Low libido may be contributed to an array of causes, yet a lot of issues that women report when struggling with sex drive are essentially stress-related.
Ashwagandha, an ancient stress-relieving herb, has recently sparked interest, proving to significantly increase female sexual function and interest.
In this article, you will find out more about Ashwagandha for women’s libido and other benefits it may have for women’s health.
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About ashwagandha and women’s health
Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) is an ayurvedic herb, meaning its natural properties help resist physiological and psychological stress by adapting to your body’s needs.
Its broad healing spectrum is what’s interesting to researchers, especially for calming the nervous system and helping with stress-induced issues.
That’s why this supplement is recommended for improving sleep, lowering stress, anxiety, and depression, acting basically as a nerve tonic and a therapeutic healing agent.
A study on ashwagandha’s effect on women’s health also discovered the amazing healing effect it has on premenopausal symptoms, relieving discomfort and urogenital pain and symptoms.
Being basically a natural pain killer, ashwagandha found its way into menopausal symptom relief, diminishing mood swings and hot flashes, but without disrupting the natural hormone changes during the climatic.
What’s more, ashwagandha has an anti-inflammatory effect, it boosts the immune system and fights chronic diseases like arthritis, osteoporosis, epilepsy, and more.
Research also showed the promising potential of this herb for regressing tumours and preventing their creation too.
Finally, ashwagandha is a calming agent that positively affects cardiovascular health and maintains normal blood pressure.
Does ashwagandha increase female libido?
Pinpointing the exact causes of female low libido is extremely hard, mostly because of the complex nature of women’s sexuality.
Different research findings consistently show that women, in general, engage less in sexual thinking and experience less motivation for intercourse than men do, marking female libido in need of more stimulation and “work”. Yet, this doesn’t mean that women’s sex perception is less intense or that it’s not as important as it is to men.
There are several reasons why women experience low libido and these can be divided into the following categories:
- Physical – Normally related to specific diseases that make intercourse painful or very difficult. Abuse of certain drugs, alcohol, or substances may also be the culprits for the lack of sexual interest.
- Hormonal – changes like pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopause can diminish sex drive. Other hormonal issues like hypothyroidism, IR, and POS can also create hormonal imbalance and impact sexual desire in women.
- Psychological – Chronic anxiety, stress, depression, low self-esteem and a distorted self-image are more than often the underlying causes for the lack of sex drive in women.
- Emotional – Research says that emotional closeness and sexual intimacy are much more determined for women than for men when it comes to motivation for intercourse. Consequently, lack of intimacy and trust in the relationship, frequent quarrels and negative tension may be the main off-putters for women.
In ayurvedic medicine, ashwagandha is considered a powerful aphrodisiac, a potent remedy that can increase sexual desire within a few days of supplementation.
The antidepressant and neuroprotective benefits of this antistress adaptogen are also very important for female libido, given that women’s sex drive is closely related to a calm and stress-free mind.
A pilot study examining sex drive and ashwagandha benefits explains that it’s the stress reduction in women and improved testosterone levels in men that make the perfect combo and lead to a boosted libido in women.
Ashwagandha dosage for low libido in females
For healthy women, ashwagandha should be a safe, non-toxic supplement that can be taken daily.
One study examined the effect of ashwagandha root on female sex drive and during the 8 week period, there was a significant improvement in all the examined parameters: difficulties with desire, arousal, lubrication, satisfaction, orgasm, and pain. The participants were given oral 300mg capsules twice a day for 8 weeks.
Even after 4 weeks of consumption, there were noticeable changes and improvements in female libido.
Depending on the type of supplement and brand you’re taking, the recommended daily dosage will vary. The common daily dosage is 600 – 1200mg per day of ashwagandha extract, taken once or twice per day when capsulated.
That said, always read the instructions for use and follow the directions for optimal results.
Best ashwagandha for low libido
Traditional ayurvedic treatments use the whole dry ashwagandha root which is ground into powder and steeped as tea or in milk.
Over-the-counter products usually come in the capsulated form or dietary powder with the infused ashwagandha root extract.
Here are some of the best ashwagandha supplements for low libido on the market:
- VitaBright’s Organic Ashwagandha Premium KSM-66 Capsules
- Time Health Ashwagandha High Strength
- Pukka Herbs Holistic Ashwagandha
- Nutravita Organic Ashwagandha Capsules
- SuperSelf Organic Ashwagandha with Black Pepper Extract
- Hey Nutrition Ashwagandha complex
What to look for when buying ashwagandha online
In the sea of products, it’s sometimes hard knowing what to concentrate on when finding your optimal product. Here are some of the things to consider before purchasing ashwagandha supplements:
1. Make sure your product is high-potency one
Many supplements available on the market are advertised as super potent, but actually contain very low amounts of active ingredients. Look for around 750 mg of ashwagandha extract per serving (one capsule).
2. Look for the ROOT extract, not leaf extract
To address low libido problems, it’s best to use the ashwagandha root extract as it is the one researched for sex drive issues.
3. Watch out for harmful or unnecessary ingredients
To mask the poor quality of their product, some brands will put all sorts of dubious ingredients in their supplements.
Make sure your chosen product is 100% ashwagandha (usually with vegetable cellulose that makes the capsule shell), or if you’re looking for an additional immunity boost, consider products with a complex of vitamins (like B-complex) or other great ingredients like black pepper, magnesium, L-theanine, other plant extracts, etc. Look for labels like GMO-free and organic (if important).
How to take ashwagandha to improve libido
Like with other dietary supplements, brands are getting creative with the ways you can take ashwagandha. Apart from the popular capsulated form, there are ashwagandha powders, gummies, extract-infused protein bars, and more.
The powder is great for smoothies, shakes, or even for enriching your favourite recipes.
When it comes to improving female libido, it’s not really important in which way you choose to take ashwagandha, as long as you take it regularly and according to recommendations.
That said, make sure to opt for ashwagandha root extract instead of the other parts, as it’s the root that demonstrates these amazing properties for boosted sexual desire.
Finally, before making any decisions, make sure you’re in the right place healthwise for these supplements, so it’s best to consult your doctor about optimal ashwagandha supplementation.
