of thyroid hormones. Check with your doctor before taking these herbs with thyroid hormones. The interaction is supported by preliminary, weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.

Is ashwagandha hard on kidneys?

Herbal supplements are widely used and may lead to kidney injury through several mechanisms including tubular damage and interstitial nephritis. Ashwagandha is an Indian herbal supplement that is widely available over the counter and online, with immunostimulatory effects and may lead to kidney allograft rejection.

Does ashwagandha detox the liver?

Ashwagandha is an overall safe Ayurvedic herb that may help with stress, anxiety, liver health, and other medical problems. Animal studies have shown that ashwagandha may improve liver damage from toxins, radiation, fatty liver disease, etc.

What herbs are hard on the liver?

In fact, some common herbs could cause toxic liver disease. Watch out for supplements that contain aloe vera, black cohosh, cascara, chaparral, comfrey, ephedra, or kava.