0Comparison, Which one is better ashwagandha or Shilajit?
Compare Ashwagandha Vs Shilajit: Which Is Better Than The Other?
As an Indian, ashwagandha and shilajit might be the two words that you have heard at least once so far. They are those medicinal compounds that can largely and undoubtedly help your body in various ways. In fact, the way they are sometimes used for similar purposes makes them much more advantageous. This also gives you the option to choose one between the both. Other than that, their availability is also in different forms like tablets, gummies, powders, etc. However, this might also make you question which benefits you more. To understand which one between both of these extracts from nature is better than the other?
Brief Overview Of Ashwagandha
Do you know why ashwagandha is called so? Ashwagandha is a combo of two terms in Sanskrit- ‘ashwa’ and ‘gandha’. It was named so by our ancestors who were into medicines because this herb smells like horses. Interesting, isn’t it? Whatever the reason may be, it has so many qualities to offer to us that we can now also get ashwagandha tablets.
Benefits
Though ashwagandha tablets have several benefits, some of them are mentioned below:
Stress and anxiety: Ashwagandha is known to be effective in coping with HPA axis activity. This helps an individual to deal with and in fact, stress less than usual. Interrelated as they are, stress reduces anxiety.
Blood sugar levels and fat: Ashwagandha pills hold the ability to boost the synthesis of insulin. Whereas, insulin is a hormone that balances blood sugar and fats. Thus, ashwagandha helps indirectly here.
Muscle and overall strength: Ashwagandha tablets reduce muscle damage as well as help in their repair and protection. Furthermore, if you are aiming to improve your health much more, you can definitely count on ashwagandha.
Women’s sexual health: The reason that ashwagandha can influence hormones in one’s body indicates that it can also influence sex hormones in women (oestrogen). Women consuming ashwagandha have been shown to possess an improved reproductive system.
Men’s sexual health: Just as in the case of women, ashwagandha tablets can help increase the levels of testosterone (male hormones) and improve their fertility. Increasing sperm count, improving their health and semen quality are all its functions.
Brain functioning: As it helps in the reduction of stress hormones in humans, this also applies to how beneficial it is towards the functioning of the brain. It activates memory cells as well as helps you gain better concentration.
Heart health: Another factor that is connected to stress levels is our heart health. Because ashwagandha tablets can reduce stress, they automatically help your heart maintain its health. Now your heart pumps blood happily!
Insomnia: Removing stress, unrest, heart troubles, etc all contribute to helping you get a sound sleep. Therefore, the sleep-inducing compounds in ashwagandha can help you deal with insomnia better.
Side-Effects
Ashwagandha tablets may exhibit some of these side effects when consumed in excess:
- Upset stomach
- Diarrhoea
- Vomiting
- Drowsiness
- Rashes
- Weight gain
- Dry mouth, etc.
Brief Overview Of Shilajit
For clearance to anyone who needs it, shilajit is a powdery substance or exudate. Extracted from mountains present in higher altitudes of the Himalayas, this is an excellent health ingredient. And this might come as a surprising fact for some people although its name itself represents its origin clearly. Because it is used for medicinal purposes, it’s given that this “rocky substance” has many benefits…
Benefits
To know what all the benefits Shilajit have, go on with your reading!
Iron deficiency anaemia:
Infertility: Shilajit is well-known for how it boosts sex hormones and it was used in dealing with infertility in older times. Well, times have changed but not much as, at times, it is still used for this same purpose.
Testosterone levels: Of course, this benefit was expected. Shilajit is infamously known for its effects on sex hormones in humans. It hikes the testosterone levels in men which, in turn, helps them in multiple ways.
Memory: One major function that this exudate has is that can help improve our memory. The logic behind this is the presence of fulvic acid in it that enhances the memory cells of the brain.
Heart health: The presence of fulvic acid, iron, and antioxidants in shilajit, together, contribute to keeping one’s heart healthy and bulletproof-like against various heart diseases that otherwise may affect this blood-pumping organ.
Chronic fatigue syndrome: Remember how you thought the biological fact that mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cell was not that useful? Well, CFS occurs due to the dysfunction in mitochondria. However, this can be helped with Shilajit.
Ageing: It is free radicals and unstable molecules that cause ageing or say, the signs of ageing through cellular damage. However, shilajit has antioxidants and anti-ageing properties that work against this trouble as well.
Altitude sickness: Isn’t it weirdly coincidental that shilajit is acquired from higher altitudes and helps against altitude sickness? The scientific reasoning for this is that it is helpful towards your cells and enables them to transfer all the mandatory nutrients to all parts of your body.
Side-Effects
One may face any of the following side effects of taking shilajit:
- When consumed raw, can cause metallic poisoning
- Miscarriages
- Hormonal imbalance, if taken during breast-feeding
- Varied side effects due to reaction with other medications
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Irregular heartbeat
Comparison And Collective Thoughts!
Now that you have come this far, let’s see their facts, in brief, to help you decide which one might be a better option for you.
|
Ashwagandha Tablets |
Shilajit |
||
|
Benefits In? |
Side effects |
Benefits In? |
Side effects |
|
Stress and anxiety |
Upset stomach |
Iron deficiency anaemia |
Metallic poisoning |
|
Blood sugar and fats |
Diarrhoea |
Ageing |
Miscarriages |
|
Strength |
Vomiting |
Chronic fatigue syndrome |
Hormonal imbalance |
|
Sexual health |
Drowsiness |
Sexual health |
Medication counter-effects |
|
Heart health |
Rashes |
Heart health |
Dizziness |
|
Insomnia |
Weight gain |
Altitude sickness |
Fatigue |
|
Memory and focus |
Dry mouth |
Memory and focus |
Irregular heartbeat |
Frequently Asked Questions
Shilajit is used for sexual health, mental health, altitude sickness, fighting signs of ageing, etc.
Ashwagandha is generally considered safe to intake daily however, a professional consultation is advised.
The simplest form to take shilajit is in its powder form.
You may consume shilajit on a regular basis depending on your health conditions, body requirements, and most importantly, per prescribed by the doctor.
Purposes like memory improvement, reducing stress, improving sexual and fertility issues, etc. are included as ashwagandha’s Ayurvedic uses.
Sources:
Healthline
Forbes
WebMD
PharmEasy
