how long can you take ashwagandha
Ashwagandha,  Ashwangandha - Tutorials, FAQs & More

How Long Can You take Ashwagandha – Detailed Overview, FAQs, & More

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Traditionally, Ashwagandha has helped people calm down in moments of anxiety by reducing the stress hormone. 

However, you cannot take the herb for a random period of time without knowing when to stop taking it.

Therefore, in this guide, we will help you understand how much Ashwagandha you can take and for how long. 

Quick Summary


By the end of this article, we will take a look at:

  • How long can you take Ashwagandha powder?
  • Side effects of taking Ashwagandha powder
  • Precautions and warnings for Ashwagandha use

Let’s go through it.

How Long Can You Take Ashwagandha Powder?

It is important to understand that Ashwagandha has its share of side effects and consuming it for some period of time without any direction may be harmful. 

Ashwagandha powder is also a mix of multiple compounds and it is quite possible for it to lose its effectiveness if you continue to take it endlessly.

Therefore, cycling your Ashwagandha intake is traditionally recommended to ensure it does not lose its effectiveness and that you utilize the benefits properly.

Let’s take a look at the cycle for Ashwagandha intake.

1-5 Days – Cycling Method

You can consume Ashwagandha for 1-5 days in the morning and in the evening or only 1 dose in the afternoon.

This consumption pattern would be followed by a period where you’ll abstain from the intake for a time about half or equal to the time you consumed the supplement.

With the help of this cycling method you could: 

  1. Avoid developing any sort of side effects against the compounds in the supplement.
  2. Develop tolerance for Ashwagandha as it allows you to consume the herb for an extensive period of time. 

This would basically be a macro period where you would consume the herb every single day throughout the 2-3 months followed by a 1-2 month abstinence from the intake.

So, does it work?

We noticed that this cycling method is easy for most people who are getting into herb supplements and don’t want to worry about whether or not they missed a day in the intake.

However, once the 2-3 months of consumption are over, you would need to stop taking the Ashwagandha powder for 1-2 months to stop your body from developing tolerance to it.

Note: If you want to know How Much Ashwagandha to Use for Sleep click HERE.

The Side Effects Of Ashwagandha

No type of supplement is without its share of side effects, especially if you take them in large doses or for a long period of time.

Therefore, it is important to know what effects Ashwagandha can have if used in certain doses and ways.

If taken by mouth and in large doses, Ashwagandha can possibly upset your stomach and cause diarrhea, vomiting, and, rarely liver problems.

On the other hand, not much information is available to know about the safety and side effects when Ashwagandha is directly applied to the skin.

This shows that more research and studies are required to know about the effects of the supplement so that it could be recommended more.

Precautions and Warnings for Ashwagandha Use

Apart from the side effects, the intake of Ashwagandha can have, there are also some circumstances in which you will need to take special care from using the supplement.

When Pregnant

There is a chance that using Ashwagandha in a pregnant state is unsafe. Some evidence has shown that the use of Ashwagandha can cause a miscarriage.

When Breast-Feeding 

In this case, there isn’t much accurate or trustworthy information available to deem it unsafe when you are breastfeeding. However, it is best to avoid staying on the safe side.

If You Have Thyroid

If you are suffering from a Thyroid disorder, it is best to avoid the use of Ashwagandha as it can possibly elevate the condition and increase the hormone levels of the thyroid.

Note: If you want to gain information about Can You Use Ashwagandha when Pregnant? click HERE.

During Surgery Period

It is quite possible that the use of Ashwagandha may slow down the nervous system due to its nature. 

Therefore, it is recommended to stop taking the supplement at least 2 weeks before the surgery as other drugs during the surgery can increase the slow-down effect.  

With Auto-immune Diseases

Ashwagandha can affect the activity levels of the immune system and can cause it to become more active. This can accelerate the symptoms of some auto-immune diseases.

Ashwagandha long-term

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is Ashwagandha long-term?

Although the long-term effects of Ashwagandha are unknown, a review of studies has found the supplement to be safe for most people and the root of the herb to be effective for the management of health conditions such as stress, anxiety, etc.

Can I take Ashwagandha every day?

The medicinal herb is proven to be effective in some health conditions and offers various benefits for your health such as a boost in muscle strength, fertility, and blood sugar. 

Even though the dosage can change according to your condition, 250-300 mg every day for a month is mostly effective.

Note: If you want to know the Ashwagandha sleep reviews click HERE.

Do you need a break from Ashwagandha?

Yes, you do need a break from the intake of Ashwagandha. It is important that you take a break for about 2-3 weeks or for at least a period equal to the time you were taking the supplement, before starting your daily intake again. 

Without any breaks, the prolonged period of intake can cause discomfort and various issues with the stomach.

How long does Ashwagandha take to work?

It can take days or weeks before Ashwagandha starts to take effect on you. In some studies, it took several weeks for the participants to notice a change in their moods as well as sleeping patterns.

How long does Ashwagandha take to work for anxiety?

It is possible for Ashwagandha to bring an impact within 2 weeks of using it if it is taken alongside a good lifestyle. 

However, it can take up to a few months before you experience any changes in your mental and physical. It all depends on how severe the individual’s health really is. 

Note: If you have any questions about Ashwagandha click HERE.

Does Ashwagandha cause weight gain?

It is quite unlikely that Ashwagandha will make you gain weight. In fact, there is a chance that it will help you lose weight. But weight is complicated and there is not much evidence to know whether Ashwagandha affects your weight or not. It mostly depends on how reactive your metabolism is.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there is a limit to which the Ashwagandha supplement can be consumed, even if it is proven to be mostly safe.

We recommend using Ashwagandha in cycles and with proper breaks after each period as over-dosage of the herb can cause various stomach-related issues.

Therefore, it is important to consult a specialist before using Ashwagandha for your condition, and if you do use it, consume the supplement in cycles for effective utilization.

if you want to learn how you can care for your body and mind click HERE.