13. Inflammation
Ashwagandha can combat inflammation which in turn helps to improve many different aspects of general health. Chronic inflammation is one of the biggest health issues affecting millions of people around the world. Using Ashwagandha has been shown to reduce a marker for inflammation known as C-reactive protein, by as much as 36% percent!
Inflammation may lie behind a large number of different health issues that we previously believed to be unrelated. For example, inflammation can lead to arthritis and joint pain – which is visible made worse by swelling. However, inflammation might also lie behind high blood pressure and some cases of heart disease, as it reduces the amount of space for blood to move through blood vessels.
Chronic inflammation that continues unchecked for long periods is even thought to be responsible for some cases of brain fog and depression. This is because it actually causes the brain to swell up, leaving you feeling tired, confused, and generally unmotivated. The way you feel when you have a cold – disinterested and unable to muster enthusiasm for tasks – is very likely caused by the same inflammation that can affect you in the long term.